Get a UK Visa
Do you need to get a visa to move to the UK, and, if so, which type? Read on for some starter's information about UK visas.
For the UK Border Agency there are two types of countries:
If your country belongs to the EU, congrats! The only thing that you need in order to cross the borders is your passport, if that (you can use an Identity Card, too, although the british people are not familiar with the concept and you might raise a few eyebrows at the airport)!
If your country does not belong to the EU, you are likely to need a visa. If you are not sure, take the UK visa test, which will give you extra information about what type of visa you can get, depending on your country of origin and reason for visiting the UK.
The new government is intent on putting the famous "cap" on immigration, making it more difficult for people outside the European Union to move to the UK. Do not despair: Although I have heard horror stories from people who have been trying to obtain a visa for years, I also know lots of people who have made it without significant difficulty. In any case, it is definitely worth giving it a try. Generally speaking, getting a UK visa is not so difficult as getting a visa for other countries, e.g. the US.The legislation about who is entitled to a UK visa has recently changed; there are five main types of visas you can obtain, depending on your visit purpose:
Information about different types of visas
This visa is also known as the tourist visa and will normally allow you to stay in the UK for 6 months. It is usually less difficult to obtain than other types of visa. It is ideal if you want to get an idea of what's life like in England and see if you like it. Some people come to the UK full of dreams, but what they find is not what they expected.
If you have been accepted by a university for a course, then they are considered as your sponsor.
If you wish to obtain a UK work visa, it really helps if you have a job offer from a UK employer first. However, there are exceptions to the rule, for instance for business people and investors. Another way to get a work visa is through the Youth Mobility Scheme for young people from Canada, New Zealand, Monaco, Australia and Japan which falls under this category and is for a limited amount of time.
This applies to people who have a partner or other close family in the UK.
If you are a citizen of the Commonwealth and one of your grandparents was born in the UK.
If you have been accepted by a university for a course, then they are considered as your sponsor.
If you wish to obtain a UK work visa, it really helps if you have a job offer from a UK employer first. However, there are exceptions to the rule, for instance for business people and investors. Another way to get a work visa is through the Youth Mobility Scheme for young people from Canada, New Zealand, Monaco, Australia and Japan which falls under this category and is for a limited amount of time.
This applies to people who have a partner or other close family in the UK.
If you are a citizen of the Commonwealth and one of your grandparents was born in the UK.
Any Tips?
There is no hard and fast rule about how to get a Visa and it is difficult to give tips in this area. Start with finding out as much as you can about what type of visa you are entitled to, contact the UK embassy in your country to get more information and start gathering the necessary documents. You might be also interested in consulting immigration services, such as GR Law (UK immigration, Leave to Remain and UK Visas). Good Luck!
