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A Quiet Exodus: Why More Americans Are Migrating to the UK

The United Kingdom is witnessing an unprecedented rise in immigration from the United States. In the twelve months leading to March 2025, more than 6,600 US citizens applied for UK residency or nationality. This is the highest figure since records began in 2004. Over 1,900 applications were lodged in the first quarter of this year alone, reflecting a twelve percent increase on the previous quarter.

Why are more Americans moving to the UK

This trend, while modest in absolute numbers, is gaining prominence due to the profile of those making the move. Immigration lawyers and policy commentators attribute the surge to growing political volatility in the US, particularly following the return of Donald Trump to office. Many applicants are affluent professionals, entrepreneurs, and families seeking long-term stability, access to education, or a more predictable political climate.

Some have been referred to as “Donald Dashers,” a term used to describe Americans relocating capital and assets to UK institutions in search of security. Others include LGBTQ+ individuals, dual nationals, and members of minority groups who are concerned about the evolving tone of US public discourse and policymaking.

UK Education as a positive driver

Education remains a key driver. Applications for UK study visas from US nationals rose by nearly ten percent in the first quarter of 2025, reinforcing Britain’s appeal as an academic and cultural hub. London in particular continues to attract US students and professionals looking for global opportunity. 

The UK’s Immigration landscape

From a legal perspective, several viable routes remain open. The Skilled Worker visa, Global Talent route, and Family visa pathway continue to draw applicants from the US. Notably, recent reforms have expanded eligibility for those with UK-born grandparents. At the same time, proposals under the Labour government aim to tighten immigration generally, including increasing the residency requirement for settlement from five to ten years and raising English language thresholds.

Although net migration to the UK has fallen from a peak of 906,000 in 2023 to 431,000 in 2024, the demand from well-qualified US nationals is growing. Grants of UK citizenship rose to 269,000 in the past year, and employment-related settlements increased by over a third.

Final remarks

While political rhetoric in the UK continues to emphasise control and reduction of migration, the legal frameworks remain robust. For a particular class of American citizen, Britain continues to offer an attractive combination of legal certainty, global connectivity, and long-term security.

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Does the Authorising Officer Need to Be a Settled Worker? Understanding Key Personnel in Sponsor Licence Applications

At Quastels, we regularly advise businesses preparing to apply for a UK sponsor licence. One of the most common questions we receive is whether all key personnel, especially the Authorising Officer, must be settled workers. The short answer is not necessarily!

Understanding the roles and requirements of your key personnel is crucial to a smooth sponsor licence application process. Here’s what employers need to know.

Who are the Key Personnel?

When applying for a sponsor licence, your business must nominate three key personnel:

1. Authorising Officer – a senior person within your organisation who has overall responsibility for your activity as a licensed sponsor. This person should attend interviews requested by the Home Office during pre-licence assessments or post-licence compliance audits.
2. Key Contact – your main point of contact with UKVI.
3. Level 1 User – a person within your organisation who is responsible for your day-to-day activity as a licensed sponsor, including assigning and requesting Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) and reporting worker activity or changes to your organisation.

While these roles can sometimes be held by the same person, each comes with its own eligibility criteria, especially regarding immigration status.

Must the Authorising Officer be a Settled Worker?

Your key personnel must usually be a paid member or an office holder from within your organisation. However, the Authorising Officer does not need to be a settled worker. In fact, this role can be filled by someone with a valid visa, such as an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa, or other eligible immigration categories, such as a PBS dependent visa or spouse visa, provided they meet the suitability criteria and so not have a conflict of interest (e.g. being sponsored by the same company for which they will act).

However they must:

• Be based in the UK;
• Have sufficient authority to oversee the sponsorship process;
• Have a valid National Insurance Number (unless on exemption situation);
• Not be a contractor or consultant who is contracted for a specific purpose.

The Role That Must be a Settled Worker: Initial Level 1 User (exemption may apply)

The critical restriction lies with the Level 1 User at the time of application. UKVI requires the initial Level 1 User to be a settled worker. This individual manages the licence on the Sponsor Management System (SMS) and handles compliance reporting.

After the licence is granted, additional Level 1 and Level 2 Users can be appointed, and in some cases, may include those on visas.

However, the ‘settled worker’ requirement for the Initial Level User is exempt if your Authorising Officer has valid entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK as a certain visa category, such as Innovator Founder, Global Talent or UK Expansion worker. They are allowed to self-manage their sponsor licence as part of their business operations.

Get Expert Advice

The sponsor licence application process can be complex, particularly when it comes to structuring your team of key personnel. Making mistakes can lead to delays or even refusal.

If you need help with your sponsor licence application, or if you are unsure who can act as your Authorising Officer or Level 1 User, or which immigration status qualifies as ‘settled worker’, our expert immigration team is here to help.

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Representative of an Overseas Business Visa (Extension / Settlement) – The Home Office’s Increasingly Stringent Requirements

The representative of an Overseas Business visa has long been an essential route for overseas businesses looking to establish a presence in the UK. However, with the route now closed to new applicants, those seeking extensions or settlement under this category are facing an increasingly strict scrutiny process from the Home Office.

Immigration practitioners, myself included, have observed a notable shift in the level of detail being demanded from applicants. Many are being called for interviews, and refusals are becoming more common. The Home Office’s approach suggests that they are keen to ensure that only genuine representatives of overseas business continue to benefit from this route. Consequently, they are requesting extensive documentation, much of which is neither explicitly listed in the Immigration Rules nor mentioned in official guidance. This applies regardless of whether you are applying for an extension or settlement.

The Expanding List of Documentation Requests

Beyond the standard supporting evidence, the Home Office is now demanding a wide range of additional business and financial records, often requiring significant time to compile. The Home Office places significant emphasis on assessing whether the UK branch or subsidiary maintains active contracts and a client base within the UK, demonstrating its continued commercial viability and relevance in the market.

Commonly requested documents include:

• Detailed descriptions of business activities, contracts, and invoices from UK clients.
• Proof of financial transactions, financial statements, invoices, and VAT returns.
• Proof of business premises, including tenancy agreements and photographs.
• Employment records for UK-based staff, including job descriptions, contracts, payslips, PAYE and RTI reports.
• A full breakdown of the applicant’s role, detailing day-to-day duties and responsibilities in the UK.
• Advertising and promotional materials, such as website content and marketing documents, and public-facing communications.
• Overseas business documents, including Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, shareholding details, and proof of active trading.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it highlights the extent to which applicants must now be prepared to substantiate their role and the legitimacy of the UK business.

Home Office Deadlines and the Importance of Preparation

The Home Office typically provides 10 working days to supply additional documentation once requested. However, it is possible to request an extension if more time is needed. That said, it is always advisable to be fully prepared in advance to avoid rushing and potentially overlooking critical details.

The last thing you want is to be pushed into an interview stage due to incomplete or unclear documentation. These interviews can be tricky and exhausting, often leading to further scrutiny or complications that could impact your application outcome. Avoiding an interview wherever possible should be a key objective, and thorough preparation is the best way to achieve this.

Why Is the Home Office Taking a Harder Stance?

The increased level of scrutiny appears to stem from a desire to tighten compliance and prevent misuse of the visa system. As the route is now closed to new applicants, the Home Office likely views extensions and settlement applications as an opportunity to reassess whether those already in the UK still meet the eligibility criteria.

Unfortunately, some applicants are unprepared for the depth of investigation that now accompanies an extension or settlement applications. Even legitimate businesses with genuine UK operations can face difficulties if their documentation does not fully align with what the Home Office expects to see.

Seek Professional Legal Guidance

Given the complexity and unpredictability of these document requests, seeking expert legal assistance is more crucial than ever. A well-prepared application, supported by the right evidence, significantly reduces the risk of delays, interviews, or refusals.

As an immigration lawyer, I have successfully guided numerous clients through this challenging process, ensuring they provide the necessary documentation while avoiding unnecessary pitfalls. My advice to any Sole Representative visa holder is simple: do not take your extension or settlement application lightly. Even if your business is fully compliant, failing to anticipate the Home Office’s demands can put your immigration status at risk.

If you are preparing to extend your visa or apply for settlement, now is the time to get expert advice. The stakes are high, and the margin for error is smaller than ever. Reach out to ensure that your case is presented in the strongest possible light, before the Home Office puts your business under the microscope.

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