UK Immigration
UK Immigration Visas
Spouse Visas & Civil Partner Visas
- Allows joining a partner in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency (PR).
- Grants up to 30 months stay, extendable for another 30 months.
- Eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after meeting requirements
Fiance Visas & Proposed Civil Partner Visas:
- Needed for marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person.
- Must marry/register within 6 months of arrival.
- Can switch to spouse or civil partner visa afterwards.
UK Work Permits & Visas:
- Required for non-EEA workers.
- Obtained with job offer from licensed UK company or relocation by current employer.
- Tier 1 for talented individuals, entrepreneurs, investors. Tier 2 for various work situations.
general visitor visas & tourist visas
If you want to come to the UK as a tourist or to visit friends you should apply as a general visitor (or child visitor if you are under 18). A general visitors visa is for those who want to enter the UK but are not engaged in any professional activity such as business, sport or entertaining
- FAMILY VISITORS VISA
If you want to visit members of your family in the UK you can apply to come here under a family visitors visa (or child visitors visa if you are under 18) although you must be able to demonstrate that you are visiting a close relative or partner, otherwise you will need to apply as a general visitor.
- BUSINESS VISITORS VISAS
If you want to come to the UK for work purposes, eg, an overseas meeting or UK site visit, you must apply for a business visitor visa (or child visitor if you are under 18). This includes academic visitors, religious workers and doctors undertaking clinical attachments.
- PROSPECTIVE ENTREPRENEUR VISAS
If you want to come to the UK on a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur Visa), and you need to spend time here first to have discussions and secure funding to meet the financial criteria under the points-based system, you can apply for a visa as a prospective entrepreneur.
- ENTERTAINER VISITORS VISA
If you want to come to the UK to participate in arts festivals, music competitions, charity events or make a public appearance you need to apply as an entertainer visitor (or child visitor if you are under 18
- SPORTSPERSON VISITORS VISA
If you intend to take part in a sport-related activity, eg, a sporting event or making a personal appearance you can come to the UK on a sportsperson visitor visa (or child visitor if you are under 18).
- PERMITTED PAID-ENGAGEMENT VISITORS VISA
If you want to come to the UK as a visitor to do short-term, fee-paid activity (under a defined list of visitors invited to come to the UK because of particular skills and expertise) you can apply for a visa as a permitted paid-engagement visitor.
- STUDENT VISITORS VISA
If you want to study in the UK for up to 6 months (11 months for an English language course), you can come here on a student visitor visa (or child visitor if you are under 18).
- VISITORS IN TRANSIT VISA
If you want to come to the UK for up to 48 hours on your way to another country, you can come here as a visitor in transit.
- SPECIAL VISITORS VISA
If you have a specific reason for coming to the UK, eg, receiving private medical treatment or getting married/registering a civil partnership here, you may be able to apply as a special visitor
- CHILD VISITORS VISA
If you are under 18 and want to come to the UK for less than 6 months, including to study, you must apply under the child visitor category.
Family Visas:
- Dependent child, adult dependent, parent of a child in the UK, family members of migrant workers.
- Requirements differ based on the relationship and circumstances.
UK Ancestry Visa for Commonwealth Citizens:
- Available to Commonwealth citizens with UK-born grandparent.
- Allows living, working, and studying in the UK for 5 years.
Five Tier Points-Based System:
If you are wanting to work or study in the UK but you are subject to immigration control, you must first apply for a UK visa. The UK Border Agency uses a five tier points-based system with each tier divided into various categories for different types of work or study visa applications.
- TIER 1 : Under Tier 1 entrepreneurs and investors, highly skilled and exceptionally talented workers can apply to enter or remain in the UK without needing a job offer but must pass a pointsbased assessment.
- TIER 2 : Under Tier 2 skilled workers can apply to enter or remain in the UK with a job offer in the UK from a licensed sponsor, a valid certificate of sponsorship and by passing the points based assessment.
- TIER 3 : Of the points-based system is currently suspended preventing the employment of low-skilled workers from outside the EEA (European Economic Area).
- TIER 4 : Under Tier 4 students can apply to enter the UK as a child student between 4 and 17 years old, as an adult student over 18, alternatively as a child or student visitor
- TIER 5 : Under Tier 5 temporary skilled workers can apply to enter the UK for a short time although generally they will need to be sponsored by an employer in the UK.
If you currently have permission to stay in the UK you may be able to switch to or from your category and/or tier from inside the UK although this will involve a fresh points-based assessment.