Choosing the best UK visa type depends on your nationality, plans, and length of stay. Planning to visit, work, study, or settle in the UK? Understanding visa requirements ensures a smooth process. So, how many UK visa types are there, and which one do you need? This Global Law guide will help you navigate the main UK visa types and their purposes.

Finding the best UK visa type for your needs

Below is a detailed breakdown of the main UK visa types and what you need to know about them:

1. Visit Visas

• Standard Visitor Visa: This visa is for those visiting the UK for tourism, business, or to visit family and friends. Visitors can stay for up to 6 months.

• Child Visitor Visa: Aimed at children under 18, this visa allows them to visit the UK for short-term stays, also for up to 6 months.

• Marriage Visitor Visa: For individuals who wish to visit the UK to get married or form a civil partnership, typically allowing a stay of up to 6 months.

• Transit Visa: This visa is for travelers passing through the UK en route to another destination. The stay is limited to 48 hours.

2. Work Visas

• Skilled Worker Visa: For individuals with a job offer in a skilled occupation. This visa allows stays of up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension.

• Health and Care Worker Visa: Designed for healthcare professionals with a job offer in the UK’s healthcare sector. It permits stays of up to 5 years, extendable.

• Global Talent Visa: This visa is for exceptional talent or potential leaders in fields such as science, engineering, arts, and technology. It allows for a stay of up to 5 years, which can be extended.

• Innovator Visa: For experienced entrepreneurs who are setting up an innovative and viable business in the UK. The visa is valid for up to 3 years, with an option to extend.

• Start-up Visa: This visa is for individuals looking to start a new business in the UK, and it lasts for up to 2 years. It cannot be extended, but you can switch to an Innovator Visa.

• Temporary Worker Visa: For those coming to the UK for short-term work in sectors like charity, creative industries, or religion. The stay is usually up to 12 months.

• Seasonal Worker Visa: For individuals doing agricultural work in the UK, typically for up to 6 months.

• Intra-company Transfer Visa: For employees of multinational companies transferring to a UK branch. This visa is valid for up to 5 years, with the option to extend.

3. Study Visas

• Student Visa: For those wishing to study in the UK for a full-time course at an eligible institution. The duration of the stay is based on the length of the course, typically lasting up to 5 years or more.

• Child Student Visa: For children aged 4-17 attending independent schools in the UK. The stay is based on the length of the course, which can last up to 6 years.

• Short-Term Study Visa: This visa is for individuals attending short English language or academic courses in the UK. The stay is typically up to 6 months (11 months for English language courses).

4. Family Visas

• Spouse or Partner Visa: For those married to or in a long-term relationship with a UK resident. The initial visa lasts for 2.5 years, with the option to extend for another 2.5 years, leading to permanent residency.

• Fiancé(e) Visa: For individuals intending to marry a UK resident. This visa lasts for up to 6 months.

• Parent Visa: For parents of children under 18 who are UK residents. The visa is typically valid for up to 2.5 years, extendable.

• Child Visa: For children under 18 coming to live with their UK-resident parents. The stay can last up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension until the child turns 18.

• Adult Dependent Relative Visa: For elderly or disabled relatives who require care from a family member in the UK. This visa typically lasts for 2.5 years and can be extended.

5. Settlement Visas

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): This provides permanent residency for those who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period. There is no time limit on stay once granted.

• EU Settlement Scheme: For EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens and their family members who were living in the UK before Brexit. The scheme offers permanent residency with no time limit.

6. Business and Investment Visas

• Investor Visa: For those willing to invest £2 million or more in UK businesses or government bonds. The visa allows a stay of up to 3 years, with the possibility of extension and eligibility for permanent residency after 5 years.

• Start-up Visa: For new entrepreneurs with a viable business idea. The visa is valid for up to 2 years, with the possibility to transition to an Innovator Visa.

• Representative of an Overseas Business Visa: For senior employees or sole representatives establishing a UK branch of an overseas business. This visa allows for a stay of up to 3 years, with the option to extend.

7. Refugee and Asylum Visas

• Asylum Seeker Visa: For individuals seeking protection from persecution. The length of stay is indefinite, depending on the asylum decision.

• Humanitarian Protection Visa: For those at risk of harm in their home country. This visa is typically granted for up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension.

8. Other visas

• Ancestry Visa: For Commonwealth citizens with UK-born grandparents. The visa is valid for up to 5 years, with the possibility of permanent residency.

• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: For young people (aged 18-30) from eligible countries, allowing temporary work and travel in the UK. The stay is usually up to 2 years.

• British National (Overseas) Visa: For Hong Kong residents holding BN(O) status. The visa is typically valid for up to 5 years, with the possibility of permanent residency.

9. Transit Visas

• Direct Airside Transit Visa: For passengers transiting through a UK airport without leaving the airport. The stay is usually up to 24 hours.

• Visitor in Transit Visa: For travelers passing through the UK by land or sea on their way to another destination. This visa allows for a stay of up to 48 hours.

How many UK visa types are there?

The UK offers over 20 visa types for different purposes, including Visit visas for tourism or business, Work visas for employment, Student visas for studying, and Family visas for joining relatives. Settlement visas allow permanent residence, while Business visas cater to entrepreneurs and investors. Refugee and asylum visas provide protection, and there are also visas for specific needs, like the Ancestry Visa and Youth Mobility Scheme Visa. Transit visas are for travelers passing through the UK. Each one has its own visa requirements based on the purpose of the visit.

A closer look at UK visa types

When applying for a UK visa, it’s important to choose the right one for your plans. If you're planning to join your spouse or partner in the UK, the UK Spouse Visa lets you live together in the UK.

For those who want to live in the UK permanently, the UK Settlement Visa allows you to stay long-term. Whether you're a partner, parent, or child of a UK resident, this visa lets you reunite and settle in the country.

If you're looking for a quick and easy online option, the UK E-Visa might be perfect for you. It's a simple way to visit the UK for tourism, business, or other short trips, as long as you're from an eligible country.

If you're a skilled worker but don’t have a sponsor, the Self Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa lets you apply independently. This visa is for people with the right skills who want to live and work in the UK without needing an employer’s sponsorship.

For those with an offer from the UK, the UK Sponsorship Visa lets you work in the UK. It’s a great option if you have a UK job and need a visa to live and work there.

Students planning to study in the UK will need a UK Student Visa. This visa allows you to study full-time at a UK university or college, as long as you meet the education and financial requirements.

If you just want to visit the UK for a short time, the UK Visit Visa is the way to go. It covers tourism, business, or visiting family, and can be valid for up to six months, depending on the purpose of your visit.

Lastly, if you're fleeing danger or need protection, the Asylum process lets you apply to stay in the UK. This visa is for those who are at risk in their home country and need safety in the UK.

Each of these visas serves a specific purpose, and knowing which one fits your needs is key to a successful UK visa application. Global Law is here to guide you through the process, ensuring you apply for the right visa.