The Ranking
Each country is ranked by how many of its routes favour a British passport, either reserved for a short list of partner nationalities that includes the UK or with the English test waived for British citizens. Ties go to the country with more routes open to you overall.
| Country | Routes open to you | Partner-country routes | English test waived | Citizenship after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 7 | 1 | 5 | about 6 years |
| Singapore | 6 | 1 | 0 | about 4 years |
| New Zealand | 5 | 1 | 0 | about 5 years |
| Canada | 13 | 0 | 0 | about 5 years |
| United States | 10 | 0 | 0 | about 11 years |
| Germany | 6 | 0 | 0 | about 8 years |
| Spain | 6 | 0 | 0 | about 10 years |
| Portugal | 6 | 0 | 0 | about 5 years |
| France | 6 | 0 | 0 | about 5 years |
| Italy | 6 | 0 | 0 | about 10 years |
| Netherlands | 5 | 0 | 0 | about 5 years |
| United Arab Emirates | 5 | 0 | 0 | about 30 years |
| Thailand | 5 | 0 | 0 | about 8 years |
| Ireland | 4 | 0 | 0 | about 5 years |
| Switzerland | 2 | 0 | 0 | about 10 years |
Ireland scores low on this table and is still the easiest move of all, because you do not need any of its routes. That is the next section.
Ireland: No Visa at All
The UK government's Common Travel Area guidance says British and Irish citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction, and can work in either country, including self-employed, without needing any permission. Ireland's employment permits, such as the Critical Skills Employment Permit, are for other nationalities. Ireland records citizenship eligibility after about 5 years of residence.
Working Holidays: Your Age Is the Asset
If you are young enough, a working holiday is the fastest way out. These are the routes in our data reserved for a short list of partner countries that includes the UK:
| Pathway | Country | Government fee | Processing | Published salary floor | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) | Australia | $430 | 1–2 months | See pathway page | No |
| Working Holiday Visa | New Zealand | $460 | 0–1 months | See pathway page | No |
| Work Holiday Pass | Singapore | $135 | 0–1 months | See pathway page | No |
Canada runs one too. IRCC's International Experience Canada eligibility page lists the United Kingdom with Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op categories. The government fee we hold for IEC is $270. The Australia 417 guide covers the most popular of these in detail.
Australia: The English Waiver Matters More Than It Looks
Australia's skilled visas normally require an English test. British citizens are on the exemption list for the points-tested and employer-sponsored routes below, which removes a cost and a step most applicants face. Australia records citizenship eligibility after about 6 years.
| Pathway | Government fee | Processing | Published salary floor | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | $3,035 | 6–18 months | See pathway page | Yes |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | $3,035 | 9–18 months | See pathway page | Yes |
| Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) | $2,770 | 2–5 months | See pathway page | Yes, about 3 years |
Canada does not waive it
The EU: Same Routes as Everyone Else
Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands treat a British applicant like any other non-EU national, which is why they sit lower in the ranking. If Europe is where you want to be, the guide to moving to Europe after Brexit goes through the retirement, remote-work and job-offer routes country by country.
Not ranked here: countries Transita does not cover, including Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Mexico. We would rather leave them out than estimate their rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can British citizens move without a visa?
Ireland. Under the Common Travel Area, British citizens can live, work and study in Ireland without needing permission from the authorities. That is the only destination Transita covers where a British passport alone is enough.
What is the easiest country to move to from the UK?
After Ireland, Australia. A British passport opens the Working Holiday Maker visa, and Australia waives the English test for British citizens on 5 of its skilled routes in our data. New Zealand and Canada also run working holiday routes open to UK citizens.
Can I still move to Spain or Portugal from the UK after Brexit?
Yes, through the same residence routes any non-EU national uses. The difference is that you now need one. Our guide to moving to Europe after Brexit covers those routes by situation.
Do British citizens need IELTS to emigrate?
It depends on the country. Australia waives the English test for British citizens on its points-tested and employer-sponsored skilled visas. Canada does not: a British applicant to Express Entry sits a language test like everyone else.
Which countries does this ranking cover?
The 16 destinations Transita tracks, minus the UK itself. Countries outside that list, such as Greece or Mexico, are not ranked here because we do not hold their visa data.
official sources: WHM 417 · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au·WHV · immigration.govt.nz·WHP · mom.gov.sg·IEC · canada.ca·SC 189 · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au·SC 189 success-rate data · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au·SC 190 · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au·TSS 482 · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au·CSEP · enterprise.gov.ie·GEP · enterprise.gov.ie