How to Move to Scotland

The highlands, the moors, the history, the music: Scotland punches well above its weight class when it comes to its global reputation. Since it is part of the UK, immigration to Scotland is controlled by UK policy. That means Brexit, special Commonwealth rules, and ongoing immigration reform can create quite a tangle. We'll help you wade through the weeds and find the best way to get you to Edinburgh, plus give you an idea of the cost of living.

Question 1 of 6:

Can US citizens move to Scotland?

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You can visit for six months without a visa. Just show your US passport upon arrival.^{[1]XResearch source} The official will stamp your passport with your entry date. This gives you permission to stay in the UK (including Scotland) for up to six months, or until you leave.
- Your passport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay in the UK.
- This policy is only for visitors, and won't allow you to get a job. Try this as a first step to network in Scotland and form a plan for moving. Telling the immigration officer you want to move to Scotland could get you denied entry.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Apply for a visa to allow for long-term stays and work rights. Start the application online at https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/uk-visit-visa, three months before you travel.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source} After receiving your reply, finish your application in person at a processing center.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
- You can find your local Application Support Centers at https://egov.uscis.gov/office-locator/#/asc. The alternative VFS locations are not recommended due to poor customer satisfaction.^{[5]XResearch source}
- See below for more information about types of visas.
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Extend your visa until you meet the permanent residency requirements. Although a visa only lasts a certain number of years, Scotland will not kick you out automatically. Apply to extend your visa as the expiration date approaches, and you may be able to stay longer—or eventually, forever.
- You can usually extend a work visa if you have the same employer and occupation. In some cases, the minimum salary requirements may have changed since you first got the visa.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
- If you want to change jobs, apply to update your visa before you start working.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
- After 5 years living in the UK on a valid visa, apply for "indefinite leave to remain."^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source} With that status, you are free to live in Scotland indefinitely without a visa, and can work in any job you like.
- Student visas (and some other visas that don't allow full-time work) don't give you the right to apply after 5 years. However, you can always apply after 10 years of legal residence of any kind^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}, or after 5 years as the spouse or civil partner of a permanent British resident.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}

Question 2 of 6:

How do I qualify to move to Scotland for a job?

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You must have a job offer for "skilled" work. Look for work in Scotland in positions that require at least a secondary school diploma or equivalent.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
- If you are not sure if your field qualifies, look for it on the list of professions in Tables 1 and 2 at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-occupations.
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Check the minimum salary requirements. Generally, you need a salary offer of at least £25,600 to apply for a work visa to immigrate to Scotland. However, the new "points" based system is a bit complicated, and the actual number might be higher or lower:
- Your salary offer must be at least the typical pay ("going rate") for your field, listed at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-occupations.
- If you have a relevant PhD or work in an industry with a shortage of workers, the salary requirement can be lowered somewhat.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
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Stay employed for five years to stay in Scotland permanently. Your work visa might only last for a couple years, but you can apply to extend it each time the deadline approaches. Stay employed in the same job for five years (or get permission to update your visa before accepting a new job), and you can apply for "indefinite leave to remain."^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source} You can then live indefinitely in Scotland (or anywhere in the UK) without a visa.
- The government may raise the minimum salary requirement for your job during your stay. You might need to meet this new requirement to extend this visa, but you'll have more leeway based on your specific circumstances than when you first applied.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}

Question 3 of 6:

Can I immigrate to Scotland as a student?

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Apply to a Scottish school or university first. Once it accepts you, you can apply for a student visa.
- Double check whether the institution can sponsor your visa by looking for it on the list at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-students.
If you are working toward a university or graduate degree, you can work part-time during the term, and full-time during school holidays. Even if you aren't going to earn a degree, some student visas allow 10 hours of work per week.^{[15]XResearch source}
Starting in summer 2021, the UK plans to allow foreign students to remain for at least two years after getting a degree. You can find work during this time, and eventually apply for a work visa or permanent residency.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}

Question 4 of 6:

Are there any other ways to qualify for a visa?

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You are a Commonwealth citizen with a UK grandparent. As long as your biological grandparent was born in the UK, and you are at least 17 years old, you can apply for a five year work visa.
- If you have Irish citizenship, you can immigrate at any time, without a visa.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source} (You can apply for Irish citizenship if your grandparent is Irish.^{[18]XResearch source})
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You are between 18 and 30 and from a place with a Youth Mobility arrangement. In that case, you can apply for a two year work visa.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
- You will need proof that you have at least £2,530 in your bank account.^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
- The eligible citizenships are those of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, Taiwan, and British overseas territories.^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}
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You fall into some other category. The immigration policy has more exceptions and special visas, but most are extremely specific to certain situations. Here are a few of them that aren't restricted by country:
- You are an experienced businessperson with £50,000 of funding for your business idea.
- You are a "high potential" startup entrepreneur.
- You have notable talent and success in a field of academia, research, arts and culture, or digital technology.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}

Question 5 of 6:

Is it expensive to live in Scotland?

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Scotland's cost of living is medium-high by European standards. Scotland is much cheaper than London or New York, but still far more expensive than most of southern or eastern Europe, let alone poorer parts of the globe.^{[23]XResearch source}
- Of Scotland's largest cities, Glasgow has a much better ratio of wages to cost of living than Edinburgh or Aberdeen.^{[24]XResearch source} But if you are a student, retiree, or remote worker, Aberdeen's overall lower cost of living wins out.^{[25]XResearch source}
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Check the cost of some common items. These are only rough estimates, but they'll help you get a rough idea:^{[26]XResearch source}
- A liter of milk costs US$1.20. (That's about $1.06 a quart.)
- A month of rent in a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center might be $650–1,050 per month.
- A monthly public transit ticket costs about $74.
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The average pre-tax income is about US$777 a week. In the UK, only two regions in England have a higher average income.^{[27]XResearch source}
- If you are at least 25, you are guaranteed a minimum wage of at least £8.72 an hour ($12.03).^{[28]XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to source}

Question 6 of 6:

Can foreigners buy property in Scotland?

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You do not need to be a resident or have a visa.^{[29]XResearch source}
If you don't have a UK job and two years of residence status, you are required to pay this deposit to make up for your lack of local credit history. This type of mortgage is called "non-status" or "self-certification."^{[30]XResearch source}

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Citizens of certain countries (including the US, Canada, and all EU states) can visit Scotland (but not work there) for up to six months at a time without a visa. There is a common myth that this means "six months total in each year." You can actually visit as many times per year as you like, as long as no single visit lasts longer than six months. However, visiting too often and for long periods of time could cause an immigration official to decide that you are staying "for extended periods" or making the UK your "main home." In this case, the official could decide to deny you entry until you get a proper visa.^{[31]XResearch source}
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English language skills are almost always a requirement for immigration to Scotland.
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Warnings

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic adds many travel restrictions, and may change the details of your application process. (For example, some processing centers might be closed.) Allow plenty of extra time and check with local officials if you are planning on traveling before pandemic conditions end.
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