Types of UK Visas

Are you planning to visit, study, work, or reunite with family in the United Kingdom?

In this article, we'll break down the various types of UK visas to help you understand which one suits your needs.

Visitor Visas / Tourist Visas

Standard Visitor Visa

The Standard Visitor Visa is your ticket to explore the UK for tourism, business meetings, short-term study (courses up to 6 months), and other permitted activities. Typically, you can stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

If you've been invited by a UK-based organization or client as an expert in your profession, this visa is for you. It allows you to stay in the UK for up to 1 month and engage in various professional activities, from artistry to lecturing.

Marriage Visitor Visa

Planning to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK? The Marriage Visitor Visa is the way to go, provided you have no intentions of staying or settling in the UK afterward.

Transit Visa

If you're just passing through the UK on your way to another country, you may need a transit visa. However, exemptions apply, such as having an EU Settlement Scheme family permit or a Standard Visitor Visa.

Visit the UK in a Chinese Tour Group

If you're a Chinese citizen, you can visit the UK for up to 30 days as part of an approved destination status agreement (ADS) tour group. Remember, you must enter and stay with your tour group throughout your visit.

Work Visas

Health and Care Worker Visa

This visa is for medical professionals looking to work with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. You must be qualified, work in an eligible job, and meet salary requirements.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa allows you to work in the UK in an eligible job with an approved employer. To qualify, you need a certificate of sponsorship, a job from the eligible occupations list, and a minimum salary.

Graduate Visa

After successfully completing a course in the UK, you can stay for at least 2 years with a Graduate Visa. This is available to students with certain qualifications and endorsements from their education provider.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

Aged 18 to 30 (or 18 to 35 if from New Zealand) and want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years? The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa might be your answer, provided you have savings and meet eligibility criteria.

India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old can live and work in the UK for up to 2 years under this visa, provided they have an eligible qualification and savings.

UK Ancestry Visa

If you are a Commonwealth citizen, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national (overseas), or a citizen of Zimbabwe, the UK Ancestry Visa allows you to work, study, and bring your partner or child to the UK.

High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

This visa grants you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years if you've been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.

Other Work Visas and Permits

There are various other work-related visas and permits, including those for international sportspersons, ministers of religion, scale-up workers, and more.

Temporary Work Visas

Temporary work visas cater to specific work scenarios, such as senior or specialist workers, overseas domestic workers, graduate trainees, secondment workers, and service suppliers from Switzerland.

Innovator Founder Visa

Entrepreneurs looking to set up innovative businesses in the UK can apply for this visa if their business idea has been endorsed by an approved body.

Study Visas

Student Visa

If you're 16 or older and have an offer from a licensed student sponsor, you can apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK. Ensure you have enough financial support and meet language requirements.

Child Student Visa

For those aged 4 to 17 looking to study at independent schools in the UK, the Child Student Visa is the way to go, provided you have an unconditional offer and financial support.

Study English in the UK (Short-term Study Visa)

Planning to learn English in the UK for more than 6 months and up to 11 months? The Short-term Study Visa has you covered.

Family Visas

If you want to join or reunite with family members in the UK for more than 6 months, family visas are essential. They include visas for spouses, unmarried partners, fiancés, children, parents, and even those with British ancestry.

Spouse Visa

The Spouse Visa is designed for foreign nationals who are married or in a civil partnership with either a British national or a person who is settled in the UK.

Unmarried partner

The Unmarried Partner Visa allows foreign nationals who have been in a genuine, long-term relationship (at least 2 years) with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to join them in the UK.

Fiancé Visa

The Fiancé Visa is for foreign nationals who plan to get married or enter into a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone settled in the UK.

Child-Dependent Visa

The Child-Dependent Visa is for children from outside the UK who wish to join their parent(s) in the UK for more than 6 months.

Parent Visa

The Parent Visa is for foreign nationals with a child who is either a British citizen or has settled status in the UK.

Relative Providing Long-Term Care Visa

This visa is for adult relatives who intend to provide long-term care for a family member in the UK who requires personal care due to illness, disability, or age.

Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry Visa allows citizens of Commonwealth countries, British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British nationals (overseas), and citizens of Zimbabwe to stay in the UK for up to 5 years.

Ukrainian Visas

If you're a Ukrainian national, various visa schemes are available, including the Ukraine Extension Scheme, Ukraine Family Scheme, and the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine).

EU Settlement Scheme

While the deadline for EU Settlement Scheme applications was June 30, 2021, exceptions exist for late applications based on reasonable grounds, such as illness.

These are the key types of UK visas that can open doors to various opportunities and experiences in the United Kingdom. Remember, visa requirements can change, so always consult the official UK government website or a qualified immigration advisor for the most up-to-date information before making your plans.