🇬🇧
United Kingdom
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), Home Office
✔ Points-based system run by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
✔ Skilled Worker visa needs degree-level job paying £41,700 or more.
✔ Graduate visa gives 2 years post-study work; 18 months from 2027.
✔ Students can work 20 hours per week during term.
✔ Settlement usually after 5 years; government plans 10-year rule.
✔ Visa fees rose 6-7% in April 2026.
Currency Pound Sterling (GBP)
Languages English (Welsh and Scottish Gaelic regionally)
Visitor visas
For tourism, visiting family and friends, short business trips, short courses up to 6 months, and private medical treatment. Visa nationals must apply in advance; long-term multi-entry versions are available for frequent visitors.
Fees
£135 (6 months); long-term: £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years), £1,128 (10 years)
Processing
Usually around 3 weeks after biometrics
Validity
Up to 6 months per visit; long-term visas valid 2, 5 or 10 years
Who can apply: You can apply if you want to visit the UK for up to 6 months as a tourist, to see family or friends, for short business meetings, or to do a short course. You must show you have enough money for your trip and that you will leave when your visit ends. You cannot work for a UK company on this visa.
Key requirements (6)
- Hold a valid passport or travel document
- Show you will leave the UK at the end of your visit
- Prove enough money to support yourself and any dependants during the trip without working or claiming public funds
- Show you can pay for your return or onward journey
- Not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
- No paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as self-employed (permitted paid engagements excepted)
How to apply — step by step
- Use the free 'Check if you need a UK visa' tool on GOV.UK to see if you must apply in advance.
- Fill in the online Standard Visitor visa application on GOV.UK before you travel.
- Pay the £135 fee online.
- Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photo.
- Upload or hand in documents showing your travel plans, money, and ties to home.
- Wait about 3 weeks for a decision.
Path to PR: None — visitor time does not count toward settlement
Official Site ↗
Study visas
For people aged 16+ with an offer from a licensed student sponsor (university, college or school). Replaced the Tier 4 (General) visa and allows part-time work during term for most degree students.
Fees
£558 (same fee outside or inside the UK)
Processing
3 weeks (outside UK); 8 weeks (inside UK)
Validity
Up to 5 years for degree-level study; up to 2 years below degree level
Who can apply: You can apply if you are 16 or older and a licensed UK school, college, or university has offered you a place on a course. You also need enough money to pay your first year of tuition and your living costs, and you must meet an English language level.
Key requirements (6)
- Unconditional offer and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor
- Maintenance funds: £1,529/month (London) or £1,171/month (outside London) for up to 9 months, plus first-year tuition, held for 28 consecutive days
- English language ability (typically CEFR B2 for degree level, B1 below degree level)
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year at the discounted student rate)
- Parental consent if aged 16-17
- Genuine student requirement — course must represent academic progression when switching
How to apply — step by step
- Get an unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK education provider.
- Gather proof you have enough money for tuition and living costs, held for 28 days.
- Apply online on the GOV.UK Student visa service up to 6 months before your course starts.
- Pay the £558 fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year).
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait about 3 weeks for a decision (8 weeks if applying inside the UK).
Path to PR: Not directly, but leads to the Graduate visa or Skilled Worker route, which can lead to settlement
Official Site ↗
Work visas
Skilled Worker visa
Skilled Worker route (formerly Tier 2 General)
The UK's main sponsored work visa for people with a job offer from a Home Office-licensed employer. Since 22 July 2025 most new roles must be at degree level (RQF6) with a higher salary threshold.
Fees
Applying outside UK: £819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (over 3 years); inside UK: £943 / £1,865; reduced fees (£628 / £1,235) for Immigration Salary List jobs
Processing
3 weeks (outside UK); 8 weeks (inside UK); priority 5 working days (+£500), super priority next working day (+£1,000)
Validity
Up to 5 years, extendable
Who can apply: You can apply if a UK employer approved by the Home Office has offered you a skilled job. Most jobs must now be at degree level and pay at least £41,700 a year, though lower limits apply for some people, like recent graduates and some health and education jobs. You also need to speak basic English (level B1).
Key requirements (6)
- Job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Job in an eligible RQF level 6 (degree-level) occupation, unless on the Temporary Shortage List or Immigration Salary List
- Salary of at least £41,700 per year AND the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher (lower thresholds apply for new entrants ~£33,400, PhD-relevant roles, and some health/education roles from ~£25,000)
- English language at CEFR B1 (speaking, reading, writing, listening)
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year
- Financial maintenance of £1,270 held for 28 days, unless sponsor certifies maintenance
How to apply — step by step
- Get a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Home Office-licensed UK employer.
- Check on the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page that your job and salary meet the rules.
- Apply online on GOV.UK using your CoS reference number.
- Pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year).
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait about 3 weeks for a decision if applying from outside the UK (8 weeks inside).
Path to PR: Yes — eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 continuous years (government has confirmed plans to move to a 10-year 'earned settlement' baseline from Autumn 2026)
Official Site ↗
Health and Care Worker visa
Discounted, fast-tracked Skilled Worker sub-route for qualified doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier or a registered care provider. New overseas applications for care workers and senior care workers (SOC 6135/6136) closed on 22 July 2025; existing in-UK care workers can extend or switch until 22 July 2028.
Fees
£324 (up to 3 years) or £628 (over 3 years); exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge
Processing
Usually within 3 weeks (outside UK); 8 weeks (inside UK)
Validity
Up to 5 years, extendable
Who can apply: You can apply if you are a qualified doctor, nurse, or other health professional with a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or a registered care provider. It is cheaper than the normal work visa and you do not pay the health surcharge. New applications from overseas care workers and senior care workers closed in July 2025.
Key requirements (6)
- Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or eligible adult social care professional in an eligible SOC occupation
- Certificate of Sponsorship from the NHS, an NHS supplier or a CQC-registered care provider
- Meet the route's minimum salary (national pay-scale or going-rate based; some health roles qualify from around £25,000)
- English language at CEFR B1
- Care worker/senior care worker roles no longer eligible for new overseas applications (closed 22 July 2025)
- Criminal record certificate for jobs involving vulnerable people
How to apply — step by step
- Get a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or a CQC-registered care provider.
- Check your job is on the eligible health occupation list on GOV.UK.
- Get a criminal record certificate if your job involves vulnerable people.
- Apply online on the GOV.UK Health and Care Worker visa service using your CoS number.
- Pay the reduced fee (£324 or £628) — there is no health surcharge on this visa.
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait about 3 weeks for a decision.
Path to PR: Yes — eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 continuous years
Official Site ↗
Unsponsored post-study work visa for international students who complete an eligible UK degree. Lets graduates work or look for work at any skill level. Duration drops from 2 years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.
Fees
£937 application fee plus IHS (£1,035/year)
Processing
Usually within 8 weeks (must apply from inside the UK)
Validity
2 years (applications on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months from 1 January 2027); 3 years for PhD graduates
Who can apply: You can apply if you are in the UK on a Student visa and have just successfully finished an eligible UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree. You do not need a job offer or a sponsor, and you can do almost any work.
Key requirements (5)
- Currently in the UK on a Student (or Tier 4 General) visa
- Successfully completed an eligible UK bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree
- Studied with a licensed sponsor with a track record of compliance for the minimum required period
- Education provider must have reported successful course completion to the Home Office
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year upfront
How to apply — step by step
- Wait until your university confirms to the Home Office that you passed your course.
- Apply online on GOV.UK before your Student visa expires — you must be inside the UK.
- Enter your Student visa and CAS reference details in the form.
- Pay the £937 fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year) upfront.
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app.
- Wait up to 8 weeks for a decision — you can stay in the UK while you wait.
Path to PR: No direct path — cannot be extended and does not count toward the 5-year work settlement clock; most switch to Skilled Worker
Official Site ↗
For leaders or potential leaders in academia/research, arts and culture, or digital technology. No job offer or sponsor needed — most applicants need an endorsement from a designated body (Tech Nation for digital technology, Arts Council England for arts and culture, UKRI/British Academy/Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering for academia and research), or can apply directly with an eligible prestigious prize.
Fees
£766 total (£561 endorsement stage + £205 visa stage; £766 in one payment if applying with an eligible award)
Processing
Endorsement decision typically up to 8 weeks; visa stage 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK)
Validity
1 to 5 years per grant, extendable indefinitely
Who can apply: You can apply if you are a leader, or show strong promise of becoming one, in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. Most people need a support letter (endorsement) from an official UK body, but no job offer or English test is needed.
Key requirements (5)
- Work in an eligible field: academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology
- Obtain an endorsement from the relevant endorsing body, or hold an eligible prestigious prize (e.g. Nobel, Turing Award)
- Demonstrate exceptional talent (leader) or exceptional promise (emerging leader) with the evidence portfolio required by the endorsing body
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year
- No English language requirement for this route
How to apply — step by step
- Check which endorsing body covers your field on the GOV.UK Global Talent page (Tech Nation, Arts Council England, UKRI, and others).
- Apply for endorsement online on GOV.UK with your evidence portfolio (skip this stage if you hold an eligible major prize like a Nobel).
- Wait up to 8 weeks for the endorsement decision.
- Apply for the visa itself online on GOV.UK once endorsed.
- Pay the fees (£766 total across both stages) and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait about 3 weeks for the visa decision (8 weeks inside the UK).
Path to PR: Yes — ILR after 3 years (exceptional talent, and promise in most fields) or 5 years, depending on field and endorsement type
Official Site ↗
Permanent residency & settlement
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR / Settlement)
ILR
The UK's permanent residence status — live, work and study in the UK without time limit, and a stepping stone to British citizenship 12 months later. Most work and family routes qualify after 5 continuous years; Global Talent and Innovator Founder can qualify after 3.
Fees
£3,226 per applicant (each dependant pays the full fee)
Processing
Usually within 8 weeks to 6 months; super priority (next working day) available for +£1,000
Validity
Indefinite (lapses after 2+ continuous years outside the UK; 5 for EU Settlement Scheme)
Who can apply: You can apply if you have lived in the UK legally for a set time on a qualifying visa — usually 5 years on routes like Skilled Worker or the family visa, or just 3 years on Global Talent or Innovator Founder. You must also pass the Life in the UK test and prove your English.
Key requirements (6)
- Continuous lawful residence in a qualifying route — usually 5 years (3 years for Innovator Founder and some Global Talent; 10 years for the long-residence route)
- No more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- English language at CEFR B1 or higher (or exempt by nationality/degree)
- Skilled Worker applicants must still be paid at or above the required salary threshold
- No serious criminality or immigration breaches
How to apply — step by step
- Check on GOV.UK that you have enough continuous years in the UK for your visa route (usually 5).
- Book and pass the Life in the UK test (£50).
- Prove your English is at level B1 or higher, or show you are exempt.
- Apply online on GOV.UK using the settlement (ILR) form for your route.
- Pay the £3,226 fee per person.
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a UKVCAS service point.
- Wait up to 6 months for a decision, or pay £1,000 extra for a next-day decision.
Path to PR: This IS permanent residence; confirmed government plans would extend the standard qualifying period to 10 years with 'earned settlement' reductions, expected from Autumn 2026 — the 5-year rules still apply as of July 2026
Official Site ↗
Family visas
Family visa (Partner/Spouse)
For partners, spouses and fiancé(e)s of British citizens or settled persons to live in the UK. Granted on a 5-year route to settlement (or 10-year route if requirements are only partly met).
Fees
£2,064 (outside UK) or £1,407 (inside UK), plus IHS
Processing
Around 12 weeks (outside UK); 8 weeks (inside UK); priority services available
Validity
2 years 9 months initially (outside UK), then 2.5-year extension
Who can apply: You can apply if your husband, wife, partner, or fiancé(e) is a British citizen or is settled in the UK. You must show your relationship is real, and together you usually need an income of at least £29,000 a year or large savings.
Key requirements (7)
- Partner is a British/Irish citizen, settled in the UK, or holds qualifying status
- Genuine and subsisting relationship; married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting 2+ years (fiancé(e)s must marry within 6 months)
- Minimum income requirement of £29,000 gross per year (or cash savings of £88,500), unchanged as of July 2026 despite a June 2025 MAC recommendation to lower it to £23,000-£25,000
- English language at CEFR A1 for the first application (higher for extensions/settlement)
- Adequate accommodation without recourse to public funds
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year
- TB test certificate if applying from a listed country
How to apply — step by step
- Check you meet the relationship and £29,000 income rules on the GOV.UK family visa pages.
- Fill in the online partner visa application on GOV.UK.
- Pay the fee (£2,064 outside the UK) and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Book an appointment at a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photo.
- Upload documents proving your relationship, income, English level, and housing.
- Wait around 12 weeks for a decision if applying from outside the UK.
Path to PR: Yes — ILR after 5 years on the 5-year partner route (10-year route for those not meeting all requirements)
Official Site ↗
Business & investor visas
For entrepreneurs founding an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK, endorsed by an approved endorsing body. Replaced the Innovator and Start-up visas; no minimum investment fund requirement.
Fees
£1,357 (outside UK) or £1,693 (inside UK), plus £1,000 endorsement fee
Processing
3 weeks (outside UK); 8 weeks (inside UK)
Validity
3 years, extendable in 3-year increments without limit
Who can apply: You can apply if you want to start a business in the UK that is new, different from what is already on the market, and able to grow. An approved UK endorsing body must first agree that your business idea is innovative, workable, and scalable. There is no minimum investment amount.
Key requirements (6)
- Endorsement from an approved endorsing body confirming the business is new, innovative, viable and scalable (endorsement fee £1,000, plus £500 per mandatory checkpoint meeting — minimum two)
- Have a genuine role in the day-to-day management and development of the business
- English language at CEFR B2
- Maintenance funds of at least £1,270 held for 28 days (unless in the UK 12+ months)
- Attend contact-point meetings with the endorsing body at 12 and 24 months to demonstrate business progress
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year
How to apply — step by step
- Write a business plan for a new and innovative business.
- Apply to an approved endorsing body listed on GOV.UK to get your plan endorsed (£1,000 fee).
- Apply for the visa online on GOV.UK with your endorsement letter.
- Pay the visa fee (£1,357 outside the UK) and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a visa application centre.
- Attend progress meetings with your endorsing body at 12 and 24 months.
Path to PR: Yes — one of the fastest routes: ILR after 3 years if business success criteria are met
Official Site ↗
Other pathways
Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Working-holiday visa for young people from participating countries and territories, allowing up to 2 years of living and working in the UK. Open to ages 18-35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea, and 18-30 for Japan, Iceland, Uruguay, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino; Hong Kong and Taiwan nationals enter via a ballot. Indian citizens use the separate ballot-based India Young Professionals Scheme visa.
Processing
Usually within 3 weeks
Validity
2 years (Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders can extend by 1 year)
Who can apply: You can apply if you are aged 18 to 30 (18 to 35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea) and come from a country in the scheme. You need £2,530 in savings and must not have children who live with you or depend on you.
Key requirements (5)
- Aged 18-30 (18-35 for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea) with an eligible nationality or British overseas citizenship/BN(O) status
- £2,530 in savings held for 28 days
- Ballot entry required for Hong Kong (SAR passport) and Taiwan nationals; India has its own separate India Young Professionals Scheme ballot
- No children living with you or that you are financially responsible for
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year discounted rate)
How to apply — step by step
- Check your country is in the scheme on the GOV.UK Youth Mobility Scheme page (Hong Kong and Taiwan nationals must first win a place in a ballot).
- Apply online on GOV.UK up to 6 months before you travel.
- Pay the £340 fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year).
- Show proof you have £2,530 in savings held for 28 days.
- Prove your identity with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait about 3 weeks for a decision.
Path to PR: No direct path — time does not count toward settlement, but holders can switch into Skilled Worker
Official Site ↗
Popular universities & fees
University of Oxford
Oxford · University · World-ranked, tutorial-based teaching
£37k-£63k/yr (college fee included)
Imperial College London
London · University · Engineering, science & medicine
~£46k-£59k/yr
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh · University · Research, AI & informatics
£30k-£39k/yr
University of Manchester
Manchester · University · Research power, huge international community
£28k-£36k/yr (medicine more)
Coventry University
Coventry · University · Industry links, automotive engineering
£18k-£21k/yr
Teesside University
Middlesbrough · University · Affordable games design & engineering
~£17k/yr
University of Bedfordshire
Luton · University · Budget-friendly business & health courses
~£17k-£18k/yr
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley (Glasgow area) · University · Low fees, generous scholarships
£13k-£18k/yr (with scholarships)
University of Greater Manchester (formerly Bolton)
Bolton · University · Low living costs, teaching-focused
~£17.5k/yr
Scholarships to know: Chevening Scholarships (Full tuition + stipend + flights) · Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (Full tuition + living allowance) · GREAT Scholarships (British Council) (£10,000 toward tuition) · Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford) (Full funding at Oxford)
Official portals
Community & guides