Types of UK Visa

Entering the UK with a UK visa is possible, and each applicant must apply for residency based on the type of visa. Obtaining a UK visa can be through study, work, investment, and so on. The names of the UK visas are TIER, which vary according to each method; in the following, the types of UK visa will be reviewed.

Introduction to types of UK visas:

• UK Study Visa
• UK Work Visa
• UK Visa by Investment
• UK Tourist Visa
• UK Talent Visa
• UK Medical Visa
• UK Family Visa

UK Study Visa

The UK Study Visa offers international students the opportunity to participate in accredited educational programs in the UK and gain a global educational experience. This visa is divided into two main categories: the student visa and the short-term student visa. The student visa is issued for long-term courses and requires admission from a recognized educational institution, proof of English language proficiency, and financial capability to cover tuition and living expenses.

On the other hand, the short-term student visa is valid for short-term courses and English language courses for up to 11 months and has fewer requirements. For both types of visas, applicants must complete online forms, pay the relevant fees, and provide necessary documentation.

UK Work Visa

To obtain a work visa in England under the title TIER 2, the applicant can apply for a UK visa with a work contract and a job offer from an employer in this country. For this purpose, the applicant must prove that they have a sponsor from the UK labor department and must have a work contract stating the start date of employment.

The applicant for the UK visa through work must apply for the TIER 2 visa three months prior to the start date. A person who successfully obtains a UK Work Visa can also obtain a visa for their family. The table below outlines the steps for the UK visa for working in this country:

UK Visa through Investment

The UK investment visa enables investors to achieve residency and engage in economic activities in the UK through significant investment in the country. To obtain an investment visa, applicants must invest at least £2 million in UK government securities or reputable companies and prove their financial capability to cover living expenses.

This visa is typically issued for 3 years and 4 months, and after 5 years, one can apply for permanent residency. Additionally, the innovation visa is offered to entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable business ideas approved by recognized organizations. This visa is issued for 3 years, and with evidence of success in business, one can apply for renewal or permanent residency.

UK Tourist Visa

The UK Tourist Visa, officially known as the “Visitor Visa,” allows individuals to travel to the UK for a short duration to enjoy tourist attractions, visit family and friends, or participate in cultural and business events.

This visa is usually issued for a period of up to 6 months, but there is also the possibility of obtaining long-term visas valid for multiple entries. Applicants must submit documents such as a valid passport, financial evidence to cover travel expenses, and documentation regarding the purpose of their travel.

• Financial Viability for the UK Tourist Visa

To obtain a UK tourist visa, applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to cover their travel and accommodation expenses during their stay in this country. Generally, for a short-term trip, applicants should have a minimum bank balance equivalent to £1,000 to £1,500 in their account. This amount is considered daily expenses and other travel costs. Additionally, applicants must provide documents such as bank statements, payslips, or other financial documentation with their application to prove they can cover their costs.

• Application Form for the UK Tourist Visa

Filling out the application form for the UK tourist visa (form VAF1A) requires precision and attention to detail. Applicants should first visit the official UK Immigration website and complete the online form. This form includes sections about personal information, travel details, financial status, and trip planning.

It is important that all information is entered accurately and correctly and that any questions or requests for additional information are answered carefully. After completing the form, applicants must pay the visa fee and schedule an appointment at the embassy for an interview and submission of necessary documents.

UK Global Talent Visa

The UK Global Talent Visa, known as the visa for short skills or specialized visa, is for individuals intending to work in the UK with special skills and expertise. This visa is granted to employees, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and other individuals with specific qualifications. To obtain a UK Global Talent Visa, you must meet specific conditions. Some of the main requirements for this visa include:

• Job application from an employer
• Have a certain skill level
• A bank account with sufficient funds to cover the initial costs of travel and accommodation in the UK
• Have a convincing reason for work and residence
• Health insurance coverage

UK Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is a type of residency or citizenship permit granted to individuals who make substantial investments in a country. This visa is typically awarded to individuals who invest in areas such as real estate, business establishment, or government bonds.

The Golden Visa is one of the popular methods for obtaining residency and eventually citizenship in European countries and some Asian and Middle Eastern countries. However, the UK is not one of the countries offering a Golden Visa. Countries with Golden Visas include Portugal, Hungary, Greece, the UAE, and more.

Conditions for Obtaining a Medical Visa in the UK

One of the types of UK visas is the medical visa, issued for individuals who, based on their specialist doctor’s discretion, require ongoing treatments in the UK. The duration of the medical visa is initially 6 months and can be extended to 11 months, allowing the holder to enter and exit the country multiple times. To obtain a UK medical visa, you need to meet specific conditions to proceed with this process.

• Absence of communicable diseases
• Provision of a medical advice letter
• Acceptance by a clinic or hospital in the UK

UK Family Visa

The UK family visa allows visiting close relatives or friends with UK permanent residency or citizenship. While it doesn’t grant access to Schengen countries, it permits travel within the UK, including Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Eligibility requires having first or second-degree family members or friends residing permanently in the UK.  The family visit visa for the UK is issued for the following purposes:

• You must show that you are married to a citizen or permanent resident of the UK or that you are in a long-term, stable relationship.
• If your child is under 18 years old and resides in the UK, you can request a family visa for parental care. To do this, you must prove that you are the sole guardian of your children or that your child currently has a guardian, and you want to help the current guardian care for your child. The initial validity of this visa is 2.5 years and is extendable.
• If your parents are residing in the UK, you can apply for a child family visa. To obtain a child family visa for the UK, you must be single and not living independently and must be able to prove that you are fully financially supported or have sufficient funds.
• This type of visa is for individuals who need care and want to join a family member residing in the UK. To do so, it must be proven that these individuals require daily care and that caring for them is not possible in their home country. The family must also have sufficient resources to care for them for at least 5 years without government support.

A UK visa through marriage is also obtainable, which can be done in two ways:

• UK Fiancé Visa
  A 6-month visa is a short-term visa that allows the holder of this visa to enter the UK and make preparations for their marriage.
• UK Marriage Visa
  This visa is given to a person whose spouse is present in the UK and must prove to the Immigration Department that this marriage is real and that he or she can provide for the living expenses of himself or herself and his or her spouse. He or she must also have a specific place of residence. If these are proven, a 3-year residence permit will be issued to him or her, and if the marriage continues, the residence will be extended and converted into permanent residence.

Conditions for Obtaining a UK Visa

To obtain a UK visa, the purpose of obtaining the visa must be clear. The conditions for a UK visa may vary depending on the type of visa you want to enter and immigrate to the UK. Therefore, it is important to initially clarify the method of immigration to the UK. Nevertheless, there are general conditions that are common to most methods. Here we have compiled the general conditions for obtaining a UK visa.

• Sufficient financial means
  Individuals must demonstrate that they are financially capable of covering living expenses in England. Additionally, the applicant’s bank account must show regular and sufficient financial activity over the past 3 to 6 months.
• Valid invitation
  If the applicant has an invitation from a close relative, friend, or acquaintance, this invitation must include the duration of stay, the dates of entry and exit, the applicant’s relationship with the inviter, and accommodation details in England.
• Applicant’s personal circumstances
  Factors like age, marital status, property ownership, employment status, and travel history to various countries play a significant role in assessing the visa application. Additionally, the UK embassy may review the provided documents for further verification.

Steps to Obtain a UK Visa

Note that the steps to obtain a UK visa may change depending on the type of visa and your nationality. However, in general, the steps to obtain a UK visa include:

Online UK Visa Form

The online application form for the UK visa, known as form VAF1A, is used for applying for the tourist visa (short-term visa). Applicants can fill out this form through the official UK government website. To access the online form and information related to the visa, you can visit the following website:

www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

On this website, you can select your desired visa type and follow the necessary steps to complete the application. Also, information related to required documents, fees, and processing times is available on this site.

Required Documents for a UK Visa

The conditions for obtaining a UK visa state that you must submit a series of documents to the UK embassy and obtain a UK embassy appointment. Note that you must apply for the UK visa type at least 3 months before your trip. Also, the required documents for the UK visa may vary depending on the type of visa. The necessary documents that need to be submitted to the UK embassy are as follows:

• First page of a passport with at least 6 months validity
• Completed form for requesting an embassy appointment
• Identification documents
• Health insurance
• Visa fee receipt
• Letter of financial means

How Much Is the UK Visa Fee?

Many applicants are looking to obtain a UK visa, and if all their documents are complete and after the application is completed, the UK visa will typically be issued in about 3 weeks, meaning the time needed to process the applicant’s case and announce the result of their UK visa application is less than a month. Below are the average costs associated with this.

Costs of Different UK Visas Based on Duration

Given that there are various types of UK visa, the conditions and costs of obtaining each differ. In the table below, you can see the costs of UK visas.

Reasons for UK Visa Rejection

Reasons for the rejection of the UK visa can vary and depend on the conditions and criteria of the visa. Some common reasons for UK visa rejection include:

1. Incomplete or incorrect information
2. Lack of required documents
3. Failure to complete the application process correctly
4. Having a criminal record
5. Lack of financial capacity
6. Overstaying the specified period on a previous trip
7. Lack of a clear reason and motive for the trip
8. Having a history of deportation

Addressing UK Visa Rejection

If your visa is rejected, you can take action to address the rejection. To address UK visa rejection, consider the following steps:

1. Re-application for a visa
2. Explanation for re-application for a visa and mention the reason for rejection and its date
3. Removal of all existing deficiencies and their review

Duration of Issuing UK Visa

The UK embassy has announced that the duration of issuing the UK visa is a maximum of 3 weeks, and applicants can receive the result of their UK visa application in less than a month. However, this time may vary depending on the number of applications, and reviewing documents and sending the response to the visa applicant’s request may take up to 6 months. Therefore, in general, the duration for issuing the UK visa takes from 1 to 6 months.

Sample UK Visa

Features of the UK Visa

• Visa Label: The visa is attached as a label on the passport page.
• Color: Typically, visas come in different colors depending on the type of visa.
• Personal Information: Includes the full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number of the visa holder.
• Type of Visa: The type of visa (tourist, study, work, etc.) is clearly stated.
• Issue and Expiry Dates: Dates indicating when the visa was issued and when it expires.
• Entry Conditions: May include specific conditions for entering the country.
• QR Code: Some visas have a QR code to facilitate information verification.
• Holder’s Photo: Usually, a small photo of the visa holder is included in the label.
• Security Hologram: Security holograms are present on the label to prevent forgery.

Specialized Lawyer in the UK Visa Process

UK visa applicants should note that obtaining a UK visa through any of the immigration methods requires that a specialized lawyer who is familiar with all international legal provisions handles your case.

Because a lawyer who has access to all updated laws can significantly reduce the chances of error and minimize the risk of UK visa rejection. Malekpour Institute has over 15 years of experience along with its expert consultants and collaborations with skilled local lawyers, which can assist you in all immigration cases, especially UK visas.

The duties and tasks of a specialized lawyer in the UK visa process include the following:

• Providing legal advice
• Assisting clients in preparing necessary documents
• Helping complete forms accurately and fully
• Representing the client in the face-to-face interview
• Providing documentation

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About UK Visa

• What is a UK multi visa?

A multi visa is one that allows multiple entries into the UK. Some visas are single-entry and can only be used once.

• Can I travel to the UK with a Schengen visa?

No. The UK is not a member of the Schengen area, and you must obtain a UK tourist visa to travel to this country.

• How long can I stay in the UK with a tourist visa?

The maximum time you can stay in the UK with a tourist or visitor visa is 6 months.

We have comprehensively reviewed the UK visa and its types. The UK visa can be obtained for educational, work, investment, tourist processes, and more. Since the UK has always attracted many individuals for immigration and also entertainment and considering that this country has exited the European Union and Schengen, it is recommended to consult a specialized lawyer before taking any action to avoid any issues with your case. If you have any questions or uncertainties regarding the UK visa, you can pose your questions at the end of this article or in the public Q&A section. Additionally, to review your conditions, you can contact the Malekpour Immigration Institute and receive a free consultation.