A Guide to Visas For The UK

With the new direction that I am moving in with Woman Seeks World and the increasing focus on the ability to work anywhere (or becoming location independent, if you will!), moving abroad and extra income ideas, some of my posts will now start to focus on these areas, in addition of course to those specifically on travel, and the various places I visit.

This article comes under the ‘Moving Abroad’ umbrella, and having moved to the UK myself I thought it quite fitting to share my knowledge of the visa and immigration process to people out there who might be contemplating a similar move. Because unless you’re one of the lucky few with a much-coveted UK passport, you’re going to need a visa to move to the UK. It can be confusing trying to work out which UK visa you are eligible for, so I have outlined all the eligibility criteria for each visa type below to help get you started.

Visas For The UK

For further information on the terms and conditions on each type of visa, including the documentation required to apply, click on the hyperlinks which will take you straight through to the British High Commission website.

UK Work Visas

UK Ancestry Visa – An Ancestry visa allows you to stay and work within the UK for up to five years without a work permit. You are eligible to apply for an Ancestry visa if you meet (and can prove) all of the following criteria:

• You are a Commonwealth citizen
• You are aged 17 or over
• You have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• You have a grandparent that was born in what is now the Republic of Ireland prior to 31 March 1922
• You are able to work and intend to do so in the UK
• You can support yourself and any dependants, without recourse to public funds

Tier 1 Highly Skilled Visa – This visa type has three sub-types which are as follows:

Investors – To be eligible to enter the UK as an Investor you must possess the following:

• £1,000,000 of money that is disposable and in a regulated financial institution; or
• £2,000,000 in personal assets and £1,000,000 that is in a loan from an authorised financial institution

Entrepreneurs – To be eligible to enter the UK as an Entrepreneur you must invest in the United Kingdom by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of, one or more businesses in the UK. In order to meet the criteria for this visa you need to pass a points-based assessment of your attributes which are different depending on whether you make an initial or extension application, your available funds and English language skills.

Post Study Work – To be eligible to enter the UK under a Post Study Work visa you must be:

• Currently in the UK with permission to stay under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme, the International Graduates Scheme or the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme; or
• in the UK as a student (which includes students, student nurses, students resitting examinations and students writing up a thesis)

This visa allows the UK to retain the most able international graduates who have studied in the UK, and allows all post-study workers to look for work without the need for a work sponsor or permit. This is a ‘bridging visa’ as it is expected that all graduates once they find work will switch to another tier of the points-based system as soon as possible.

(Please note that the application route for the former Tier 1 (General) visa is now closed)

Tier 2 Sponsored Skilled Workers – To apply for this visa type you must have proof of a sponsored job lined up in the UK and meet a points-based assessment. There are four sub-sections of this visa which are as follows:

General – This visa is for people coming to the UK with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a UK-settled worker

Ministers of Religion – This visa is for people who want to take up employment within faith communities in the UK as:

• Ministers of religion undertaking preaching and pastoral work
• Missionaries
• Members of religious orders

Sports Persons – This visa is for elite sports people and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level, and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport.

Temporary Workers – To be eligible for a UK temporary worker visa you must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a valid certificate of sponsorship and pass the points-based assessment. Under the general temporary worker visa there are five categories for which you must fit into one to be able to apply:

• Creative and Sporting
• Charity Workers
• Religious Workers
• Government Authorised Exchange
• International Agreement

Youth Mobility Scheme (Formerly Working Holiday Visa) – If you are from one of the five lucky countries that is eligible for this scheme – Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco – the government will act as a ‘sponsor’ for applicants to experience life in the UK. You are eligible if you:

• Are a citizen of a country taking part in the scheme or a British overseas citizen, British overseas  territories citizen or a British national (overseas)
• Are 18 years old or over when your visa becomes valid and under 31 years old when you apply
• Have £1,600 in available maintenance (funds) when you apply

The visa allows you to stay and work in the UK for two years, after which if you are eligible for another visa type, you may be able to stay in the UK.

UK Study Visas

Students who would like to move to the UK to study can apply for this points-based visa but must be able to prove you have been accepted into a recognised course and that you have enough funds to be able to support yourself in the UK.

Other UK Visas

Additionally, if you are the partner or dependant of a UK passport holder you may be eligible for a family visa that allows you to enter the UK as part of your ‘sponsor’. For further information on UK family visas check out the UK Family Visas section of the British High Commission website.

Applying For A UK Visa

You will need to thoroughly read through all visa instructions and documentation required before applying, as you want to make sure you get it right the first time – this is especially important if you are in a hurry to get your visa.

Some UK visa applications will be completed online, and some will be done in person at your nearest UK embassy or consulate – for further details use the hyperlinks above to read more about your specific visa type and how to apply.

Processing times vary depending on the application and visa type so it’s best not to book any non-refundable travel until you have your passport back in your hot little hand.

Once you do it’s time to celebrate – You’re off to the UK!

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