Benefits, Application Process, Documents and More

A UK visa is the authorizing document that gives worldwide citizens the right to enter, stay temporarily or live forever in the territory of the UK. A visa is usually either a stamp you receive in your passport or a document given by a UK consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
If you are issued a visa, it means that you are eligible to enter the UK and that you meet the requirements of the particular visa that you have been given. There are different reasons why people want to apply for a UK visa, such as:


  • To work and to do business
  • To study
  • For short stays and tourism
  • To join family members who are already in the UK
  • To transit through the UK to another country
  • To live permanently
  • As a refugee or as someone who needs humanitarian protection
  • As a stateless person
  • As someone who needs permission to stay

    • Types of UK Visa

    • UK Visitor Visa: A non-British person may enter, remain in, and transit the UK with this kind of visa. This visa is available to people going to the UK for leisure, business, medical treatment, meetings with family and friends, participation in sports, or other cultural activities.

    • UK Transit Visa: A UK Transit Visa allows a foreigner to transit through the international transit sections of UK airports. This visa is of two types, namely, the Visitor in Transit visa and UK Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV).

    • UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: This kind of visa is available to foreign citizens who have been invited by a UK-based organization or client due to their expertise in a particular subject. People who want to go independently to the UK to work for pay must apply for a UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.

    • UK Study Visa: If a non-British person wants to study in the UK, they can apply for a UK Study Visa. Both kids and adults who want to study for a short or long time at a UK school or institution can apply for this student visa for the UK. With this visa, students can do research as part of their course requirements.

    • UK Child Student Visa: Students under 18 who wish to attend a school or other educational facility in the UK must submit an application for a UK Study Visa. A child can apply for this visa if they are between the ages of 4 and 17. These visa holders may also work full- or part-time under certain circumstances. A UK child student visa's duration may be increased.

    • UK General Student Visa: Foreign people may apply for this type of visa if they want to take a long-term course in graduate or postgraduate study at a UK institution of higher learning. To be eligible to apply for this visa, candidates must be at least 16 years old and proficient in writing, reading, speaking, and understanding English. This Tier 4 visa may also be extended if the student's program is anticipated to last longer than six months.

    • UK Work Visa: This type of UK visa allows a non-British national to go to the UK to work in an organisation. Before applying for this visa, applicants need have a minimum of 945 pounds in their bank accounts for up to 90 days. Indian applicants must additionally pay a healthcare fee to acquire a UK Work Visa. A worker’s dependent family members can apply for this type of visa provided each of them possesses at least 630 pounds at the time of application. The various types of UK Work Visas are as follows:

      • 1. UK Short-term Work Visa: This type of visa allows an individual to work in the UK for a short duration. It is a Tier five UK visa for temporary workers and contains the following categories: Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, Seasonal Worker Visa, Creative and Sporting Visa, Religious Worker Visa, International Agreement Visa, Charity Worker Visa, and Government Authorized Exchange Visa.

      2. UK Long-term Work Visa: Holders of this visa can stay in the UK for a long duration. It is a Tier two visa that the UK grants to foreign individuals who wish to work in the country. General Work Visa, Intra-company Transfer Visa, Sportsperson Visa, and Minister of Religion Visa are included in this type of visa.

      3. UK Investor, Business Development, and Talent Visa: Foreigners who want to operate, establish, or invest in a company/business in the UK can apply for this type of visa. Investor Visitor, Exceptional Talent Visa, Innovator Visa, and Start-up Visa come under this type of visa.

      Other types of work visas include Representative of an Overseas Business Visa, Exempt Vignette, Ancestry Visa, and Domestic Workers in a Private Household Visa.

      UK Standard Visitor Visa: Individuals going for vacation, business, to obtain medical treatment, or to attend cultural or sports events should apply for this type of visit visa.

      UK Family Visa: Non-British nationals should apply for this kind of visa if they want to live in the UK with family members who have been there longer than six months. Family members can include a partner, spouse, parents, children, fiancé or fiancée, or a relative who need long-term care. You must pay a health fee when you apply for this UK visa.

      UK Marriage Visitor Visa: People who want to get married or register a civil partnership should apply for this kind of visa. A person may also apply for this visa if they intend to give a marriage or civil partnership notice. After getting married or entering a civil partnership, the holders of this UK visa are not allowed to stay there permanently.

    Documents Required for Various UK Visas

    The following is the list of documents required for specific UK visas:

    UK Standard Visitor Visa:
    • - For a non-Indian applicant living in India, residential address proof
    • - Financial documents
    • - Valid passports
    • - If applicable, submit previously issued passports
    • - Employment and academic details of the applicant
    • - Financial document of the sponsor
    • - For a self-employed applicant, submits documents related to registered business
    • - Proof of business trip, such as letter and documents from the UK business owner
    UK Study Visa:
    • - Tuberculosis test report
    • - Current valid passport
    • - Financial stability evidence
    • - Certificate of English proficiency
    • - Documents for UK accommodation
    • - Documents supporting the education history of the applicant
    • - For the sponsor’s financial status and occupation, submit document evidence
    • - For a minor applicant, consent letter of legal guardian or parent
    UK Work Visa:
    • - Report of criminal conviction, if applicable
    • - Proof of financial stability
    • - Current valid passport
    • - Credential of applicant’s sponsorship certificate
    • - Previously issued certificate
    • - Certificate of English proficiency