Moving to United Kingdom
15 ways to move to United Kingdom in our guide: 2 talent schemes, 2 working holiday visas, 2 business / startup routes, 4 work visas, 1 student visa, 3 routes by nationality or ancestry, 1 spouse visa.
No digital nomad visa. Tax for newcomers: Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime, New-resident relief (4 years). Checked against official sources on .
The United Kingdom offers a wide range of immigration routes, from sponsored work and study to special talent and business visas. Visas and tax are separate.
Top options in United Kingdom · 2
Talent schemes
Global Talent
First stay: 5 yrs
Talent schemes
High Potential Individual
First stay: 2 yrs
Working holiday · 2
India Young Professionals visa
Age limit and funds needed: Ages 18–30 · £2,530 ≈ $3,340
Youth Mobility Scheme
Age limit and funds needed: Ages vary by passport · £2,530 ≈ $3,340
Business / Startup · 2
Innovator Founder
First stay: 3 yrs
UK Expansion Worker visa
Income needed: £53k+ a year ≈ $69k
Work · 4
Student · 1
Student visa
First stay: 5 yrs
For your nationality or ancestry · 3
Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application.
British citizenship by descent
BN(O) visa
First stay: 5 yrs
UK Ancestry visa
First stay: 5 yrs
Spouse visas · 1
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Spouse or partner visa
Income needed: £29k+ a year ≈ $38k
Free movement and visa-free stays · 2
Common Travel Area · Lets you live here
Open to 1 passport: Ireland.
Visa-free stay (6 months) · Up to 6 months as a visitor
Work not allowed
Open to 83 passports: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, FM, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, KI, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, MH, MO, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, PW, Qatar, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Bahamas, TO, TV, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, VA, VC, WS.
Tax
This regime allows relief on eligible foreign income and gains, such as foreign dividends, interest, and certain overseas business profits. However, foreign employment earnings are not covered. The UK also has standard income tax rates and a Personal Allowance, which apply to your taxable income.
Special regime
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime
Tax relief
Details
- Who: UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test
Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.
Taxed on
Claimed eligible foreign income and gains arising in the first four UK tax-resident years after at least ten years’ non-UK residence. Examples include foreign trade conducted wholly outside the UK, overseas property-business profits, non-UK dividends and foreign interest. Foreign employment earnings and specified employment income are outside FIG.
Who it applies to
- UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test.
- Within the first 4 years of UK tax residence after at least 10 years as non-UK resident.
- Claim made annually; unused years do not roll over; temporary years abroad are skipped.
- If the 4 years began before 6 April 2025, claims are available from 2025 to 2026 to the last year of the period.
Exclusions
- UK-source income stays taxable.
- Foreign earnings and foreign specific employment income are not eligible, though Overseas Workday Relief may apply.
- A claim loses Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowances, Marriage Allowance, Married Couples Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance.
Tax residence
Qualifying resident means UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test and within the first four years of UK residence after at least a 10-year period as non-UK tax resident.
Visas
Immigration permission does not qualify anyone; eligibility is tax residence only.
Other taxes
National Insurance, VAT, payroll, UK-source income, treaties and home-country taxes are outside the claim.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
UK income tax rates and Personal Allowance
Details
- On: Taxable income of UK residents (England, Wales and Northern Ireland bands shown)
- Who: UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test
- Limit: £13k/yr ≈ $17k
Tax year 2026/27 (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027): standard Personal Allowance GBP 12,570 (≈ $16,600); 20% basic rate to GBP 50,270, (≈ $66,400) 40% to GBP 125,140 (≈ $165,000) and 45% above; the allowance falls by GBP 1 (≈ $1) for every GBP 2 (≈ $3) of adjusted net income above GBP 100,000 (≈ $132,000) and is zero from GBP 125,140 (≈ $165,000) (Scotland sets its own rates on non-savings income). Dividends above the GBP 500 (≈ $660) allowance are taxed at 10.75%, 35.75% and 39.35% from 6 April 2026.
Taxed on
Taxable income of UK residents (England, Wales and Northern Ireland bands shown).
Who it applies to
- UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test.
Limits
- GBP 12,570 a year (≈ $16,600) · Personal Allowance
- GBP 50,270 a year (≈ $66,400) · Upper limit of 20% basic rate
- GBP 100,000 a year (≈ $132,000) · Adjusted net income above which the Personal Allowance falls by GBP 1 (≈ $1) for every GBP 2 (≈ $3)
- GBP 125,140 a year (≈ $165,000) · Upper limit of 40% higher rate; 45% above, no Personal Allowance
- GBP 500 a year (≈ $660) · Dividend allowance; dividends above it are taxed at 10.75% (basic), 35.75% (higher) and 39.35% (additional rate) in 2026/27
Tax residence
Statutory Residence Test.
Visas
Visa type does not change rates.
Other taxes
National Insurance and VAT are separate. Dividend rates for 2026/27 are 10.75% (basic), 35.75% (higher) and 39.35% (additional), after the GBP 500 (≈ $660) dividend allowance.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
United Kingdom in pictures
Shorter stays · 1
Spouse visas
Fiancé visa
Income needed: £29k+ a year ≈ $38k
Switch to later · 1
Work
Graduate visa
First stay: 2 yrs
Path to permanent residence · 1
- Citizenship after 3 years · British citizenship by descent and registration of children of citizens by descent (British Nationality Act 1981 sections 2 and 3; forms UKM, UKF, MN1)
Arriving in United Kingdom: first steps
- Arrange health cover: as a visa holder you may need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.
- Find a place to live and keep your address details ready for official registrations.
- Open a UK bank account once you have proof of address and your visa.
- If your visa requires it, register with the police or other authorities after you arrive.
- Keep your visa and passport safe and check the conditions of your stay, such as work restrictions.
Questions people ask
What special talent visas does United Kingdom have?
United Kingdom has 2 talent schemes. Global Talent gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. High Potential Individual gives a first stay of 2 years.
Does United Kingdom have a working holiday visa?
Yes. United Kingdom has 2 working holiday visas. India Young Professionals visa is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 2 years. Youth Mobility Scheme gives a first stay of 2 years.
Can I move to United Kingdom by starting a business?
United Kingdom has 2 business or startup routes. Innovator Founder gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. UK Expansion Worker visa asks for an income of at least GBP 52,500 a year (≈ $69,400) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
What work visas does United Kingdom offer foreigners?
United Kingdom has 4 work visas. Health and Care Worker visa asks for a salary of at least GBP 25,000 a year (≈ $33,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. Scale-up Worker asks for a salary of at least GBP 39,100 a year (≈ $51,700) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. Senior or Specialist Worker visa asks for a salary of at least GBP 52,500 a year (≈ $69,400) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has 1 student visa. Student visa gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed.
Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in United Kingdom?
Yes. United Kingdom has 3 routes by nationality or ancestry. BN(O) visa gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. UK Ancestry visa gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. There is also British citizenship by descent.
Can I join my spouse or partner in United Kingdom?
Yes. United Kingdom has 1 spouse visa. Spouse or partner visa asks for an income of at least GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300) and gives a first stay of 2.8 years that can be renewed.
Does United Kingdom have a special tax regime for new residents?
Yes: Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime. Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about United Kingdom AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.