Migration lane
How to Immigrate to United Kingdom from Romania in 2026
United Kingdom has 47 immigration routes in our catalog. The biggest groups are work & career, heritage & citizenship and talent & special roles routes. Which of them are open to you depends on your nationality, age, savings and job situation — the free check matches your profile against every United Kingdom route we track.
- Work & career15 routes e.g. Skilled Worker
- Heritage & citizenship7 routes e.g. Frontier Worker permit
- Talent & special roles6 routes e.g. Global Talent visa
- See all United Kingdom routes →
1. Overview
The UK hosts approximately 400,000 Romanian-born residents, making it the fourth-largest Romanian community abroad. Brexit fundamentally changed the Romania-UK corridor: Romanians who were resident before December 31, 2020 could apply for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), granting pre-settled or settled status with full work rights. New Romanian arrivals since January 1, 2021 must apply through the UK's points-based immigration system — primarily the Skilled Worker visa. This represents a dramatic shift from free movement to employer-sponsored migration. In 2026, the Romanian community includes both EUSS holders with secure long-term status and new arrivals navigating the post-Brexit visa system.
Diaspora estimate: approximately 400,000 Romanian nationals in United Kingdom.
2. Key Visa Pathways
| Visa Pathway | Timeline | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| EU Settlement Scheme (existing residents) | Already granted | Pre-settled status (5 years) or settled status (indefinite). For those resident before 31 Dec 2020. Late applications still accepted in some circumstances. |
| Skilled Worker Visa (new arrivals) | 3-8 weeks | Post-Brexit requirement. Salary threshold GBP 41,700. Employer sponsorship. SOC code match. |
| Health and Care Worker | 3-8 weeks | Reduced fees. No IHS. GBP 23,200 threshold. For nurses, carers, medical professionals. |
| Seasonal Worker Visa | 2-4 weeks | For agricultural work. Up to 6 months. Employer-sponsored through approved scheme operators. |
| ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) | EUSS settled = already indefinite. Skilled Worker: after 5 years. | EUSS settled status holders already have indefinite leave. Pre-settled holders must apply for settled status after 5 years continuous residence. |
3. Detailed Breakdown
3.1 EU Settlement Scheme (existing residents)
Timeline: Already granted
Pre-settled status (5 years) or settled status (indefinite). For those resident before 31 Dec 2020. Late applications still accepted in some circumstances.
3.2 Skilled Worker Visa (new arrivals)
Timeline: 3-8 weeks
Post-Brexit requirement. Salary threshold GBP 41,700. Employer sponsorship. SOC code match.
3.3 Health and Care Worker
Timeline: 3-8 weeks
Reduced fees. No IHS. GBP 23,200 threshold. For nurses, carers, medical professionals.
3.4 Seasonal Worker Visa
Timeline: 2-4 weeks
For agricultural work. Up to 6 months. Employer-sponsored through approved scheme operators.
3.5 ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Timeline: EUSS settled = already indefinite. Skilled Worker: after 5 years.
EUSS settled status holders already have indefinite leave. Pre-settled holders must apply for settled status after 5 years continuous residence.