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2 May 2025
USA H-1B vs UK Skilled Worker Visa: Which is Easier in 2025?
If you’re a skilled professional looking to work abroad in 2025, this is to help you better understand which is easier to secure.
Well, both the H-1B visa and the UK Skilled Worker visa have unique requirements, processing times, and approval rates. So here is a comparison of H-1B vs UK Skilled Worker Visa to help you decide which path is best for your career in 2025.
Key Factors: USA H-1B vs UK Skilled Worker Visa
1. Eligibility Requirements
USA H-1B Visa (2025 Updates)
- You must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation (typically requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher).
- The employers must file a Labour Condition Application (LCA) to prove fair wages.
- The Annual cap would be: 85,000 visas (65,000 for general applicants + 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders).
- Lottery system: High demand means selection is random, making approval uncertain.
UK Skilled Worker Visa (2025 Updates)
- You need a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license.
- The job must be listed in the UK’s eligible occupations list, and you should meet a minimum salary threshold (£38,700 in 2025 for most roles).
- Unlike the USA, there is no annual cap, but employers must prove they couldn’t fill the role locally.
- Points-based system: Applicants must score at least 70 points based on salary, skills, and English proficiency.
Since it’s not lottery-based, the UK Skilled Worker visa approval process is more predictable.
2. Approval Rates & Processing Time
H-1B Visa (2025)
Processing time: You can complete the processing in 15 days, with a duration of 3-6 months and additional charges.
Approval rate: Approximately 75-80%, depending on the employer’s credibility and documentation.
Challenges: High rejection rates for small companies and IT consulting firms.
UK Skilled Worker Visa (2025)
Processing time: 3-8 weeks (priority processing available for faster decisions).
Approval rate: Approximately 90 %+, with all the requirements met.
Challenges: Strict sponsorship and salary requirements.
Compared to the H-1B Visa, the UK visa is faster and more reliable for eligible applicants.
3. Duration & Path to Permanent Residency
H-1B Visa
Initial validity is 3 years, and you can extend it to 6 years.
Green Card pathway: Possible but requires employer sponsorship, and you will have to wait a long time, especially for Indians, due to backlogs.
UK Skilled Worker Visa
Initial validity is up to 5 years.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): You will be eligible for this after 5 years of continuous residence.
4.Dependents & Family Benefits
H-1B: Spouses can get an H-4 visa, but need an EAD (work permit) to work (currently facing delays).
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Dependents (spouse/children) can work or study freely without restrictions.
5.Job Market & Salary Comparison
USA: Higher salaries in tech (Silicon Valley, NYC), but H-1B job mobility is limited. You must transfer your visa if you change employers.
UK: Strong demand in finance, healthcare, and tech (especially in London and Manchester), with easier job switching under the same visa.
Wrapping Up:
In 2025, the UK Skilled Worker visa is expected to be easier to obtain, thanks to its transparent points system and the absence of a lottery. However, for those targeting top-tier U.S. salaries, the H-1B visa may still be worth considering, despite the ongoing uncertainty.
Want help with your visa application? Book a Free Consultation!
Read: Should You Self-Apply or Seek the Services of Study Abroad Consultants? Which Is Better?
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