What are the categories of visas and their purposes offered by the UK government?

Category	Purpose
TIER 1	For: -Investors -Business-man -Highly-skilled workers -Graduates -Entrepreneurs -A person with exceptional talent in the field of Science and Art. -A person who invests financially in charity or organization in the UK.
TIER 2	For: -Skilled workers who wish to enter the UK to take up employment. -Elite sportspeople and coaches. -The person who has been offered for high-skilled job and experience.
TIER 3	For: -Low-skilled workers or unskilled-workers. -A person with temporary and short time period labors. Note: it’s currently suspended.
TIER 4	It is also called students visa. If you are over 16 yrs and want to precede your study in UK, then you can go for such sort of category.
TIER 5	It is also called a ‘Temporary Worker – Government Authorized Exchange’ visa. This sort of visa is for: -Temporary-workers -Entertainers -Athletes -Charity-workers.

What are the types of visas in the UK?

There are myriad of reasons behind people choosing UK visa for various purpose that suits them. Owing to this fact, the concerned authorities of United Kingdom have an organized visa system based on the purpose of commuter under multiple visa types:

Here are the UK visa types:

• Work Visas.
• Business Visas.
• Study Visas.
• Visitor Visas.
• Family Visas.
• Settlement Visas.

Work Visas:

This is the type of visa in which an individual can work in the UK legally. The UK has a points-based system that controls the flow of workers going into the country. it is possible to obtain a work visa depends on your profession, your nationality, and other factors.

NOTE: EU citizens can live and work freely in the UK.

UK work visas are sorted into various TIERS depending on the type of work an applicant wishes to carry out in the UK. These are given as follows:

Investor (Tier 1):	The application process is based on certain eligibility factors which determine the approval or rejection of the visa application. You can initiate the application process 3 months prior to the intended date of travel. This visa allows the holder a maximum stay of 3 years and 4 months and it also offers you to settle here if your investment is £5 million. However, if the investment is £10 million or above, the investor can apply to settle after two years. Visa application fee: £1,561 Eligibility factors:  -The applicant must be 18 years or above when applying for the visa.  -Investment fund of at £2,000,000, you can invest so-called in the UK without any issues. Required documents: -Valid passport  -Criminal Record Certificate -Tuberculosis test results -certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh.
Entrepreneur  (Tier 1):	Applicants from outside the EEA and Switzerland who wish to set up or run a business in the UK with £50,000 or more can apply for the UK Entrepreneur Tier 1 Work Visa. You can apply for the visa prior to 3 months from the intended travel date. Visa application fee: depends on the applicant’s nationality and the mode of application Eligibility factors: -Applicant must be at least 16 years of age. -An investment fund must be free to spend in the UK -Applicant must have investment funds of £50,000 or more -English language proficiency test score. Required documents: -Valid passport -Criminal Record Certificate -Tuberculosis test results -Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh. -Proof of investment funds -Any additional documents required during the application process.
Graduate Entrepreneur (Tier 1)	The applicants who are graduates from outside the EEA and Switzerland can apply for this visa. This allows the applicant to stay in the UK for one year while it can also be extended or switched. Visa application fee: depends on the applicant’s nationality and the mode of application Eligibility factors: -Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD -English language proficiency test score. Required documents: -Letter of endorsement -Criminal Record Certificate -Tuberculosis test results -Valid passport -Any additional documents required during the application process. -Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh.
Exceptional Talent (Tier 1):	This is for those who are recognized as leaders within their fields of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, or the arts. Applicants from outside the UK can expect a maximum stay of 5 years and 4 months while the applicant from inside the UK is eligible for a stay up to 5 years. Visa application fee: need to pay for the UK healthcare surcharge based on the duration of stay. Eligibility factors: -English language proficiency test score. -Endorsement letter -Visa fee Required documents: –Letter of endorsement -Criminal Record Certificate -Tuberculosis test results -Valid passport -Any additional documents required during the application process –Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh. -Proof of sufficient funds
Intra-company Transfers (Tier 2):	If the candidate has been offered a job in a UK branch of a firm and is from outside the EEA and Switzerland, the Intra-company Transfers Visa will help the applicant in securing a UK Visa. There are three types of Intra-company Transfers Long-term Staff, Short-term Staff, and Graduate trainees, etc. Visa application fee: depends on the applicant’s nationality and the mode of application Eligibility factors: -Visa fee -The applicant has been offered a skilled job in the UK -A Certificate of Sponsorship from the employer -Minimal salary of £41,500 (Long-term Staff) -£30,000 (Short-term Staff) -£23,000 (Graduate Trainee) -Applicant must be legally allowed to work in the UK   Required documents: -Criminal Record Certificate -Tuberculosis test results -Valid passport -Any additional documents required during the application process. -Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh. -Certificate of Sponsorship -Proof of sufficient funds
Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5):	For young people aged between 18-30 from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Monaco who wish to work and live in the UK for up to two years, are eligible to apply for the UK Visa under the Youth Mobility Scheme. You can enter and leave the UK as many times as long as the visa is valid. The individual can live and work in the UK for up to a maximum of 24 months. Eligibility factors: In order to be eligible for the application, the applicant must be from the above-mentioned countries. Visa application fee: £235 and the applicants can expect to hear a decision within 3 weeks. Required documents: -A Valid passport -Any additional documents required during the application process. -Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh. -Certificate of Sponsorship -Proof of sufficient funds.
Creative and Sporting Visas (Tier 5):	This is for the elite sportspeople or coaches who have been endorsed by their sport’s governing body. The applicant must be from outside the EEA, Switzerland, Ireland, and meet the other eligibility criteria as specified in the application. Applications from creative artists such as actors, dancers, film crew, musicians, etc. are accepted from applicants if they have a Certificate of Sponsorship. You can initiate the application prior to three months from the date of planned travel. Eligibility Factors For Creative workers – Certificate of Sponsorship -Sufficient funds -Unique contribution to the UK labor market -Specified minimum salary   For Sports Person – Certificate of Sponsorship -Sufficient funds   Required documents: -Certificate of Sponsorship -Proof of sufficient funds -A passport or any other valid travel document -Letter of Endorsement -Tuberculosis test result –Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh. -Any additional documents required during the application process.
Charity Worker (Tier 5):	Candidates who wish to visit the UK for unpaid voluntary work for a charity are required to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer. This visa allows the holder to visit the UK for a maximum of 12 months depending on the nature of travel and the category of the visa. The application process takes 3 weeks and it can be initiated 3 months prior to the intended date of travel. The Visa application fee depends on the nationality of the applicant and the mode of application. Eligibil ity factors: -Certificate of Sponsorship -Sufficient funds -Visa fee payment  -UK healthcare surcharge.   Required documents: -Valid passport -Any additional documents required during the application process. -Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh. -Proof of sufficient funds

Business Visas:

Citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman can travel to the UK for business by applying for the Electronic Visa Waiver. Business commuters on a visitor visa are not able to carry out paid or unpaid work or take part in any of the business-related activities. A Business Visitor visa lasts for up to 6 months, or up to 1 year for academic visitors, but you can apply to extend your visa if the total time spent in the UK is less than 6 months.

Business visa cost:

• 1 year – £324
• 2 years – £324
• 5 years – £588
• 10 years – £737

Eligibility factors: To qualify for a Business Visitor visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Reside outside the EEA or Switzerland
• Your age must be at least 18 years old
• Receive a salary from abroad and be able to support yourself for the duration of your visit
• Not be in transit to another country, with the exception of Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

Required documents:

• A valid passport
• A passport size color photograph
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your trip. This may include your tripping expenses.
• Your itinerary of the trip.
• Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Study Visas:

This is the type of visa in which an individual wish to enroll in a college or university for study purposes can apply this visa. It is basically categorized as two:

1. Student Visa: Applicants over the age of 16 who are offered a place on a course in the UK can apply for the Student Visa. Moreover, they must be from outside the EEA (European Economic Area) countries and Switzerland in order to be eligible for the application. Under this visa, the applicant can initiate the application process as early as 3 months prior to the intended date of travel. The duration of this visa can be the varying person to person and program to program.

Visa fees: £335

Eligibility Factors:

• Sufficient funds to support the travel and stay expenses
• Offer letter
• English language proficiency test score.
• Visa fee payment, UK healthcare surcharge, etc.

Required documents:

• Proof of offer letter from the institute.
• A passport or any other valid travel document
• Tuberculosis test result
• Letter of consent from parents or guardians (if the candidate is minor or under 18)
• Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh.
• Proof of sufficient funds (not applicable for fully sponsored applicants)
• Any additional documents required during the application process.
• Criminal record certificate.

2. Doctoral Extension Scheme: To be eligible for the Doctoral Extension Scheme (DES), the candidate is required to meet the following criteria:

• Studying PhD or any other doctorate level qualification
• Sufficient funds to support the travel and stay expenses
• Applying from within the UK
• Apply for the visa before 60 days of completing the course

Required documents:

• A valid passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable)
• passport-sized photographs
• Any additional documents required during the application process.

Visitor Visas:

This is the type of visa in which an individual can only visit the UK as a tourist. Such a sort of visa is for a temporary basis. A visitor visa cannot be used to do paid or unpaid work. Travelers can apply for a visitor visa no earlier than three months before they travel. The visa allows the holder to stay in the UK for up to 6 months while it can be extended to 11 months for medical treatment and 12 months for research during an academic sabbatical. You can only apply for this visa if you have the following range of reasons:

• Recreational purposes:  If candidate wants to visit UK for going on holiday or visiting family and friends than this suits you the best.
• Business purposes: You can apply this visa if you have a conference or meeting in UK.
• Medical treatment: If you have any appointment regarding your surgery or any other private medical treatment then apply for this visa.  
• Pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
• Marriage: If you wants to Convert your civil partnership into a marriage
• Occasions: To participate in sports or a creative event an individual can opt for so.

Cost:

1. The Standard Visa: £89
2. 11 months extension (under medical treatment):  £179
3. 12 months extension (under research):  £179
4. Visitor Visa (under long-term category):
   • £337 for 2 years
   • £612 for 5 years,
   • £767 for 10 years

Eligibility Factors:

• The candidate must leave the UK at the end of the trip
• Sufficient funds to show to support their stay, travel, and other tripping expenses in the UK. (for the dependants, if any).
• Visa fee.
•  Your itinerary of the trip.

Required documents:

• A passport 
• Proof of sufficient funds 
• Letter of consent from parents or guardians (if the candidate is minor or under 18)
• Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh.
• Any additional documents required during the application process.

Family Visas:

There are myriads of UK family visa categories you may get depending which are your personal circumstances and your relationship with the sponsoring UK resident. These types of visas are a category of UK entry and residence authorizations that are issued to those applicants who want to establish a permanent family life with their UK native family members. You can get a UK family visa as:

• Spouse or partner
• Parent.
• Child
• Sickened, disabled, or aged relative in need of long-term care from a UK resident.
• Widowed partner
• Separated spouse

Spouse or partner: Your relationship with your partner must be a marriage, a durable relationship, or a civil partnership.

Parent Visa: This Visa is issued to those parents of British citizens or settled persons that have spent at least 7 continuous years in the UK. To qualify for this visa the child must be a minor or younger than 18 or must have been that age when you’ve first applied for the UK family visa.

Child Visa: This visa is issued to the children of those people who are settled in the UK.

Sickened, disabled or aged relative in need for long-term care from a UK resident: This is the Visa for adults in need of care by a family member, issued for the purpose of taking long-term care due to some disability or a medical condition, or who has reached the old age. The person that needs this type of care has to be an adult of age 18 or older.

Widowed partner: Dependents of an expired partner visa is issued to those people who want to permanently live in the UK, as a former spouse/ partner in a durable relationship, of a deceased citizen in the UK.

Separated spouse: Separated or divorced dependent partner visa is issued for the purpose of remaining permanently if your relationship has broken down due of domestic violence with your partner.

Required documents:

• A passport 
• Previous passports
• Proof of relationship to a family member who you are joining
• Proof of sufficient funds 
• Certified translated documents that are not in English or Welsh.
• Any additional documents required during the application process.
• English language proficiency test score.
• Tuberculosis test result

Visa costs:

• Joining your partner, parent or child= £1195
• Adult who needs to be looked after by a relative= £2676
• UK Family Visa extension (online or by post) = £811
• UK Family Visa extension (premium service) = £1311

Settlement Visas:

It is the type of visa that you can apply for if you want to live, work and study in the UK permanently with almost no future restrictions. Applying for permanent settlement can be complex but better guidance can make you feel distressed. There are nearly no restrictions in such type visa as these visas are commonly sought by anyone who has held a previous long-term visa of long continuous residence. If you have been legally living in the UK for 10 years or more, you may be eligible to apply for your UK settlement visa.

Eligibility Factors:

• You must be 18 or over
• You must be of good character
• You will continue to live in the UK.
• You have to meet the knowledge of English and Life in the UK requirements
• You have to meet the residency requirement

Required documents:

• Your date of birth.
• Your current passport or other valid travel ID.
• Copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports.
• A copy of your biometric residence permits, if you have one.
• Details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made.
• Two UK passport size color photographs of the applicant.
• Original marriage certificate if you are married.
• A copy of the national identity card of the applicant.
• A certified translation of the applicant’s birth certificate if it is not in English.
• Original tuberculosis certificate if required.
• Applicant’s supporting letter.
• Any other document that may support your application.
• Contact details and credentials of the translator.

What are the overall Required Documents for UK Visa?

You should submit the following documents to apply for a UK visa:

• UK visa application form:
• Passport photos: Passport size photos are required that must be identical and taken within the last 6 months old and colored.
• Your Valid Passport: It must be valid for three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip. It must also have at least one blank page for the visa.
• Financial status: You have to prove the financial means to cover the living expenses while you visit the UK for any purpose. You may show your bank statements for the last 6 months or payslips for the same period.
• Proof of accommodation. A document through which you can prove that where you will be staying during your trip in the UK, i.e. A hotel booking or any accommodation, etc.
• Detailed travel guidebook: The candidate has to submit a travel plan that reveals all the information regarding the trip to the UK. This itinerary may include how and what you are planning to do in the UK, the travel dates, places you will visit, meeting agenda, booked tour, festival agenda, etc.
• Travel Health Insurance: Prior to your application, you have to obtain travel health insurance. In order to be eligible for a UK Visa, you will need to submit the requests for a Tuberculosis Test.
• Biometric information: Biometric is done in case when you will have to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. This includes giving your fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at the appropriate application center.
• UK visa invitation: If you are going to stay with a friend or a family member, then you should submit a letter of invitation from the person who is inviting you. Moreover, he/she must be a UK national or a legal resident.
• Visa fee: This receipt will confirm that you have paid the visa fee as per the visa requirements you have opted for.

What are the Additional Requirements according to Your Employment Status?

You will need to submit extra documents according to your working status, as follows:

• If candidate is employed: You must have a letter from your employer. As, this letter confirm your position at work, your salary and the length of employment.
•  If candidate is self-employed: You must have a Business registration documents. As, this confirm the business owner’s name and the date the business started trading.
•  If candidate is a student: You need a letter from your education provider which indicates the enrolment and leave of absence of the candidate.

What are the Additional Requirements for the minor Applicants?

Minor applicants (under the age of 18) shall submit some additional documents. These documents are given below:

• Birth certificate of the applicant or the minor candidate.  
• Adoption papers (if applicable).
• Family court order (if applicable): In the case, where only one parent has full custody over the child.
• ID proof: This could be the certified copies of the ID/passport of both parents.
• Parental authorization form: A notarized parental authorization form to travel to Germany, signed by both parents/guardians if the minor will be traveling alone.

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