If you would like to come to (or remain in) the UK to work, study or live, you will need to apply for a suitable visa. The type of visa you need will vary depending on your reasons for coming to the UK, the length of time you’d like to remain and other personal circumstances, and the process for applying for your visa may slightly vary depending on the type.
The application process may seem complex and overwhelming, however, it doesn’t have to be, if you take the time to understand the process, along with the evidence and documents you need, the process itself can be relatively straightforward.
Although it may be easier for you to hire a legal professional, this is not a requirement and it will cost you a little more to get your visa, which is why many people choose to make the application themselves. Here, we will help you to decide which visa you need and guide you through the process, from the application, through to appealing a denied visa.
Table of Contents
Choosing a visa
Before you start looking at different visa options, you should first consider whether you actually need a visa. Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit or travel through the UK, for example, if you’re an Irish citizen, you do not need a visa. If you’re unsure whether or not you need a visa, check the government website.
As we have mentioned, there are different visas available, which visa you need will depend on:
- Where you are from originally
- Your reason for coming to the UK
- The length of time you’d like to stay
- Your personal circumstances
- Your skills and experience
Remember, your visa application must be approved before you travel.
Visiting the UK
If you would like to visit the UK for up to 6 months, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, this will allow you to:
- Study a short course
- Holiday in the UK
- Visit family or friends
- Have a business meeting or trip
If you would like to visit the UK so that you can get married or register a civil partnership, you will need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa, instead of a Standard Visitor visa.
Travelling through the UK
If you are traveling through the UK to visit another country, you will need a visa, this includes layovers between flights. The type of visa you will need depends on whether you are going through border control.
- If you’re not going through border control you will need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa.
- If you are going through border control and will be leaving within 48 hours, you’ll need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa.
- If you are going through border control and are staying for longer than 48 hours, you’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
You won’t need to apply for a visa if you have:
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- a Home Office travel document (e.g. you’re a refugee or stateless person)
- a Standard Visitor visa
- a Marriage Visitor visa
Studying in the UK
The type of visa you need to study in the UK will depend on the course type, length and place you are studying:
- To study a short course lasting no longer than 6 months, you’ll need a Standard Visitor visa.
- For a course between 6 and 11 months, you’ll need a Short-term study visa.
- To study a longer course, you’ll need a Student visa, you must also be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work.
- For children between 4 and 17 years’ old wanting to study at an independent school, you will need a Child Student visa, this visa lets you do some work.
Working in the UK
If you want to work in the UK on a short-term or long-term basis, you will likely need a Work visa. The type of Work visa you would need depends on:
- your skills and qualifications
- if you have a job offer and/or sponsorship
- whether you’d like to bring your family with you
- what work you’ll be doing
Joining Family
If you have family, a spouse, or a partner you would like to join who has British citizenship or settlement, you can apply for a Family visa. After a certain amount of time you may be able to apply for an indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Your family members may be required to show they can support you financially. Other types of visa you may be able to apply for include:
- Family reunion visas for refugees for people who were separated from a partner or child when forced to leave their country. Or for your family members to join you if you have been given asylum or 5 years’ of humanitarian protection, but don’t have British citizenship.
- You can apply for a free EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK if you have a close family member who:
- was living in the UK before 31 December 2020
- has pre-settled or settled status
- you had a relationship with the UK before 31 December 2020 (unless you’re applying for a child who was born or adopted after this date)
Applying for a visa
Most visa applications can be completed online. If you have dependents who would also like to come to the UK, you’ll need to apply and pay for each person separately.
When can you apply?
The earliest you can apply is:
- 3 months before your planned travel date for visiting visas
- 3 months before your employment start date for most work visas
- 6 months before your course start date for Student and Child Student visas
How long does a decision take?
If you apply online you’ll usually get a faster decision, how quickly you’ll receive the decision will depend on the type of visa you have applied for, how you applied and where you’re applying from.
Fee
When you apply for a visa, you’ll need to pay a fee, the amount of the fee will depend on what visa you apply for. If you’re applying for a work or study visa, you’re applying to stay for longer than 6 months, or applying for permanent residence, you’ll also need to pay the healthcare surcharge.
Prove your identity
When you apply, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide documents to show your eligibility. To do this, you’ll either need to book an appointment at a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app. You will receive a document checklist in your application, this will tell you what to include with your application.
Appeal a decision
If your visa is denied you may be able to appeal the decision. The appeals process is long and complex, which is why it is a good idea to get the help of a legal specialist. An appeal needs to be submitted within 14 days of your rejection, or 28 days if you’re outside the UK. If your visa is refused you should receive a letter from the Home Office explaining why. If you believe the home Office made an error you can request an Administrative Review rather than appealing. The letter you receive should also include details on how to appeal.
