There is a huge diversity in the culture of the UK and the most notable reason behind this is immigration. Every year, thousands of people come to the United Kingdom to take their career to a new hike or simply to join their dream job. There are certain reasons that attract people from all over the globe to come and work in the UK. One of the main reasons is the UK economy which is presently ranking sixth in the world.

Some of the other reasons are a great working environment, longest paid holidays, good minimum wage, an assortment of modern as well as traditional entertainment and activities. Another attractive reason to work in the UK is the transport facility. London offers the best transport links around Europe.

Working in the UK has been a very attractive opportunity for science lovers as this country has always been at the forefront when it comes to technical developments. People of London are worldwide known for their inventions and advancements. This expands the opportunity for people working there to get in touch with globally acclaimed technologies.

But, all these could be only possible when you get a work visa to the UK. The government of the United Kingdom offers different types of work Visas for people all over the world, who are interested in working in the nation. So let’s check out what are the different kinds of work visas available to work in the UK.

Types of Work Visas in the United Kingdom

The UK government offers work visas for four types of main categories.

Long-term work visas:

  • General work visa (Tier 2)
  • Health and Care visa (Tier 2)
  • Intra-company Transfer visa (Tier 2)
  • Minister of Religion visa (Tier 2)
  • Sportsperson visa (Tier 2)

Short-term work visas:

  • Temporary Worker – Charity Worker visa (Tier 5)
  • Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (Tier 5)
  • Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (Tier 5)
  • Temporary Worker – International Agreement visa (Tier 5)
  • Temporary Worker – Religious Worker visa (Tier 5)
  • Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker Visa (Tier 5)
  • Youth Mobility Scheme visa (Tier 5)

Investor, business development and talent visas:

  • Innovator visa
  • Start-up visa
  • Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
  • Apply for the Global Talent visa
  • Exceptional Talent visa (Tier 1)
  • Graduate Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
  • The investor visa (Tier 1)

Other work visas and exemptions:

  • UK Ancestry visa
  • Get an exempt vignette
  • Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa
  • A Representative of an Overseas Business visa
  • Turkish Businessperson visa
  • Turkish Worker visa

Long-term Work Visas

Under this main category, comes five subcategories. Let’s check the details of each one.

General Work Visa Tier 2

Who can apply?

  • A person who has been offered a skilled job in London.
  • People not belonging to the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

Employer-Sponsored:

  • To apply to live in London, the person has to be employed by a licensed sponsor.

As per the latest notice from the Home Office of the UK, there are a total 31,446 number of sponsors on register licensed under tier 2 and 5. Under Tier 2 are a total 29,461 sponsors and under Tier 5 are a total 3,953 sponsors.

There is a limit of the number of available restricted certificates of sponsorship under Tier 2 general work visa category. This makes getting sponsorship a bit difficult for people willing to come and work in the UK. But, there are some Tier 2 general applications which do not get affected by this annual sponsorship limit. Some of those applicants are those associated with inward investment provision, or who have been offered to fill a vacancy with a fixed salary of £159, 600 or higher.

Migrants holding visas as the dependents of Tier 4 migrants and willing to switch into the Tier 2 category are subject to the annual limit of the Restricted Certificates of Sponsorships.

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Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

The fee amount depends on the type of visa and on where the person is.

Up to 3 years:

Who you’re applying for Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £610 £704
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £555 £649
All dependants £610 each person £704 each person

Up to 3 years – shortage occupation

Who you’re applying for Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £464 £464
You – as a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £409 £409
All dependants £464 each person £464 each person

More than 3 years

Who you’re applying for Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £1,220 £1,408
You – as a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £1,165 £1,353
All dependants £1,220 for each person £1,408 for each person

More than 3 years – shortage occupation

Who you’re applying for

Apply (outside the UK)

Extend or switch (in the UK)

You

£928

£928

You – as a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia

£873

£873

All dependants

£928 each person

£928 each person

  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

  • With a Tier 2 visa, one can stay for a maximum of 5 years and 24 days or the time as given on the sponsorship certificate plus 1 month, whichever is less.
  • One can start staying from 14 days before the beginning of work date as mentioned on the certificate.

Health and Care Visa Tier 2

Who can apply?

  • A person having a job offer from the NHS/ any company providing medical services to the NHS/ company providing adult social care.
  • Doesn’t belong to EEA and Switzerland.
  • Sponsor approved.
  • Should be a qualified doctor/ nurse/ health professional/ adult social care professional.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The employer is responsible for informing the applicant regarding the time of application and the salary.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

  • £232- up to 3 years for persons applying from inside or outside the UK.
  • £464- more than 3 years for persons applying from inside or outside the UK.
  • £177- up to 3 years for citizens of Turkey or Macedonia.
  • £409- more than 3 years for citizens of Turkey or Macedonia.
  • Dependents also pay the same fee.
  • No healthcare surcharge needed.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.

Length of stay

With a Tier 2 health and care visa, one can stay for a maximum of 5 years and 24 days or the time as given on the sponsorship certificate plus 1 month, whichever is less.

One can start staying from 14 days before the beginning of work date as mentioned on the certificate.

Intra-company Transfer Visa Tier 2

Who can apply?

  • Received an offer from the overseas employer to fulfil a role in the UK branch of the company.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Having a valid certificate of sponsorship.
  • Will receive an appropriate salary for the job
  • Can afford their own expenses.
  • Travel history of the last 5 years.
  • TB test results if required.
  • Working proof for the overseas employer.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The employer is responsible for informing the applicant regarding the time of application and the salary.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Types of Intra-company Transfer Visa

There are two types of Intra-company Transfer visa such as long term staff and graduate trainee.

Long-term Staff

  • Applicants must have previous work experience with the company.
  • Have to have £73,900 or more a year to work in the UK if the work experience is of less than 12 months.

Graduate Trainee

Applicants should be a recent graduate with a minimum of 3 months of work experience with the overseas employer.

Fees

Graduate Trainee

Who you’re applying for Fee
You £482
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £427
All dependants £482 each person

Long-term Staff (up to 3 years)

Who you’re applying for Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch in the UK
You £610 £704
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £555 £649
All dependants £610 each person £704 each person

Long-term Staff (more than 3 years)

Who you’re applying for

Apply (outside the UK)

Extend or switch in the UK

You

£1,220

£1,408

If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia

£1,165

£1,353

All dependants

£1,220 for each person

£1,408 for each person

  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay in London for days as mentioned in the visa or as per the given time on the sponsorship certificate. whichever is shorter.
  • 9 years: If the earning is more than £120,000 a year for long-term staff.
  • 5 years, 1 month: If the earning is less than £120,000 a year for long-term staff.
  • One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the mentioned date on the certificate.

Minister of Religion Visa Tier 2

Who can apply?

  • Received an offer within a faith community.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsored.
  • Knowledge of English.
  • Can support their own expenses.
  • Last 5 year’s travel history.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The employer is responsible for informing the applicant regarding the time of application and the salary.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Apply outside the UK Extend or switch in the UK
You £610 £704
You – as a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £555 £649
All dependants £610 each person £704 each person
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for maximum up to 3 years and 1 month or the time as mentioned on the sponsorship certificate, whichever is lesser.
  • One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the mentioned date on the certificate.

Sportsperson Visa Tier 2

Who can apply?

  • Elite sportsperson or coach recognised by the applicant’s sports governing body as being the highest level of the international profession.
  • Endorsed by the applicant’s sports governing body.
  • Applicants employed in the UK will help in developing the sport there.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsored.
  • Knowledge of English.
  • Can support their own expenses.
  • Last 5 year’s travel history.
  • TB test report if required.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by the governing body and must be assigned a certificate of sponsorship.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £610 £704
You – as a national of Turkey or North Macedonia £555 £649
All dependants £610 each person £704 each person
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

One can stay there in the UK for maximum up to 3 years. The applicant can apply for a visa extension for up to another 3 years to a maximum stay of 6 years.

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Short-time Work Visas

Under this category are 7 subcategories. Let’s have a look at those.

Temporary Worker – Charity Worker Visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • Persons who are willing to work for a charity at free of cost.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsorship certificate reference number from the UK sponsor.
  • £945 in savings for 90 days before applying to prove the applicant’s ability to support his/ her own expenses.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The work of the sponsoring organisation must relate to the work applicant is willing to do in the UK.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for Fee
You £244
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £189
All dependants £244 each
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for maximum up to 12 months or the time as mentioned on the sponsorship certificate plus 28 days, whichever is lesser.
  • One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the start date of the job.

Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • Offered to work as a sportsperson or creative worker in the UK.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsorship certificate reference number
  • £945 in savings for 90 days before applying to prove the applicant’s ability to support his/ her own expenses.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The work of the sponsoring organisation must relate to the work applicant is willing to do in the UK.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Fee
You £244
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £189
All dependants £244 each
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for maximum up to 12 months or the time as mentioned on the sponsorship certificate with 28 days extra, whichever is lesser.
  • One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the start date of the job.

Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange Visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • People willing to go to the UK with the purpose of doing training or for short work experience. The program has to be authorised through an approved government authorised exchange scheme.
  • Sponsored.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsorship certificate reference number
  • £945 in savings for 90 days before applying to prove the applicant’s ability to support his/ her own expenses.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The work of the sponsoring organisation must relate to the work, training or research of the applicant is willing to do in the UK.

The sponsor can be a company engaged in an approved exchange scheme/ a higher educational institute/ a government agency or department.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £244 £244
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £189 £189
All dependants £244 each £244 each
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for up to 12 to 24 months or the time as mentioned on the sponsorship certificate with 14 days extra, whichever is lesser.
  • One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the start date of the job.

Temporary Worker – International Agreement Visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • The applicant will be contracted to do International law covered work while in London.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsorship certificate reference number
  • £945 in savings for 90 days before applying to prove the applicant’s ability to support his/ her own expenses.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The work of the sponsoring organisation must relate to the work the applicant is willing to do in the UK.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch in the UK
You £244 £244
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £189 £189
All dependants £244 each £244 each
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

One can stay there in the UK for up to 2 years or the time as mentioned on the sponsorship certificate with 28 days extra, whichever is lesser.

In some cases, the applicant can stay for 6 months in any period of the given 12 months or the time mentioned in the certificate with 14 days extra, whichever is lesser.

One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the start date of the job.

Temporary Worker – Religious Worker Visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • The applicant is willing to perform religious work in the UK.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Sponsorship certificate reference number
  • £945 in savings for 90 days before applying to prove the applicant’s ability to support his/ her own expenses.

Employer-sponsored

The applicant should be sponsored by a licensed sponsor and must have a certificate of sponsorship that indicates that the person is eligible for a visa. The work of the sponsoring organisation must relate to the work the applicant is willing to do in the UK.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Fee
You £244
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £189
All dependants £244 each
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information. By paying £500 extra, one can get a faster decision on the visa within 5 working days and also avail super priority service if £800 is paid.
  • After receiving the decision letter, it will take up to 10 working days (Monday to Friday) to get the biometric residence permit.

Length of Stay

One can stay there in the UK for up to 24 months or the time as mentioned on the sponsorship certificate with 28 days extra, whichever is lesser.

One can begin living in the UK from 14 days before the start date of the job.

Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker Visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • The applicant is willing to be there in London for 6 months and do farm work.
  • Sponsored.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Age should be 18+
  • Sponsorship certificate reference number
  • £945 in savings for 90 days before applying to prove the applicant’s ability to support his/ her own expenses.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the working date which should be listed on the certificate of sponsorship. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Visa costs £244.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for up to 6 months.
  • One can begin living in London from 14 days before the start date of the job.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Tier 5

Who can apply?

  • The applicant is willing to be there in London and work for up to 2 years.
  • Should be above 18 and between 30 years old and from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Taiwan. The applicant can also be a British overseas citizen/ a citizen of British overseas territories/ overseas British national.
  • Must have £1,890  in savings.

Who can not apply?

  • Persons who have kids living with them.
  • If the person has any kid who is financially dependent on him/ her.
  • If the person has already been to London under the scheme of working holidaymaker category.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply six months before the travel date. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Visa costs £244.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay and work there in the UK for up to 24 months.
  • One can enter and leave and then can again come to the UK while the visa is valid.

Investor, Business Development and Talent Visas

Under this main category, comes seven subcategories. Let’s check the details of each one.

Innovator Visa

Who can apply?

  • The applicant is willing to be there in London and set up or run a business.
  • The business idea is endorsed by an approved body and must have the endorsement letter.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Age should be 18+
  • Fits the English language requirement.
  • Enough savings to support his/ her own expenses.

Required Funds

  • At least £50,000.
  • The fund is not required if the business is already an established one with a previous endorsement for a visa in the past/ the business has been changed and agreement has been done with the endorsing body.

Endorsement

  • The applicant must be able to show that the business idea is new, innovative and has the potentiality to grow.
  • The applicant is not allowed to invest or join an already trading business.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the travelling date. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £1,021 £1,277
You (if you’re from Turkey or Macedonia) £966 £1,222
All dependants £1,021 for each person £1,277 for each person
  • There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.
  • People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for 3 years if someone comes with an innovator visa or switches to this from any other visa. The visa can be extended for 3 years and there is no limit on this.
  • The applicant can also apply for settlement after staying in London for 3 years.
  • In case of withdrawal of endorsement, the visa can be cut short. To stay for a longer period, the applicant has to re-apply for endorsement and that has to be done before the visa expiration date.

Start-up Visa

Who can apply?

  • The applicant is willing to be there in London and set up a business.
  • The business idea is endorsed by an approved body and must have the endorsement letter.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Age should be 18+
  • Fits the English language requirement.
  • Enough savings to support his/ her own expenses.

Endorsement

  • The applicant must be endorsed by an authorised body that is a higher educational institute in the UK/ a company which is into supporting UK businessmen.
  • The applicant is not allowed to invest or join an already trading business.
  • The business idea has to be new, viable, innovative and must have growing potentiality.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the travelling date. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.~

Fees

Who you’re applying for

Apply (outside the UK) Switch (in the UK)
Yourself £363 £493
If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £308 £438
All dependants £363 each person £493 each person

There is also a healthcare surcharge that one has to pay as a part of the application.

People willing to extend or switch in the UK have to pay £19.20 in order to provide biometric information.

Length of Stay

  • One can stay there in the UK for 2 years.
  • The visa can not be extended.
  • It is possible to switch to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa if the applicant has completed his/ her second year in London on a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa/ converted from a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa to a start-up visa for the second year.
  • In case of withdrawal of endorsement, the visa can be cut short. To stay for a longer period, the applicant has to re-apply for endorsement and that has to be done before the visa expiration date. With a newly granted Visa with a new endorsement, one can stay for a maximum of 2 years in the UK.

Entrepreneur Visa Tier 1

The UK government no more allows application for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. Anyone willing to set up or run a business in London has to apply for an innovative or start-up visa.

Already have a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?

  • Applicants already having a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa
  • Can apply for settlement in the UK
  • Can also apply for visa extension
  • Can apply for family members to join in the UK.

Settlement in the UK with Entrepreneur Visa Tier 1

Eligibility

  • Must be living in London for 3/ 5 years and should have made enough income or created jobs.
  • Must have Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.
  • Applicants aged between 18 to 64 have to pass the life in the UK test and must also be proven eligible on the English language requirements.

When the Application can be Refused?

  • Criminal record in London or in any other country.
  • Demoralized UK immigration law.
  • The information provided to the Home office is false/ incomplete.

Continuous Residence

  • One can be outside London for 180 days in any 12 months.
  • One has to be in the UK for 3 years if the trade is new or created new 10 jobs/ more than £5 million income has been generated.
  • People who have taken over an existing business and made net income worth £5 million in a 3 year period, can also apply.
  • People not meeting the requirements for 3 years have a continuous residence for 5 years.
  • The 3 or 5 years can include the time the applicant had a businessperson/ innovator visa.

Entrepreneur Visa Tier 1 Visa Extension

  • Under 6 months periods of the date mentioned in the given permission to stay in the UK under a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, the applicant has to be registered as a director or as self-employed.
  • Proof of self-employment/ partnership member/ working director of a business 3 months before the application.
  • Should have created at least 2 full-time employment facilities which existed for 12 months at a minimum.
  • Able to support oneself.
  • £200,000/ £50,000 in cash investment in one or more UK businesses.
  • Dependent on the current visa should also be included including kids who have turned 18+ during the stay.
  • For people living outside London, has to apply online for Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa extension.

Fees

  • It costs £1,277 to extend this visa and an additional £19.20 needs to be paid for providing biometric information.

Applying for Family Members

  • Family members must have a visa, not from EEA or Switzerland.
  • Dependant must be the applicant’s partner/ child under 18/ child above 18 is presently living in London as a dependant.
  • Each dependent should have a certain amount of money to support themselves.
  • £1,890 for each dependent if the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months.
  • £630 for each dependent if the applicant has been in the UK for more than 12 months.

Fees

  • £1878 for each family member and £19.20  extra for each for biometric information.

Dependants applying outside the UK have to apply online.

Dependants applying in the UK on their own have to apply online as a dependant partner or apply online as a dependant child.

Investor Visa Tier 1

Who can apply?

  • Willing to invest £2,000,000 or more in London.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Eligibility

  • Mandatory to have at least £2,000,000 investment funds.
  • Age- 18+
  • Proof of the money belonging to the applicant/ husband/ wife/ unmarried or same-sex partner.
  • Account at the UK regulated bank for utilisation of the fund.
  • The fund should be held in one/ more regulated financial institutions.
  • Free to spend in London.
  • While applying the money can be in the UK or overseas.

Students with financial sponsorship

  • Already in the UK and a tier 4 general visa holder.
  • Written unconditional agreement from financial sponsor to re-enter or stay in London if the course fees/ living cost is paid by government/ an international scholarship agency.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the travel date. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa.

Fees

£1,623 to apply for the visa and the amount is the same in case of extension/ switching visas/ or if applying as a family member.

Additional healthcare surcharge as a part of the visa application.

Length of stay

One can stay there in the UK for maximum up to 3 years and 4 months. The applicant can apply for a visa extension for up to another 2 years.

Global Talent Visa

Applicants have to be a leader or a potential leader in academia or research/ arts and culture/ digital technology.

Time Required

At the earliest, one can apply three months before the travel date. If a person is applying from outside London, generally within three weeks he/ she should get a decision on the visa and within eight weeks applying from inside the UK.

Fees

£152 or £97 if from Turkey or North Macedonia. Partners and children can be included in the same form for an extra cost of £608 for each.

Usually, £400 per year healthcare surcharge for each person applying.

Exceptional Talent Visa Tier 1

The UK government no longer allows Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. People having this visa can apply for settlement in the UK, for family members. For visa extension, they need to apply for a global talent visa.

Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Tier 1

The UK government no longer allows tier 1 graduate entrepreneur visas. People have to apply for a start-up visa.

People having the tier 1 graduate entrepreneur visa can switch to tier 1 entrepreneur visa before the current visa expires.

General Visa Tier 1

The UK government no more accepts applications for General Visa Tier 1 and extension of this visa is also closed. People can not even apply for settlement as a Tier 1 General worker. The family members or the dependants can apply to remain or join the Tier 1 General visa holder.

Highly skilled migrants from all over the world could come to the UK for living and working for any employer or even could work independently with this visa.

Other Work Visas and Exemptions

Under this section, there are several visa categories for Turkish workers, Turkish businessperson, overseas business representative visa, visa for domestic worker etc. Each of these visas has different rules and regulations and one has to full fill all the eligibility criteria to get these visas.

UK Ancestry Visa

Who can apply?

  • The applicant has to be a Commonwealth citizen.
  • Applying from outside London.
  • One of the grandparents was born in the UK.
  • Has a plan and is able to work in London.

Exempt Vignette

Who can apply?

  • Working for a diplomatic mission in the UK/ a diplomat and was not in the UK when the post was offered.
  • Must be a member of Commonwealth/ Overseas Territories armed forces posted in the UK or training in the UK
  • Head of state or working for one.
  • exempt from immigration control for any other reason.

Domestic Workers in a Private Household Visa

Who can apply?

  • At least 1 year of working experience with the employer.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Representative of an Overseas Business Visa

Who can apply?

  • An overseas business representative willing to set up either a UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary.
  • Person who has been posted on a long-term assignment to the UK and is an employee of any overseas news agency/ newspaper or broadcasting organisation.
  • Not from EEA and Switzerland.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article will be helpful to you in understanding which type of visa is most suitable for you and what are the rules and regulations for that. You can share your thoughts by commenting in the box below.

Also Read: IELTS Reading Summary Completion Tips: Guide to Boost Your IELTS Reading Test Score

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About the Author

Shilpa

Shilpa is a professional web content writer and is in deep love with travelling. She completed her mass communication degree and is now dedicatedly playing with words to guide her readers to get the best for themselves. Developing educational content for UPSC, IELTS aspirants from breakthrough research work is her forte. Strongly driven by her zodiac sign Sagittarius, Shilpa loves to live her life on her own notes and completely agrees with the idea of ‘live and let live. Apart from writing and travelling, most of the time she can be seen in the avatar of 'hooman' mom to her pets and street dogs or else you can also catch her wearing the toque blanche and creating magic in the kitchen on weekends.

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