Home Visa/Immigration Requirements UK Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019

UK Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019

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This Article contains information on the UK Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019. The United Kingdom, made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is an island nation in northwestern Europe. England – birthplace of Shakespeare and The Beatles – is home to the capital, London, a globally influential centre of finance and culture. England is also site of Neolithic Stonehenge, Bath’s Roman spa and centuries-old universities at Oxford and Cambridge.

Yearly, many people travel to the UK for numerous reasons either for tourism, business, study, visit or immigration. Depending on the purpose of the trip to the UK , there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion.

So before applying for the UK visa, it is necessary to know the UK visa requirements and which of the visa category that you are eligible for.

There are various UK Visa and Immigration requirement. They are stated below:

  • UK Permanent Visa
  • UK Visit Visa
  • UK  Study Visa
  • UK  Working Visa
  • UK  Working Holiday Visa
  • UK  Business Visa

UK PERMANENT VISA

Benefits of permanent residency
  • Residency holders do have access to public funds.
  • If you have a right to live the in the UK, your family may join you here.
  • Gives the freedom to live and work in the UK without any restriction.
  • ILR holders also pay Home Student (i.e. UK citizens) rates on educational institutions in UK.
Who can apply for ILR?

A person who has lived in the UK for 5 years with a visa issued in one of the following categories can apply for ILR.

  • Tier 1
    • Tier 2 of the points-based system (excluding the Post-study work category of Tier 1)
    • work permit-Closed Category)
    • businessperson
    • innovator-Closed Category
    • investor
    • representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organization
    • private servant in a diplomatic household
    • domestic worker in a private household
    • overseas government employee
    • minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order-Closed Category
    • airport-based operational staff of an overseas-owned airline-Closed Category)
    • self-employed lawyer
    • writer, composer or artist-Closed Category
    • UK ancestry
    • highly skilled migrant under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)
    • retired person of independent means
    • sole representative of an overseas firm

People can also get Permanent Residency directly if they are family member or partner of British Citizen or asylum seekers ( If you are a child (under the age of 18) and a relative of a person with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK as a refugee or beneficiary of humanitarian protection, you can apply for permission to remain in the UK (known as ‘leave to remain’).)

How to Take the First Step for UK ILR

Apart from the above guidelines and procedures, there are various aspects and internal things, which needs clear understanding before you actually apply for the Visa under a particular category. As an incomplete application or the application missing any procedural facts or documents, may lead to rejection and you may lose your quality time and effort due to the process delay.

High Value Migrants Visa(Tier 1)

The United Kingdom is a perfect country to business, travel, and investment. With its advanced economy, favorable Government policies for business and trade, huge setup of industries, ideal business and investment environment, rich resources and technologies, UK ranks very high among the ideal countries to business and investment. A UK Business Visa is the most crucial thing that foreign businessmen can have, for coming to United Kingdom and be able to do business, investments, banking transactions, or to travel frequently and legally within the U.S. province.

Why UK is ideal country for Business and Investment?
  • United Kingdom is world’s largest financial sector along with USA. With various leading banking and insurance institutions, UK is center for financial industry in the world.
  • The United Kingdom is the fifth-largest economy in the world and the second-largest in Europe after Germany.
  • Cultural Diversity in UK, including various cultures, traditions and lifestyles, open up the market and offers the businessmen and investors a variety of fields to invest and business.
  • UK is an ideal place to business and trade due to its transparent and favorable Government policies and liberal economy.
  • There are tremendous facilities, defined laws, and an excellent business and investment environment for the foreign and national Entrepreneurs, investors, businessmen, in UK.
  • At the end of 2014, the growth of United Kingdom was the fastest in the G7, and the fastest in Europe.
  • UK is a crucial trading partner within the European Union (EU) and considered as the gateway to the Europe in general.
What are the various UK Business Visa Categories?

Below are the different UK Business Visa Categories:

High Value Migrants Visa (Tier 1)

High Value Migrants Visa is a point based visa and can be categorized into following subcategories.

Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)-This visa is for the individuals who have talents which are internationally recognized in the field of Science and Art to come and work in UK.

Each year the number of places available in this category is 1000 where 300 are for Arts, 300 for Science, 200 for The Royal Academy of Engineering and 200 for The British Academy. In order to be eligible you need to score 75 points in total and to extend permission to stay total 85 points (75 for attributes and 10 for English).

It is a two stage process:-
  • Stage 1 is an application to the Home Office for endorsement by a Designated Competent Body, and
  • Stage 2 is the application for entry clearance or leave to remain using the endorsement.

You can switch to Tier 1 from Tier 2 and Tier 5 if you are already working in UK and have exceptional skills. The initial visa is for three year and four months.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)-This visa is for the individuals who want to invest, take over or run their business in United Kingdom.

Eligibility Criteria
  • You must be in U K and given permission to stay as
  • highly skilled migrant;
    • Tier 1 (General) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Investor) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) migrant;
    • Businessperson;
    • Innovator;
    • Work Permit holder;
    • Writer, Composer or Artist;
    • Self-employed Lawyer;
    • Participant in the International
    • Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the
    • Science & Engineering Graduate Scheme);
    • Investor;
    • participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in
    • Scotland Scheme;
    • Tier 2 migrant;
    • Prospective Entrepreneur.

If you in UK on a Tier 4 migrant, Student nurse, Student, Student writing up a thesis, Student re-sitting an examination, Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist, You can apply for initial application only if you have access to funds equivalent to £50,000 or more from one or more registered venture capital firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or one or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions which is listed as endorsed on the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) website; or one or more UK Government Departments or Devolved Government Departments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which is made available by the Department(s) for the specific purpose of establishing or expanding a UK business.

Points Allocation System

You must score 95 points in total (75 points for attributes, 10 points for English and 10 for funds).

  • Tier 1 (Investor)-This visa is for the individuals who want to invest in U K. You can be eligible to get this visa if you score 75 points which you can score if you have £1,000,000 or more of your own money for investment in the UK; or you have £2,000,000 or more in personal assets, plus a loan of £1,000,000 or more for investment in the U K.
  • Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur)–  MBA and other graduates to extend their stay after graduation to establish one or more businesses in the UK. It is also for overseas graduates who have been identified by UK Trade Investment (UKTI) as elite global graduate entrepreneurs who intend on establishing one or more businesses in the UK. You must score 95 points in total (75 points for attributes, 10 points for English and 10 for funds).

UK VISIT VISA

The various Categories of Visitors coming to UK every year

There are different reasons to visit UK as mentioned below:-

Tourism and visiting friends.

  1. General visitors
  2. Child visitors
  3. ADS visitors

Visiting family

  1. Family visitors
  2. Child visitors

Visiting to do business

  1. Business visitors
  2. Visitors undertaking permitted paid engagements
  3. Child visitors
  4. Prospective entrepreneurs
  5. Student visitors
  6. Child visitors
  7. Prospective students – Closed to new applicants
  8. Parents of children at school
  9. Sports visitors
  10. Child visitor
  11. Entertainer visitors
  12. Visitors for marriage or civil partnership
  13. Visitors for private medical treatment

 Visiting to study

  1. Student visitors
  2. Child visitors
  3. Parents of children at school

 Visiting as a sportsperson

  1. Sports visitors
  2. Child visitors

Visiting as an entertainer

  1. Entertainer visitors
  2. Child visitors

Visiting for other reasons

  1. Visitors for marriage or civil partnership
  2. Visitors for private medical treatment

Tourism And Visiting Friends

General Visitor

This visa allows the individuals who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK generally.

Eligibility:-
  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
Child visitor

This visa allows the children who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK.

Eligibility:-
  • You are below 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You have at least one of your parent in your home country to take care of you and provide consent that the arrangements have been made for you in UK.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

You can take any short term course on this visa if it is being offered by a licensed sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system; or accredited by an accreditation body which has been approved by the UK Border Agency.

ADS Visitor

If you want to come to the UK from China as part of a group of tourists for 30 days or less, you can apply as a visitor under the ADS agreement.

Eligibility:-
  • You must hold the nationality of republic of China.
  • You intend to UK for not more than 30 days.
  • intend to enter, leave and travel within the UK as a member of a tourist group of 5 or more people under the ADS Memorandum of Understanding;
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

Visiting Family

Family Visitor

This visa allows the individuals who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to and relatives or a family member of an EEA or Swiss national, the European nationals to visit UK to meet them.

Eligibility:-
  • You must be spouse, civil partner, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister or grandfather, grandmother, grandson or granddaughter or spouse or civil partner’s father, mother, brother or sister or son or daughter’s spouse or civil partner or stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother or stepsister or a person you have been living with in a genuine and subsisting relationship, like marriage or civil partnership, for at least 2 years before the day you apply.
  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
Child Visitor

This visa allows the children who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK.

Eligibility:-
  • You are below 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You have at least one of your parent in your home country to take care of you and provide consent that the arrangements have been made for you in UK.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

You can take any short term course on this visa if it is being offered by a licensed sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system; or accredited by an accreditation body which has been approved by the UK Border Agency.

Visiting To Do Business

Business visitor

This visa allows the individuals who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK for short term business activities.

Eligibility:-
  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You are based abroad and do not intend to transfer your base to the UK, even temporarily.
  • You receive your salary from abroad except travelling and other allowances.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

You can come to UK on business visitor visa if you are Film crew, Representative of overseas news media, Visiting professor accompanying students on a study abroad programme, Religious worker, Adviser, consultant, trainer, internal auditor or trouble shooter, Person undertaking specific, one-off training, Secondee from an overseas company, Doctor undertaking a clinical attachment, or dentist undertaking a clinical observer post, Doctor taking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test and other similar business activities.

Paid Engagement Visitor visa

This visa is for the visitors who are invited to come to the UK because of their particular skills and expertise.

Eligibility:-
  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
  • You have a formal invitation to carry out a permitted paid engagement that has been arranged in advance; and the engagement relates to your expertise and/or qualifications and to your full-time occupation in your home country.

You can come to UK on paid engagement visitor visa if you are a Visiting examiners and assessors, Visiting lecturers, Overseas designated pilot examiners, Lawyers providing advocacy, Arts, entertainment or sports professionals

Child Visitor

This visa allows the children who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK.

Eligibility:-
  • You are below 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 1 month.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You have at least one of your parent in your home country to take care of you and provide consent that the arrangements have been made for you in UK.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

You can take any short term course on this visa if it is being offered by a licensed sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system; or accredited by an accreditation body which has been approved by the UK Border Agency.

Prospective Entrepreneur visitor visa

This visa allows the individuals who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK for finding out the opportunities to secure funding so that you can join, set up or take over, and be actively involved in the running of, a business in the UK.

Eligibility:-

  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
  • You must be able to show that your application is supported by 1 or more registered venture capitalist firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or 1 or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions which is listed as ‘endorsed’ on the UK Trade & Investment website or 1 or more UK government departments.
  • The total amount of proposed funding must be at least £50,000

Visiting To Study

Student Visitor

If you are an adult and you want to undertake a short course of study in the UK (such as a beginner’s English Language course or a work-related training course), you might be able to come here as a student visitor.

Eligibility:-

  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
    • you must have been accepted on a course of study in the UK by institution accredited by Accreditation UK or the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) or British Accreditation Council (BAC) or the Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC) or inspected or audited by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), HM Inspectorate of Education (in Scotland), Estyn (in Wales), the Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland) or the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI); or an overseas higher education institution which offers only part of its programmes in the UK, holds its own national accreditation, and offers programmes of an equivalent level to a UK degree; or a licensed sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system.
    • Your overseas course must be equivalent to UK degree level, and you must have been accepted to undertake the research at a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a higher education institute from Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales; or Scottish Funding Council
Child visitor

This visa allows the children who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK.

Eligibility:-

  • You are below 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You have at least one of your parent in your home country to take care of you and provide consent that the arrangements have been made for you in UK.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

You can take any short term course on this visa if it is being offered by a licensed sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system; or accredited by an accreditation body which has been approved by the UK Border Agency.

Parents of Children at School

This category is for parents whose children under 12 years old are receiving their school education in the UK under Tier 4 (Child) of the points-based system.

Eligibility:-

  • You must have child under 12 years in UK.
  • Your child must be attending an independent fee-paying day school under Tier 4 (Child) of the points-based system or under the student category that existed before 31 March 2009.
  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 12 months initially, however it can be extended.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

Visiting As A Sportsperson

Sport Visitor

If you want to take part in any sporting events in the UK, you might be able to come here as a sports visitor

Eligibility:-

  • You are below 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You have at least one of your parent in your home country to take care of you and provide consent that the arrangements have been made for you in UK.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
  • If you are a sportsperson you can come to UK to perform the activities such as take part in a specific event, tournament, or series of events (including charity events and exhibition matches) as an individual competitor or a member of an overseas team; or join an amateur team as an amateur sportsperson or make a personal appearance or take part in a promotion such as a book signing or television interview or negotiate a contract or discuss a sponsorship deal or take part in a trial (which must not be in front of an audience, either paying or non-paying) or do a short period of training, as an individual or as part of a team or if you are a member of the technical or support staff of amateur or professional sportspeople, and you are attending the UK with them for the same event or series of events; or you are an official attending a sporting event or series of events as, for example, an umpire
  • a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
Child visitor

This visa allows the children who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK.

Eligibility:-

  • You are below 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must have suitable arrangements made for your reception and care in UK as per the guidelines set by the government.
  • You have at least one of your parent in your home country to take care of you and provide consent that the arrangements have been made for you in UK.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

You can take any short term course on this visa if it is being offered by a licensed sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system; or accredited by an accreditation body which has been approved by the UK Border Agency.

Visiting As An Entertainer

Entertainment Visitor Visa

This visa allows the individual who are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to visit UK to perform or audition in the UK as an entertainer,

Eligibility:-

  • You must be coming to UK to take part in the music competition as a professional entertainer; or internationally recognized person taking part in broadcasts or public appearances, provided you are not being paid or taking part in an audition, provided this is not in front of an audience or an amateur entertainer coming for a specific engagement as an individual performer or a professional entertainer taking part in a charity concert or show, provided the organizers are not making a profit and you are receiving no fee and other similar activities.
  • You are above 18 years of age.
  • You intend to visit UK for no more than 6 months.
  • You intend to leave UK once the visa gets expire or going to get expired.
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and accompanying members.
  • You are not in transit to a country outside the ‘Common Travel Area.
  • You must show that you will not get involved into activities such as live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public, study, marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.

If you are below 18 you must apply for Child visitor.

UK STUDY VISA

Why UK is ideal country for international students?

  • The United Kingdom has one of the best education systems in the world with many schools, colleges, and universities of international reputation.
  • Four of the top six universities in the world are in the UK.
  • Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (jointly known as “Oxbridge”) are two of the oldest universities with the history of over eight centuries.
  • The teaching and study methodology used in the UK give you the freedom to be creative and develop skills sets and confidence.
  • The UK has 9 universities listed in the Times Higher Education top 100 rankings.
  • For studies, UK is 2nd choice for millions of international Students in the world, after US being the first.
  • The UK is best country for English-language education, being the inventor of English language.

What are the various student visa categories in UK?

UK student visas can be classified into below subcategories:-

  • Tier 4 (General) student – This category is for students coming to the UK for post-16 Education. A Tier 4 (General) student must be at least 16 years old.
  • Tier 4 (Child) students – This category is for children between 4 and 17 years old coming to the UK for their education. Children between 4 and 15 years old can only be educated at independent fee paying schools.
  • Student Visitor If you are an adult and you want to undertake a short course of study in the UK (such as a beginner’s English Language course or a work-related training course), you might be able to come here as a student visitor.
  • Child visitors–This category is for the children under 18 years of age who want to study in UK for less than 6 months.
Point’s system

You must score at least 40 points to qualify as:-

  • You must have a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a
  • Fully licensed Tier 4 sponsor-30 points
  • You must receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a university approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). All universities must have been given or applied for Highly Trusted Status (HTS) on the UKBA Tier 4 Sponsor list. ‘A rated’ colleges can also issue CAS numbers. The ‘A’ rating is a transitional rating for 12 months and all ‘A rated’ colleges must apply for HTS status within this 12 month transition period. All universities on the Study London website have Highly Trusted Status (HTS)
  • You must have enough money to cover course fees and monthly living costs (also known as maintenance or funds)-10 points
  • You will need at least £1,000 for each month of your studies to pay for living costs if you live in inner London. If you live in outer London you will need £800 a month.

UK WORKING VISA

Why UK is one of the best places to work?

  • The United Kingdom is the fifth-largest economy in the world and the second-largest in Europe after Germany.
  • First, the Industrial Revolution started in the UK with an early attentiveness on the textile industry.
  • The UK offers ideal working environment, facilities for overseas workers, i.e. diverse communities, cultures, friendly people to interact with reasonable accommodation arrangements.
  • The automotive industry is a major part of the UK manufacturing sector and employs over 800,000 individuals with a huge turnover as well.
  • The UK aerospace industry is the third-largest nationalized aerospace industry in the world
  • The service sector of United Kingdom makes up around 73% of GDP.
  • At the end of 2014, the growth of United Kingdom was the fastest in the G7, and the fastest in Europe.
  • There are tremendous facilities, defined laws, and an excellent working environment for the foreign and national workers in UK.
  • Britain offers excellent pension Schemes, awards and benefits to the overseas and national workers.

What are the Various Working Visa Categories?

Government of United Kingdom wants people applying for Working Visa to enter and work legally in UK. Therefore it is very essential to know out of various working visa categories, which to choose that fits best with your eligibility and requirement. Work permit categories are as follows:-

  • High-value migrants
    1. Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)
    2. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
    3. Tier 1 (Investor)
    4. Tier 1 (General)
    5. Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur)
    6. Tier 1 (Post-study work) – closed to new applicants
    7. Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (closed category)
    8. Business persons (closed category)
    9. Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland (closed category)
    10. Innovators (closed category)
    11. International Graduates Scheme (closed category)
    12. Investors (closed category)
    13. Writers, composers and artists (closed category)
  • Skilled workers
    1. Tier 2 priority applications
    2. Tier 2 (General)
    3. Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
    4. Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
    5. Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
    6. Work permits (closed category)
    7. Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders (closed category)
    8. Members of airport-based operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline (closed category)
  • Temporary workers
    1. Tier 5 (Temporary worker – creative and sporting)
    2. Tier 5 (Temporary worker – charity workers)
    3. Tier 5 (Temporary worker – religious workers)
    4. Tier 5 (Temporary worker – government authorized exchange)
    5. Tier 5 (Temporary worker – international agreement)
    6. Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme)
  • Other categories
    1. Domestic workers
    2. Contract seaman
    3. Representative of overseas business
    4. Clinical attachments-Closed Category
    5. Film crew on location-Closed Category
    6. Overseas qualified doctors taking the PLAB test-Closed Category
    7. Postgraduate doctors and dentists-Closed Category
  • For workers and businesspersons from Turkey
     For Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry

UK WORKING HOLIDAY VISA

Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)

Working Holiday Visa offers a short term holiday visa supported by authorization to work in order to support your holidays. United Kingdom offers working holiday program through (Youth mobility scheme). Both the visa category is for individuals of the countries with which government of United Kingdom has agreement with to boost the exchange of heritage and to bind diverse nations of the world and endow the youth between the ages of 18-30 years.

The countries and territories participating in the scheme, and the number of places or certificates of sponsorship allocated to them for 2013, are:

  • Australia – 35,000 places
  • Canada – 5,500 places
  • Japan – 1,000 places
  • Monaco – 1,000 places
  • New Zealand – 10,000 places
  • Republic of Korea – 1,000 places (certificates of sponsorship)
  • Taiwan – 1,000 places (certificates of sponsorship)

In order to qualify you must score at least 50 points in total.

Criterion Points
either:You are a citizen of a country or holds a passport issued by a territory inAnnex A of this guidance; orYou are a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen orBritish National (Overseas) 30
Meets both of the following requirements:You will be 18 or over when your entry clearance becomes valid for use:andYou were under the age of 31 on the date your application was made. 10
You have £1800 which is held in your personal bank account on the dateof application for entry clearance 10

UK BUSINESS VISA

Why UK is ideal country for Business and Investment?

  • United Kingdom is world’s largest financial sector along with USA. With various leading banking and insurance institutions, UK is center for financial industry in the world.
  • The United Kingdom is the fifth-largest economy in the world and the second-largest in Europe after Germany.
  • Cultural Diversity in UK, including various cultures, traditions and lifestyles, open up the market and offers the businessmen and investors a variety of fields to invest and business.
  • UK is an ideal place to business and trade due to its transparent and favorable Government policies and liberal economy.
  • There are tremendous facilities, defined laws, and an excellent business and investment environment for the foreign and national Entrepreneurs, investors, businessmen, in UK.
  • At the end of 2014, the growth of United Kingdom was the fastest in the G7, and the fastest in Europe.
  • UK is a crucial trading partner within the European Union (EU) and considered as the gateway to the Europe in general.
What are the various UK Business Visa Categories?

Below are the different UK Business Visa Categories:

High Value Migrants Visa (Tier 1)

High Value Migrants Visa is a point based visa and can be categorized into following subcategories.

Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)-This visa is for the individuals who have talents which are internationally recognized in the field of Science and Art to come and work in UK.

Each year the number of places available in this category is 1000 where 300 are for Arts, 300 for Science, 200 for The Royal Academy of Engineering and 200 for The British Academy. In order to be eligible you need to score 75 points in total and to extend permission to stay total 85 points (75 for attributes and 10 for English).

It is a two stage process:-
  • Stage 1 is an application to the Home Office for endorsement by a Designated Competent Body, and
  • Stage 2 is the application for entry clearance or leave to remain using the endorsement.

You can switch to Tier 1 from Tier 2 and Tier 5 if you are already working in UK and have exceptional skills. The initial visa is for three year and four months.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)-This visa is for the individuals who want to invest, take over or run their business in United Kingdom.

Eligibility Criteria
  • You must be in U K and given permission to stay as
  • highly skilled migrant;
    • Tier 1 (General) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Investor) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) migrant;
    • Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) migrant;
    • Businessperson;
    • Innovator;
    • Work Permit holder;
    • Writer, Composer or Artist;
    • Self-employed Lawyer;
    • Participant in the International
    • Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the
    • Science & Engineering Graduate Scheme);
    • Investor;
    • participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in
    • Scotland Scheme;
    • Tier 2 migrant;
    • Prospective Entrepreneur.

If you in UK on a Tier 4 migrant, Student nurse, Student, Student writing up a thesis, Student re-sitting an examination, Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist, You can apply for initial application only if you have access to funds equivalent to £50,000 or more from one or more registered venture capital firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or one or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions which is listed as endorsed on the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) website; or one or more UK Government Departments or Devolved Government Departments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which is made available by the Department(s) for the specific purpose of establishing or expanding a UK business.

Points Allocation System

You must score 95 points in total (75 points for attributes, 10 points for English and 10 for funds).

  • Tier 1 (Investor)-This visa is for the individuals who want to invest in U K. You can be eligible to get this visa if you score 75 points which you can score if you have £1,000,000 or more of your own money for investment in the UK; or you have £2,000,000 or more in personal assets, plus a loan of £1,000,000 or more for investment in the U K.
  • Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur)–  MBA and other graduates to extend their stay after graduation to establish one or more businesses in the UK. It is also for overseas graduates who have been identified by UK Trade Investment (UKTI) as elite global graduate entrepreneurs who intend on establishing one or more businesses in the UK. You must score 95 points in total (75 points for attributes, 10 points for English and 10 for funds).

Please consult the UK Embassy in your country for the updated UK Visa requirements!

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