Post-Election Surge: Why Americans Are Exploring UK Immigration Options
Are you exploring your UK immigration options after Donald Trump’s election success? You are not on your own. Online searches for moving from the US to the U.K. rose by 900% between November 4-6 2024.
In this article, our Immigration Solicitors look at the post-US election surge in interest in relocating to the UK and your UK immigration options.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
Our lawyers speak Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French/Mauritian Creole, Spanish, Tamil Tagalog/Ilonggo, Urdu/Punjabi.
The Election Impact: The US Exodus
According to reports in the New York Post and in The Times Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have permanently moved from the US to the Cotswolds in the UK. Other celebrities have also said they will be leaving the US because Donald Trump has won the 2024 election. It isn’t just stars and media personalities exploring their options- many ordinary US citizens are thinking the impossible – living outside the US.
Our City of London-based Immigration Solicitors welcome inquiries from those starting to explore their UK immigration options or those ready to start the visa application process.
UK Search Increase: The Online Statistics
Where have our Immigration Attorneys got their statistics from? We are relying on research undertaken by the job search site Jobseeker.com. The recruiters noted a 900% increase in relocation move online searches between November 4 and 6.
Our Immigration Lawyers have also noticed that they have been receiving more inquiries about UK visa options from US citizens. Before Donald Trump’s re-election, the majority of the inquiries received by OTS Solicitors were coming in the opposite direction with UK nationals looking at a move to the US and Green Card options.
UK Draw Factors
What are the draw factors to relocating to the UK? After all, most US citizens won't move to the UK simply because Donald Trump will be president in 2025. There needs to be some compelling ‘’pull’’ incentives as well.
Our UK Immigration Attorneys advise clients across the globe who want information on their UK Work Visa, Family Visa and Business Visa options. Generally, visa applicants identify three key UK draw factors:
- The English language
- UK stability
- Free stuff
The English language, especially if you are a US-to-UK mover, is a big pull as there is no new language to learn on arrival in the UK. You don’t need to sit an English language test as part of your UK visa application because as a US citizen, you are exempt under the immigration rules.
As for stability, whilst the UK has experienced political change with our 2024 election and Labour government, it is still seen as politically and economically stable.
The inclusion of free stuff may be politically charged but free health cover is attractive if you have lived your life in the US. Once you have Indefinite Leave to Remain status (equivalent to the US Green Card status) you can get free NHS health cover. You can get free education for your children as soon as you have secured your first visa.
You can get Indefinite Leave to Remain status after five years on many types of UK visas. While you are waiting to apply for ILR you can access the NHS for free as you will pay an immigration health surcharge when applying for your first visa. Payment of the immigration health surcharge allows you to access the NHS as necessary but you don’t get a refund if you are fortunate enough to stay healthy and not need to see a doctor or go to the hospital.
Downsides to Relocating to the UK
There are three main downsides to relocating to the UK that our global client base highlights:
- The weather
- Cost of living
- The UK immigration rules and entry clearance
Whilst our Immigration Solicitors can't control the weather or inflation, we can help you navigate the sometimes complex immigration rules and secure your Work Visa, Family Visa or Business Visa.
The Skilled Worker Visa
Most US citizens looking to relocate to the UK do so under a Work Visa route unless they are married, in a civil partnership or an eligible unmarried relationship with a British citizen or person with UK-settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme). If you need immigration legal advice on whether your relationship qualifies you for a Family Visa then speak to our specialist Spouse Visa Solicitors.
The Skilled Worker Visa isn’t the only UK Work Visa on offer but it’s the most popular. You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence and they need to be willing to pay you a minimum salary of £38,700 (currently equating to about $50,000) or the going rate for the job, whichever is the higher. There are other eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa, such as the job needing to be on a list of eligible jobs maintained by the UK government. If you are interested in exploring a Work Visa, we can talk to you in detail about the Skilled Worker Visa eligibility criteria or can discuss Work Visa alternatives, such as:
- The Self Sponsorship Visa
- The Health and Care Worker Visa
- The Graduate Visa
- The Scale-up Visa
Although the UK doesn’t have visas geared to investors or retirees some options may fit those groups, such as the Global Talent Visa, the Self-Sponsorship Visa or the Global Business Mobility route.
Googling the UK immigration rules may make you think that you don’t fit into any available UK visas but our Immigration Attorneys can literally make dreams come true with their in-depth knowledge of the immigration rules, available UK visas and how best to make an application to the Home Office.
UK and US Immigration Guidance with OTS Solicitors
Whilst you may not want to jump ship and move from the US, many people are concluding that with Donald Trump’s election, it is time to leave. If that’s the conclusion you come to our expert Immigration Attorneys can guide and support you in selecting the visa that best meets your needs and those of your family and in helping you secure the visa you need to relocate to the UK.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
Our lawyers speak Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French/Mauritian Creole, Spanish, Tamil Tagalog/Ilonggo, Urdu/Punjabi.
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