Visa rules by nationality

Where the rules differ by passport, and where they do not.

The stone colonnade and long west front of the Wren Library in Cambridge in evening light — Plate 31. The Wren Library at Trinity College, Cambridge, seen from the Backs. Photo: Hans Wolff, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Adapted (greyscale, cropped).

The four notes

United States: not in the Youth Mobility Scheme; US universities on the HPI list.
Indian graduates of UK universities: the same rules, dated, with the new-entrant time limit.
Chinese graduates of UK universities: the Graduate visa, and HPI with a listed Chinese degree.
Singapore and Malaysia: neither in the Youth Mobility Scheme; the HPI list for each.

What depends on nationality

What depends on nationality
Rule	Depends on nationality?
Skilled Worker salary rules	No Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 4.4 option A, as amended by HC 997 (gov.uk). The passage relied on You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
English for Skilled Worker	Only for an exemption: nationals of some countries and territories need not prove it Authority GOV.UK guidance, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). The passage relied on You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
Youth Mobility Scheme	Yes, by country or territory Authority GOV.UK guidance, Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). The passage relied on You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and from:
High Potential Individual (HPI)	No: it depends on the university that awarded the degree Authority GOV.UK guidance, High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). The passage relied on UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa.
BN(O) visa	Yes: British nationals (overseas) and eligible adult children Authority GOV.UK guidance, British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied on If you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1979, you can apply separately from your parent.

Entries in this section
Entry	Title	Updated	Changed
Nationality 1	United States	8 Oct 2026	None recorded
Nationality 2	India	8 Oct 2026	None recorded
Nationality 3	China	8 Oct 2026	None recorded
Nationality 4	Singapore and Malaysia	8 Oct 2026	None recorded

Sources

Skilled Worker visa: Your job (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
Statement of Changes HC 997 (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
APP SW2. In row A of the table following SW 4.4, for “£38,700”, substitute “£41,700”.
Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
Statement of Changes HC 1333: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
5.22 The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes is increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)).
Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and from:
You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 30 and from:
You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from:
High Potential Individual visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa.
British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
If you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1979, you can apply separately from your parent.

How each figure is checked: Sources and method.

This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).