6 Main Types of Visa in UK

The UK offers many types of visa categories for people who want to see, work, or live permanently tailored to specific purposes of visit, stay, or immigration. Here’s a comprehensive list of types of visa in UK overview,

1. Visit Visas

   – Standard Visitor Visa

   – Marriage Visitor Visa

   – Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

2. Study Visas

   – Student Visa

   – Child Student Visa

   – Short-Term Study Visa

3. Work Visas

   – Skilled Worker Visa

   – Temporary Worker Visa

   – Global Talent Visa

4. Family Visas

   – Partner & Family Visas (Spouse Visa)

   – Parent of a Child Student Visa

5. Settlement and Citizenship

   – Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

   – British Citizenship

6. Other Visas and Statuses

   – UK Ancestry Visa

   – Refugee or Asylum Status

Processing Times of the Visas in the UK

Procession time for different types of visas in the UK is following: 

• Visit Visas: Visit visa processing time is typically three weeks.

• Study Visas: Approximately three weeks for 90% of applications. If someone applies for a study visa outside the UK, he gets an answer after working 20-15 days.

• Work Visas: Around 15 working days to 3 working weeks is the result time if you apply for a work visa outside the UK.

• Family Visas: Up to 12 weeks to 3 months if you applied from Outside for a partner (spouse or dependent children) visa application, aiming to settle in the UK. On the Other Hand, the term is 6 to 8 working weeks if someone has applied from inside.

• Settlement and Citizenship: Up to 6 months for ILR (indefinite leave to remain).

Fees of Each Visa

(Note: Always consult the official UK government website for the most up-to-date fees.)

• Visit Visas: From £95 for a six-month short-term standard visitor visa.

• Study Visas: Around £348 for a Student Visa and £624 NHS health surcharge for each year.

• Work Visas: From £610 for a Skilled Worker Visa, fees are different for the visa categories inside UK Shortage Occupational List and outside the occupational list, for example in some visas, like skilled worker general applicant has to pay for NHS health surcharge, but in some categories like health care or senior health care applicant is exempt from paying IHS Health Surcharge.

• Family Visas: Starting from £1,523 for partner visas, applicants must also pay for IHS Health Surcharge.

• Settlement and Citizenship: For standard service, £2,389 for ILR; for priority service, you have to pay £2,389 to answer in 5 working days and for super-priority applicants, pay £3,204 for a solution in one working day.

Refusal Reasons for Visas in the UK

1.    Insufficient Documentation: Lack of necessary or provision of fraudulent documents can become a reason for refusal of your application, and in the worst-case scenario, if HO finds out that the applicant has used fraudulent documents, they can ban you for ten years.

2.    Financial Requirements: Inadequate funds for the stay duration, 

3.    Criminal Record: Any relevant criminal history from the applicant’s country of birth can cause a refusal, too. 

4.    Previous Immigration Violations: Any past breaches in the UK or other countries, like overstaying or illegal status, will also have a massive effect on the application. 

Mandatory Requirements of Types of Visa in UK

The requirements vary based on visa type:

• Visit Visas: For visit visa categories in general, you have to provide Proof of funds, travel history, and your purpose of visit.

• Study Visas: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), evidence of funds available in the applicant or legal guardian account, and Proof of relevant qualifications.

• Work Visas: Job offers from a licensed sponsor in the form of COS Letters, relevant skill level experience certificates, and salary meeting the threshold provided by ongoing rate of the UK government. 
• Family Visas: Proof of relationship, financial requirements, and accommodation details.

• Settlement and Citizenship: Continuous residence, knowledge of language and life in the UK, no criminal record, Proof of living together, and documents proving your genuine relationship are enough to file for a spouse or children-dependent visa-related applications.

Time Duration of UK Visas

• Visit Visas: Up to 6 months if you have applied for a standard visitor visa, you can get from six to 10 years in different visitor visa categories in the United Kingdom.

• Study Visas: Varies based on course duration, generally up to the length of the course plus some additional months; for instance, for short periods, students get one year; for graduation, students get up to 3 to four years etc.

• Work Visas: Varies, but the Skilled Worker Visa can last five years; it depends on whether your employer has given you a visa for three or less than three years or more. Then, you can find this information on your COS (Certificate of Sponsorship).

• Family Visas: Varies. Partner visas initially last 2.5 years; this is the case for spouse or child dependents. 

• Settlement and Citizenship: ILR allows permanent stay. Citizenship grants indefinite stay.

• Refer to the official UK government website or consult an immigration expert for the most accurate and current information

Types of UK Visas That Allow You to Work

1. Skilled Worker Visa: People are offered skilled jobs in the UK, the employer needs to be a licensed sponsor for this; the employer will issue a COS Letter and tell HO that this candidate is suitable for the job.

2. Global Talent Visa: For individuals with exceptional talent or promise in specific industries like science, humanities, engineering, the arts, and digital technology, this visa category also allows you to work in the United Kingdom.

3. Health and Care Worker Visa: Specifically for medical professionals with a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in healthcare.

4. Temporary Worker Visa: This includes several categories:

  – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5)

  – Charity Worker Visa (T5)

  – Religious Worker Visa (T5)

  – Government Authorised Exchange Visa (T5)

  – International Agreement Worker Visa (T5)

6. Post-study Work Visa (Graduate Route): International students who have completed their studies in the UK and wish to stay and work can get 2 to 3 years of Ph.D. or post-graduate visa.

7. UK Ancestry Visa: For commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK. They can work, study, and even settle eventually.

8. Start-up and Innovator Visas: For those looking to set up a business in the UK. The business idea must be innovative, viable, and scalable; for this, you have to submit your proposals of business ideas to different bodies in the United Kingdom so they can select you if your plan gets approved.

Types of Visa in UK That Don’t Allow Applicants to Work

1. Standard Visitor Visa: For tourism, family visits, and short business visits. Business activities are limited and don’t include taking up employment.

2. Short-Term Study Visa: For individuals coming to the UK for a short or English language course.

3. Marriage Visitor Visa: For those who want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK. This visa type doesn’t permit work or permanent settlement.

4. Parent of a Child Student Visa: Allows parents to accompany their child (under 12 years old) studying at an independent school in the UK but doesn’t grant working rights.

5. Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: While it does allow a specific paid activity (like giving a lecture or arts performance) for up to 1 month, it doesn’t permit general employment.

Conclusion:

Remember, before applying for any types of visa in UK, some of the visa category allows work, there may be restrictions on the type or amount of work that can be done. Always consult the specific conditions of your visa and refer to the official UK government website for precise information. KQ Solicitors is offering Free 15 minutes telephonic legal advice, please email us at info@kqsolicitors.com and book your slot.