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Visa Types

Different types of visas available for entering the UK, including tourist, work, study, and family visas.

Sections

Types of Visitor Visas

  • Standard Visitor Visa: For tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings, or short courses (up to 6 months).
  • Marriage Visitor Visa: For those coming to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.
  • Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: For professionals invited to the UK for short-term paid work (e.g., artists, academics, or lawyers).

Key Details

  • Duration: Usually up to 6 months (can be extended in specific cases, e.g., medical treatment).
  • Cost: £100 for a Standard Visitor Visa (6 months); £200 for a 2-year visa; £376 for a 5-year visa; £670 for a 10-year visa.
  • Requirements:
    • Proof of purpose of visit (e.g., itinerary, invitation letter).
    • Evidence of financial means to support yourself during your stay.
    • Proof of ties to your home country (e.g., employment, property ownership).
  • Application Process:
    1. Complete the online application form on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
    2. Pay the visa fee.
    3. Book and attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre.
    4. Submit supporting documents.

2. Work Visas

Work visas are for individuals who wish to work in the UK, either temporarily or permanently. The UK operates a points-based immigration system for most work visas.

Types of Work Visas

  • Skilled Worker Visa: For individuals with a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from a UK-based employer who is a licensed sponsor.
  • Health and Care Worker Visa: A subcategory of the Skilled Worker Visa for healthcare professionals.
  • Global Talent Visa: For highly skilled individuals in fields such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and academia.
  • Temporary Worker Visas: Includes visas for charity workers, creative workers, and seasonal workers.
  • High Potential Individual Visa: For graduates of top global universities (no job offer required).
  • Graduate Visa: For international students who have completed a degree in the UK and wish to stay for 2-3 years to work.

Key Details

  • Duration: Varies by visa type (e.g., Skilled Worker Visa can last up to 5 years).
  • Cost:
    • Skilled Worker Visa: £610–£1,408 (depending on duration and job type).
    • Health and Care Worker Visa: £247–£479.
    • Global Talent Visa: £623.
    • Graduate Visa: £715.
  • Requirements:
    • Job offer from a licensed UK employer (for most work visas).
    • Meet the minimum salary threshold (e.g., £26,200/year for Skilled Worker Visa).
    • English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS or equivalent).
    • Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – £624/year.
  • Application Process:
    1. Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer (if applicable).
    2. Complete the online application form.
    3. Pay the visa fee and IHS.
    4. Attend a biometric appointment and submit documents.

3. Study Visas

Study visas are for individuals who wish to pursue education in the UK.

Types of Study Visas

  • Student Visa: For individuals aged 16 or older enrolled in a course at a UK educational institution.
  • Child Student Visa: For children aged 4–17 attending an independent school in the UK.
  • Short-term Study Visa: For short courses (e.g., English language courses lasting 6–11 months).

Key Details

  • Duration: Length of the course plus a short additional period (e.g., 4 months for degree-level courses).
  • Cost:
    • Student Visa: £490.
    • Short-term Study Visa: £200.
  • Requirements:
    • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK educational institution.
    • Proof of financial means to cover tuition fees and living costs (e.g., £1,334/month in London or £1,023/month outside London).
    • English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS).
    • Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£624/year).
  • Application Process:
    1. Obtain a CAS from your institution.
    2. Complete the online application form.
    3. Pay the visa fee and IHS.
    4. Attend a biometric appointment and submit documents.

4. Family Visas

Family visas allow individuals to join family members who are British citizens, settled in the UK, or have refugee status.

Types of Family Visas

  • Spouse/Partner Visa: For spouses, civil partners, or long-term partners of UK residents.
  • Parent Visa: For parents of children who are British citizens or settled in the UK.
  • Child Visa: For children joining their parents in the UK.
  • Adult Dependent Relative Visa: For adult relatives requiring long-term care.

Key Details

  • Duration: Usually 2.5 years (renewable).
  • Cost: £1,538 (outside the UK); £1,048 (inside the UK).
  • Requirements:
    • Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate).
    • Financial requirement: Minimum income of £18,600/year (higher if sponsoring children).
    • English language proficiency (for spouses/partners).
    • Accommodation proof.
  • Application Process:
    1. Complete the online application form.
    2. Pay the visa fee and IHS.
    3. Attend a biometric appointment and submit documents.

5. Settlement Visas (Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR)

Settlement visas allow individuals to live in the UK permanently.

Eligibility Routes

  • After 5 years on a Skilled Worker Visa, Spouse Visa, or other eligible visas.
  • After 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.
  • Other specific routes (e.g., refugee status, ancestry).

Key Details

  • Cost: £2,404.
  • Requirements:
    • Meet the residency requirement (e.g., 5 years on an eligible visa).
    • Pass the Life in the UK Test.
    • Meet the English language requirement.
  • Application Process:
    1. Complete the online application form.
    2. Pay the fee.
    3. Submit biometric data and supporting documents.

6. Other Visa Categories

  • Start-up and Innovator Visas: For entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the UK.
  • Ancestry Visa: For Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent.
  • Transit Visa: For individuals passing through the UK en route to another country.

General Application Tips

  1. Start Early: Visa processing times vary (e.g., 3 weeks for most visitor visas, 8 weeks for settlement visas).
  2. Prepare Documents: Ensure all documents are translated into English if necessary.
  3. Check Biometric Requirements: Most applications require fingerprints and a photo.
  4. Track Your Application: Use the UKVI online tracking system.

This guide provides an overview of the major UK visa categories. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration.