Types of UK Visa

8 minute read
Types of UK Visa

A UK visa is an agreement that allows people from all over the world to enter, stay momentarily, or live permanently in the United Kingdom. Visa is issued by a British High Commission in your home country. According to the UK government, when compared to the prior year, [study visa] grants were continuously higher starting in September [2020] for the year ending in March 2021. Almost all (93%) of the visas granted were to people seeking higher education in the UK. Another 3% went to students enrolled in independent schools, 2% went to students enrolled in higher education, and 2% went to children enrolled in English language schools. There were 466,611 sponsored study visas issued in the year ending March 2022, which is 58 percent (+170,368) more than the year ending March 2020. The most Sponsored study visas have ever been issued; they were issued in the year ending March 2022. Let’s discuss the different UK visa types, documentation requirements, priority visas and more! 

Who Needs UK Visa?

If you are a citizen of the United States, the Economic European Area, or Commonwealth countries, you don’t have to apply for a UK visa before entering the country. You are eligible to apply for different UK visa types if you are from the below-mentioned countries:

UK visa countries
Source: workpermit.com

UK Visa Types

There are a variety of reasons why people desire to apply for a visa to enter the United Kingdom. As a result, the United Kingdom has a well-organized visa system depending on the visitor’s purpose and several UK Visa types:

UK Visa TypesCategories
Work Visas -Global Talent Visa Tier 2 (General) Visa
-Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Visa
-Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Visa
-Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Visa
-Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa
-Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Visa
Business Visas-Tier 1 Enterpreneur Visa
-Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
-Tier 1 Investor Visa
-Turkish Businessperson Visa
Student Visas-Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa
-Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
-Short Term Study Visa
Tourist and Visiting Visas-Parent of Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa
-Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
-Short Term Study Visa
-UK Visitor Visa
Family Visas-UK Spouse Visa
-UK Parent Visa
-UK Child Visa
Transit Visas-Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
-Visitor in Transit Visa
Refugee Visas

Also Read: MS in Data Science in UK

UK Visa Documents Required

  • UK Visa Application Form: The first thing you need to submit is the completed and signed UK visa application form
  • Passport-sized Photographs: These should not be older than 6 months. You must carry at least two photographs with you.
  • A Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for three months after the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip. 
  • Proof of Financial Funds: This includes your bank statements for the last 6 months. 
  • Proof of Accommodation and Travel Document: This will show where you will be accommodated once you enter the UK including your travel dates, travel agenda, places you will visit, and more. 
  • Tuberculosis Certificate: In order to be eligible for a UK visa, a tuberculosis test certificate is required. 
  • Biometric Information: The biometric information includes your fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at the appropriate centre. 
  • UK Visa Invitation Letter: If you are staying with any of your relatives or friends then you should submit the invitation letter.

UK Resident Permit

A UK Resident Permit or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) confirms your identity, and right to work and study in the UK and also you are entitled to enjoy the same benefits and any public services. The following are the factors for getting a UK Resident Permit:

  • Apply to settle in the UK 
  • Apply to travel to the UK for longer than 6 months of duration or extend your stay
  • Transfer your UK visa to a new passport

The candidates applying for a UK resident permit will include the following: 

  • Name, date and place of birth
  • Fingerprints and a photo
  • Immigration status and conditions of the stay
  • If you are accessing the benefits of health services, it will be also included

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

The UK Settlement permit, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, is for people who have lived in the UK for a considerable amount of time on a temporary visa and are now hoping to be granted a permanent one. The visa is available to those who have lived abroad for at least two years and wish to return, or whose passport has been lost.

individuals from outside the UK who already have refugee or humanitarian status there and wish to remain there permanently or to reunite with family. The majority of these visas have requirements that the applicant must have spent at least five years in the UK.

Also Read: High Paying Jobs in UK

UK Dependent Visa From India

The UK Dependent Visa from India is for those individuals or family members who have applied or are applying for various work visa categories including different UK visa types such as worker visa (tier 2), temporary worker visa (tier 5), or global talent visa. The dependents must be the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, or a child aged under 18 years of age. 

UK Dependent Visa Documents List

For UK Dependent Visas from India, the following are UK visa documents required for the applicant to fulfil: 

  • Proof of age above 18 years
  • A valid passport
  • Valid travel documents 
  • Bank statements 
  • Marriage certificate for a spouse or birth certificate for a child
  • Proof of relationship between the dependent and main applicant
  • Divorce certificate of previous marriage if any 
  • Details of your accommodation
  • Proof of employment income
  • Your sponsor’s British passport
  • Tuberculosis test result

How to Apply for UK Visa?

The UK visa application procedure is heavily influenced by the type of visa you are seeking. Though the majority of the requirements are the same for each category, the system evaluates them differently. There are also other standards that differ from one category to the next.

When to Apply for UK Visa?

The earliest you may apply for a UK visa is three months before your planned trip date. However, bear in mind that the processing of your visa application might take up to three weeks. Apply ahead of time to provide the consulate with adequate time to complete your visa.

How Long Does it Take to Obtain a Visa for the United Kingdom?

A UK visa application could be handled in around three weeks. The current processing times for UK visas vary depending on the kind of application. As follows:

Priority and Super Priority Visa UK 

The Super Priority Visa UK and Priority Visa UK services are available options for those who want to travel on an urgent basis. Applicants of priority visas in the UK receive the visa within 3 – 5 days while for superior visa applicants this speeds up to a single business day. The priority visa UK fees in India are INR 60,546 (spouse) and INR 23,247 (visit, work, study). 

Also Read: UK Eases Travel Restrictions for India

PSW Visa UK 

The UK post-study work visa permits international students to return to the UK after finishing their graduate studies for a duration of two years to search for employment. The new visa regulations took effect in September/October 2020. PSW Visa holders can work in any job for the first year post-graduation until they seek work that allows them to apply for a general work visa.

What a UK Visa Holder Must Know?

Even if a foreigner has a visa, they may still be subject to immigration control (examination) whenever they pass the UK border. The visa may also be revoked at the border in some circumstances. It is unlawful to overstay your visa or violate its terms, whether you are inside or outside of the UK.

Electronic Visa Waiver

For nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates who wish to visit the UK for up to six months in order to conduct business, travel, study, or receive medical treatment, the Electronic Visa Waiver programme has been developed. If citizens of these nations want to visit the UK for extended lengths of time or for other purposes, they must apply for different sorts of visas.

Reasons For Rejections of UK Visa

Listed below are a some of the most frequent grounds for denial of UK visas:

  • Missing documents: This is the most common reason why applications are rejected. One missing document and the embassy will be done with your application. You won’t even get a second chance to submit what is missing. You will need to start a brand new application.
  • Incorrect and mismatching information in your documents.
  • Insufficient financial means to support your stay in the UK.
  • Not meeting the English language requirement.
  • Incorrect organization of documents.

What Can I Do If My Visa Is Rejected?

You have two options if your application for a visa to the UK is denied:

  • Request the visa again. If you reapply, be sure to avoid the previous error or to change your circumstances so that you can meet the standards.
  • Appeal on the basis of human rights. If your application for a visa is denied, you should have a good reason to appeal.
  • You can appeal the decision in court. You may do this if you have good reason to think that your application was denied unfairly or illegally, or that the procedure used to process your application file was unjust.

FAQs

What are different types of visa in UK?

The visa types available include work visas, study visas, family visas, tourist visas, business visas and transit visas. Many of the UK visas can also be used as a route to Indefinite Leave to Remain, which is a key step in the journey to British citizenship.

What are the 4 types of visa?

Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work

Which visa is best for UK?

Tier 1 visas are reserved for very exceptional individuals who can make a major contribution to the UK, as well as for investors and businesspeople. The Skilled Worker system uses Tier 2. Temporary Worker Visas are another name for Tier 5 Visas. These visas can only be obtained in the UK for a total of 12 months.

What is Tier 3 visa UK?

This category, which was once intended for low-skilled employees filling certain short-term labour needs, is no longer in existence. Under this programme, the government never distributed any visas. Student visas: Formerly known as Tier 4 visas, these are available to international students who want to study in the UK.

Still, confused about which type of UK Visa to apply for? If you are confused about where to begin, you can reach out to our Leverage Edu experts that will help you through the process. Call us at 1800572000 and book a FREE 30-minute session today!

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