Can you get a UK work permit from the USA?
Yes. US citizens can come to the UK to work on a Skilled Worker visa. The UK has no separate “work permit”: for most jobs, the Skilled Worker visa is the work permit.
You need a job offer from a UK employer that is licensed to sponsor visas. The rules are the same wherever you apply from. These are the things that are different for the USA:
| TB test | No, unless you lived in a listed country recently |
|---|---|
| Prove your English | No, if you’re one of the US citizens |
| Police certificate | Only for some health, education and care jobs |
| Visa application centre | Yes, in the USA |
Do you need a TB test?
Not because you live in the USA. The USA is not on the GOV.UK list of countries where you need a TB test.
You still need a test if you’ve lived in a listed country (for example India, Pakistan or Nigeria) for 6 months or more and were living there within the last 6 months. Check the full list.
If you do need one, there are approved clinics in the USA. Find a TB clinic in the USA on GOV.UK.
Do you need to prove your English?
No, if you’re one of the US citizens. The USA is on the GOV.UK list of countries whose citizens do not need to prove their English for a Skilled Worker visa. This depends on your nationality, not where you live.
Do you need a police certificate?
Only for some jobs. You need a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK for one of 69 jobs in health, education or social care. You need one from each country where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, since you turned 18.
In the USA it’s called a Criminal Record History / FBI Identification Record. What GOV.UK says about getting one in the USA:
- The certificate is a Criminal Record History or FBI Identification Record. It is issued by the FBI or an approved channeller.
- Citizens, non-citizens, residents and non-residents can apply, with a minimum stay of 12 months. Third party representatives and prospective UK employers cannot apply.
- Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, the Midway Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia apply to the FBI CJIS for a copy.
- For UK visa purposes, the UK accepts FBI Identification records issued by the FBI or by an FBI approved channeller.
- FBI approved channeller certificates are available for US citizens and permanent residents only.
Check the details with the issuing office before you apply. Read the full GOV.UK section.
Where do you prove your identity?
After you apply online, you prove your identity. Depending on your passport, you either scan it with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre. The USA has UK visa application centres. Book or find a centre in the USA.
How much does it cost?
The fees are the same wherever you apply from, and they are set in pounds.
| Visa fee, up to 3 years | £819 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, more than 3 years | £1,618 |
| Healthcare surcharge | usually £1,035 a year |
| Savings to show (if needed) | £1,270 |
For example, a 3-year visa costs £819 plus £3,105 for the healthcare surcharge: £3,924. Your partner and children pay too if they come with you. The fee is lower (£628) if your job is on the Immigration Salary List. All the fees.
How long does it take?
You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks after you’ve applied online and proved your identity. Your visa can last up to 5 years, and you can extend it.
How to apply from the USA
- Find a job with a UK employer on the licensed sponsor list. Check the job’s SOC code is eligible.
- Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer.
- If your job needs one, get a police certificate from each country you’ve lived in.
- Apply online on GOV.UK: apply from outside the UK. Pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
- Prove your identity with the ID Check app or at a visa application centre in the USA.
Not sure the Skilled Worker visa is right for you? Compare all UK work visas.
Questions
Can US citizens get a UK work permit?
Yes. The UK work permit for most jobs is the Skilled Worker visa. You need a job offer from a UK employer that is licensed to sponsor visas, a certificate of sponsorship, a salary that meets the rules and English at level B2 (US citizens do not need to prove their English).
Do I need a TB test to work in the UK from the USA?
Not because you live in the USA. The USA is not on the TB test list. You still need a test if you lived in a listed country for 6 months or more and were living there within the last 6 months.
How much does a UK work visa cost from the USA?
The Skilled Worker visa fee from outside the UK is £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for longer. You also pay the healthcare surcharge, usually £1,035 a year. A 3-year visa costs £3,924 in total. Lower fees apply to jobs on the Immigration Salary List.
How long does a UK work visa take from the USA?
You usually get a decision within 3 weeks after you prove your identity and give your documents.
Other countries
IndiaPakistanNigeriaSouth AfricaKenyaUAEBangladeshPhilippinesGhanaNepalSri LankaZimbabweCanadaAustraliaUgandaEgyptCameroonZambiaMalawiJamaicaEthiopiaMoroccoMalaysiaVietnam
Sources
- Skilled Worker visa (GOV.UK, updated 14 September 2026)
- Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants (GOV.UK, updated 7 January 2015)
- Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of English (GOV.UK, updated 31 October 2024)
- Criminal records checks for overseas applicants: United States of America (GOV.UK, updated 31 January 2025)
- Find a UK visa application centre (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2024)
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice.