The United Kingdom offers a wide array of visas, each designed for specific purposes, from short visits to long-term residences and settlements. Navigating the various UK visa types and requirements can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with the UK’s immigration system. This article explores the list of all UK visa types, along with key insights into their eligibility criteria, fees, and application process.
What Is a UK Visa?
A UK visa is an official document or endorsement placed on your passport, allowing you entry into the United Kingdom for a specific period and purpose. Depending on your nationality and the reason for your visit, you might need to apply for a visa before entering the UK. Visitors may require different visa types for tourism, business, work, study, or family reunification purposes. Ultimately, whether you need a UK visa depends on your citizenship, travel plans, and the duration of your stay.
Who Needs a UK Visa?
Foreign nationals from outside the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland typically need a visa to enter the UK. However, visa requirements vary depending on your country of residence and the purpose of your visit.
List of All UK Visa Types
A full list of the main UK visa types includes:
- Visitor visas
- Standard Visitor visa
- Marriage Visitor visa
- Permitted Paid Engagement visa
- Parent of a Tier 4 child visa
- Visa to pass through the UK in transit
- Short-term study visa
- Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2)
- Health and Care Worker visa
- Intra-company visas
- Intra-company Transfer visa
- Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
- Minister of Religion visa (formerly Tier 2)
- Sportsperson visa (formerly Tier 2)
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa (formerly Tier 5)
- Temporary Worker – Charity Worker visa (formerly Tier 5)
- Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (formerly Tier 5)
- Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (formerly Tier 5)
- Temporary Worker – International Agreement visa (formerly Tier 5)
- Temporary Worker – Religious Worker visa (formerly Tier 5)
- Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker visa (formerly Tier 5)
- UK Ancestry visa
- Innovator visa
- Start-up visa
- Global Talent visa
- Graduate visa
- Student visa (formerly Tier 4)
- Family visas
- Partner (spouse) visa
- Fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner visa
- Child visa (under 18)
- Parent visa
- Adult Dependent Relative visa
- Returning Resident visa
- Frontier Worker Permit
- Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa
- Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
- Ukraine Family Scheme visa
- Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) visa
In the following, we explain each type of UK visas.
UK Visitor Visas
The UK visitor visas are designed for short-term stays, usually for tourism, family visits, or business activities. These visas generally permit entry for up to six months.
Standard Visitor Visa
The Standard Visitor Visa is one of the most common visas, ideal for tourists, individuals visiting family or friends, and those coming for business purposes like attending conferences. This visa does not allow holders to work or study during their stay.
Marriage Visitor Visa
The UK Marriage Visitor Visa is for individuals planning to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate that their visit is solely for marriage and that they will leave the UK after the event.
Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
For professionals such as artists, entertainers, or lecturers coming to the UK for short-term, paid engagements, the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa is ideal. This visa allows specific work-related activities without requiring a long-term work visa.
Academic Visitor Visa
This visa is for researchers or scholars visiting the UK for academic purposes. It allows them to attend conferences, conduct research, or take part in academic exchanges.
Medical Visitor Visa
The Medical Visitor Visa is issued for individuals seeking private medical treatment in the UK for a duration not exceeding six months.
UK Work Visas
Work visas are categorized based on skill levels, job offers, and employment types. Each type of work visa in the UK comes with specific eligibility criteria and a path to settlement in some cases.
UK Skilled Worker Visa (Tier 2 Visa)
The UK Skilled Worker Visa, also known as the Tier 2 Visa, is designed for professionals with a confirmed job offer in the UK. Applicants must meet specific skill and salary thresholds (£38,700) and demonstrate proficiency in English (B1 level). This visa allows holders to stay in the UK for up to five years, and it can lead to permanent residency.
Global Talent Visa
This visa is for highly skilled individuals recognized as leaders or potential leaders in areas such as digital technology, arts, research, or academia. Unlike the Tier 2 visa, the Global Talent Visa does not require applicants to have a confirmed job offer.
Health and Care Worker Visa
Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and social workers can apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa. It allows them to work with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) or associated health organizations.
Temporary Worker Visa (Tier 5)
The Temporary Worker Visa (Tier 5) is suitable for short-term work assignments in the UK, including charity work, religious roles, and creative jobs. It allows the holder to stay for a period of 6 to 24 months.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
The Intra-Company Transfer Visa is designed for employees of multinational companies transferring to a UK branch. It is mainly used for skilled employees transferring to managerial or specialist roles.
Seasonal Worker Visa
This visa enables temporary work in specific sectors, particularly agriculture. The Seasonal Worker Visa typically allows holders to work in the UK for up to six months.
UK Study Visas
The UK is home to some of the world’s top universities, and its education system attracts students globally. The UK student visa types and fees vary depending on the level and duration of study.
UK Student Visa (Tier 4)
The UK Student Visa is primarily issued to students aged 16 or older who are accepted into UK educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies and meet English language proficiency requirements (B2 level).
Child Student Visa
The Child Student Visa allows children aged 4 to 17 to study at UK schools. For younger students (till the age of 12), their parents can accompany them on a Parent of a Child Student Visa.
Short-Term Study Visa
For individuals coming to the UK for short courses, such as English language programs, the Short-Term Study Visa is the right option. This visa typically allows a stay of up to 11 months.
Graduate Visa
This visa allows international students who have completed a degree in the UK to remain and work for up to two years (or three years for PhD graduates).
UK Family Visas
The UK Family Visa allows individuals to join their family members who are UK citizens or residents. The eligibility criteria depend on the relationship with the UK-based family member.
Spouse or Partner Visa
The Spouse or Partner Visa is for individuals married to or in a civil partnership with a UK resident. The visa typically lasts for 2.5 years, after which it can be renewed.
Dependent Visa
The Dependent Visa allows family members (spouses, children, etc.) to accompany individuals who are in the UK on long-term visas, such as the Tier 2 work visa or student visa.
Ancestry Visa
Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent may be eligible for the Ancestry Visa, which allows both work and study in the UK. This visa can lead to permanent residency.
Business and Investment Visas
The UK Business Visa category is designed for individuals wishing to invest in or start businesses in the UK.
Innovator Founder Visa
For entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, the Innovator Founder Visa provides a pathway to start a business in the UK. Applicants must secure an endorsement from an authorized body before applying.
Investor Visa
This visa is for individuals investing significant funds into the UK economy. It offers the opportunity to reside in the UK, with faster routes to settlement based on the level of investment.
Sole Representative Visa
Designed for employees of foreign companies looking to establish a UK branch, the Sole Representative Visa allows the individual to act as a representative and potentially settle in the UK after some years.
UK Settlement and Permanent Residency Visas
Long-term residents in the UK may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a critical step towards permanent residency. Individuals on work, family, or study visas may qualify for settlement after meeting the residency requirements.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
This visa allows individuals to remain in the UK indefinitely after residing for a qualifying period, often five years.
Humanitarian and Protection Visas
For those fleeing persecution, the UK offers several protection visas under the humanitarian category.
Asylum Visa
Individuals escaping persecution in their home countries can apply for the Asylum Visa, which grants them refugee status in the UK.
Stateless Person Visa
The Stateless Person Visa is designed for individuals who do not hold citizenship in any country and need residency status in the UK.
UK Transit Visas
For those passing through the UK en route to another destination, the UK Transit Visas are essential. These visas are short-term and cater to individuals who either remain in the airport or leave the airport to continue their journey.
Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
The Direct Airside Transit Visa is for passengers transiting through UK airports without entering the country.
Visitor in Transit Visa
The Visitor in Transit Visa is for travelers who need to pass through UK immigration and continue their journey via land or sea.
UK Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (in GBP) | Description |
| Visitor Visas | ||
| Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months) | £115 | For tourism, family visits, business meetings, and more. |
| Standard Visitor Visa (2 years) | £400 | Multi-entry visa, valid for 2 years. |
| Standard Visitor Visa (5 years) | £771 | Multi-entry visa, valid for 5 years. |
| Standard Visitor Visa (10 years) | £963 | Multi-entry visa, valid for 10 years. |
| Short-term Study Visa (up to 6 months) | £259 | For short courses or English language courses. |
| Work and Business Visas | ||
| Skilled Worker Visa (up to 3 years) | £715 | For skilled workers with a job offer in the UK. |
| Skilled Worker Visa (more than 3 years) | £1,420 | For skilled workers with a job offer for more than 3 years. |
| Health and Care Worker Visa (up to 3 years) | £247 | Designed for healthcare professionals. |
| Health and Care Worker Visa (more than 3 years) | £479 | For healthcare professionals, valid for more than 3 years. |
| Global Talent Visa (main applicant) | £623 | For individuals with exceptional talent or promise in fields like science, and arts. |
| Innovator Founder Visa | £1,036 | For experienced businesspeople seeking to set up an innovative business in the UK. |
| Start-up Visa | £378 | For new entrepreneurs starting a business in the UK. |
| Family Visas | ||
| Spouse or Partner Visa (from outside UK) | £1,538 | For partners of UK citizens or residents. |
| Child Visa (from outside UK) | £1,538 | For children of UK citizens or residents. |
| Adult Dependant Relative Visa | £3,250 | For adult relatives who need long-term care from a UK resident. |
| Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) | ||
| Settlement (ILR) application | £2,885 | For those who qualify for permanent residency in the UK. |
| Study Visas | ||
| Student Visa (main applicant) | £490 | For students studying at a UK institution. |
| Child Student Visa (under 18) | £490 | For children studying at a UK institution. |
| Other Visas | ||
| Ancestry Visa | £531 | For Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry. |
| Transit Visa | £71 | For those passing through the UK en route to another destination. |
What are the fees to apply for different types of UK visas?
Notes:
- Priority services: Additional fees apply if you need to expedite your application.
- Healthcare surcharge: Most visa types require you to pay an annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the National Health Service (NHS).
How to Apply for a UK Visa?
The application process for a UK visa involves several steps, including completing an online application, submitting supporting documents, and attending a visa interview (if required). Ensure you review the necessary visa requirements before submitting your application.
FAQs
The processing time for a UK visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for. For most Standard Visitor Visas, the decision is typically made within 3 weeks. For Work Visas, the process can take around 8 weeks. Student Visas usually take 3 weeks, while Settlement (ILR) applications can take up to 6 months. Expedited services are available for an additional fee, which can reduce the processing time.
No, the Standard Visitor Visa does not allow you to work in the UK. It is primarily for tourism, visiting family, short business meetings, or attending events. If you want to work in the UK, you must apply for a work visa such as the Skilled Worker Visa or the Health and Care Worker Visa.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that most visa applicants must pay to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during their stay. The fee is typically £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for students and children. Some visa categories, such as the Health and Care Worker Visa, are exempt from this charge.
Yes, many visas can be extended while you are in the UK, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. For example, Skilled Worker Visas, Student Visas, and Spouse/Partner Visas can often be extended. You must apply before your current visa expires. Extensions usually come with additional fees, and the processing time varies based on the visa type.