Types of UK visas

Are you planning to visit the United Kingdom for leisure, business, or to study? If so, it’s important to know the different types of british visas available and which one you need based on your purpose of visiting. In this article, we will discuss the various types of UK visas.

Visa Category	Types of Visas
Visit	Standard Visitor Visa, Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, Marriage Visitor Visa, Short-term Study Visa, Visit Visa for Academic Visitors, Visit Visa for Business Visitors, Visit Visa for Sports
Study	Student Visa, Child Student Visa, Short-term Study Visa
Work	Global Talent Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, Global Business Mobility Visa, Temporary Worker Visa, Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
Family	Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiance Visa, Ancestry Visa, Dependant Visa, Family Reunion Visa, Parent of a Child Student Visa
Business	Start-up Visa, Innovator Visa, Scale-Up Visa, Sole Representative Visa, Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, Global Talent Visa, Skilled Worker Visa
Transit	Direct Airside Transit Visa, Visitor in Transit Visa

Visitor Visas

If you plan to visit the UK for a short period of time, then you will need a visitor visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months for leisure, business, or to receive private medical treatment.

There are several types of visitor visas, including:

Standard Visitor Visa – this is the most common type of visitor visa, and it’s intended for tourists and people visiting family or friends in the UK. With this visa, you can usually stay in the UK for up to six months.
Business Visitor Visa – for people who are visiting the UK for business-related purposes. You can use this visa to attend meetings, conferences, and other events related to your work.
Marriage Visitor Visa – if you are planning to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK. You can stay in the UK for up to six months with this visa.
Parent of a Child Student Visa – for parents of children who are studying in the UK under the Child Student visa system. It’s granted for the same period as the child’s visa or until the child is 12.

Work Visas

If you are planning to work in the UK, you will need a work visa. The type of work visa you need will depend on your profession and the duration of your stay.

Global Talent Visa – for people who are recognized as leaders or potential leaders in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, and the arts. You can stay in the UK for up to five years with this visa and it is a route to settlement.
Skilled Worker Visa – for people who have a job offer in the UK and meet the minimum skill level and English language requirements. You can stay in the UK for up to five years with this visa and it is a route to settlement.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa – for people who want to come to the UK for a short-term work assignment, such as charity work, creative work, or sports-related work. You will need to be sponsored by an employer or organization, and you can stay in the UK for a period of 6-24 months, depending on the type of work you will be doing.
Global Business Mobility Visa – for people who are being transferred to the UK by their employer. In most cases, you can stay in the UK for up to five years with this visa.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa – for young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from certain countries who want to work and travel in the UK for up to two years.

Student Visas

If you plan to study in the UK, you will need a student visa. The type of student visa you need will depend on your age and the type of course you will be studying.

Student Visa – for people over the age of 16 who are planning to study in the UK.
Child Student Visa: This visa is for children between the ages under 18 who are planning to study in the UK.
Short-Term Study Visa – for people who intend to come to the country for a short-term English language course.

Family Visas

If you have family members who are already living in the UK, you may be eligible for a family visa.

Spouse or Partner Visa – for people who are married to or in a civil partnership with someone who is already living in the UK permanently. You can stay in the UK for up to 30 months with this visa, which can be extended and this is a route to settlement.
Dependant Visa – allows the spouse, partner, or child of someone who is already in the UK on a work or student visa to join them.
Ancestry Visa is available to those who are Commonwealth citizens and can prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK.
Family Reunion Visa – for family members of refugees or people who have been granted asylum in the UK.
Unmarried Partner Visa is designed for individuals who have been in a relationship with a UK resident for at least two years, but who are not married or in a civil partnership.
Fiance Visa – for individuals who are engaged to be married to a UK resident and wish to enter the country for the purpose of getting married and settling in the UK.

Transit Visas

If you are travelling to another country and will be transiting through the UK, you may need a transit visa.

How can we help?

It’s important to choose the correct type of visa for your visit to the UK. Applying for the wrong visa can result in your application being rejected.

If you are looking for assistance with your UK visa application, the immigration lawyers at Sterling Law can help. Our experienced immigration lawyers can provide you with expert advice and guidance on the visa application process, including which type of visa to apply for, what documents you need to submit, and how to prepare for your visa interview.

We can also assist with preparing your visa application, reviewing your application before submission, and liaising with the UK Home Office on your behalf. Our goal is to help you obtain your visa as quickly and smoothly as possible, so you can focus on planning your trip to the UK.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers and learn more about how we can assist you with your UK visa application.