UK IMMIGRATION

The Skilled Worker visa allows foreign nationals to come to the UK to work for an approved employer in an eligible skilled job.

Key Requirements:

• Job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office
• Job must be on the Skilled Occupations List
• Minimum salary requirement:
• £26,200/year or £10.75/hour (varies by job and experience)
• English language proficiency (CEFR level B1)

Validity & Extension:

• Initially granted for up to 5 years
• Can be renewed or lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years

Family Inclusion:

• You can bring dependents (spouse/partner and children)

The Tier 5 visa is a temporary work visa for foreign nationals who wish to work in the UK for a short-term period in specific sectors. It is not a route to settlement (permanent residency), but it allows legal employment in the UK for up to 24 months depending on the subcategory.

Main Categories of the Tier 5 Visa:

1. Charity Worker Visa

2. For unpaid voluntary work at a registered UK charity.

Duration: Up to 12 months.

Must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.

2. Creative and Sporting Worker Visa

For individuals in creative roles (e.g., actors, musicians, dancers) or elite sportspeople and coaches.

Duration: Up to 12 months, extendable in some cases.

Requires a licensed sponsor and approval from the relevant governing body (for sports).

3. Religious Worker Visa

For people doing non-pastoral religious work, such as preaching or working in a religious order.

Duration: Up to 24 months.

Sponsorship required from a licensed religious organization.

4. Government Authorized Exchange (GAE) Visa

For individuals coming under an approved exchange program, such as internships, research, or training.

Duration: 12 to 24 months (depending on the scheme).

Sponsorship must be through a UK government-authorized program.

5. International Agreement Worker Visa

For those working under international law, such as employees of foreign governments or embassies, or under trade agreements.

Duration: Up to 2 years, or less depending on the contract.

6. Seasonal Worker Visa

For temporary agricultural work (e.g., fruit/vegetable picking).

Duration: Up to 6 months.

Must have a job offer from an approved scheme operator.

 Key Eligibility Criteria (General Requirements):

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor.

Funds requirement: You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account (unless your sponsor covers this).

English language is not usually required for Tier 5 visas.

Application must usually be made from outside the UK.

Application Process:

Get a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor.

Apply for the visa online.

Attend a biometric appointment (photo + fingerprints).

Wait for visa decision (usually within 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK).

Can You Bring Dependents?

Yes. You can bring your spouse/partner and children as dependents, and they can work or study in the UK (restrictions may apply).

Fees:

Visa application fee: Typically £298 (varies slightly by route)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year (waived for some categories like Health & Care Worker)

Important Limitations:

No path to permanent residency (ILR) under Tier 5.

You cannot switch to most other visa categories from within the UK (must apply from outside in most cases).

Strict time limits — no long-term extensions.

 Processing Time:

Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK.

Priority and super-priority options may be available in some countries.

The Post-Study Work (PSW) visa, officially called the Graduate Visa, allows international students who have completed an eligible degree in the UK to stay and work (or look for work) in the UK after graduation without sponsorship.

Features of the Graduate Visa:

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be in the UK on a Student Visa (Tier 4 or Student Route)

Must have successfully completed an eligible UK degree (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)

The university must be a licensed student sponsor with a track record of compliance

Application must be made before your student visa expires

Application Requirements:

Valid passport and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Confirmation from your university that you completed your course (sent to UKVI)

Online application + biometric information

Application fee: £822

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year

Processing Time:

Usually within 8 weeks after submitting biometrics.

Can You Bring Dependents?

Only if they are already in the UK as your Student Visa dependents — no new dependents can be added on the Graduate Visa.

Next Steps after Graduate Visa:

After 2 or 3 years, you can switch to:

Skilled Worker Visa

Start-up Visa / Innovator Founder Visa

Global Talent Visa (if eligible)

The Innovator Founder Visa is a UK immigration route for entrepreneurs who want to establish a new, innovative, and scale able business in the UK. It replaced both the Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa in 2023, offering a more flexible route to business migration and long-term settlement.

Features:

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify, you must:

• Have an innovative business idea:

Must be new, original, and not similar to existing businesses.

The idea must be scalable with potential for job creation and growth

• Be endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body:

Your business plan must meet the Innovation, Viability, and Scalability (IVS) criteria.

Endorsing bodies evaluate your plan and monitor progress.

• Have adequate English skills:

At least B2 level (CEFR) in English (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 overall).

• Have sufficient funds to support yourself:

At least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days prior to application.

No minimum investment funds required (unlike the previous Innovator route).

Endorsing Bodies (Examples):

• Envestors Ltd
• Innovator International
• UK Endorsement Services
• Seedrs

Documents Typically Required:

Valid passport

Endorsement letter from an endorsing body

Proof of English proficiency

Evidence of maintenance funds

Detailed business plan

Processing Time:

Usually 3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

Around 8 weeks (if switching from within the UK)

Settlement (ILR) Eligibility:

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years if:

Your business is actively trading and sustainable

You meet one or more criteria (e.g., job creation, revenue growth, investment raised)

Not Eligible If:

You’re trying to join an existing business

You’ve previously failed to meet requirements of a similar visa

The Tier 5 visa is a temporary work visa for foreign nationals who wish to work in the UK for a short-term period in specific sectors. It is not a route to settlement (permanent residency), but it allows legal employment in the UK for up to 24 months depending on the subcategory.

Main Categories of the Tier 5 Visa:

1. Charity Worker Visa

2. For unpaid voluntary work at a registered UK charity.

Duration: Up to 12 months.

Must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.

2. Creative and Sporting Worker Visa

For individuals in creative roles (e.g., actors, musicians, dancers) or elite sportspeople and coaches.

Duration: Up to 12 months, extendable in some cases.

Requires a licensed sponsor and approval from the relevant governing body (for sports).

3. Religious Worker Visa

For people doing non-pastoral religious work, such as preaching or working in a religious order.

Duration: Up to 24 months.

Sponsorship required from a licensed religious organization.

4. Government Authorized Exchange (GAE) Visa

For individuals coming under an approved exchange program, such as internships, research, or training.

Duration: 12 to 24 months (depending on the scheme).

Sponsorship must be through a UK government-authorized program.

5. International Agreement Worker Visa

For those working under international law, such as employees of foreign governments or embassies, or under trade agreements.

Duration: Up to 2 years, or less depending on the contract.

6. Seasonal Worker Visa

For temporary agricultural work (e.g., fruit/vegetable picking).

Duration: Up to 6 months.

Must have a job offer from an approved scheme operator.

 Key Eligibility Criteria (General Requirements):

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor.

Funds requirement: You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account (unless your sponsor covers this).

English language is not usually required for Tier 5 visas.

Application must usually be made from outside the UK.

Application Process:

Get a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor.

Apply for the visa online.

Attend a biometric appointment (photo + fingerprints).

Wait for visa decision (usually within 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK).

Can You Bring Dependents?

Yes. You can bring your spouse/partner and children as dependents, and they can work or study in the UK (restrictions may apply).

Fees:

Visa application fee: Typically £298 (varies slightly by route)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year (waived for some categories like Health & Care Worker)

Important Limitations:

No path to permanent residency (ILR) under Tier 5.

You cannot switch to most other visa categories from within the UK (must apply from outside in most cases).

Strict time limits — no long-term extensions.

 Processing Time:

Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK.

Priority and super-priority options may be available in some countries.

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a set of five business-focused visa routes that allow foreign companies to send employees to the UK for temporary work assignments. It is ideal for businesses looking to expand operations or deploy staff without establishing UK residency.

GBM Visa Routes at a Glance:

General Requirements:

All GBM visa types generally require:

• A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor
• Proof that the applicant has worked for the overseas business for a minimum period (usually 6–12 months)
• Evidence of meeting salary thresholds
• Job listed on eligible occupation list
• English language not required for most GBM routes

 Costs:

• Visa fee: £298 to £719 (depending on route)
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
• Maintenance funds: At least £1,270 (unless certified by sponsor)

Can I Bring Dependents?

Yes. You can bring your spouse/partner and children as dependents. They can work or study in the UK.

Important Limitations:

• No direct path to permanent residency (ILR) through GBM routes
• Only temporary assignments – ideal for business visits, setup, or intra-company transfers
• You cannot switch to most long-term visas while in the UK on a GBM visa (must apply from outside)

Processing Time:

• 3 weeks (outside UK)

8 weeks (inside UK, if switching)

The UK Spouse Visa allows a non-UK partner of a British citizen or settled person (e.g., someone with ILR or refugee status) to live in the UK with them. It is part of the UK’s family visa route and can lead to permanent residency (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for a UK Spouse Visa, you must meet the following:

Genuine Relationship

Must be legally married, in a civil partnership, or in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years

You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK

Partner’s Immigration Status

Your partner must be a British citizen, have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or have refugee/humanitarian protection status

Financial Requirement

Minimum income of £29,000/year (as of April 2024), increasing to £38,700 by early 2025

Or adequate savings (£88,500 if no income)

Sponsors must not be on most types of public funds

English Language Proficiency

You must prove A1 level English (speaking & listening) via a UKVI- approved test, or hold an eligible degree taught in English.

Accommodation

You must show adequate accommodation without recourse to public funds

Visa Duration & Extensions:

 Work Rights:

Yes. Once granted the spouse visa, you are allowed to:

Work full-time

Start a business

Study in the UK

Fees & Costs (as of 2024):

Application fee:

£1,846 (outside UK)

£1,048 (inside UK)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):

£1,035 per year

Optional Priority Services (extra cost): For faster processing

Processing Time:

Standard: 2–3 months (can vary by country)

Priority: 5–15 working days (if available)

Documents Typically Required:

• Passports (applicant & sponsor)
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Proof of relationship (photos, chat records, travel history)
• Financial documents (payslips, bank statements)
• English language test result
• TB test certificate (for certain countries)

AWARDED POINTS FOR THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES

• You have 2,000,000 GBP which is disposable in the united and help in a Regulated Financial Institution
• You have 2,000,000 GBP in personal assets and have 2,000,000 GBP in shape of Loan from a regulated financial Institutions.
• You must score 75 points in order to apply make application under TIER 1 investor program

Exemption from English language and maintenance requirements

• The candidate do not need to meet the separate English language requirement that applies to most other applications under the points-based system.
• The candidate do not need to meet the separate requirement for maintenance of funds that applies to most other applications under the points-based system.

TIER 1 ENTREPRENEUR

TIER 1 Entrepreneur Category is for those who have minimum net worth of £200,000 GBP or have access to £200,000 GBP from third party investment and who want to start business in the United Kingdom. TIER 1 Entrepreneur is an immigrant visa, initially granted for 40 months from outside United Kingdom, it can be further extended for two years. After spending 5 years in UK on this visa you will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom. You may apply as an entrepreneurial team with no more than 2 business partners with access to minimum £200,000 GBP available to invest in the United Kingdom

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

The minimum English language requirement for TIER 1 Entrepreneur Visa is CEFR B1 Level (Equivalent to IELTS Band 4 in each component).

MAINTANANCE

There should be £3110 GBP for the main applicant and £1890 GBP for every dependent family member for the consecutive 90 days in the bank account.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• In order to qualify you must meet minimum 95 points threshold.
• Access to no less than £200,000 GBP:
• Money is held in Regulated Financial Institute
• The Money is Disposable in the United Kingdom
• English Language Pass Marks

TIER 1 EXCEPTIONAL TALENT

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) is for people who are internationally recognized as world leaders or potential world-leading talent in the field of science and the arts, and who wish to work in UK.

DO YOU NEED TO APPLY UNDER TIER 1 (EXCEPTIONAL TALENT)