The United Kingdom has long been a sought-after destination for travellers, students, professionals, and families from around the world. Unfortunately, Brexit has reshaped the UK's relationship with the European Union and, by extension, its approach to immigration. The end of the free movement era has ushered in a new set of rules and systems, impacting both EU and non-EU nationals alike.
Brexit marked the end of free movement between the UK and EU member states. Effective from 1 January 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens no longer enjoy the automatic right to live, work, or study in the UK without a visa, aligning them with non-EU nationals in terms of immigration requirements. The UK's new points-based immigration system, applicable to both EU and non-EU citizens, emphasizes skills and talents over nationality. Under this system, applicants must meet specific criteria, earning points for attributes like job offers, salary levels, and language proficiency, to qualify for a visa.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the official body responsible for deciding who has the right to visit, study, work, and reside in the UK. Beyond granting entry permissions, UKVI plays a pivotal role in safeguarding national security and ensuring that legal visitors receive optimal customer service.
In essence, the UK Visas and Immigration service is not just a bureaucratic entity. It’s a dynamic organization that balances the needs of applicants with the broader interests of the United Kingdom. Whether it's facilitating the entry of skilled professionals, reuniting families, or offering sanctuary to refugees, UKVI plays an essential in shaping the nation's demographic and cultural landscape.
Citizens of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and a Commonwealth country aren’t required to apply for a UK visa. The same applies to USA citizens too. This rule applies to short stays. If you are going to stay in the UK for more than six months, you’ll need a visa regardless of your nationality.
The UK offers a diverse range of visas tailored to various purposes. We characterised them in the table below.
|
Visa Type |
Eligibility |
|
Skilled Worker Visa |
For skilled workers with a job offer in the United Kingdom |
|
Temporary Worker Visa |
For temporary workers in the UK for less than one year |
|
Youth Mobility Visa |
2-year work permit for young people aged 18-30 |
|
Paid Permitted Engagement Visa |
Short-term entry for experts invited to the UK |
|
Sportsperson Visa |
Work permit for sportspersons |
|
Minister of Religion Visa |
Work permit for religious workers |
|
Intra-Company Transfer Visa |
For employees transferring to work in a UK branch |
|
Business Visitor Visa |
For business people who travel to the UK for up to |
|
Adult Student Visa |
For students who want to study in the UK |
|
Two-year Post-study Work Visa |
For international students who studied a bachelor’s or |
|
Student Visitor Visa |
Studying in the UK temporarily |
|
Child Student Visa |
For children between 4-17 to study in the UK |
|
Spouse Visa |
For spouses of British Citizens or settled people |
|
Fiancé Visa |
For fiancés of British Citizens or settled people |
|
Unmarried Partner Visa |
For long-term partners of British Citizens or settled people |
|
Adult Dependent Visa |
For foreign nationals requiring care from their relative in the UK |
|
Innovator Visa |
For international entrepreneurs who invest £50,000 in a business in the UK |
|
Investor Visa |
For international investors with a minimum of £2 million to invest in a UK business |
|
Startup Visa |
For applicants who have approved sponsors to start their business in the UK |
|
Transit Visa |
For passengers who pass through the UK on their way to another country |
|
Tourist Visa |
For visitors who travel to the UK for up to six months for leisure |
The application process depends on the type of visa you are seeking, particularly if it's within the Points-Based System framework. While many requirements are consistent across categories, they are assessed differently. Additionally, specific criteria can vary based on the visa type. What does it mean?
For instance, those seeking an investor visa must demonstrate adequate financial resources. Conversely, if you're an employee aiming to work with a UK-based company, you can pursue a skilled worker visa, provided your prospective employer meets the eligibility criteria.
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