There are a number of ways for migrants and visitors to gain entrance into the UK, although restrictions, conditions and exceptions can apply to any of the designated visa types.
Basic types of visas for the UK:
- Tier one, once known as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, provides professional workers access to employment in the UK. A job offer is not required.
- Tier Two is generally the best for those highly skilled workers living outside the EU. These migrants require a job offer, but the process is relatively straightforward. These are for positions in which the UK has identified shortages.
- The Worker Registration visa applies to citizens of the Accession 8 countries that were added to the EU in May of 2004. Citizens of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia can receive a one-year visa. When their visa is up they can make an application for a residence card that will bring them in line with citizens of the other EU countries.
- Working Holiday visas allow students and non-students aged 17-30 (there are variations according to specific countries) to visit the UK and work to pay their vacation expenses.
- Business visas cover the many areas of commerce including sales, investments, entrepreneurial endeavours, and freelancers.
- Family visas exist for family members of British citizens or permanent residents, an the family of EEA Nationals, including spouses, fiancés/fiancées, unmarried partners, children and other dependent family members.
- The Partner visa is available for common-law couples who can verify that they have been together for two years and intend for their relationship to be permanent.
- The Fiancé visa will gain entry for someone engaged to a UK citizen or permanent resident. The incoming party cannot work during the six months duration of the Fiancé visa and must marry within that time. Once the marriage takes place, a marriage visa is then acquired and the party may seek employment.
- Student visas are offered to students who want to study full-time in the UK.
- Visitor visas are for vacationers, family members who want to visit, and others who desire short-term access.
- The Ancestry visa is for anyone from a Commonwealth country who can prove that a grandparent was a British National. This visa is for five years, after which the applicant might be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and British Nationality.
- There are numerous other types of visas that suffice when a situation is not covered by the more common visas above. Contact your local visa office to determine which visa would be best for you.