Whether you’re looking to move to the UK permanently, work for a certain amount of time, travel, study or look to move with a partner, it can be really overwhelming to know which is the right type of visa for you. That’s why we’re here with a guide to help break down the different types of visas, so you can understand the right choice for you. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, so hopefully this will help to make things easier to process! Get this sorted well in advance of your planned travel to help prepare for the worst!
Working Visas
If you’re going to be earning money in any way whilst you’re living in the UK, then you will need a working visa. Anyone who isn’t a British or Irish citizen, including EU nationals, will need a work visa. There are plenty of different types of working visas to suit different situations.
Skilled Worker Visa
A skilled worker visa is given to people who want to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer that has been approved by the Home Office. This will need to include a certificate of sponsorship from the employer, as well as ensuring that your job is on the list of eligible occupations. You’ll also need to be paid at least minimum wage, as well as speak, read and write English.
Some of these roles include support workers, clinical leads, mechanics, nurses, production managers in construction, prison service officers and many more. The job will then need to be with an approved company, so this will all need to be arranged prior to your move to the UK. This lasts up to 5 years before you need to plan to extend it.
Global Talent Visa
Another type of working visa is the Global Talent Visa, which is specifically for people who work in specific fields, allowing you to work in the UK for up to 5 years, then it can be extended. Some of the fields where you can access global talent visas include academia, arts and culture and digital technology, and you must apply for an endorsement to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader within one of these industries. These are competitive to get and so for many people the better option will be a skilled worker visa as a wider range of industries can be accessed.
Temporary Work Visa
If you’re not wanting to work in the UK on a more permanent basis, you can apply for a temporary work visa. This is designed for things like research, training or seasonal work, and you can work in the UK for up to 2 years, unless the time given on a certificate of sponsorship is shorter, in which case you need to follow that timeline. You aren’t able to access public funds or move to the UK and start working before you get your visa.
Healthcare Visa
There is high demand for healthcare workers in the UK, so there is a specific Healthcare Visa that’s dedicated to medical professionals including doctors, nurses and social care workers to work for the NHS or other approved healthcare settings. This is a subsidiary of the skilled worker visa category, and so you will need to have a job offer and certificate of sponsorship in order to be awarded the visa. This visa is valid for 5 years then you’d need to extend or update your visa.
Travel/Study Visas
For those of you wanting to come to the UK on a more temporary basis without working, as either a tourist or a student, then you need to apply for a different type of visa.
Standard Visitor Visa
A standard visitor visa is a very popular one, as it allows people to visit the UK for a short period of up to 6 months. In order to qualify you will need to have proof of funds to support yourself throughout the trip, have a plan to leave the UK at the end of the time, have funds to pay for return and not work or study in the UK under any conditions. If you just want to experience life in the UK for a few months, visit friends or travel around, this is a great way to do it.
Study Visa
Another great option to help you experience life in the UK whilst also studying is with the Study Visa. If you’re over 16 and you’ve been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, as well as having proof of enough finance to cover the cost of the course and support your lifestyle, then also be able to speak, read and write English, then you can apply. If you’re 16 or 17, you’ll need proof of consent from parents or your guardian, then when you are over 18 this isn’t required. You can usually stay for up to 5 years if the course you’re studying is at degree level, and this decreases to 2 years if it’s below degree level. You will not be able to work during your time in the UK, unless it’s as a student union officer.
Spouse Visas
If you’re wanting to come over to the UK with your partner, then you will also need to look at spouse visas. If you are granted a longer term visa in the UK this doesn’t mean that your partner or children will be eligible to come to the UK, so you’ll need to check this prior to your move. There are only specific conditions and types of visa where a spouse visa will be considered, such as having indefinite leave to remain or settled status, be from the EU, have a Turkish working visa, have protection status or permission to stay as a stateless person. This gets more complicated if your spouse doesn’t have a sponsorship for employment, so it’s worth speaking to spouse visa solicitors who will be able to help you understand how the process works and whether a spouse visa would be likely in your situation.
I’m Still Not Sure On The Right Visa – What Shall I Do?
If you’re not sure on the right visa that you need for your time in the UK, it’s definitely worth speaking to experienced immigration solicitors based in the UK, as they will be able to guide you through the process and simplify it, to help make sure you have the right visa depending on your intentions during the stay. We know it can all be quite confusing, so this can make the process that bit easier!