Moving to United Kingdom: every visa & residency route in 2026
There are 2 ways to move to United Kingdom legally as of 2026 — spanning investment and ancestry routes. Here's every one, what it actually requires, and where it leads.
All 2 routes checked against official government sources · July 2026 · how we verify
Every route, side by side
| Route | Type | Requirement | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Founder Visa | Investment | $50,000 investment | Citizenship in ~6 yrs |
| UK Ancestry Visa | Ancestry | Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent qualify — must be 17+ and able to work. | Citizenship in ~6 yrs |
Investment route to United Kingdom
Compare golden visas & residency-by-investment programs across every country →
$50,000 investment
Modest by comparison: $50,000 of committed capital.
£1,357 per person applying from outside the UK; healthcare surcharge extra. Fee source (checked 2026-08) →
Requires endorsement from an approved body and at least £50K investment funds for an innovative business. 3-year visa, renewable. ILR (permanent settlement) after 3 years if business meets growth criteria. Citizenship after 1 more year.
Official source →Ancestry route to United Kingdom
Compare citizenship & residency by descent across every country →
Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent qualify — must be 17+ and able to work.
Modest by comparison: proof of descent rather than money.
£726 application fee; the NHS healthcare surcharge is charged on top. Fee source (checked 2026-08) →
5-year visa for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man. Allows full work rights. ILR after 5 years, then citizenship after 1 more year.
Official source →Next steps: the money side
Set up your finances before and after you move.
Planning a move to United Kingdom?
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
Moving to United Kingdom: FAQ
How many ways are there to move to United Kingdom?
This dataset tracks 2 residency or visa routes into United Kingdom as of 2026, across investment, ancestry pathways. Each has its own income, investment, or heritage requirement.
Can I get United Kingdom citizenship by descent?
Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent qualify — must be 17+ and able to work. 5-year visa for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man. Allows full work rights. ILR after 5 years, then citizenship after 1 more year.
Does moving to United Kingdom lead to a second passport?
Yes — at least one route to United Kingdom has a defined path to citizenship. The exact timeline and physical-presence rules vary by program; check each route's official source below.