United Kingdom (GB)

The United Kingdom — comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy of 68 million people, and one of the world's leading economies, cultural powerhouses, and global cities.

Capital: London

Region: Europe

Language: English

Currency: GBP (£)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 78)

Emergency: 999

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for United Kingdom.

Visa-Free Access

British and Irish citizens have no restrictions. Citizens of many countries can visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months as Standard Visitors: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UAE, and over 60 other countries. EU/EEA citizens — who previously had free movement rights — lost these when Brexit took effect from 1 January 2021. EU/EEA citizens can still visit visa-free for up to 6 months but must apply for a visa to work or live in the UK. An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is being introduced for visa-free visitors — check gov.uk for the latest ETA requirements. Citizens of most other countries need a visa before arrival.

All UK immigration is managed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office. Apply via gov.uk — always use the official government website (not third-party agents charging fees for free services). The UK Points-Based Immigration System (introduced from January 2021) applies equally to all non-British/Irish nationals including EU/EEA citizens — Brexit removed free movement for EU/EEA citizens. The EU Settlement Scheme (for EU/EEA citizens who arrived before 31 December 2020) closed for most applications in June 2021 — late applications still processed in exceptional circumstances. Key costs: every visa requires the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1,035/year — a major upfront cost that surprises many applicants. The IHS is paid for the full visa duration at application stage. All immigration categories: see gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules.

Skilled Worker Visa

£819 (up to 3 years, outside UK) / £1,618 (over 3 years, outside UK) + Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year, paid upfront). Fees effective 8 April 2026.

Duration: Up to 5 years (then can apply for ILR). Can be extended.

Eligibility

Non-British/Irish nationals with a job offer from a UKVI-licenced sponsor in an eligible occupation (Skilled Occupation List). Must score 70 points.

Processing time

3–8 weeks (standard); priority processing available for additional fee.

Requirements

✓Job offer from UKVI-licenced sponsor (employer must have a sponsor licence)
✓Eligible occupation (Skilled Occupation List — check gov.uk)
✓Minimum salary: £41,700/year OR the going rate for the occupation (whichever is higher); new entrant discount reduces floor to £33,400/year (effective 22 July 2025)
✓English language: B1 level (e.g. IELTS 4.0) or exempt (national of qualifying country)
✓Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from employer
✓Valid passport
✓Sufficient personal savings for maintenance (unless exempted by salary level)

💡 The main route for most working expats. Points awarded for: job offer (20 pts), English language (10 pts), salary (20 pts), job on shortage occupation list (20 pts). Salary threshold significantly increased from April 2024 — many previously eligible roles now fail the threshold. Dependants (spouse/partner and children under 18) can apply on a Dependant visa. After 5 years on Skilled Worker visa, eligible to apply for ILR (£2,885 fee).

Graduate Visa

£937 (effective 8 April 2026)

Duration: 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates). Non-extendable.

Eligibility

International students who have successfully completed a UK degree (or above) from a licensed sponsor university.

Processing time

8 weeks (standard).

Requirements

✓Successfully completed a UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree
✓On a valid Student visa when applying
✓Sponsoring university must be a licensed visa sponsor
✓Degree must be from a UK institution (physically studied in the UK)

💡 No job offer required — free to work in any job at any salary level. Very popular route — allows new graduates to look for work in the UK. After Graduate visa, can switch to Skilled Worker or other routes. Does NOT count towards ILR 5-year qualifying period in the same way as Skilled Worker. Graduate visa cannot be extended. The government has considered restricting this visa — check current status.

Student Visa

£558 (effective 8 April 2026)

Duration: Duration of course + up to 6 months (for short courses) or up to 1 year beyond course end (for university-level).

Eligibility

Non-UK/Irish nationals accepted on a full-time course at a licensed UK educational institution (university, school, college).

Processing time

3–8 weeks.

Requirements

✓Unconditional offer from a UKVI-licenced educational institution
✓Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution
✓English language requirement (IELTS/UKVI IELTS, typically B2 for degree level)
✓Financial requirement: £1,334/month for London; £1,023/month elsewhere (funds must be held for 28 days)
✓Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for certain sensitive subjects
✓Parental consent if under 18
✓Valid passport
✓Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year)

💡 Work rights: up to 20 hours/week during term time; full-time during official vacation periods. Graduate Visa follows on completion. EU students studying in the UK since 2021 need this visa.

Global Talent Visa

£561 (endorsement fee, paid to endorsing body) + £205 (Home Office visa fee) = £766 total. Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year) additional. Fees effective 8 April 2026.

Duration: Up to 5 years (can be renewed). Can lead to ILR from 3 or 5 years.

Eligibility

Leaders or potential leaders in academia/research, arts and culture, or digital technology.

Processing time

5–8 weeks after endorsement (endorsement process itself: 3–8 weeks).

Requirements

✓Endorsement from an approved endorsing body (UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), The Royal Society, The British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Arts Council England, Tech Nation, or BFI)
✓Evidence of exceptional talent or promise (peer-reviewed publications, awards, exhibitions, funded projects, etc.)
✓Valid passport

💡 Highly prestigious route. No job offer required. Very flexible — can work for multiple employers, change jobs freely, set up a business. Accelerated ILR (3 years) for the most exceptional candidates. Pathway for senior academics, cultural figures, and tech leaders.

High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

High Potential Individual Visa

£937 + IHS (effective 8 April 2026)

Duration: 2 years (3 years for PhD). Non-extendable.

Eligibility

Graduates from top global universities (on the UKVI approved list of overseas universities) who graduated within the last 5 years.

Processing time

3–8 weeks.

Requirements

✓Degree from a qualifying overseas university (Global Universities list — approximately 50 universities worldwide)
✓Degree awarded within last 5 years
✓English language (B1)
✓Financial maintenance requirement
✓Valid passport

💡 Aimed at graduates of Ivy League, Oxbridge (if overseas equivalent), MIT, Stanford, NUS, ETH Zurich, etc. No job offer required. Can switch to Skilled Worker or other work routes. Does not lead directly to ILR — must switch to a qualifying visa.

Family Visa (Spouse/Partner)

Family Visa — Partner

£2,064 (from outside UK); £1,407 (extension inside UK) + IHS (effective 8 April 2026)

Duration: 2.5 years initially; then further 2.5 years; then ILR.

Eligibility

Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of a British citizen or settled person (with ILR).

Processing time

12–24 weeks (outside UK); 8–12 weeks (inside UK extension).

Requirements

✓Sponsor is a British citizen or settled person
✓Sponsor must earn at least £29,000/year (raised significantly from April 2024; threshold will rise further in stages)
✓Genuine relationship (marriage certificate, evidence of cohabitation/relationship)
✓English language: A1 (initial application), A2 (extension), B1 (ILR)
✓Adequate accommodation in UK
✓Valid passport

💡 The income threshold was raised from £18,600 to £29,000 from April 2024. As of June 2026, the Labour government has retained the £29,000 threshold while an independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review (June 2025) recommended reducing it to approximately £23,000–£25,000; no final government decision has been announced. Verify the current threshold at gov.uk before applying.

Innovator Founder Visa

£1,274 (outside UK) / £1,590 (inside UK, extension/switch) + IHS (effective 8 April 2026)

Duration: 3 years (renewable). Can lead to ILR after 3 years.

Eligibility

Experienced businesspeople wishing to set up an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK.

Processing time

3–8 weeks (after endorsement).

Requirements

✓Endorsement from an approved endorsing body (for the business idea)
✓Business plan must be innovative, viable, and scalable
✓No minimum investment required (unlike predecessor Investor visa)
✓English language (B2)
✓Financial maintenance (£1,270 in personal bank account)

💡 Replaced the Tier 1 Entrepreneur and Tier 1 Investor visas. The Innovator Founder requires genuine innovation assessed by an endorsing body. Suitable for tech founders, serial entrepreneurs, and investors building innovative UK businesses.

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

Indefinite Leave to Remain

£3,226 (effective 8 April 2026)

Duration: Permanent (does not expire). Can apply for citizenship after 1 further year.

Eligibility

Non-British/Irish nationals who have lived continuously in the UK for 5 years on an eligible visa (typically Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or similar).

Processing time

6 months (standard); priority 5 working days (£500 additional fee).

Requirements

✓5 years continuous UK residence on an eligible visa
✓No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period in the 5 years
✓Knowledge of English (B1 level or approved English language degree)
✓Knowledge of Life in the UK test (pass score: 75% of 24 questions)
✓No serious criminal record
✓Valid passport

💡 ILR grants the right to live and work permanently in the UK without restriction. Not the same as British citizenship but close to it. ILR is lost if you spend more than 2 consecutive years outside the UK. After ILR + 1 year (total 6 years residence for most routes), eligible to apply for British citizenship.

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