← All visa hubs 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Visa Hub — Visitor, Study, Work & Permanent Residence
The UK Home Office overhauled multiple visa categories between 2023 and 2024: salary thresholds for Skilled Worker rose to £38,700, the minimum income requirement for family visas jumped to £29,000 (and higher in staged increases), and the Electronic Travel Authorisation began rolling out worldwide. This hub reflects the rules currently in force.
Each section below documents what UKVI actually expects: not the marketing copy, but the bank-statement format, the going-rate calculation under SOC 2020, the 28-day funds rule, and the absence limits that quietly disqualify ILR applications. Always cross-check the latest fees and Immigration Rules on gov.uk before submission.
On this page
- Standard Visitor Visa
- Student Visa (Tier 4 successor)
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Global Talent Visa
- Family Visa (spouse/partner, parent, child)
- Settlement (ILR) and citizenship
- Photo requirements
- FAQ
Standard Visitor Visa
The UK Standard Visitor Visa covers tourism, family visits, short business activities and academic visits up to 6 months. Visa-required nationals must apply in advance; visa-nationals on the new ETA list (rolling out 2024–2026) need only an Electronic Travel Authorisation for stays up to 6 months.
Eligibility
- Genuine intention to leave the UK after the visit
- Sufficient funds to support yourself without working
- Maintenance and accommodation arranged
- Travel history that supports credibility
Required documents
- Online application + biometrics at VFS
- Passport + previous passports
- 6 months of bank statements
- Employment letter / business documents
- Travel itinerary and accommodation bookings
- Sponsor's invitation letter + their immigration status
Processing time: 3 weeks standard; 5 working days priority; 24-hour super-priority Cost: £127 (6-month standard); £475 (2-year); £848 (5-year); £963 (10-year) Real-world example. A Nigerian doctor visiting a conference in London submitted GMC registration, conference invitation letter, 6 months of GTBank statements showing £18,000 equivalent, hotel bookings and return tickets. Approved in 9 working days with priority service.
Common mistakes
- Last-minute large deposits without explanation
- Applying for a long-validity visa without supporting travel history
- Forgetting to declare prior UK refusals or other immigration history
Student Visa (Tier 4 successor)
The Student route replaced Tier 4 in 2020. It requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a Student Sponsor with a Track Record. Students aged 18+ can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during vacations.
Eligibility
- CAS from a licensed Student Sponsor
- Proof of funds: tuition + £1,334/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside) for up to 9 months
- English language proficiency (SELT or CAS-assessed)
- TB test for applicants from listed countries
Required documents
- CAS reference number
- Bank statements held for 28 consecutive days
- English test or degree-taught-in-English evidence
- ATAS certificate for sensitive subjects
- Parental consent if under 18
Processing time: 3 weeks outside UK; 8 weeks in UK Cost: £524 outside UK; £775 inside UK; IHS £776/year for students Real-world example. An Indonesian student starting a one-year Master's at UCL showed £13,348 living costs + £29,500 tuition (paid via DD), CAS, IELTS 7.0 and £1,500 ATAS-related letter. Visa issued in 14 working days.
Common mistakes
- Funds not held for the full 28-day period
- Statement dated more than 31 days before application
- Forgetting ATAS for STEM subjects requiring it
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker route is the UK's main professional work visa. It requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, an eligible occupation (SOC 2020 code on the Skilled Worker list), a salary meeting the going rate and the £38,700 general threshold (effective April 2024).
Eligibility
- Job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Salary at the higher of £38,700 or going rate (lower for new entrants, PhD-related, shortage occupations)
- English at CEFR B1
- Maintenance: £1,270 held for 28 days (waived if sponsor certifies)
Required documents
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number
- Job offer + salary evidence
- Tuberculosis test if applicable
- Criminal record certificate for certain roles (healthcare, teaching)
Processing time: 3 weeks outside UK; 8 weeks inside (priority available) Cost: £719–£1,500 visa fee + IHS £1,035/year + CoS £239 (employer-paid) Real-world example. A Brazilian software engineer accepted a London fintech role at £72,000. CoS issued same-day from the licensed sponsor, biometrics in São Paulo a week later, visa granted in 9 working days.
Common mistakes
- Salary just below the going rate for the SOC code
- Sponsor not on the Worker Sponsor Licence register
- Job duties not matching the SOC code descriptors
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent route is for leaders and emerging leaders in academia/research, digital technology, arts and culture. Applicants need an endorsement from a UK endorsing body (Tech Nation legacy, Royal Society, Arts Council England, etc.) — or qualify by prestigious prize without endorsement.
Eligibility
- Endorsement from an approved endorsing body, OR
- Win a listed prestigious prize (Turing Award, Oscar, Grammy, etc.)
- No salary threshold, no sponsor needed
Required documents
- Endorsement application evidence (CV, recommendation letters, project portfolio)
- Endorsement decision letter
- Visa application with endorsement reference
Processing time: Endorsement 3–8 weeks; visa 3 weeks outside UK after endorsement Cost: £766 total (endorsement + visa) + IHS £1,035/year Real-world example. A senior ML researcher with 12 published papers, 1,200+ citations and a DeepMind collaboration applied via the Royal Society digital technology stream. Endorsement granted in 5 weeks; visa stamped 14 days later.
Common mistakes
- Evidence focused on roles, not impact and recognition
- Choosing the wrong endorsing body for the field
Family Visa (spouse/partner, parent, child)
The Family route allows partners, children and parents of British citizens or settled persons to join them in the UK. The Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) rose to £29,000 in April 2024 and to £38,700 in stages — though transitional protection applies to existing applicants.
Eligibility
- Genuine and subsisting relationship
- Sponsor meets the MIR (or savings alternative of £88,500)
- Adequate accommodation
- English at A1 (initial) rising to A2 (extension) and B1 (settlement)
Required documents
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate or 2 years cohabitation evidence
- Sponsor's payslips (6 months) + employer letter + bank statements
- Accommodation evidence (deed/tenancy/utility bills)
- English test certificate
- TB test if applicable
Processing time: 12 weeks outside UK; 8 weeks inside (priority cuts to 30 days) Cost: £1,938 outside UK; IHS £1,035/year × 2.5 years upfront Real-world example. A Filipino spouse of a UK citizen working as an NHS nurse (earning £36,500) submitted 6 months of payslips, bank statements, marriage certificate, joint life-event photos and A1 English. Visa issued in 7 weeks.
Common mistakes
- Misunderstanding the new MIR rules and transitional protections
- Sponsor income just below threshold without using savings combination
- Insufficient relationship evidence post-marriage
Settlement (ILR) and citizenship
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is UK permanent residence, typically after 5 continuous years on a qualifying visa (Skilled Worker, Family, Global Talent) or 10 years long residence. British citizenship follows after 12 months as a settled person (or immediately as a spouse of a British citizen).
Eligibility
- 5 years continuous residence (most routes) or 10 years long residence
- Absences under 180 days in any rolling 12-month period
- Life in the UK Test passed
- English at B1
- No serious immigration breaches or criminality
Required documents
- Form SET(M) / SET(O) etc.
- Continuous-residence evidence (passport stamps, employer letters, council tax)
- Life in the UK + English certificates
- Updated police certificate if requested
Processing time: 6 months standard; 24 hours premium £500 extra Cost: £2,885 application + £19.20 biometrics + £50 Life in the UK test Real-world example. A Skilled Worker on a 5-year visa applied for ILR after 4 years 11 months, with absences of 142 days. SET(O) was approved via super-priority in 4 working days; British citizenship application followed 13 months later.
Common mistakes
- Exceeding 180-day absence limits in any 12 months
- Letting biometrics or BRP card expire mid-employment
- Forgetting that periods on visitor visas don't count toward ILR
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