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Relocating from Mexico to the UK
It is estimated that around 9,000 Mexican citizens call the United Kingdom home and that the wider Latin American community in London has increased tenfold to around 113,500 in the past decade. Mexican nationals come to the UK for many reasons, including joining families, the availability of excellent job opportunities, the British culture and its rich history, and the excellent education opportunities on offer.
In this complete guide, we will explain the immigration requirements for moving from Mexico to the UK, how much it costs to live here and provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about moving as a Mexican citizen to the UK.
For help with moving to the UK from Mexico, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, please contact one of our specialist immigration solicitors. We have helped many Mexican nationals relocate easily and seamlessly.
What are the legal requirements for Mexican citizens moving to the UK?
The legal requirements that you need to meet to move to the UK will depend on which visa you apply for, as explained below:
UK Skilled Worker visa
The UK Skilled Worker visa is the preferred immigration route for many overseas workers, including Mexican citizens who want to live and work in the UK. It allows holders to stay for up to 5 years and then apply for permanent settlement and British citizenship 12 months later. You can also bring your family members with you to the UK. The eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker visa are as follows:
- Hold a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence – the job must be in an eligible occupation.
- Have an annual salary of at least £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation. You may be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa with a lower annual salary if you have a PhD, a job on the UK government’s immigration salary list, or are a new entrant to the job market, and
- Meet the English Language requirements by successfully completing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) or holding a degree that was taught in English.
UK Student visa
To study at a UK university, college, or school as a Mexican citizen, you will need to apply for a student visa. Applicants must:
- Be 16 years old or over
- Have been offered a place on a course with an approved educational provider
- Meet the English language requirements, and
- Have sufficient savings to support yourself while you are in the UK.
Once your course has ended, you can apply for a UK Graduate visa. This will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 24 months to find skilled employment. If you are then successful in finding suitable employment, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which will allow you to settle permanently after 5 years and gain UK citizenship one year later.
UK Innovator Founder visa
For Mexican business people and entrepreneurs with plans to set up a new business in the UK, the Innovator Founder visa is a great option. By choosing this route, visa holders can gain indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after just 3 years rather than the 5 years necessary for most other visas. To make an application for a UK Innovator Founder visa, you must:
- Be 18 years or over
- Have a new, unique, viable, and scalable business idea, and
- Have your business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body.
Family visa
The UK family visa provides a way for Mexican citizens to join family members already in the UK. Family visa applicants must have a partner or spouse, parent, or child who is a British citizen or has settled permanently here.
To join a spouse or partner, family visa applicants must be able to show that they have a combined income of £29,000 or more, which can be met through salary, savings, pensions, or income from investments. Applicants also need to meet the English language requirements, typically by passing an approved language test or holding a degree taught in English.
Family visa holders can stay in the UK for 5 years and then, if they wish, apply for permanent settlement and citizenship 12 months later.
What is the cost of living in the UK?
The cost of living in the UK is around 37% higher than in Mexico, according to the cost of living comparison website Numbeo. When rent is factored in, the cost of living in the UK is 41.5% more than in Mexico. Restaurant prices in the UK are also 40% higher than in Mexico, while groceries are 25% higher.
It is important to bear in mind that while the cost of living in the UK is higher than in Mexico, wages are typically higher in the UK for skilled workers. In addition, the cost of living varies considerably depending on where you choose to live. For example, the cost of living in London is typically much higher than in the rest of the UK.
Emigrating to the UK from Mexico – Checklist
A Y & J Solicitors has successfully assisted many Mexican citizens and families in making the move to the UK seamless and efficient. We recommend taking the following steps to make the journey as easy as possible:
- Always seek the help of an immigration Solicitor based in the UK who can guide you and your family through each step of the immigration and relocation process. Depending on your needs, we will check the best route for you, handle your visa application, and answer any questions raised by the Home Office. Once you are in the UK, we can help you with your visa renewal, indefinite leave to remain, and citizenship application in future years.
- Get a job before you apply for a work visa. We recommend utilising job search websites such as Indeed, Linkedin, and Totaljobs to assist in your job search. In addition, research and apply directly to employers listed on the Home Office’s register of licenced sponsors.
- Narrow down where you would like to live in the UK – don’t just look at London; there are hundreds of other places to consider that may suit your needs across the UK.
- Always visit the UK for at least 2 or 3 weeks before you decide where to move to. Moving without visiting may mean that the reality does not match up with your expectations.
- Create a detailed budget showing all of your income and likely living costs in the UK. This will help you to understand how comfortably you can afford to live here, the wages you need, and where you can live. We recommend factoring in the cost of groceries, car insurance, council tax, transport, electricity, heating, and any other costs you can think of.
- Estimate your relocation costs as accurately as possible, including your flight costs, removal costs, home rental deposit, transport, visa costs, healthcare surcharge, and
- If you have children, research the schools and the availability of places in your chosen area/s.
Moving to the UK from Mexico benefits
For Mexican citizens, the UK offers a whole range of benefits, including:
- A world-class transport system makes it easy and convenient to travel around the UK, other countries in Europe, and further afield.
- A strong and dynamic economy.
- Well-paid jobs.
- Low levels of ‘red tape’ make it easy to set up a business here
- Rich in history and culture
- Lots to see and do, including our beautiful towns, villages, mountains, hills, lakes, and countryside, and
- Access to the best schools and universities in the world.
How to set up your finances in the UK?
When it comes to arranging your finances in the UK, there are three aspects to consider: your banking arrangements, UK national insurance, and tax.
- Opening a UK bank account – Wait until you have arrived in the UK before opening a bank account. You will need to provide proof of your identity and a permanent UK address.
- Transferring funds – There are various ways to transfer funds from your bank in Mexico to the UK. Two of the most common ways are to use a bank-to-bank transfer service or a money transfer service. Always use a company with a strong reputation, such as OFX or Wise, and ensure that the fees and the exchange rate are competitive.
- National Insurance Number – Before you start working in the UK, you must apply for a National Insurance (NI) number and provide this to your employer.
- Tax in the UK – If employed, your income tax will be collected through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system and paid directly to HMRC on your behalf. If self-employed, you will need to complete and submit an annual self-assessment form to HMRC. An accountant in the UK can handle this for you.
What is a Self-Sponsored route?
The Self-sponsorship route provides an easier way for Mexican citizens to relocate to the UK without the need to find a job in the first instance. Instead, self-sponsorship allows Mexican nationals to establish and operate their own business and effectively sponsor themselves. This route also allows Mexicans to settle in the UK after a number of continuous years of residence (3 years with the Innovator Founder visa) and gain UK citizenship for 12 months.
AY&J Solicitors can guide you through the self-sponsorship process, ensuring that your application and those of your family members are processed efficiently and approved as quickly as possible.
Emigrating to the UK as a non-Mexican national
For non-Mexican nationals with plans to live, work, study, or join family members in the UK, it is also necessary to apply for a visa. If you are unsure which visa is best for your needs, please don’t hesitate to speak to one of our friendly expert UK Immigration Solicitors . We can quickly explain which visa to apply for based on your background plans and those of your immediate family members.
Joining UK Family Members as a Non-Mexican National
Non-Mexican nationals who wish to join a partner, spouse, parent, or child who is already settled in the UK will need to apply for a family visa. Your family member must either be a British citizen, a person with indefinite leave to remain, an EU/EEA national who started living in the UK before 1st January 2021, or a person who holds UK refugee status. Family visa holders can apply for permanent settlement after 5 years of continuous residence and then British citizenship 12 months later.
FAQ’s
What documents and information do I need to move to the UK from Mexico?
The exact list of documents you need to move to the UK from Mexico will depend on the type of visa you need. For example, if moving to the UK to work, you will need:
- A valid passport or other form of valid ID
- Proof of a job offer for an eligible occupation
- A Certificate of Sponsorship, and
- A bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any immediate family members
Depending on the language on your documents, you may need to have them translated into English. Your immigration lawyer will provide you with a comprehensive list of all the necessary documents based on your visa type.
Do Mexican citizens need sponsorship to work in the UK?
Yes, as a Mexican national, you require sponsorship from a UK employer in order to work in the UK. Alternatively, you can explore the self-sponsorship option explained above.
What should I consider before moving back to the UK from Mexico?
Being abroad for a long period of time may have impacted your credit rating, making it harder to borrow money or get a mortgage. If you are unsure, speak to a credit rating company to understand the steps to take to reestablish a healthy rating. It may also be useful to consult an accountant about your tax situation, as living in Mexico for over five years may mean you need to adhere to different income and capital gains tax regulations. Additionally, check if you need to ‘top up’ your national insurance contributions to be eligible for a UK state pension.
Moving from Mexico to the UK requirements
Please see the legal requirements for moving from Mexico to the UK above.
Can you move to the UK from Mexico?
Yes, however, Mexican citizens and their family members normally require a visa to live in the UK. Please see the visa options explained above.
Are Mexican citizens allowed to work in the UK?
Yes, as a Mexican citizen, you can work in the UK. You will need an offer of a job in an eligible occupation from a sponsoring employer, a Certificate of Sponsorship, and a work visa issued by the UK Home Office. Alternatively, you can come on a family visa, which also allows you to work.
Applying for a UK visa from Mexicco
As a citizen of Mexico, you can apply for a visa online. You will need to fully complete the application form, pay the application fees, and submit any evidence. An immigration law specialist based in the UK can handle your application on your behalf.
How long can a Mexican citizen stay in the UK?
How long your visa lasts will depend on the type of visa you hold, for example:
- Work visas – typically valid for up to 5 years.
- Student visas are valid for the length of the course, after which you can apply for a graduate visa to remain in the UK for an additional 2 years to seek employment.
- Family visas – typically granted for up to 5 years.
Most UK visas offer a route to permanent settlement after 60 months (5 years) or less in some cases (e.g. the Innovator Founder visa).
What is the cost of living in the UK?
Please see the cost of living section above.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!
