HU→UK Pick your legal route (Skilled Worker, Health & Care, Student, Graduate, Family) — step-by-step chooser

Last updated: 25 September 2025

Introduction

This guide helps Hungarian citizens pick the correct UK immigration route before departure (6–12 months out). It compares the Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Student, Graduate, and Family (Partner) routes side-by-side, then gives exact steps, documents, timelines, and costs. It also explains the new Skilled Worker salary floor (£41,700) and going rate logic, with exceptions via the Immigration Salary List (ISL). The Graduate route remains 2 years (3 for PhD) as of today — reform proposals exist but are not yet enacted.

Quick route picker (decision steps)

Do you have a UK job offer from a licensed sponsor? → Yes → Go to A. Work routes. If health/NHS/social care role, check A2 first.
Source: GOV.UK – Skilled Worker visa

Are you coming primarily to study a UK course (RQF 3+), with a CAS? → B. Student route.
Source: GOV.UK – Student visa

Have you recently graduated in the UK on a Student visa? → C. Graduate route.
Source: GOV.UK – Graduate visa

Are you the partner/spouse of a British or settled person? → D. Family (Partner).
Source: GOV.UK – Family visa

Side-by-side snapshot

Route	Purpose	Sponsor	Pay / Money rules	Length	Dependants	Fees*	IHS
A1. Skilled Worker	Any eligible skilled job	Yes	≥ £41,700 or “going rate” (whichever higher); ISL exceptions	Up to 5y	Yes	£769 (≤3y) / £1,519 (>3y)	£1,035/year
A2. Health & Care Worker	NHS, care roles	Yes	NHS bands, usually £25,000+ with concessions	Up to 5y	Restricted for care workers (post-2024/25)	£304 (≤3y) / £590 (>3y)	Exempt
B. Student	Study in UK	Yes (CAS)	Funds: £1,483/mo London; £1,136/mo outside + tuition	Course length	Limited (PG research/gov-sponsored)	£524	Payable
C. Graduate	Work after UK degree	No	No min salary	2y (3y PhD)	Yes	£880	Payable
D. Family (Partner)	Join UK partner	No	Income requirement: £29,000 (or £18,600 if transitional)	2.5y	Yes	See GOV.UK fee table	Payable

A. Work routes

A1. Skilled Worker — steps

Confirm your job & SOC code (eligible list, RQF6+). Source
Check salary meets rules: ≥ £41,700 or the going rate (whichever higher). Exceptions:
- ISL occupation: ≥ 80% of going rate, but ≥ £33,400
- New entrant or PhD: 70–90% of going rate with specific minimums
Source
Sponsor issues Certificate of Sponsorship (valid 3 months).
Prepare documents (passport, CoS, English, TB test, police certificate, financials).
Apply online, pay fee + IHS, provide biometrics. Processing: 3 weeks outside UK, 8 weeks inside. Source
On arrival: work for sponsor, limited supplementary work rules apply.

A2. Health & Care Worker — steps

Eligible role & sponsor: NHS, social care, licensed provider. Source
Salary rules: often £25,000+ with NHS pay band rates. Some concessions apply. NHS Employers
Dependants: restrictions for care workers (rules changed March 2024 and July 2025).
Lower visa fees, no IHS. Processing ~3 weeks outside UK. Source

B. Student route

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) required from licensed provider.
Funds required: £1,483/month (London) or £1,136/month (outside) for up to 9 months, plus tuition. Source
Dependants only if gov-sponsored or on a postgraduate research programme (after Jan 2024). Source
Fee: £524 + IHS. Processing ~3 weeks outside UK.

C. Graduate route

Stay after UK degree to work. Length: 2 years (3 for PhD). No sponsor needed. You can later switch to Skilled Worker if job offer meets salary rules. Reform proposals exist, but current rules still apply. Source

D. Family (Partner) route

If your partner is British or settled, you usually need to show a minimum income of £29,000 (or £18,600 if under transitional protection). Application typically takes 12 weeks from outside UK. Source

Salary rules explained

Find your SOC code.
Look up the going rate (based on 37.5h/week).
Offered salary must meet the higher of: £41,700 or the going rate.
Exceptions: ISL role, new entrant, PhD discounts — but must still meet minima (£33,400 or £37,500 in some cases). Health & Care often follows NHS pay bands.

Source: GOV.UK – Going rates

Switching between routes

Student → Graduate → Skilled Worker: common path.
Graduate → Skilled Worker: allowed with sponsor + salary.
Family → work routes: possible, but check rules. Source

Checklists

Skilled Worker checklist

[ ] SOC code confirmed
[ ] Salary meets £41,700/going rate
[ ] Exception applied correctly (ISL/new entrant/PhD)
[ ] Employer on sponsor register
[ ] CoS issued within 3 months
[ ] Fees + IHS budgeted; employer aware of Immigration Skills Charge

Health & Care checklist

[ ] Eligible role & sponsor
[ ] Salary/band meets rules (£25,000+)
[ ] Dependants rules checked (care roles)
[ ] Lower fee, no IHS

Student checklist

[ ] CAS letter from licensed sponsor
[ ] Funds: £1,483/mo (London) or £1,136/mo (outside) + tuition
[ ] Dependants eligibility checked

Graduate checklist

[ ] Degree completed in UK
[ ] Applied for 2y (or 3y PhD) Graduate visa
[ ] Plan to switch to Skilled Worker when eligible

Family checklist

[ ] Relationship evidence provided
[ ] Financial requirement met (£29,000 / £18,600 transitional)
[ ] English + accommodation requirements met

Common pitfalls

Assuming £41,700 always enough: sometimes going rate is higher.
Forgetting 37.5h/week rule when calculating salaries.
Care-role dependants restricted (2024/25 rule changes).
Students wrongly assume all can bring dependants — only PG research/gov-sponsored can.
Forgetting IHS and employer’s Immigration Skills Charge.

Planning timeline (6–12 months)

12–9 months: Research visa, sponsor list, budget costs.
9–6 months: Secure job offer or CAS, check salary rules, prepare docs.
6–3 months: Get CoS/CAS, apply, book biometrics.
≤3 months: Visa decision, travel, register (NI, GP, bank).

Legal note

This guide is informational only. Immigration rules change frequently — always check GOV.UK before applying. Key moving parts: Skilled Worker £41,700 floor, ISL roles, care-worker dependant rules, family £29,000 MIR, student funds, graduate visa length.