Increasing UK visa applications, including UK Spouse Visa: why are Americans looking for a better life in the UK?
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Despite the immigration changes that affected spouse visa uk, there has been a notable increase in UK visa applications especially by Americans. Observers and those with expert opinion have linked the rise in applications to Trump’s return to office, but there may be other reasons.
The UK government cites that the reason for the price increase is to fund the digital transformation of the immigration system and to reduce the burden on taxpayers which will in turn make the immigration system more self-sufficient.
Categories of American citizens who are qualified for the UK Spouse Visa are those who are married to or are in a civil partnership with a British citizen or a settled resident in the UK. Unmarried partners can also apply if they have been cohabiting for at least two years, and meet other requirements.
The idea of a better life does not have a singular meaning, as it can mean a different thing to each American citizen. This articles will help readers to understand why Americans are looking for a ‘better life’ in the UK and the challenges they face during this transition/
Increased Demand for UK Visas: A Closer Look at Trends Among American Applicants
Generally, UK partner visa applications experienced a 57% increase between 2021 and Q1 2024 which was followed by a decline after there was a policy change in April 2024.
Most American citizens applied for the visa to reunite with their British spouse or partner who is a settled resident in the UK. The visa allows them to live in the UK with their spouse for 33 months if they’re applying from outside the UK and 30 months if they’re applying from inside the UK.
After residing in the UK for five years with this visa, they can apply for an ILR and then British citizenship. This shows that most Americans that apply for this visa intend to permanently live in the UK and build their lives there.
If you check platforms such as Reddit or the Expat Forum, you will see Americans who are considering moving to the UK asking others that have moved vital questions such as ‘How do you like living in the UK as an American?’
The growth of these platforms and online communities acts as an evidence of the increasing trend of Americans moving to the UK.
Why Americans Are Applying for UK Visas in Record Numbers in 2025
There are key factors attracting Americans to the UK and they include the healthcare system, the work-life balance, vacation entitlement, social safety net and welfare provisions, education system, gun control and public safety, cost of living, etc.
Americans enjoy immigration advantages which could be another major reason why they are applying for UK visas in record numbers. They enjoy a streamlined process of application with fewer documentary requirements and the process is efficient and less complex for them.
The NHS in the UK is funded by general taxation which makes it accessible to anyone regardless of income or employment. In fact, most NHS services are free at the point of use for eligible residents even though some services are fee-based.
On the other hand, in the US, access to healthcare varies based on the applicant’s insurance status, income and employment because the US healthcare system relies heavily on both public health programs and private insurance.
The public healthcare programs are targeted for specific individuals such as low-income individuals (Medicaid) and the elderly and disabled (Medicare). This shows that compared to the NHS in the UK, the US healthcare system has a worse-performing health system.
UK employees are statutorily entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday annually and average work hours of 37.5 hours every week. Employees can take time off for personal reasons such as leisure and personal time, without the pressure of leaving money on the table.
However, the US culture encourages longer work hours and their employees rely solely on company-provided vacation days. This culture tends to make US employees become addicted to working which eventually leads to burnout.
To know which social security system is better between the UK and the US, you have to understand how benefits are calculated and the level of universal coverage. The UK offers a flat-rate pension for everyone who meets the basic requirements meanwhile, the US provides benefits based on an individual’s lifetime earnings.
Aside from the basic state pension mentioned above, the UK also offers additional earnings-related pension schemes to supplement income. Also, UK’s means-tested benefits provide assistance to low-income families while in the US, only workers who have reached a certain age and have been dedicatedly paying Social Security taxes will be considered.
To some Americans, the UK’s education system is way better than the US education system. UK universities offer shorter degree programs which means that students get to graduate earlier than in the US.
The UK curriculum is more structured and students are encouraged to focus on their chosen field of study from the beginning. Unlike the US where students have to explore different subjects before committing to a major.
The UK’s education system is a more financially accessible option because international students pay less tuition fees in the UK than in the US.
Continuously, there are fewer gun homicides in the UK than in the US because gun ownership rates in the UK are lower than in the US. This is because the UK has a rigorous licensing and registration process for firearms, and has also placed stricter bans on certain types of firearms such as semi-automatic weapons and handguns.
Although some Americans do not agree with the UK’s system stating that it is an infringement on the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns for self-defense, however, the reduced gun violence rates in the UK would counter such an argument.
Eligibility Requirements for Americans Moving to the UK through the UK Spouse Visa
- They must be of marriageable age i.e., 18 years old or above.
- Their marriage must be legally recognized in the UK and they must both have been single at the time of marriage. This means that if you or your partner were previously married, you must prove that you are completely separated from your previous partner.
They must prove that the relationship is genuine and not a sham aimed at beating the immigration laws. - You must not be related to your partner in any way such as a sibling.
- Your sponsoring partner must meet the 29,000 per year minimum income requirement either through active earnings or savings.