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UK Visas

Types of UK Visas

The UK offers various types of visas depending on the purpose of the visit, duration of stay, and other factors. Here is a breakdown of the main types of UK visas:



1. Visitor Visas

  • Standard Visitor Visa: For tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings, or short study courses (up to 6 months).
  • Marriage Visitor Visa: For people coming to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.
  • Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: For professionals invited to perform a specific paid engagement (up to 1 month).
  • Transit Visa: For passing through the UK in transit to another country.

NOTES: Standard Visitor Visa

  • The Standard Visitor Visa for the UK is generally valid for up to 6 months per visit. However, there are certain cases where you can apply for a longer validity period:

    1. Long-term Standard Visitor Visa: You can apply for a visa that lasts for 2, 5, or 10 years if you can demonstrate a need to visit the UK frequently over a longer period. Despite the longer validity, each individual visit cannot exceed 6 months.

    2. Special Circumstances: In some cases, such as medical treatment or academic research, you may be allowed to stay for up to 11 months (for private medical treatment) or 12 months (for academic research).

2. Work Visas

  • Skilled Worker Visa: For individuals with a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
  • Global Talent Visa: For highly skilled individuals in fields like science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, or the arts.
  • Health and Care Worker Visa: For medical professionals working in eligible health or social care jobs.
  • Intra-company Transfer Visa: For employees transferring to a UK branch of their organization.
  • Global Business Mobility Visas:
    • Expansion Worker Visa: For employees establishing a new UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business.
    • Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: For senior managers or specialists being transferred to a UK branch.
    • Graduate Trainee Visa: For employees on a graduate training program transferring to a UK branch.
    • Service Supplier Visa: For overseas workers providing a service in the UK under a contract.
    • Secondment Worker Visa: For workers seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment.
  • Temporary Worker Visa (T5): For short-term work in specific sectors, such as creative and sporting, charity, religious workers, or seasonal work.
  • Start-up Visa: For individuals starting their first UK business, backed by an approved endorsing body.
  • Innovator Visa: For experienced businesspeople establishing an innovative business in the UK.

3. Student Visas

  • Student Visa: For those over 16 years old studying at a UK institution (course must meet specific requirements).
  • Child Student Visa: For children between 4-17 years old studying at an independent school in the UK.
  • Short-term Study Visa: For studying English language courses (up to 11 months).

4. Family Visas

  • Spouse or Partner Visa: For those married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a long-term relationship with a UK resident or citizen.
  • Parent Visa: For parents of a child who is a British citizen or settled in the UK.
  • Child Visa: For children joining a parent who is a UK resident or citizen.
  • Dependent Relative Visa: For adult relatives who need long-term care from a UK resident.

5. Settlement Visas

  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): For individuals looking to settle in the UK without any time restrictions, often following a certain period on a work, family, or other eligible visa.
  • Returning Resident Visa: For those who previously held ILR but have left the UK for an extended period.

6. Other Types of Visas

  • British National (Overseas) Visa (BN(O)): For Hong Kong residents who are British Nationals (Overseas) and their close family members.
  • UK Ancestry Visa: For Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK.
  • Investor Visa (Tier 1): For high-net-worth individuals making a substantial financial investment in the UK.
  • Graduate Visa: For international students who have completed an eligible course at a UK university, allowing them to stay and work for up to 2-3 years.
  • Representative of an Overseas Business Visa: For employees of an overseas company establishing a UK branch or subsidiary (specific cases not covered by the Expansion Worker Visa).

Conclusion

    1. Visitor Visas: For short stays, like tourism or business, typically up to 6 months, with longer validity options.
    2. Work Visas: For employment in the UK, including skilled workers, intra-company transfers, and temporary workers.
    3. Student Visas: For studying at UK institutions, covering long-term courses and short-term English language studies.
    4. Family Visas: For joining family members who are UK citizens or settled residents.
    5. Settlement Visas: For those seeking permanent residency in the UK, including Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
    6. Other Visas: Special categories for specific cases like British Nationals (Overseas), investors, and graduates seeking work.

    Each category caters to different purposes, durations, and eligibility criteria.




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