The United Kingdom has a lot to offer its citizens and visitors, which makes it an extremely popular destination for travelers and immigrants alike. Before you apply for your visa, however, it’s important to understand how the system works and which type of visa is right for you and your situation. Here are some details on the different types of UK visas available, as well as information on applying.
The UK has a number of visa types designed to help international visitors come to the country and experience its rich culture, history, and everything else it has to offer. Before applying for any UK visas, you should make sure you know which one is right for you and your specific plans for visiting the country. Here’s some information on some of the more common UK visa types that may be right for you if you’re planning a trip to the UK.
Who Needs a UK Visa?
Those who want to visit or work in the UK must first apply for a UK visa if one isn’t already provided by their country of citizenship. The requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your reason for travel. For example, citizens of Australia are able to enter as a part of their Commonwealth status, while residents of Hong Kong require clearance from their local British consulate.
There are several types of UK visas based on residence status: tourist visas, study visas, work visas (including working holiday visas), family settlement visas, and business entrepreneur migrants’ visas. Most travelers will need one type over another depending on where they are going and how long they plan to stay.
How to Apply for a UK Visa?
The first step to obtaining a UK visa is to contact your local British Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate. You’ll need to make an appointment ahead of time, which can take some time because you’ll be competing with other applicants.
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After your interview, you’ll get a decision on whether you’re eligible for a visa within two weeks. If all goes well, you’ll receive your UK visa in six weeks. Keep Reading…
When Should I Apply for a UK Visa?
UK visas should be obtained before traveling to the UK. If you’re traveling from a country in Europe, Africa, or Asia, apply at least three months in advance of your trip. Applications received less than three months in advance will most likely take longer to process than if you applied earlier. To save money on travel and lodging expenses, apply for your visa as early as possible.
Apply six months or more ahead of time if you are applying from North America or South America—it can take two to four weeks to get an appointment with a visa application center; that’s a lot of wasted vacation days! Be sure to book your airline tickets well in advance so they don’t expire while you wait for a decision on your application.
What are the Required Documents for UK Visa?
The documents required to apply for a UK visa depend on your nationality. For example, US passport holders will need a valid passport and completed visa application form, as well as two identical photos of themselves. Chinese nationals must complete all sections of their UK visa application in both English and Chinese.
European citizens don’t need to provide photos if they are aged 18 or older (so long as their biometric chip is embedded in their passport) but must provide proof of travel insurance with at least $50,000 in coverage unless exempted from doing so by law.
What is the Points-Based System (PBS)?
The Points-Based System (PBS) allocates visas based on your skills, qualifications, age, family circumstances, and English language ability.
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In some cases it could be a stand-alone route to settlement; in others, it can lead to a visa that leads to settlement. It’s a very flexible system with options for employment, study, or self-employment. Keep reading…
UK Visa Types
Here are the UK visa types:
- Work Visas.
- Business Visas.
- Study Visas.
- Visitor Visas.
- Family Visas.
- Refuge or Settlement Visas.
- Transit Visas.
UK Residence Permits
There are multiple types of UK residence permits: permanent, temporary (including work, study, marriage), and family members of EEA nationals. Each permit has its own requirements and privileges, so be sure to check which one is right for you. Here’s a breakdown of each permit type.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
The UK Settlement permit also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, is for those who have been living in the UK for a long period with a temporary visa, and now want to receive a permanent one. The visa applies to people who have lived out of the UK for at least 2 years and now want to return, or their passport was lost.
Foreigners who already live in the UK with e refugee or humanitarian status and want to settle there permanently or for a family reunions. Most of these visas condition the applicant to have lived minimum of 5 years in the United Kingdom.
EEA Residence Permits
EEA Residence Permits:
- EEA Residence Card
- UK Registration Certificate – EEA (QP)
- UK Permanent Residence Card – EEA (PR)
- EEA family permit related to the derivative right of residence
- EEA family permit related to the Surinder Singh
- EEA family permit related to retained rights of residence
- Certificate of entitlement for the right to abode in the UK
Other Residence Permits
UK Residence permits serve to gain temporary residence in the UK.
Categories
- Returning Resident Visa
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Residence Permit for Commonwealth Citizens
- Settlement visa as a Refugee or for Humanitarian Protection
Can I Get a UK Visa If I Have a Criminal Record?
If you’ve ever had a run-in with law enforcement (civil or criminal), whether it was a minor traffic violation or a criminal charge, you might wonder if your record will bar you from getting a UK visa. Rest assured, there are many paths to obtaining UK entry clearance as long as you’re eligible in other ways—and even if you do have an arrest or conviction on your record, your chances of receiving a UK visa may not be entirely out of reach.
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Whether or not your arrest or conviction matters depends on which type of visa you’re applying for; while some types allow people with criminal records to enter and remain in Britain, others may require that applicants never been convicted of any offense whatsoever.
Do I Need to Register With the Police?
If you’re coming to Britain to work, study or join your family, it’s very likely that you’ll need a visa. If so, do you also need to register with your local police station in Britain? The short answer is that you only need to register if your visa allows you to stay longer than 6 months.
In most cases, when applying for a UK visa, applicants are not permitted to stay in Britain longer than 6 months. As such, registering with local authorities will have no benefit during your time in Britain. However, there are some circumstances where someone would need a visa that allows them to stay longer in Britain.
Can I Travel Abroad While I Am in the UK With a Valid Visa?
If you are in possession of a valid visa, you may still travel abroad while in the UK. When leaving Britain to go abroad, however, travelers will be required to produce documentation showing that they have a valid visa before being allowed to return. Although there are no specific rules regarding how much time can be spent outside of Britain with a valid visa as long as it is granted by a specified date, officials typically ask that visitors return within six months if they don’t plan on reapplying.
Because visas can be difficult and expensive to acquire, individuals who plan on leaving and returning often choose not to renew their current visa but instead apply for one that allows multiple entries into Britain. This helps avoid having to acquire new documents each time individual leaves.
Traveling to Europe
As a tourist, you can visit Europe as often as you like. There are several types of tourist visas, which let you stay in different countries for varying amounts of time. Some visas require that you have an invitation from a hotel or host; others allow travel anywhere within a country. With careful planning, most people can use tourist visas to live in Europe.
Traveling to the USA
If you have recently applied for a UK visa or are an existing holder of a valid UK visa, you might be wondering if it is possible to visit the USA from the UK with a UK visa. The answer to that question depends on what type of UK visa you hold.
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If you want to travel to the USA using your UK visa, then most likely your UK visa will allow entry into the USA as well as other countries in Europe as well. If that’s not your aim then there are various types of visas available for those who wish to travel only within Europe under one single visa.
Conclusion
If you are looking to live in the UK, it’s likely that you will need to obtain a visa. The UK has various visa types, and there are several options available depending on your circumstances and plans for the country. There are also different kinds of UK visas, so be sure to check out the details on each type before applying.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the most popular options as well as helpful tips on how to apply. We’ll do our best to answer your questions. For more information visit POPTALKZ.COM Good luck!
