Immigrating to the UK from the US | Total Law (2024)

If you are coming to the UK through an employment route, you can apply for any of the following visas:

UK Business Visas

You can immigrate to the UK through the UK business visa route if you are a ‘high-value migrant’ with the ability and readiness to invest, set up a business, or work in some fields regarded as ‘exceptional talent’ in the UK. There are different subcategories, which include:

• Global Talent Visa: This category is for individuals who work in certain fields and are recognized as leaders in their field. These professions include medicine, science, engineering, or arts.
• Innovator Visa: This category requires you to have a capital investment of £50,000.
• Investor Visa: You may qualify for this if you have access to at least £2 million, which you can invest in the UK.
• Start-Up Visa: You can apply for this route if you are coming to the UK to start your first business. The startup visa doesn’t have a specific minimum investment amount. The important thing is to demonstrate that the business has a high potential for growth.

UK Work Visas

You can immigrate to the UK from the US through work visas if you have been offered a skilled job by a UK employer. The occupation must be on the Shortage Occupations List, and your prospective employer must have a certificate of sponsorship. The subcategories are as follows:

• Skilled Worker Visa: This category is for people who have received a UK job offer for one of the positions on the Shortage Occupations List or for an occupation that does have not enough skilled workers in the domestic labor market.
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa – ITC: If you are currently working in the US and your organization has an office in the UK, this category should work for you. Your employer must be willing to transfer you to the UK branch. You can apply for the ITC visa whether you are a new graduate trainee or a long-term staff.
• Sportsperson Visa: This category is for internationally acclaimed athletes and coaches whose role is endorsed by the governing body in charge of their sport.
• Minister of Religion Visa: This is designed for missionaries and religious workers coming to work within a faith-based community in the UK.

You may be eligible toimmigrate to the UK from the US through any of the following family visas:

• AdultDependantRelativeVisa:You can apply for this category ifyou are the parent, sibling, grandparent, or adult child of a British citizen or settled person.To be eligible, you must require long-term personal care as a result ofillness, age,or disability.
• ChildDependantVisa:You can apply for this visa if you are a child of a British citizen or settled person and you’re under the age of 18.
• UK Ancestry Visa: You can apply for this if you are a Commonwealth citizen or one of your grandparents is a UK national. Many Americans have British citizenship without knowing. If you were born in the UK before 1983 or any of your parents were born in the UK, you may have British citizenship even if you have never applied for a British passport. British citizenship by birth is a little bit complex. So, if you think there is an ancestral link to Britain in your family line, you may need to speak with an immigration lawyer to have a clearer insight on this.

Partner Visas

If you are married to or in acivilrelationship with a British citizen or settled person, you may immigrate to the UK from the United States through any of the following routes:

• Spouse Visa:Also known as a marriage visa, this is one of the fastest and easiest ways to immigrate to the UK from the United States.
• Fiancé Visa:You can apply for this visa if you intend to join your partner in the UK and get married within six months after your arrival.
• Unmarried Partner Visa: This visa is for long-term civil partners of British citizens or settled persons who wish to join their partner in the UK. In some parts of the UK, this visa allows both same-sex and opposite-sex partners as long as you can demonstrate that your relationship is two years or longer. But in England and Wales, opposite-sex couples aren’t allowed to form a civil partner relationship.

1. Complete Application Form Online

You will start by filling the online application form and pay the required fees. While completing the form, be sure to provide accurate and honest information.The application process can take several months, depending on yourcase. So, it is important to applyas earlyas possible.The earliest you can apply is usually:

• 3 months before your employment start date if you are coming on a work visa
• 6 months before the start date for your course of study if coming on a student visa

2. Gather Your Supporting Documents

Document checklist for UK immigration depends on the visa category you are applying for. For instance, afamily visa applicant will needdocuments to demonstrate a qualifying family relationship with the relative they are applying to join in the UK. If you are choosing a work visa route, you must demonstrate that you have the required credentials for the position.As an investment or startup visa applicant, proof of financial abilitytoinvest in your choice of business will be required.In general, however,most individuals immigrating to the UK from the US will need to provide thefollowing:

• Completed UK visa application form
• Valid passport
• Passport size photographs taken within the past six months
• Proof of payment of application fees
• Proof of means of subsistence
• Tuberculosis test results
• Biometric information
• Proof of accommodation in the UK

3. Book and Attend Biometric Appointment

Once you have completed your application, you will be prompted to book a biometric appointment at an Application Service Centre (ASC). At this appointment, you will have your fingerprints and photo taken. You can also have your biometric appointment at a VFS Premium Application Centre (PAC). If you choose a VFS PAC, you will have to purchase a Premium Service. Children under the age of 5 will not be asked to provide their fingerprints, but their photographs will be taken during the biometrics appointment. You must have the following with you when going for the appointment:

• A printout copy of your application form
• Your current passport
• A copy of your biometric confirmation receipt

4. After Your Application

Once your appointment confirmation letter is stamped at theASC, you will have to post the following items within 5 days:

• Your current passport
• Your appointmentform
• UPS return shipping label
  Any supporting documents (if you have not uploaded them online).

The address to post them to is:

VFS Services USA Inc.
UKVI Scanning Hub
145 West 45th St
Floor 5
New York NY
10036