People apply for visas to enter the UK for a variety of reasons, including to work, study, do business, join family members, visit as a tourist, transit through the country, get private medical care, seek refuge, or settle permanently 91视频下载APP.
UK visas and immigration are popular topics among those who want to visit the country. In this article, we鈥檒l help you to understand how UK visas work in general and which fits you the best.
What You鈥檒l Find in This Article
What Is a UK Visa
A UK visa is a stamp in your passport or a document issued by a British consulate or embassy in your home country.
A UK visa permits you to enter the United Kingdom. Whether you are visiting the country temporarily or permanently, your visa will be an important part of your immigration process.
A UK Visa can be obtained for several purposes, such as:
- Business
- Education
- Short trips to the UK and tourism
- Joining family members who are already 91视频下载APP
- Transit via the UK
- Long-term residence
- Refugee status
Who Needs a UK Visa
If you鈥檙e a citizen of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and a Commonwealth country, you鈥檒l not be required to apply for a UK visa. The same applies to USA citizens too.
If you鈥檙e going to stay 91视频下载APP for more than six months, you鈥檒l need a visa regardless of your nationality.
UK Visa Application
How to apply for UK visa is very dependent on the type of visa you are seeking. Especially if your visa falls under the heading of the Points-Based System. Although the majority of the requirements are the same for each category, the system evaluates them differently. Certain extra requirements differ by type.
For example, if you鈥檙e going to apply for an investor visa, you鈥檒l need to prove that you have sufficient funds. If you鈥檙e an employee and want to work for a company 91视频下载APP, you can apply for a skilled worker visa, on the condition that your employer is an eligible one.
Points-Based System Category
The United Kingdom’s Point-Based System (PBS) is a system that regulates immigration to the country. To be eligible for a visa 91视频下载APP’s new points-based system, you must score a particular number of points for each visa, and you must demonstrate that you can do so.
UK Visa Requirements
Your visa application is decided by the relevant UK authorities. There are specific documents that must be submitted for each UK visa.
Make sure the essential paperwork for the UK visa you’re seeking meets the UK Home Office’s requirements.
Documentation for each UK visa is different, however, in general, you鈥檒l need to present the following:
- Your passport
- Photos
- Relevant visa application form
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds
- Your travel itinerary
UK Visa Types
There are many different types of UK visas available, from short-term to long-term, and the best one for you will depend on why you want to come to the UK and how long you want to remain.
Work visas, student visas, family visas, tourist visas, business visas, and transit visas are all available. Many UK visas can also be used to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain, which is an important step on the path to British citizenship.
UK visa categories include:
- Business Visas
- Family Visas
- Settlement Visas
- Study Visas
- Transit Visas
- Visitor Visas
You can apply for a UK visa online by filling out the appropriate application form. You will also need to provide some supporting documents as part of your application to demonstrate that you meet the visa’s eligibility requirements.
UK Visa Types
| Visa Type | Eligibility |
| Skilled Worker Visa | For skilled workers with a job offer in the United Kingdom |
| Temporary Worker Visa | For temporary workers 91视频下载APP for less than one year |
| Youth Mobility Visa | 2-year work permit for young people aged 18-30 (eligibility is limited to certain countries) |
| Paid Permitted Engagement Visa | Short-term entry for experts invited to the UK |
| Sportsperson Visa | Work permit for sportspersons |
| Minister of Religion Visa | Work permit for religious workers |
| Intra-Company Transfer Visa | For employees transferring to work in a UK branch |
| Business Visitor Visa | For business people who travel to the UK for up to six months for business activities |
| Adult Student Visa | For students who want to study 91视频下载APP |
| Two-year Post-study Work Visa | For international students who studied a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 course 91视频下载APP |
| Student Visitor Visa | Studying 91视频下载APP temporarily |
| Child Student Visa | For children between 4-17 to study 91视频下载APP |
| Spouse Visa | For spouses of British Citizens or settled people |
| Fianc茅 Visa | For fianc茅s of British Citizens or settled people |
| Unmarried Partner Visa | For long-term partners of British Citizens or settled people |
| Adult Dependent Visa | For foreign nationals requiring care from their relative 91视频下载APP |
| Innovator Visa | For international entrepreneurs who invest 拢50,000 in a business 91视频下载APP |
| Investor Visa | For international investors with a minimum of 拢2 million to invest in a UK business |
| Startup Visa | For applicants who have approved sponsors to start their business 91视频下载APP |
| Transit Visa | For passengers who pass through the UK on their way to another country |
| Tourist Visa | For visitors who travel to the UK for up to six months for leisure |
UK Work and Business Visas
If you鈥檙e coming to the UK for business or work purposes, you’ll need a visa that allows you to do so. The following work visas are available in the United Kingdom:
Long-term Work Visas
- Skilled Worker visa
- Health and Care Worker visa
- Intra-company visas
- Minister of Religion visa (T2)
- International Sportsperson visa
Short-term Work Visas
- Temporary Work 鈥� Charity Worker visa
- Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa
- Temporary Work 鈥� Government Authorised Exchange visa
- Temporary Work 鈥� International Agreement visa
- Temporary Work – Religious Worker visa
- Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- Graduate visa
Investor, Business Development and Talent Visas
- Innovator visa
- Start-up visa
- Global Talent visa
- Investor visa (Tier 1)
UK Study Visas
The United Kingdom is home to some world-class educational institutions, making it a popular choice for international students. Foreign students must get a visa that allows them to study 91视频下载APP before coming to the country.
UK study visas include:
- Student visa
- Child Student visa
- Study English 91视频下载APP (Short-term study visa)
UK Tourist and Visitors Visas
The United Kingdom is a popular tourist destination. Visitor visas are provided for short stays, tourism visits, and other similar purposes. This type of visa grants rights to visit the country, they don鈥檛 function as a work permit.
If you鈥檙e a non-EEA citizen and plan to stay 91视频下载APP for less than six months, a tourist visa can be right for you. The regular UK visitor visa can be used for a variety of things, such as:
- Visiting family and friends
- Visiting the United Kingdom as a tourist
- Obtaining private medical care
- Getting married 91视频下载APP
- Registering your marriage 91视频下载APP
UK Family Visas
This visa is for people who have family members working and residing in the United Kingdom and want to join them as their dependents for more than six months. You may be eligible for a UK family visa if you want to live with your spouse or partner, child, parent, or relative who will look after you long-term.
UK Transit Visas
If you’re passing through the UK in transit which means that you’re passing through on your way to another country, you might need to get a transit visa. To get a transit visa:
- You must be in transit to another country with sufficient cash and the intent to continue traveling
- You鈥檙e able to prove you can enter that country
- You鈥檙e able to show that your visit to the UK is solely for transit
If you can show that you need to pass through the UK in transit frequently for a longer amount of time, you can apply for a long-term visit visa. Each visit is limited to 48 hours, and your visa is valid for two, five, or 10 years.
You can get either a direct airside transit visa or a visitor in transit visa depending on your pass through immigration or not.
EEA or Swiss nationals are exempted from UK transit visas.
UK Refugee Visa
Temporary Refugee Visas are for individuals who were forced to flee their country. This visa is applied for from within the United Kingdom.
UK Visa Processing Time
UK visa processing time can take up to three weeks. The processing time for UK visas varies from one application to the next due to a variety of variables, such as the visa type, your situation, and eligibility.
Priority Services To Apply for UK Visa
Fast processing is available for UK visa applications. If this service is available in the country where you鈥檙e applying, you can pay the additional cost and make use of priority services. Through this service, a decision will be made within five working days of your appointment.
There is also a next-day collection service which is also known as super-priority.
UK Visa Types and Fees
UK visa applicants must pay a fee to the Home Office for their application to be processed. The amount you must pay will be determined by the type of visa you are seeking and the country from which you are applying.
Here is a chart that shows the UK visa application fees* for an individual that is applying from the US:
| Visitor visa (valid for up to 2 years) | $508 |
| Student visa – main applicant and dependents | $489 |
| Tier 1 investor – main applicant and dependants | $2,283 |
| Family visas 鈥� Adult dependent relative | $4,571 |
*Data collected on February 2022 (Source: www.gov.uk)
Tracking Your UK Visa Application Status
If you鈥檝e made your application outside of the UK, you can contact the visa application center where you鈥檝e made your application from. If you鈥檝e made your application 91视频下载APP, you can contact the 鈥淯KVI鈥� a Home Office body.
Note that there are fees involved in contacting the center.
UK Electronic Visa Waiver
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or United Arab Emirates citizens can get an electronic visa waiver (EVW) instead of a visa. An EVW costs 拢30.
You can stay 91视频下载APP for up to 6 months on an EVW for vacation, business, study, or medical treatment. If you’re traveling for a different reason, check if you’ll require a visa.
In your application, you鈥檒l present the following:
- Your passport
- Your address 91视频下载APP
- Your travel itinerary
UK Indefinite Leave To Remain
Indefinite leave to remain UK (ILR) is a residency status that allows you to stay, work, and live 91视频下载APP permanently. If you live 91视频下载APP for a minimum of five years and meet the criteria, you can be eligible for ILR.
ILR is a route that leads to British citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions on UK Visas and Immigration
What are the most common type of UK visas and residence permit?
Popular UK visa categories include study visas, work visas, or short-term visit visas.
What are UK visa requirements and how to get UK visa?
UK Visa requirements and how to get UK visa depend on the visa you鈥檙e going to make an application for. Each visa鈥檚 requirements are different.
How can I see my UK visa application status?
You can call or email the relevant body where you鈥檝e made your application to. However, note that you鈥檒l be charged a certain fee for this.
