Moving to the UK From Ireland: Your Rights and Routes
If you are an Irish citizen, you can already live and work in the UK. The Common Travel Area gives you that right, with no visa and no ETA. If you are not Irish, you use the UK points-based system. This guide sets out both.
For anyone who is not an Irish or British citizen, moving to the UK means securing the correct visa. You then meet its rules before you enter.
Ireland and the UK share the Common Travel Area. Irish citizens can live, work and study in the UK freely. This right predates the EU and is not affected by Brexit. Non-Irish nationals moving from Ireland use the points-based routes. Most people who need a visa arrive through personal immigration or business immigration.
Which route is right for you?
Your route follows your purpose. Work routes need a role or a business. Family routes need a UK-based partner or relative. Business routes suit founders and companies expanding into the UK. Here are the main personal and business routes, with who each suits and where it leads.
Personal immigration routes from Ireland
| Visa route | Who it suits | Where it leads |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa | You have a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, paid at least £41,700 or the going rate, as of 2026. | Settlement, on current rules, after five years. |
| Global Talent visa | You are a leader or promising talent in research, arts, culture or digital technology. No job offer needed. | Settlement, often on a faster timeline. |
| Spouse or Partner visa | You are joining a British or settled partner. The sponsor usually shows £29,000 gross income as of 2026. | Settlement after five years. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain | You have completed the qualifying residence on a work or family route. | Permanent settlement in the UK. |
| British Citizenship | You are settled and meet the residence and good character rules. | A British passport, usually a year after settlement. |
| Standard Visitor visa | You are visiting for tourism or business meetings, for up to six months. | A short stay. It does not allow UK employment. |
Business immigration routes from Ireland
| Visa route | Who it suits | Where it leads |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Sponsorship | You are a founder or self-employed professional who will run a UK company and sponsor yourself. | Settlement after five years. |
| Sponsor Licence | Your UK business wants to employ overseas workers and issue Certificates of Sponsorship. | The ability to hire from abroad. |
| Global Business Mobility: Expansion Worker | Your overseas business is sending a senior worker to set up a UK branch. | A UK presence, with onward options. |
| UK Business Visa | You need short business trips for meetings, negotiations or events, without taking employment. | A short business stay. |
How to choose your route and apply
- Confirm your goal and the route that fits your purpose.
- Check you meet the current eligibility and financial rules for that route.
- Speak to us. Book a consultation with our immigration team, and we will prepare and manage your application.
Frequently asked questions
Do Irish citizens need a visa to move to the UK?
No. Irish citizens can live, work and study in the UK without a visa. This right comes from the Common Travel Area, which predates the EU. You do not need an ETA either.
Can non-Irish nationals move to the UK from Ireland?
Yes. If you are not an Irish or British citizen, you use the UK points-based system. The route depends on your purpose, whether work, family, study or business.
How long does it take to settle in the UK?
Most work and family routes allow settlement after five years of continuous residence under current rules. The government has proposed longer qualifying periods, not yet in force as of September 2026.
Can I bring my family with me?
Yes. Most work and business routes let you bring a partner and children under eighteen as dependants. You must meet the relevant financial and relationship requirements for that route.
Ready to move forward? Book a consultation with our immigration team and we will map the right route for your circumstances.
Written and legally reviewed by Sunny Sandhu, Head of Legal Operations, AY&J Solicitors. SRA regulated, Legal 500, Chambers and Partners. Last reviewed: September 2026.
About our Expert
Sunny is a Legal Operations Team Leader with over 12 years’ experience in UK immigration law, advising on both business and personal immigration matters. He specialises in Sponsor Licence applications, Skilled Worker visas, family settlement and Naturalisation, and is particularly known for supporting UK businesses with complex sponsorship and compliance matters. His practical, solutions-focused approach has made him the go-to adviser for organisations navigating Skilled Worker routes and sponsor licence applications.
Sunny holds a Degree in Psychology from the University of Westminster and is OISC Level 1 qualified. Earlier in his career, he gained valuable insight into the practical application of immigration and criminal law through his work at Hatton Cross Immigration and Asylum Hearing Centre and Isleworth Crown Court. This experience provided him with a strong understanding of how cases are assessed and managed, shaping his direct, strategic style of advice.
He is known for his clear communication, problem-solving ability and perseverance in securing successful outcomes for clients.
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