Move from the US to the UK as a Digital Tech Professional

Your main options are Skilled Worker, Global Talent (Digital Technology), Scale-up, Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility), Graduate Trainee (GBM) and High Potential Individual. Which route fits depends on whether you have a UK job offer, sponsor type, salary level, seniority and achievements. If you prefer independence, we also support Self-Sponsorship (own UK company sponsoring you via Skilled Worker). We’ll map your goals to the best route and switching plan.

You do for Skilled Worker, Scale-up (first 6 months), Senior or Specialist Worker and Graduate Trainee. You do not for Global Talent or HPI. With Global Talent, you usually first secure an endorsement as a leader or potential leader in digital tech; no sponsor is required afterward, giving you wide work freedom. We’ll help you decide whether to pursue endorsement or go the sponsored route first.

From July 2025, Skilled Worker usually needs at least £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher. Senior or Specialist Worker requires at least £52,500 or the going rate. Scale-up requires an eligible role at the route’s salary level and later PAYE earnings to extend or settle; Global Talent and HPI set no minimum salary. We’ll benchmark your SOC code and compensation so you apply at the right band.

Skilled Worker and Scale-up can lead to ILR after five years (subject to rules like salary, residence and earnings). Global Talent can reach ILR faster, three years for leaders or five for potential leaders—when you meet the route’s earnings/field criteria. Senior or Specialist Worker and Graduate Trainee don’t lead to ILR, but you can often switch later. We’ll plan your switch or fast-track path early.

Your role is mapped to a SOC occupation code. For sponsored routes, you must meet both the route’s general threshold and your occupation’s going-rate salary. These rates vary by code and can change, so you should confirm the correct code and salary evidence (contract, PAYE, hours) before you apply. We’ll validate your SOC, salary math and any permissible discounts or options.

On Skilled Worker, changing employer or occupation usually needs a new Certificate of Sponsorship and approval before you start. On Scale-up, after six months you can change employer, stop, or become self-employed without updating your visa, provided you meet later earnings rules. Global Talent lets you work, contract, or found a company from day one. We’ll structure your contract trail so future extensions or ILR stay clean.

Yes, most long-term work routes allow eligible partners and children to apply as dependants if you meet the route-specific requirements. Global Talent, Skilled Worker and Scale-up all support dependants, and time spent can count toward your family’s ILR when conditions are met. We’ll outline exact evidence (relationships, maintenance, accommodation) and sync family applications with your main timeline.

If you are visa-exempt, you’ll typically need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. It costs £16 and lasts two years (or until passport expiry) for multiple short stays. As a business visitor, you can attend meetings, negotiations, conferences and similar activities, but you cannot take paid work for a UK entity. We’ll confirm whether an ETA or a visa fits your plans.

Yes, if your main purpose is a permitted business visit, you may do incidental remote work for your overseas employer while in the UK. It must not amount to working for, or being seconded to, a UK entity or the UK branch of your employer. Keep your agenda, contracts and email trails aligned to permitted activities in case of questions at the border. We’ll review your itinerary for compliance.