A Complete Guide about different Types of UK Visas

The UK is known for its high-quality infrastructure, stable economy and growing job opportunities. However, individuals travelling from different countries to the UK need a visa to enter this country to explore such opportunities. They must be aware of the different types of UK visas and choose the appropriate one in the application form.

Are you confused about the type of visa suitable for you? Stick till the end of this article to find out for yourself.

Type :

• Family Visitor Visa
• General Visitor Visa
• Entertainer Visitor Visa
• Sports Visitor Visa
• Business Visitor Visa
• Child Visitor Visa
• Prospective Entrepreneur Visa
• Approved Destination Status (ADS) Visa
• Private Medical Treatment Visitor Visa

Eligibility : 

• Applicants must possess sufficient funds to reside in the UK. 
• They should be willing to return at the end of the visa validity. 
• Moreover, they should produce a travel plan, schedule, and visa fees to the immigration experts.

Documents : 

• Passport 
• Bank statements to show sufficient fund 
• Letter of consent form legal guardian (for minor)

Application fees : For a short-term stay for about six months, individuals must pay £104.05. On the other hand, the application fees for visas for a long-term stay range between £395.41 and £900.

Validity : The different types of visas in the UK come with different validity periods. For example, in the case of a visitor visa, a short-term visa allows you to reside for only about six months. On the other hand, a long-term visa can be valid for two, five or ten years.

Type : 

• Student Visa
• Doctoral Extension Scheme

Eligibility (Student visa) : 

• Applicants must have sufficient funds to afford accommodation and the concerned course. 
• Knowledge of English is mandatory. 
• They should have been admitted to a course or university.

Eligibility (Doctoral Extension Scheme) : 

• Applicants must possess a valid Tier 4 UK Study Visa during application. 
• They can only apply for this visa if they are planning to complete a PhD or other doctoral-level qualifications. 
• They must have sufficient funds to afford their education. 
• Finally, they must apply while studying in the UK before 60 days of completing the last course.

Documents (Student visa) : 

• Proof of admission for a course
• Passport 
• Bank statements to prove financial stability 
• Tuberculosis test results
• Letter of consent from legal guardians (for minors)

Documents (Doctoral Extension Scheme) : 

• Passport 
• Police registration certificate (optional)
• Biometric residence permit 
• Recent photographs 

Application fees : The visa application fee is about £371.56 for students. This is the same for minor students as well.

Validity : The validity of such visas is about five years if the students take up a degree course. Otherwise, the validity cannot exceed two years.

Eligibility : 

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 
• They must possess a fund of at least £2,000,000 for investing in the UK business.

Documents : 

• Valid passport 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees : Individuals applying for this visa must pay about £1,732 as an application fee.

Validity : This visa is usually valid for about 3 years and 4 months. You can apply to extend it for another two years.

Eligibility : 

• Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. 
• They must possess a fund of at least £50,000 for investing in a new business venture in the UK.

Documents : 

• Valid passport 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Proof of investment fund 
• Bank statements 
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees : Individuals applying for this visa must pay about £1,118 as an application fee.

Validity : This visa is usually valid for about 3 years and 4 months. You can apply to extend it for another two years.

Eligibility : 

• Applicants must have completed Bachelor's, Master's or PhD. 
• They must possess an official endorsement from any UK-based recognised body. 
• Further, they should meet the English language requirements.

Documents : 

• Valid passport 
• Letter of endorsement 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Proof of investment fund 
• Bank statements 
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees : Individuals applying for this visa must pay about £397.60 as an application fee.

Validity : This visa is usually valid for about one year. After that, you can apply to extend it with proper justifications.

Eligibility : 

• Applicants recognised as a leader in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, etc., can apply for this visa. 
• They must possess endorsement letters. 
• They should pass the required English test.

Documents : 

• Valid passport 
• Letter of endorsement 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Proof of financial stability  
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees : Individuals applying for this visa must pay about £665.95 as an application fee.

Validity : This visa is usually valid for about five years.

Eligibility : 

• Applicants must have a stable job offer in the UK.  
• They must be receiving sponsorship from a licensed employer. 
• They must meet the English language requirement.

Documents : 

• Valid passport 
• Letter of endorsement 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Proof of financial stability  
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees : Individuals applying for this visa must pay about £665.95 as an application fee.

Validity : This visa is usually valid for about five years.

Eligibility : 

• Applicants must have received job offers in the UK.  
• They must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from the employer. 
• They must be legally allowed to work in the UK.
• Applicants must meet income criteria of £41,500 for Long-term Staff, £30,000 for Short-term, and £23,000 for Graduate trainees.

Documents : 

• Valid passport 
• Sponsorship certificate 
• Letter of endorsement 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Proof of financial stability
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees : Individuals applying for this visa must pay about £1,302.68 as an application fee.

Validity : This visa is usually valid for about five years.

Types : 

• Government Authorised Exchange
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Creative and Sporting Visa
• Charity Worker
• Religious Worker
• International Agreement

Eligibility (Government Authorised Exchange) : 

• Applicants must possess a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK-based licenced sponsor.
• They must have the financial stability to afford their lifestyle in the UK.

Eligibility (Youth Mobility Scheme) : 

• Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
• They must be residents from the following countries. 
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Hong Kong
  • Monaco
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Korea (sponsorship required)
  • Taiwan

Eligibility (Creative and Sporting Visas) : 

• Applicants must possess a certificate of sponsorship. 
• They should have sufficient funds in their savings account. 
• Creative workers need to meet minimum income requirements.

Eligibility (Charity Worker, Religious Worker and International Agreement) :

• Applicants must possess a certificate of sponsorship. 
• They should have sufficient funds to afford living in the UK.

Documents :

• Valid passport 
• Sponsorship certificate 
• Letter of endorsement 
• Certificate of criminal records (if any)
• Proof of financial stability  
• Tuberculosis test results

Application fees :

• Government Authorised Exchange - £207
• Youth Mobility Scheme - £267.67
• Creative and Sporting Visas - £373.66
• Charity Worker - £207
• Religious Worker - £207
• International Agreement - £207

Validity : 

• Government Authorised Exchange – Three months
• Youth Mobility Scheme – Up to two years 
• Creative and Sporting Visas – 12 months and 28 days 
• Charity Worker – 12 months 
• Religious Worker – Up to two years 
• International Agreement - Up to two years

Types : 

• Family visa
• UK ancestry visa

Eligibility (Family visa) : 

• Applicants must be living in the UK and apply to bring their families here. 
• Eligible relatives include parents, spouse/partner, fiancé or proposed civil partner.

Eligibility (UK ancestry) : 

• Applicants must be Commonwealth citizens. 
• They should not be residents of the UK, proving that at least one of their grandparents was born outside this country.

Documents (Family visa) : 

• Passport 
• Proof of relationship with the applicant 
• Proof of English language 
• Test of tuberculosis

Documents (UK ancestry) : 

• Passport 
• Birth certificate 
• Proof of birthplace of grandparents

Application fees : 

• Family visa - £3,559.76 for adult dependent relatives and £1,668.16 for joining the direct family. 
• UK ancestry - £565.18

Validity : 

• Family visa – one year
• UK ancestry visa – five years

Types : 

• Right to abode 
• Residence permit

Eligibility (Right to abode) :

• Applicants must be British nationals. 
• They must possess a British passport.

Eligibility (Residence Permit) : 

• Applicants must have lived in the UK for at least ten years.
• If married to a British spouse, they can apply after two years. 
• They must not have any criminal record. 
• They should be able to handle their financial requirements.

Documents :

• Passport 
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Address proof 
• Endorsement certificate

Application fees : Applicants must pay £168.67 while applying for a residence permit.

Validity : A residence permit enables the holder to stay in the UK for about ten years.

Now that you know the different types of UK visa and their fees, you might wish to check out its features. These are listed below.

• Having one UK visa enables you to travel across four European countries without restrictions.
• These can offer both long-term and short-term stays in this country.
• You can also apply for permanent residency with a visa and get approval if you have proper justifications.
• Paying additional amounts will enable you to stay in the UK by extending your visa validity.

Thus, as this article observed, there are different types of UK visas. If you plan to move to the UK, you must check and assess all these types. They will help you select the appropriate form of visa. You can then apply for it after knowing the required fees and documents to get approval.