UK Immigration

The UK is a very popular destination for people looking to live and work overseas. UK immigration consists of a five-tier points based system that scores applicants on various criteria to assess their eligibility to obtain a UK work or study visa. U.K. Visa U.K. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the U.K. Before traveling to the U.K., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel. United Kingdom citizens don’t need a U.K. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. Working Holiday Visa The youth mobility visa (a.k.a. working holiday visa) allows 18-30 year olds from certain countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada to travel to the UK for an extended visit and work legally there in order to fund their visit. It’s a relatively cheap visa application at $300-$500 (depending on your country of origin), it's often one of the quickest to process, and it allows you to stay for up to two years. Ancestry Visa The UK Ancestry Visa allows Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestor (going back as far as a grandparent) to live and work in the UK. By contacting the British diplomatic post (embassy, high commission etc) in your home country you can apply for the Ancestry Visa which permits you to stay and work for up to five years in the UK. Student Visa A new category of Student Visitor has been introduced for short-term students who wish to study in the UK. Temporary students are those who are studying on courses of 6 months duration or less. Highly Skilled Visa (Suspended) Highly Skilled Visa is designed for skilled professionals who wish to work for an extended period in the UK without limitation (as an employee, self-employed individual or in other business opportunities), and who potentially wish to settle in the UK long term. You do not need a job offer to apply, and your eligibility for the visa relies on factors such as your qualifications (must be at least degree level), previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills, and available maintenance (funds). Sponsorship Visa The UK Sponsorship Visa is for workers who are offered a job in the UK and therefore have an employer who will act as a sponsor for their visa application. How to get sponsorship in the UK is through a job offer for a position categorised as a ‘shortage occupation’ and the employer completing a ‘resident labour market test’ to prove that the job can't be filled by a resident worker. Spouse Visa (Settlement Visa) The commonly known UK Spouse Visa or Settlement Visa is meant for the spouse, partner, proposed partner, civil partner, child or other dependant relative of a person who is currently settled in the UK or coming to the UK to settle. That person must be either settled (without a time limit on their visa) or planning to live in the UK permanently with the legal right to do so.