Types of UK Visa: A Comprehensive Guide

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. A UK visa is issued by a British High Commission in your home country. The United Kingdom granted approximately 3.38 million entry clearance visas in the year ending March 2024, a slight decrease from the nearly 3.4 million issued in 2023 but significantly higher than the 1.6 million granted in 2022. The Home Office reported a 25% decrease in student-dependant visas issued in the year ending March 2024 compared to the previous year, totalling 111,481, again. Despite this decline, the number is still nearly seven times higher than the figure recorded in 2019. Let’s discuss the different UK visa types, documentation requirements, priority visas, and more!

What is a UK Visa?

A UK visa is formal permission for foreign nationals to enter, temporarily stay or permanently reside in the United Kingdom. If we talk about the UK visa type, it highly depends on individual purposes. For instance, tourism, study, work, family reunion, and personal circumstances, with options ranging from short-term visitor permits to permanent residency pathways. 

These visas can be stamped in passports or issued as separate documents by UK embassies or consulates.

Also read- Step-by-Step Guide to British Vis

UK Visa Types

As mentioned above, there are many types of UK visas, you just have to be careful of what you require for which kind of UK visa. 

Student Visa

International students seeking to study abroad in the UK require a Student Visa, with specific types available for children, adults, and short-term courses. Student visa UK means to increase the likelihood of approval, applicants should clearly demonstrate their eligibility to the Home Office when applying.

Requirements- Student visa UK requires the following:

• You must be 16 or older.
• You have been accepted into a course by a licensed educational institution.
• You can financially support yourself and your studies.
• You have sufficient English language proficiency.
• If you are under 18, you need parental consent.

Also Read- Know About UK Student Visa 2024

Type

Student Visa

Partner Visa

The name itself clears the purpose of this UK visa type. A Partner Visa allows spouses, civil partners, fiancés, and unmarried, or same-sex partners to join their loved one in the UK. 

Requirements– To qualify, your partner must be a British citizen, have settled status in the UK, or be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status. This visa enables you to live in the UK indefinitely with your partner, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Types

• Unmarried/same-sex partner visa
• Civil partner visas
• Fiance or fiancee UK visa
• Spouse UK visa 

Also Read- Spouse Visa Guide for UK, USA, Canada

Visitor Visa

A Visitor Visa allows short-term stays in the UK for tourism or similar purposes, typically for up to six months. Well! Work is prohibited on this visa, and applicants must demonstrate their intention to leave the UK and financial sufficiency for themselves and their dependents during their visit. For frequent visitors, a longer-term Standard Visitor Visa is available for periods of two, five, or ten years.

Requirements- It needs a bare minimum of a passport or travel document to enter the UK. For standard visitor visa purposes, you must apply online. 

Type

• Tourist Visitor Visa 
• Standard Visitor Visa

Family Visa

A Family Visa could be similar to a partner visa. It allows spouses, civil partners, fiancés, parents, grandparents, children, and other relatives to join family members in the UK as dependents.

Requirements- You must fulfil either of the following:

• You are in a legally recognised UK marriage or civil partnership.
• You have been living together with your partner for at least two years before applying.

Types

• Child Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa
• Parent Visa

Business Visa

All businessmen and women gather up, this type of UK visa if of your concern.  Business Visas offer pathways for investors, innovators, and global business mobility workers to come to the UK. Some routes even lead to permanent residency after five years. Before beginning employment, UK employers must verify that employees have the right to work.

Requirements-. It’s essential to choose the visa that best aligns with your business goals and circumstances. Carefully review the requirements for your chosen visa type and tailor your UK application to highlight your qualifications.

Types

• Start-up Visa 
• Investor Visa 
• UK Expansion Worker Visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa 
• Prevention of Illegal Workers
• Entrepreneur Visa 
• Innovator Founder Visa 
• Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
• Global Business Mobility Visa 
• Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa 

Work Visa

Individuals seeking employment in the UK require a Work Visa, the specific type depending on their work nature and purpose of visit. Employers are obligated to verify an employee’s right to work with necessary documentation, including a valid work visa or proof of application.

Requirements- 

The specific requirements for a Work Visa vary based on the visa type and the individual’s circumstances. It’s crucial to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the desired visa and ensure compliance to successfully obtain a work permit.

Types

• Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
• High Potential Individual Visa
• Health & Care Worker Visa
• Sponsor Licence
• Minister of Religion
• Temporary Worker Visa
• Intra-company Visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• International Sportsperson Visa
• Skilled worker Visa
• Graduate Visa
• Global Talent Visa
• Artists & Entertainers Visa

United Kingdom has a well-organized visa system depending on the visitor’s purpose and several UK Visa types. So here are the categories the above-mentioned visas are put in:

UK Visa Types	Categories
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	–

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:

Also Read: MS in Data Science in UK

UK Tier Visa System

The UK uses a points-based system for most work, study, and temporary worker visas. So if you are someone who belongs to any of these categories, read everything about them below. 

Tier 1: High-Value Migrants

This visa system is exclusively for exceptional individuals belonging to fields like science, arts, or business.

• Includes categories for entrepreneurs, investors, and those with exceptional talent.

Tier 2: Skilled Workers

As the name suggests it is for skilled workers with job offers from UK employers. Let’s consider you get an offer letter from a UK firm then this UK Visa type is for you. 

• Covers various occupations and includes categories for ministers of religion, sportspeople, and intra-company transfers.

Tier 3: Unskilled Workers

Tier 3 UK visa type is nothing less than ‘not so important.’ Currently, it is suspended. Previously for low-skilled workers during the years of labor shortages.

Tier 4: Student Visas

Any student willing to study abroad can opt for this student visa UK. This is for international students aged 16 or over studying at UK institutions. 

Tier 5: Temporary Workers

This UK Visa type is for short-term work stays in specific categories.  

• Creative and sporting
• Charity workers
• Religious workers
• Government-authorized exchange programs
• International agreements
• Youth Mobility Scheme

Also Read– How to Make a UK Visa Application?

UK Visa Types for Indians

Every Indian citizen above 18 years of age requires a UK visa if they wish to travel to the UK, depending on the purpose of their visit. 

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

This UK visa type for Indians allows for repeated entry into the UK, with a maximum stay of 180 days per visit.

Multiple Entry Super Express Tourist Visa

Similar to the standard Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, but with a significantly faster processing time. You can get it within 48 hours.

Multiple Entry Business Visa 

This allows multiple entries into the UK for business purposes, with a maximum stay of 180 days per visit.

Transit Visa

Exclusively designed for travellers passing through the UK to reach another destination. This visa is valid for a single entry only.

S. No.	UK Visa Type for Indians	Visa Fees (INR)	Processing Time	Validity
1	Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (180 Days)	18,000	10-15 days	180 Days
2	Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (2 Years)	47,460	10-15 days	2 Years
3	Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (5 Years)	88,232	10-15 days	5 Years
4	Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (10 Years)	1,09,833	10-15 days	10 Years
5	Multiple Entry Super Express Tourist Visa	–	48 hours	180 Days
6	Multiple Entry Business Visa (180 Days)	16,138	10-15 days	180 Days
7	Multiple Entry Business Visa (2 Years)	47,268	10-15 days	2 Years
8	Multiple Entry Business Visa (5 Years)	88,232	10-15 days	5 Years
9	Multiple Entry Business Visa (10 Years)	1,08,872	10-15 days	10 Years
10	Transit Visa	10,503	10-15 days	2 transits

Other types of UK visas for Indians include:

1. Student Visa UK

• Child Student Visa: This student visa UK is for children aged 4-17 attending UK schools. Allows part-time work.

• Short-term Study Visa: For language or training courses up to six months (11 months for English language courses).

• General Student Visa: This last student visa UK is for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Requires English proficiency.

2. UK Work Visas

• Short-term Work Visa (Tier 5): For temporary workers in various categories (Youth Mobility, Seasonal Work, Creative and Sporting, Religious Work, International Agreements, Charity Work, Government Authorized Exchange).

• Long-term Work Visa (Tier 2): For general work, intra-company transfers, sportspersons, and ministers of religion.

• Investor, Business Development, and Talent Visa: For investors, business owners, and exceptional talent.

Also Read- UK Visa Requirements for Indians

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. Moreover, you are entitled to enjoy the same benefits, and any public services.

Factors for getting a UK Resident Permit are mentioned below:

• 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

Reasons For Rejections of UK Visa

Listed below are some of the most frequent grounds for the 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 mismatched 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

If you are looking forward to getting a visa for the UK, you must know the type of UK eligible for your requirements. We understand that the visa process is a tedious yet mandatory task in which you must not take any risks. Our Leverage Edu visa experts are here to help you with the application process.