There are many types of UK Visas. The country offers different kinds of visas to immigrants and tourists who wish to travel there as a tourist, for work, as a student or as permanent residents. Based on your purpose of visit, the UK visa could be long-term or short-term. Different types of UK visas include:
The UK or the United Kingdom is made up of four countries- England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The island nation has much to offer to those who wish to migrate there for work, as a student or as a tourist.
The
UK is home to some of the best Universities and educational institutions in the
world offering training and education of the highest quality. This makes it one
of the most preferred choices among international students.
Besides, the country also provides good job opportunities for international workers and professionals. The breath-taking scenery, ancient architecture, and monuments and the multilayered history of this country attract hundreds and thousands of tourists from around the globe every year.
There are different types of UK visas for international tourists and migrants depending on their purpose of visit. These visas are the documents of authorization that allows a foreigner to stay temporarily or permanently in the United Kingdome.
It can either be a document or a stamp in the passport that is given by the embassy of the UK or the consulate in the country where you reside in.
A
visa to the UK can be applied for the following purposes:
Higher education
Employment
To do a business
Transit while traveling to another country
A vacation or tourism
Short stay with family or loved ones
To join your family residing in the UK
To be a refugee
To move there as a permanent resident
To do a short-term course
The following are the different types of UK visas issued to foreigners who wish to migrate or visit the UK. Based on the purpose of visit the visa system has been organized under multiple types of visas.
7 Types Of UK Work Visas
Even though the UK has strict rules when it comes to offering work visas to people from other nations they do offer visas to professionals and workers who wish to work and live in this nation.
However, they have to prove that they are qualified enough and genuine for a particular post. These types of UK visas can be both long-term and short term depending on the nature of employment.
Visa for Exceptional Talent- Tier 1 – These visas are issued for foreigners who have high levels of qualification and exceptional talents.
General Visa- Tier 2
Visa for Sports Person- Tier 2
Visa for intra-company transfers- Tier 2
Visa for Religious Ministers- Tier 2 – The above-mentioned work visas (2-5) are offered to skilled workers from other nations. They are given these employment offers because there is a shortage of workers in that specific area. The visa has to be sponsored by an employer in the UK who is licensed. The job offer must be within the United Kingdom. English language tests must be cleared by the applicant
Visa for Youth Mobility Scheme- Tier 5
These visas are given for youth mobility
The Applicant must be between the age of 18 and 30 and from one of the following nations:
Japan
Taiwan
Republic of Korea
Australia
Monaco
Canada
Hong Kong
New Zealand
British nationals residing in other countries can also apply
Visa For Temporary Workers – These visas are offered to temporary workers from foreign nations
Other types of work visas issued by the government of the United Kingdom include the following:
Visa for Turkish workers
Visa for domestic workers in a private house
Work visa-exempt vignette
Certificate of Croatian National Registration
Different Types Of UK Business Visas
International people who wish to start a business in the UK can consider applying for one of the following visas:
Visa for Investors- Tier 1
An investment amount of 2,000,000 Euros by the visa applicant is required
Money must be invested in the UK
Minimum age of 18 years
Visa for Turkish business
Visa for entrepreneur
Minimum age of 16 years
Must clear the test for English language proficiency
A minimum investment amount of 50,000 Euros
This investment amount needs to be spent in the UK
Visa for graduate entrepreneurs.
A Bachelor’s/Masters/Doctoral Degree
Must clear the tests for proficiency in the English language
Endorsement from an endorsement body that is recognized
Tourist/Visitors Visa To The UK
If
you wish to travel to the UK as a tourist you are required to apply for the UK
Visitor Visa. You are required to apply
for a standard visitor visa for the following situations.
For medical and hospital care/treatment
To attend a family event
To attend a conference/seminar
To attend a short-term course
To
apply for the visa the applicant must be from a country outside Switzerland or
the EEA. You can apply for it three months prior to the intended date of
travel.
The applicant can stay up to a maximum of 6
months under this visa
The visa can be extended up to 11 months for the
purpose of medical treatment and care
Must leave the UK before the expiry of the visa
The applicant must have sufficient funds to
support the entire stay in the UK
The applicant needs to provide the travel
itinerary (Particularly for tourists)
The
following are the visas issued to international students who wish to pursue
higher education or a doctoral degree in the United Kingdom.
Student visa (General) – Tier 4
The international student must be over 16 years of age
The applicant must be accepted by one of the recognized colleges/universities in the UK for a specific course.
The applicant must belong to a country outside the EEA and Switzerland
The applicant must clear the English language eligibility test
Sufficient funds to support the entire period of study and stay in the UK
Student visa (Child) –Tier 4
The student visa for children below the age of 16
Doctoral Extension Scheme visa for international students – Tier 4
The student must have a valid Tier 4 general student visa in the UK at the time of application
Must be pursuing a doctoral degree in the UK
Need to apply for this visa while in the UK
Short-term study visa
To pursue a short-term course in the UK
UK Family Visa
To live with a family member who is a resident/ citizen of the UK for above 6 months, the applicant will require a UK Family visa. You can apply for a family visa if you are:
A child
A spouse
A fiancé
A parent
The different types of UK visas for the family include:
visa for spouse
visa for children
visa for parents
Other Visas To The UK
Other
visas to the UK include the following:
Right of Abode visa
The Right of Abode visa is applicable for all British nationals living outside the UK.
They can work/live in the UK and no restrictions are applicable
They do not require a visa to visit the UK
Visa for UK settlement
This visa is applicable for an extended family member of an individual from Switzerland or the EEA.
The Settlement visa acts as proof that allows the applicant to work in the UK
A settlement visa is valid for a period of 5 years
Residence permit
You can apply for this visa if you belong to a country outside the EEA
Or you are a family member of a person from the EEA who is a resident of the United Kingdom
UK Ancestry visa
To apply you need to be a citizen of one of the Commonwealth nations
Proof supporting that one of the grandparents was born in the United Kingdom
The application must be placed outside the UK
Transit
Visas To The UK
An international traveler who does not belong to the EEA and Switzerland who are traveling to a different country through the UK requires a transit visa to do so. Let’s find more about types of UK visas that can be used for transit.
DATV or Direct Airside Transit Visa
For travelers who have to take another flight to a different destination without leaving the airport in the UK
Visa for the visitor in transit
For international travelers who have to leave the airport and depend on other means of travel to the next destination.
The maximum validity of the visa is 4 days.
Types Of UKVisa For Temporary Refugees
Temporary
visas for refugees whose lives were threatened in their native country.
The
applicant should apply for the visa within the UK
The visa
is temporary in nature and they have to return to their native country once the
issues have settled down.
The visa
is usually given for a period between 2-6 years. However, the visa may be
extended taking into consideration the situations in their native land.
To get a visa you need to submit the visa application along with all the supporting documents and the required visa fees. Following the processing of the application, the visa will be granted if the immigration authorities from the United Kingdom are convinced that you are a genuine applicant.