United Kingdom — HCPC → NHS job → Health & Care Worker visa

Register — HCPC international application

• Regulator: HCPC
• Scrutiny fee: £678.38 (rate for applications from 29 Apr 2025)
• Typical assessment: 2–6 months

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulates “radiographer” as a protected title in the UK. Overseas-qualified radiographers use the international application route: an online application with certified copies of your qualification, transcript/course syllabus, proof of registration in your home country, and evidence of professional practice. HCPC assessors compare your education and experience against the UK Standards of Proficiency for radiographers.

Cost note: the widely quoted £495 scrutiny fee is out of date — HCPC raised all fees for applications created on or after 29 April 2025, and the international scrutiny fee is now £678.38 (verified 2026). On approval you also pay the registration fee for your first professional-year cycle. The scrutiny fee is non-refundable even if you are rejected, so get your documentation right first time.

English: HCPC accepts IELTS (Academic) — historically 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5 for radiographers — or TOEFL iBT equivalents. Native-level applicants from majority-English countries can often evidence English by education/practice history. Check the current HCPC English language standard before booking a test.

Get the job — the NHS sponsors at scale

• Main employer: NHS trusts
• Job boards: NHS Jobs / Trac
• Typical start band: NHS Band 5–6

This is the UK’s biggest advantage: virtually every NHS trust is a licensed visa sponsor, and diagnostic radiography has sat on the UK’s shortage/immigration salary-list arrangements for years. Many trusts run active international recruitment campaigns (sometimes with relocation packages, first-month accommodation, and visa fees paid). Private groups (InHealth, Alliance Medical, Nuffield, Spire) also sponsor, but the NHS is the high-volume route.

You can apply for jobs once your HCPC registration is in progress, but most trusts will only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) once your HCPC registration number is confirmed. Interviews are commonly done remotely for international candidates.

Visa — Health & Care Worker visa

• Visa: Health & Care Worker (Skilled Worker subclass)
• Fee: £324 (≤3 yrs) / £628 (>3 yrs) — from 8 Apr 2026
• IHS: Exempt (saves £1,035/person/yr)
• Processing: ~3 weeks from outside the UK (indicative, 2026)

Radiographers (SOC 2218) qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa — a discounted Skilled Worker visa for NHS and eligible health employers. As of the April 2026 fee uplift, the application fee is £324 for visas up to three years and £628 for longer visas, for main applicants and dependants alike. Crucially, Health & Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per person per year in 2026) — a saving of thousands over a 3–5 year visa for a family.

Salary: you must be paid at least £38,700 or the going rate for SOC 2218, whichever is higher (2026 rule — NHS band pay scales generally satisfy this for established radiographers; check the going-rate table for your band and hours). Dependants: partners and children can join you with full work/study rights (unlike the care-worker route, radiographers retain dependant rights). The visa leads to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after a qualifying period of continuous residence — check current settlement rules, which have been under review.

UK checklist (in order)

1. Gather degree certificate, full transcript + course syllabus, home-country registration proof, and references.
2. Book IELTS Academic / TOEFL if you need to evidence English for HCPC.
3. Submit HCPC international application and pay the £678.38 scrutiny fee (2026 rate).
4. While waiting, start applying on NHS Jobs; be upfront that HCPC is in progress.
5. On HCPC approval, pay the registration fee and get your registration number.
6. Accept a job offer; the trust issues your Certificate of Sponsorship.
7. Apply for the Health & Care Worker visa (£324/£628, 2026) with the CoS reference; add dependants in the same application.
8. Get biometrics done, receive the decision (~3 weeks), book travel, arrange initial accommodation.

United States — credential evaluation → ARRT → state licence → employer-sponsored visa

Register — there is no “overseas ARRT registration”

• Credentialing body: ARRT (not a licence)
• Credential evaluation: ~US$200–400 (NACES/AICE member service)
• Licensing: state-by-state

The US system trips up many internationally trained radiographers, so be clear on the mechanics. ARRT does not register foreign technologists directly — there is no reciprocal or “overseas assessment” route. Foreign-educated candidates must meet the same three requirements as US graduates: ethics, education, examination.

The actual pathway: (a) have your qualification evaluated by a credential evaluation service that is a member of NACES, AICE or CED — ARRT recommends the most in-depth “course-by-course / subject analysis” evaluation (~US$200–400, a few days to ~4 weeks); (b) the evaluation must establish equivalence to an associate degree or higher from an institution accredited by an agency ARRT recognises, plus completion of an educational programme meeting ARRT requirements; (c) pass the ARRT Radiography certification exam at a Pearson VUE centre; (d) then obtain a state licence in the state where you’ll work — most states use ARRT credentials/scores in licensing decisions, but requirements and fees vary, and a handful of states have minimal or no licensure. If your education is found not equivalent, the realistic fix is completing (or partially completing) a US JRCERT-accredited programme — a significant time-and-money detour to budget for.

English: there is no single national English test requirement for radiographers, but visa sponsorship and credential evaluation typically require English-language documentation, and some state boards or employers ask for TOEFL/IELTS from non-English-education applicants.

Get the job — sponsorship is the real filter

• Sponsoring employers: large health systems & academic centres
• H-1B for techs: rare, lottery-limited
• Main immigrant route: EB-3 via PERM

Most US imaging departments never sponsor visas — the market is served by domestic graduates and travel techs. Sponsorship concentrates in large academic medical centres and national health systems with established immigration programmes (the kind of employers with in-house immigration counsel). Teaching hospitals affiliated with universities can be H-1B cap-exempt, which sidesteps the annual lottery — worth targeting specifically.

H-1B is only viable where the role genuinely requires a bachelor’s degree (many rad tech roles are associate-level, which undermines the “specialty occupation” argument — bachelor-level roles in advanced imaging fare better). The workhorse immigrant route is EB-3 skilled worker: the employer runs PERM labor certification, files an I-140 petition, and you wait for a visa number by country of birth — realistically 2–4 years, longer for high-demand countries (India, China, Philippines backlogs). Note: unlike nurses and physical therapists, radiographers are not on the Schedule A pre-certified shortage list, so PERM is required (verified 2026 — worth re-checking, as Schedule A expansion has been repeatedly discussed).

Visa — H-1B (temporary) or EB-3 (permanent)

• Temporary: H-1B (lottery unless cap-exempt)
• Permanent: EB-3 green card via PERM
• Dependants: H-4 / derivative green cards

H-1B: employer-filed, 3 years renewable to 6; subject to an annual lottery unless the employer is cap-exempt (universities, affiliated teaching hospitals, non-profit research). Government filing fees run from hundreds to several thousand US dollars and are largely employer-paid by regulation. H-4 dependants can live and study in the US; H-4 spouse work authorisation is limited to specific circumstances — check current rules.

EB-3: the permanent route. Employer sponsors you through PERM → I-140 → immigrant visa/adjustment of status. Dependants (spouse + children under 21) receive green cards with you, with full work rights. Timeline is dominated by your country-of-birth priority-date queue — check the current Visa Bulletin. Healthcare-specific recruiters/staffing agencies do sponsor EB-3 for allied health, but scrutinise contracts (repayment clauses, placement terms) carefully.

Fees and processing above are indicative for 2026; US filing fees changed substantially in 2024 and are set per petition type — confirm on uscis.gov.

US checklist (in order)

1. Order a course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES/AICE member service (~US$200–400).
2. Confirm with ARRT that your evaluated education meets their degree + programme requirements.
3. Apply to ARRT, satisfy the ethics review, and sit the Radiography exam at Pearson VUE.
4. Identify target states; obtain the state licence (requirements and fees vary by state).
5. Target cap-exempt academic medical centres and large systems with immigration programmes.
6. Secure an offer; the employer chooses H-1B (if role qualifies) and/or starts PERM for EB-3.
7. Track your priority date on the Visa Bulletin; complete consular processing or adjustment of status.
8. On arrival, complete employer credentialing and any state-specific fluoroscopy/mammo permits.

Australia — ASMIRT skills assessment → Ahpra/MRPBA → skilled or sponsored visa

Register — ASMIRT overseas assessment, then Ahpra

• Assessing body: ASMIRT (for MRPBA)
• Assessment fee: A$1,041 overseas / A$1,143 inc GST onshore (2026)
• Ahpra/MRPBA registration: A$221/yr (2025–26)

Radiography in Australia is regulated by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA), administered through Ahpra. Overseas-qualified diagnostic radiographers first complete an overseas qualifications assessment through ASMIRT (the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy), which checks your qualification and clinical experience against the Australian professional capabilities. The 2026 assessment fee is A$1,041 for applicants residing overseas (A$1,143 inc GST onshore); dual-modality assessments attract a ~A$500 surcharge. New Zealand graduates of pre-approved programmes use a cheaper streamlined assessment (~A$319).

Depending on the outcome, you may be granted general registration eligibility directly, or be required to sit the National MRP Exam and/or complete a period of supervised practice under limited/provisional registration. You then apply to Ahpra for registration (annual fee A$221 for 2025–26, plus application fee). English: the MRPBA English language standard is typically IELTS Academic 7.0 in each component or OET grade B — with exemptions for applicants educated in recognised English-speaking countries. Verify the current registration standard on the MRPBA site.

Get the job — occupation lists do a lot of the work

• ANZSCO: 251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
• Lists: MLTSSL + CSOL (verified 2026)
• Strong demand: regional + public health services

Medical Diagnostic Radiographer (ANZSCO 251211) sits on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) as of 2026 — meaning both the independent points-tested route and the employer-sponsored route are open. That’s the best of both worlds: you don’t strictly need an employer to migrate, but having one accelerates everything.

Public health services (especially regional and rural), private radiology groups (I-MED, Lumus, Jones Radiology and peers) and locum agencies all recruit internationally. State health services in regional areas frequently support subclass 482/494 sponsorship or state nomination for 190/491 visas. Salaries are set by state enterprise agreements; expect roughly A$75,000–$110,000+ for staff radiographers depending on state and seniority (indicative 2026).

Visa — points-tested PR or employer-sponsored

• Skilled independent: 189 (PR, points-tested)
• State nominated: 190 (PR) / 491 (regional provisional)
• Employer: 482 Skills in Demand / 186 (PR) / 494 (regional)

Points-tested route: lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect for subclass 189 (independent PR) or 190/491 (state-nominated). The formal minimum is 65 points, but healthcare invitations have typically gone out at higher scores — 75–80+ for 189 in recent rounds (indicative 2026); state nomination (+5 for 190, +15 for 491) is often the pragmatic path. Several states actively nominate radiographers for regional shortages.

Employer route: the subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa (which replaced the old TSS structure) gives 2–4 years employer-sponsored work with a pathway to permanent residence via subclass 186; subclass 494 covers regional employers. Dependants: partners and children are included on all these visas with work/study rights. Visa application charges are substantial — the main-applicant charge for skilled PR visas runs to several thousand Australian dollars (check the Home Affairs fee estimator for current figures; charges index every 1 July). Processing times vary widely by subclass and round — from a few months (sponsored) to a year+ (points-tested), indicative 2026.

Australia checklist (in order)

1. Sit IELTS/OET early — you need it for both ASMIRT/MRPBA and visa points.
2. Apply for the ASMIRT overseas qualifications assessment (A$1,041 offshore, 2026).
3. If required, prepare for and pass the National MRP Exam / complete supervised practice.
4. Apply to Ahpra for MRPBA registration (A$221/yr, 2025–26).
5. Decide your visa strategy: points-tested (189/190/491) vs employer-sponsored (482/186/494).
6. For points route: lodge a SkillSelect EOI and pursue state nomination in parallel.
7. For employer route: target regional health services and radiology groups that sponsor.
8. Lodge the visa with dependants included; complete health and character checks.

New Zealand — MRTB registration → accredited employer → Green List fast-track residence

Register — MRTB internationally-qualified route

• Regulator: MRTB (Medical Radiation Technologists Board)
• Assessment: ~3–6 months
• Then: Annual Practising Certificate (APC)

The Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB) registers medical imaging technologists in New Zealand under the HPCA Act. Internationally qualified applicants apply through the overseas-trained route: qualification assessment against the New Zealand competence standards, evidence of recent practice, registration history, and fitness to practise. Some applicants are required to pass the MRTB online examination covering New Zealand practice context (including cultural safety / Te Tiriti obligations — study this; it is genuinely examined). Allow 3–6 months for assessment. Note the Board consulted on 2026/27 fee changes in late 2025 — check the current fee schedule rather than relying on older figures.

Shortcut: if you already hold Australian (Ahpra/MRPBA) registration, the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) gives a far faster route to NZ registration — and vice versa. UK/Irish/Canadian/South African graduates of recognised programmes also tend to assess smoothly. Once registered you need an Annual Practising Certificate to work. English: MRTB requires evidence of English proficiency (IELTS Academic at high band scores or recognised alternatives; exemptions for English-taught qualifications) — verify the current standard on mrtboard.org.nz.

Get the job — accredited employers + the Green List

• ANZSCO: 251212 Medical Imaging Technologist
• Status: Green List Tier 1 (verified 2026 — re-check before applying)
• Employers: Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora + private groups

Medical Imaging Technologist (ANZSCO 251212) sits on Tier 1 of Immigration New Zealand’s Green List as of our 2026 check — the government’s list of hard-to-fill roles with the strongest immigration concessions. Practically, that means a registered MIT with a job offer from an accredited employer can go straight to a residence application rather than working toward it for years. The Green List is reviewed periodically, so confirm 251212’s current tier on the INZ website before committing.

Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) — the national public health employer — is an accredited employer and recruits imaging staff internationally on an ongoing basis, alongside private providers (Pacific Radiology/RHCNZ, Canopy and others). Job offers must meet the role’s pay and full-time requirements for the Green List concessions to apply.

Visa — AEWV or Straight to Residence

• Work visa: AEWV — NZ$1,540 (2026)
• Green List Tier 1: Straight to Residence Visa
• Processing: AEWV often ~2–10 weeks; StR ~1–4 months (indicative 2026)

Two realistic options once you hold an offer from an accredited employer:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): the standard employer-sponsored work visa. Fee NZ$1,540 (doubled from NZ$750 in October 2024). The employer must hold accreditation and pass a Job Check first; the worker visa itself is often decided within a few weeks, though 30–70 days is a safer planning window (indicative 2026).
• Straight to Residence Visa: because MIT is Green List Tier 1, you can apply for residence directly with the job offer — no work-visa years required. Recent processing has run roughly 35–129 days (indicative 2026). Fees for residence applications are higher than the AEWV; check the current INZ fee finder.

Dependants: partners of AEWV holders in Green List roles can generally obtain open work rights, and children study as domestic students; on a residence visa the whole family gets residence together. Budget extra for medicals (~NZ$150–250), police certificates and translations.

New Zealand checklist (in order)

1. Confirm your qualification route on the MRTB site (TTMRA if Australian-registered).
2. Sit the English test if required; gather transcripts, registration history, references.
3. Apply for MRTB registration; sit the online exam if directed (allow 3–6 months total).
4. Verify Medical Imaging Technologist (251212) is still Green List Tier 1 on the INZ site.
5. Apply to accredited employers (Health NZ + private groups); secure a compliant offer.
6. Choose: fast entry via AEWV (NZ$1,540, 2026) or go directly to Straight to Residence.
7. Lodge the visa with dependants; complete medicals and police certificates.
8. On arrival, obtain your Annual Practising Certificate before your first shift.

Canada — credential assessment → CAMRT exam → provincial registration → Express Entry / PNP

Register — CAMRT credential assessment + certification exam, then your province

• Assessment: CAMRT IEMRT process (~C$375–1,500 incl. provincial variation)
• Certification exam: ~C$675+ (2026; higher for some IEMRT categories)
• Then: provincial regulator (CMRITO in Ontario, ACMDTT in Alberta, etc.)

Canada regulates medical radiation technologists provincially, but the national credentialing spine is the CAMRT certification exam. Internationally educated MRTs (IEMRTs) first go through a credential and competency assessment — CAMRT assesses language fluency, substantial similarity of your qualification, and work experience; some provinces route this through their own regulator or a designated assessment service. Costs vary: roughly C$375–1,500 for assessment depending on province and whether reassessment is needed. Submit at least 3 months before your target exam sitting.

If your education is found substantially similar, you sit the CAMRT certification exam in radiological technology (registration ~C$675 for Canadian graduates, with higher all-in costs commonly reported for international candidates; one free rewrite within 12 months if you fail first attempt). If gaps are identified, you may be directed to a bridging programme before you can sit — a major cost driver: realistic all-in figures for IEMRTs who need bridging run C$12,000–20,000. After passing, register with the regulator in your province (e.g. CMRITO in Ontario, ACMDTT in Alberta, NBAMRT in New Brunswick). English/French: CAMRT has formal language fluency requirements (IELTS or equivalents; French routes exist for Québec, which has its own separate system via the OTIMROEPMQ).

Get the job — shortage demand, but PR usually comes first

• NOC: 32121 Medical radiation technologists
• Route: often PR first, job second
• Demand hotspots: Ontario, Alberta, Atlantic Canada, rural BC

Canada inverts the usual sequence: because the flagship immigration routes (Express Entry) are not employer-tied, many radiographers land as permanent residents first and job-hunt after. That said, a Canadian job offer adds CRS points and several Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) healthcare streams require or strongly favour one. Hospital networks and provincial health authorities (Ontario Health teams, Alberta Health Services, Nova Scotia Health, etc.) recruit MRTs actively; rural and Atlantic postings are the easiest entry points and often come with PNP support. Employer-sponsored temporary work permits (LMIA-based) exist but are the minority route for MRTs.

Visa — Express Entry (healthcare category) or PNP

• System: Express Entry — category-based healthcare draws include NOC 32121
• Recent healthcare-draw CRS: ~470–510 (2025 draws, indicative)
• PNP nomination: +600 CRS (near-certain invitation)

Express Entry: create a profile, get scored (CRS) on age, education, language and experience. Medical radiation technologist (NOC 32121) is included in the category-based healthcare selection, whose draws have invited at materially lower CRS scores (~470–510 in recent draws) than general draws (~520–545) — indicative 2025–26 figures. Note the eligibility tightening from February 2026: minimum qualifying work experience rose from 6 months to 1 year. Government fees for PR run to roughly C$1,500+ per adult including the right-of-PR fee (check IRCC’s current fee list), with processing commonly ~6 months once invited (indicative).

PNP: if your CRS is short, a provincial nomination adds 600 points — effectively a guaranteed invitation. Most provinces run healthcare-targeted streams, several specifically listing MRTs. Dependants: spouse and children are included in the PR application with full rights; spousal language/education can also add CRS points. Québec runs a separate immigration and registration system — treat it as a seventh country if you’re francophone.

Canada checklist (in order)

1. Pick target province(s) — regulation, assessment routing and PNP options all depend on it.
2. Sit IELTS (or CELPIP/TEF) — you need strong scores for both CAMRT and CRS points.
3. Apply for CAMRT/provincial credential assessment (~C$375–1,500) ≥3 months before exam deadline.
4. Complete any prescribed bridging, then pass the CAMRT certification exam.
5. Register with your provincial regulator (CMRITO, ACMDTT, etc.).
6. Enter Express Entry; monitor healthcare category-based draws for NOC 32121.
7. Pursue a PNP healthcare stream in parallel for the +600 boost if CRS is marginal.
8. Receive ITA → submit PR application → land → job-hunt with full credentials in hand.

Ireland — CORU recognition → HSE/private job → Critical Skills Employment Permit

Register — CORU recognition of international qualifications

• Regulator: CORU (Radiographers Registration Board)
• Recognition fee: €410 + registration €100 (2026)
• Timeline: ≥5–6 months minimum from complete submission

CORU regulates radiographers in Ireland. Non-Irish qualifications go through a two-stage process: Stage 1 — recognition of your international qualification (€410 fee): CORU’s Radiographers Registration Board assesses your education and training against the Irish standards of proficiency, typically 2–4 weeks of file review plus up to 4 months of Board evaluation. Stage 2 — registration (€100), which includes Garda (police) vetting and can add a further 12–16 weeks. From a complete, correct first submission, plan on a minimum of 5–6 months end-to-end — and materially longer if CORU requests more documentation.

If shortfalls are identified, CORU offers compensation measures rather than flat rejection: you choose an adaptation period (supervised practice in Ireland) or an aptitude test to bridge specific deficits. EU-qualified applicants are assessed under the EU professional qualifications directive; non-EU applicants under CORU’s equivalent process. English: CORU requires evidence of English competence for applicants not educated through English — check the accepted tests and scores on coru.ie before booking.

Get the job — HSE shortage hiring + Critical Skills list

• Occupation list: Critical Skills Occupations List — radiographers included (2026)
• Main employer: HSE public hospitals
• Private: Affidea, Alliance Medical, Blackrock Health etc.

Radiographers (diagnostic and radiation therapists) appear on Ireland’s Critical Skills Occupations List as of 2026 — the list that unlocks the country’s premium work permit. The HSE (public health service) runs continuous radiography recruitment with persistent vacancies in Dublin and regional hospitals; private imaging groups also hire internationally. Irish employers are accustomed to the CORU + permit sequence and many will hold posts for candidates mid-recognition. Public-sector pay follows national consolidated scales (staff radiographer roughly €45k–€65k across the scale, indicative 2026), which comfortably clears the permit salary threshold for most posts.

Visa — Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

• Permit fee: €1,000 (employer or applicant pays)
• Salary threshold: ≥€40,904 from 1 March 2026 (Critical Skills occupations)
• Processing: ~4–8 weeks (indicative 2026)
• PR track: Stamp 4 after 21 months

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is Ireland’s fast track. Requirements: a 2-year job offer in a Critical Skills occupation paying at least €40,904 (threshold effective 1 March 2026 for listed occupations). The €1,000 fee can be paid by you or the employer. Standard processing runs 4–8 weeks depending on demand. Non-EEA nationals then obtain an entry visa (if visa-required nationality) and register for an Irish Residence Permit on arrival.

The big draws: after just 21 months on a CSEP you can apply for a Stamp 4 residence permission — free access to the labour market, no further permits. And CSEP holders can bring spouses/partners and children immediately; spouses/de-facto partners qualify for a dedicated permission with direct work rights (no separate work permit needed). Citizenship is typically reachable after 5 years’ reckonable residence. As an EU member state, Irish registration and experience also position you well for later moves within the EU.

Ireland checklist (in order)

1. Assemble transcripts, syllabus, registration history and references — CORU is document-hungry.
2. Sit an accepted English test if your training wasn’t through English.
3. Apply for CORU Stage 1 recognition (€410); respond fast to any requests for information.
4. If offered compensation measures, choose aptitude test vs adaptation period strategically.
5. Apply for jobs (HSE + private) once recognition is progressing; secure a 2-year offer ≥€40,904.
6. Complete CORU Stage 2 registration (€100) incl. Garda vetting.
7. Employer/you file the CSEP (€1,000); allow 4–8 weeks; then entry visa if required.
8. Register for your Irish Residence Permit on arrival; diary the 21-month Stamp 4 date.

Choosing a destination — side-by-side

All figures indicative, main applicant only, verified July 2026 unless noted. Salaries are typical staff-grade public-sector ranges and vary heavily by region and seniority. “Sponsorship ease” reflects how routinely employers in that country sponsor internationally trained radiographers.

English-language test requirements at a glance

How to actually decide

• Fastest first pay cheque: UK or New Zealand — high-volume sponsorship, single national regulator, visas measured in weeks.
• Fastest permanent residence: New Zealand (Straight to Residence on day one, if Green List Tier 1 holds) or Ireland (Stamp 4 at 21 months). Australia’s 189/190 grant PR on arrival but take longer to obtain.
• Highest earnings ceiling: the US — but it demands the longest runway, the scarcest sponsorship, and tolerance for multi-year green-card queues.
• No employer needed: Australia (points-tested 189/190) and Canada (Express Entry) let you immigrate on your own credentials — at the price of points competition and, in Canada, a licensure process that ignores your PR status.
• Family-first: UK Health & Care Worker (IHS-exempt dependants) and Ireland CSEP (immediate family reunification, spouse works freely) are the most dependant-friendly packages as of 2026.