The first step in securing a UK visa is determining which type of visa you need. Gathering the requirements needed for this process can take a while, so it is best to start putting them together ahead of your online application.
The type of visa you need depends on your purpose in visiting the UK and your nationality. There are various visas available for the country, including work, family, and student visas.
Student Visa
If you’re planning to study in the UK, you must secure a student visa. This is different from a visitor’s visa and it allows you to stay in the country for the duration of your course. You can also apply for an extension if necessary.
The requirements for a student visa will vary depending on your country of origin and the type of course you plan to take. You’ll need to provide proof of your financial means and your academic qualifications. You may also have to prove your English language proficiency. Depending on your country of origin, you may be required to interview with an Entry Clearance Officer as part of the application process.
Applicants can begin the application process for a student visa as early as six months before their course begins. The aim is to receive a response within three weeks of applying, though this is not guaranteed.
Before you can start your study in the UK, you’ll need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is provided by your chosen school and it contains specific information about the course, such as the start date and end date, tuition fees, and housing costs. You’ll need to include the CAS reference number in your visa application, along with proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your course fees and living expenses.
Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive an email decision letter that includes instructions about how to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP). You must collect the BRP before your vignette expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever comes first. You must also show your school a copy of the entry stamp in your passport and the visa vignette.
The BRP will contain your personal details, photograph, and fingerprints. It’s important to keep it safe and not lose it, as it will help you prove your identity when registering with your college. If you do lose it, you can apply to have it replaced, but you’ll need to pay a fee and meet certain requirements.
Working Visa
Whether you’re looking to secure a UK work visa yourself or preparing a colleague for a move overseas, it’s important to understand the UK’s complex immigration laws and regulations. There are a number of different pathways, each with its own set of requirements, costs and leadtimes. Moreover, there is also available citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda.
Generally, to be eligible for a work permit in the UK, you’ll need a confirmed job offer. This will need to be from a Home Office-approved employer in a role that’s on the UK’s official list of eligible occupations. You’ll also need to be earning a minimum salary (although this isn’t always strictly required).
The UK offers a variety of work visa options, with each route designed to suit different situations and career plans. These include the Skilled Worker Visa, which is available to people with a job offer from a UK-approved sponsor.
There’s the Intra-company Transfer Worker Visa, which allows people working for an international company to come to the UK and carry out an eligible role at a branch of their company here. The new Secondment Worker Visa is another option for people being sent to the UK by an overseas business on a high-value contract.
If you’re a medical professional, there’s the Healthcare Professional Visa, which is suitable for medical professionals coming to the UK to work in the NHS or for an NHS supplier. This is a cheaper alternative to the Skilled Worker Visa and doesn’t require a minimum salary. There’s also the High Potential Individual visa, which allows graduates of a top US university to gain work experience in the UK and qualify for settlement in the future. This isn’t eligible for further extension, but it’s worth noting that you can switch to another visa type later in the process if you wish.
You may be able to apply for your visa up to three months before your start date, which is listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship. You’ll need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre, and you’ll also need to submit various supporting documents. You can pay for a faster processing time if you’re applying from outside the UK, but this isn’t guaranteed.
Visitor Visa
If you want to visit the UK, there are many visa options available. The right one for you depends on why you are visiting and how long you will stay. For example, citizens of the US and other non-EEA countries will require a visa to enter the UK for business or tourism purposes, while those who plan on staying less than 90 days do not need to apply for a visa.
If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to visit the UK, you will need to have several documents ready before applying. These include a valid passport that is not expiring within three months of your trip and must contain at least one blank page. You will also need proof that you have purchased a round-trip flight ticket for your trip. You will also need to submit your biometric information, which includes a digital photograph and fingerprints.
The Home Office will assess your visa application to make sure you are genuine and meet the requirements. This process takes into account your previous visits to the country, your ties to your home country and other factors. In addition, if you are planning to work while in the country, you may need to secure a work permit.
For those who have family members already living in the UK, a family visa may be an option. This type of visa is designed to allow you to live with your spouse, partner or parents in the UK for a longer period of time. This visa is a great option for those who need to attend to medical treatment or have children attending school in the UK.
If you are a high-level professional, the UK offers working visas for you as well. These are known as Tier 1 and Tier 2 visas and are intended for individuals who will contribute to the economy of the UK. To apply for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 visa, you will need to have a job offer and meet other eligibility requirements. Applicants will also be subject to a points-based system that evaluates various visa requirements to determine how many points you need to qualify for the visa.
Family Visa
Bringing a spouse, civil partner or fiancé(e) to the UK requires navigating a series of complex legal and procedural rules. In addition to proving your relationship and meeting basic requirements you may also need to prove that you and your partner have enough financial resources, either through savings or income, to live in the UK without working. You must also meet the financial threshold for your dependants and be able to show that your family has no previous immigration or criminal records or that you have not been convicted of a serious crime which could be deemed grounds for refusal.
Spouse and civil partnership visas are the easiest way for family members to come to the UK, but they have strict requirements that must be met. For example, your partner must be a British citizen or have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK and you must prove that you are both over the age of 18. You must also show that any previous relationships have ended permanently. A UK visa for a spouse or civil partner will be valid for six months and you must get married or register a civil partnership within this time period.
You can also bring children to the UK on a spouse or civil partnership visa. The requirements for this type of visa vary from country to country but generally your child must be under the age of 18 and you must meet the financial thresholds for your family. In some cases, you must provide a letter of sponsorship from your sponsoring spouse or civil partner. This must explain how you know each other, how long you have been together and how you continue to communicate regularly.
Adult relatives can apply for a visa to join family members living in the UK on temporary visas such as work visas or study visas. These family visas are called dependant visas and the requirements for them vary depending on the type of visa being sought. For example, adult dependants of UK citizens or people with Indefinite Leave to Remain must pay the same healthcare surcharge and BRP costs as their sponsors. For those seeking a family visa for adults in need of care, you must provide medical evidence that shows you require long-term personal care and that only your UK relative can provide this care.
