Moving to the UK from North America: Complete Guide 2026
What you need to know
- •No TB test required for US or Canadian citizens.
- •Americans are exempt from English testing. Canadians are NOT — they need a SELT test or English-taught degree.
- •Canada participates in the Youth Mobility Scheme (ages 18-35, 2-year visa).
- •The USA is not part of the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- •Visa approval rates are above 95 percent for most categories.
- •The Immigration Health Surcharge (1,035 GBP/year) is the largest hidden cost.
- •Skilled Worker visa is the most common route for professionals from both countries.
North American applicants benefit from high approval rates and no TB testing. Americans are exempt from English language tests; Canadians are not (a common surprise). Canadians also have access to the Youth Mobility Scheme. The costs are substantial — the Immigration Health Surcharge alone can run to thousands of pounds.
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North America and UK Immigration
The UK is one of the most popular destinations for Americans and Canadians looking to live abroad. Strong cultural and linguistic ties, a shared legal heritage, and the appeal of London as a global hub make the UK a natural choice. In practical terms, North American applicants face fewer barriers than most other nationalities: no TB test, no English language test, and high approval rates.
That said, the UK visa system is not free or simple. Costs add up quickly, particularly the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is the single largest expense for most applicants. And while approval rates are high, you still need to meet all the requirements for your chosen visa route.
What Makes North American Applications Different
No TB Test
Neither the USA nor Canada is on the UK's TB testing list. This removes one step and one cost from the application process. You simply do not need to think about this requirement.
English Language Requirements
Americans are exempt from the English language requirement — the USA is on UKVI's majority English-speaking countries list.
Canadians are NOT exempt. Despite English being widely spoken, Canada is not on the UKVI list. Canadian citizens must prove their English through an approved SELT test (such as IELTS for UKVI) or with a degree taught in English. This catches many Canadians off guard — plan for it early.
High Approval Rates
US and Canadian visa applications have approval rates above 95 percent for most categories. The Home Office considers North American applicants to be low-risk, with strong financial profiles and strong ties to their home countries. This does not mean applications are rubber-stamped — you must still provide all required documents and meet all criteria.
Visa Routes
Youth Mobility Scheme (Canada Only)
The Youth Mobility Scheme is one of the most attractive routes for young Canadians. It allows Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years with no sponsor requirement and no restriction on the type of work.
Key details:
- Age 18 to 35 at the time of application
- Must have at least 2,530 GBP in savings
- Valid for 2 years
- No extension, but you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa or other route from within the UK
- Application fee: 298 GBP plus IHS
The USA is not currently part of the Youth Mobility Scheme. American citizens aged 18 to 35 do not have access to this route.
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the most common route for North American professionals. You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, and the job must meet the minimum salary threshold.
Popular sectors for North Americans include finance, technology, consulting, legal services, creative industries, and academia. Many multinational companies transfer employees between US/Canadian offices and their London operations.
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Intra-Company Transfer
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa (formerly Intra-Company Transfer) is designed for employees of multinational companies transferring to a UK branch. This is particularly common for Americans working at companies with offices in both the US and UK. The salary threshold is higher than the standard Skilled Worker visa, but the route is well-suited to senior professionals.
Spouse and Partner Visa
If your partner is a British citizen or has settled status, you can apply for a Spouse visa. The financial requirement applies, but the English language requirement is waived for US and Canadian nationals.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa is for individuals recognised as exceptional talent or exceptional promise in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, or the arts. No job offer is needed. This route is popular among North American academics, researchers, and tech leaders.
Ancestry Visa (Some Canadians)
Canada is a Commonwealth country, so Canadian citizens with a UK-born grandparent may be eligible for the Ancestry visa. This allows 5 years of unrestricted work with no sponsor requirement. American citizens are not eligible for the Ancestry visa as the USA is not a Commonwealth country.
The Real Cost of Moving to the UK
While the visa process for North Americans is relatively straightforward, it is not cheap. The hidden costs can surprise first-time applicants.
- Skilled Worker visa fee: 719 GBP to 1,500 GBP depending on the length and whether the job is on the shortage occupation list
- Immigration Health Surcharge: 1,035 GBP per year. For a 5-year visa, that is 5,175 GBP per person, paid upfront.
- Dependant fees: Each family member pays their own visa fee and IHS
- ILR application: 2,885 GBP per person after 5 years
- Citizenship: 1,580 GBP per person
For a family of four on a 5-year Skilled Worker visa, total immigration costs from application to citizenship can exceed 40,000 GBP. See our UK visa fees guide for a detailed breakdown.
Practical Adjustment Tips
Moving from North America to the UK involves more than just getting a visa. Key practical differences include:
- Banking. You will need a UK bank account. Some banks accept new visa holders with proof of address; others require a longer credit history. See our guide to opening a bank account.
- Healthcare. The NHS is publicly funded. As an IHS payer, you can register with a GP and access hospital care. Dental care is partially private.
- Tax. The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. You may have ongoing US tax obligations (the USA taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence). Canadians generally stop being Canadian tax residents once they move.
- Driving. You can drive on your US or Canadian licence for 12 months after arriving. After that, you must exchange it for a UK licence. See our driving licence guide.
- National Insurance. You will need a National Insurance number to work legally in the UK.
The Path to Settlement and Citizenship
Most visa routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years. After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months.
Both the USA and the UK allow dual citizenship. You do not need to give up your American or Canadian passport to become a British citizen. Canada also allows dual citizenship.
Next Steps
- Skilled Worker visa guide
- Youth Mobility Scheme guide (Canadians)
- Spouse visa guide
- Global Talent visa guide
- Ancestry visa guide (Canadians)
- Immigration Health Surcharge explained
For official information, visit the GOV.UK visa checker and the GOV.UK Youth Mobility Scheme page.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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