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Table of Contents
Overview Of Main Visa Categories
The UK visa system has different categories for various purposes and lengths of stay. Some are part of the points-based system, while others have different requirements. Visa types include short-term, long-term, work, study, family reunion, and tourism.
Work Visas:
These visas allow people to work in the UK in various sectors and occupations, such as skilled workers, health and care workers, investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, sports persons, artists, and religious workers.
Some work visas are part of the points-based system, such as the Skilled Worker visa, the Health and Care Worker visa, the Innovator visa, and the Start-up visa. Other work visas are not part of the points-based system, such as the Global Talent visa, the Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa, and the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Study Visas:
These visas allow people to study in the UK at different levels and institutions, such as schools, colleges, universities, and English language courses. Some study visas, such as the student and Child Student visas, are part of the points-based system.
Family Visas:
These visas allow people to join or stay with their family members who are British citizens, settled in the UK, or have refugee or humanitarian protection status. Family visas include the Family of a Settled Person visa, the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, the UK Ancestry visa, the Adult Dependent Relative visa, and the Parent of a Child Student visa.
Visit Visas:
These visas allow people to visit the UK for tourism, business, medical treatment, or other purposes. Visit visas include the Standard Visitor visa, the Marriage Visitor visa, the Permitted Paid Engagement visa, and the Transit visa.
Some visitors do not need a visa to enter the UK, depending on their nationality and the length and purpose of their stay. These visitors can enter the UK visa-free for up to six months or up to three months if they are from a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
Business Visas:
These visas allow people to do business-related activities in the UK, such as attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, training, or research. Business visas include the Business Visitor visa, the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa, and the Turkish Businessperson visa.
Some business visitors do not need a visa to enter the UK, depending on their nationality and the nature and duration of their business activities. These business visitors can enter the UK visa-free for up to six months or up to three months if they are from a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
Points-Based System Explanation
The points-based system is a way of assessing the eligibility of applicants for certain visa categories based on their attributes and skills. The points-based system consists of five tiers with different subcategories and criteria. The tiers are:
Tier 1:
This tier is for high-value migrants, such as investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talents.
Tier 2:
Skilled workers with a job offer from a UK employer with a licensed sponsor fall under this tier. Tier 2 visas are part of the points-based system, and applicants need to score at least 70 points based on their sponsorship, qualifications, English language ability, and salary.
Tier 3:
This tier was for low-skilled workers who filled temporary labour shortages, but it was never implemented and has been abolished.
Tier 4:
This tier is for students who have a place at a UK educational institution that is a licensed sponsor. Tier 4 visas are part of the points-based system, and applicants need to score at least 40 points based on their sponsorship and English language ability.
Tier 5:
This tier is for temporary workers and youth mobility scheme participants with a job offer or a certificate of sponsorship from a UK employer or organization that is a licensed sponsor. Tier 5 visas are part of the points-based system, and applicants need to score at least 40 points based on their sponsorship and maintenance funds.
The points-based system is designed to attract and retain the most talented and skilled migrants who can contribute to the UK economy and society. It is also flexible and responsive to the changing needs and demands of the UK labour market and education sector.
How To Choose the Right Visa Type
Some people may need a visa to enter the UK for various purposes, such as studying, working, visiting or joining family. The visa requirements and types depend on several factors, such as:
- your nationality and country of residence
- your reason and duration of your visit
- your personal and professional circumstances and skills
Before you apply, you should check if you need a visa and what type you need. You may not need a visa if you are from a visa-exempt country or are only transiting through the UK. Getting your visa approved before travelling to the UK would be best.
However, if you are an Irish citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa to enter the UK.
If You Want to Visit The UK
If you plan to visit the UK briefly, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months for various purposes, such as:
- having a holiday or sightseeing
- visiting your relatives or friends
- attending a business meeting or conference
- enrolling in a short course of study
However, if your main reason for visiting the UK is to get married or register a civil partnership, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa instead. This visa is also valid for six months but does not allow you to work, study, or settle in the UK.
Remember that you cannot work in the UK with a visitor visa. If you want to work, study, or live in the UK for a longer period, you will need a different type of visa.
If You’re Travelling Through The UK
If you are only passing through the UK on your way to another destination, you may need to apply for a visa, depending on your nationality and the purpose of your transit. For example, you will need a visa if you have a long stopover between flights and want to leave the airport or explore the city.
You can apply for a Transit visa if you have a confirmed onward flight that leaves within 48 hours or 24 hours, depending on the type of visa. You can also apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you must pass through UK border control, but you will leave the UK within 48 hours.
Alternatively, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you need to stay longer than 48 hours or want to do other activities in the UK, such as tourism, business, or medical treatment.
If You Want to Study in the UK
If you plan to study in the UK, choose the right visa based on your course duration, level, and location.
For 6 months or shorter courses, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa. This visa allows you to study for up to 30 days if it is not the main reason for your visit.
You can apply for a Short-term study visa for English language courses lasting at most six months but not more than eleven months. This visa does not allow you to work or bring dependents with you.
You can apply for a student visa for courses that are longer than 11 months or at a higher education level. You must have a confirmed offer from a licensed institution, and you may be allowed to work part-time. It all depends on your course and sponsor. You can also bring dependents with you if you meet certain criteria.
You can apply for a Child Student visa for children aged 4 to 17 who want to study at an independent school. You must have written consent from your parents or guardians and enough money to cover your course fees and living costs. You can also work part-time if you are 16 or older and your course is at or above level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
If You Want to Work in the UK
If you are looking for a job or a career in the UK, you will need a work visa that suits your skills, qualifications and situation. There are various work visas, each with different eligibility criteria and conditions.
The type of work visa you need depends on:
- the level and type of work you will do, such as skilled, unskilled, temporary, permanent, or self-employed
- whether you have a confirmed job offer and a sponsor from a UK employer
- whether you want to bring your spouse, partner or children with you
- the nature of your work, such as sporting, charitable, religious or creative activities
If you have an innovative business idea and want to set up a company in the UK, you can apply for an Innovator Founder visa.
If You Want to Join Family in the UK
If you have a close relative who is a British citizen or has settled status in the UK, you can apply for a family visa to live with them. They must be able to support you financially and provide suitable accommodation. You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after living in the UK for a certain time.
You will need to meet the same visa requirements as them and show that they can support you financially.
If you are a refugee who was separated from your partner or child when you fled your country, you can apply for family reunion visas to bring them to the UK. You must have been granted asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK and not have British citizenship.
If Your Relative Is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You can apply for a free EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK if you have a close family member who:
- was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- has pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- you had a relationship with by 31 December 2020 (unless you are applying for a child who was born or adopted after this date)
Close family members include your spouse, civil partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent.
A family permit allows you to live, work and study in the UK for up to 6 months. You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the UK after your family permit expires. You usually need to apply within three months of arriving in the UK.
Other Ways to Get Permission to Live in the UK
If you start living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you can apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme instead of a visa. The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, but you can still apply if you can show reasonable grounds for the application delay.
Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. You can only apply outside the UK with a valid passport or national identity card with a biometric chip.
Commonwealth Citizens
If you have a British grandparent and meet other eligibility criteria, you can apply for an Ancestry visa to work in the UK. You may have the right of abode to live in the UK without any immigration restrictions.
If you are a Commonwealth citizen and cannot prove your right to be in the UK, read about the Windrush scheme.
Returning Residents
You will need to apply for a returning resident visa to come back to the UK if one of the following is true:
- you had indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme (‘settled status’) and left the UK for more than 5 continuous years (or four continuous years if you are a Swiss citizen or a family member)
- you had permanent permission to stay in the UK (‘indefinite leave to remain’), but it was not under the EU Settlement Scheme, and you left the UK for more than two years
Other Visas
Based on your circumstances, another visa may be right for you. Check if you need a visa and what other visas you are eligible for. You must check the visa requirements and apply for the right visa before you travel. Your visa must also be approved before you arrive in the UK.
The UK visa system is a set of rules and regulations that govern who can enter, stay, work, study, or visit the UK. The UK visa system is based on the visa policy of the United Kingdom, which determines the visa regimes for different countries and regions.
The UK visa system also reflects the UK’s membership in the European Union (EU) until 31 December 2020 and the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), which allows EU, European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss citizens and their family members to continue living in the UK after Brexit.
The UK visa system is divided into different visa categories, depending on the purpose and duration of the visit. Some visa categories are part of the points-based system, meaning applicants must score certain points based on their qualifications, skills, income, and other criteria.
Other visa categories are separate from the points-based system and have different requirements and conditions. The UK visa system generally distinguishes between short-term and long-term visas and between visas that allow work, study, family reunion, or tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK government website offers an online tool to check if you need a visa based on your nationality, visit purpose, and stay length. The tool will also tell you what kind of visa you need and how to apply.
There are different types of visas for different purposes of visit, such as work, study, family, business, tourism or transit. Visit our website for more information on these visa types and their requirements.
The processing time for your visa application depends on the type of visa you apply for, the country you apply from and the peak or off-peak season. You can check the latest processing times on the UK government website. You can also pay an extra fee to get a faster decision on some visa applications.
Final Words
Applying for a UK visa can be complex and time-consuming, but you can achieve your goals with the right guidance and preparation. Whether you want to study, work, visit or settle in the UK, Legend Consults can help you make it happen. Contact us today, and let’s get started.
