Hello dear, on episode 2 of move and live in the United Kingdom legally, I will be discussing with you everything you need to know about the UK visa. Like we usually do here, I will break it down into 7 easy points with an added website link of where to find exactly what you are looking for. Anticipate no video for this episode, as I felt like writing would explain better and make links click ably easy to access.
On this episode, you will find out how to check if you need a UK visa, types and differences between the visas, what type of visa you need, how to get the visa, meeting the visa eligibility, including tons of other things you can do with the UK visa.
How to check if you need a UK visa
Hi, you may or may not need a visa to come into the United Kingdom. If you need a visa it is advised that you should apply for it 3 months in advance before your proposed travel date. The visa usually takes about 15 working days to process unless you paid for express service which can make your visa ready within 1-5 working days. Check here to see if you need a UK visa to come into the United Kingdom.
Types of UK visa
The UK visa is not just one type. Here are the types of visas offered by the United Kingdom visas and immigration office.
Transit visa
Tourist visa
Work visa
Study visa
Family visa
Ancestry visa
Returning resident visa
Investor visa
Entrepreneur visa
Medical visa
UK settlement visa
Asylum visa
See more information on the government of UK website about the function of each visa here
Why the difference between the visas?
When applying for a visa you have to be specific, because the visas are different based on your nationality, how long you plan to stay and why you want to come into the United Kingdom.
What type of visa do you need?
This would be determined by what you are coming into the UK to do and also if you have an ancestral, family, or spouse in the UK. Each visa has varied requirements and different fees.
How to get the UK visa
Once you meet the visa eligibility. You can do this by yourself, no need for any visa agency. Once you have decided on the type of visa you want, then you can go ahead with your application here on the UK site.
Before you submit the application form, ensure you have answered all questions accurately and not missing out on any important information asked of you. When you are done with this you can go ahead and book your visa appointment date. On the appointment day, carry along with you all the required documents listed, including the receipt of visa payment. If your documents are not in English or Welsh you need to get them translated. From my experience of getting the UK transit, tourist, and work visa I have never been interviewed at the embassy like how the US embassy does. It’s just the submission of accurate documents asked of me that determined issuing of the visa.
Requirements and eligibility to get the visa.
For you to get the UK visa you will need to meet the eligibility for the requirements, and again this differs based on the type of visa you are applying for. If you need a transit or tourist visa you may need lesser requirements compared to needing a work visa.
With a work visa, you are required to get an employer who is willing to hire you for your skills and then assign you a certificate of sponsorship. Most UK employers employing foreign workers are willing to cover all travel expenses until they are in the UK.
Apart from your submitted application, below are other things you need to bring with you to apply for your visa.
- You need a valid international travel passport
- Passport photographs in colour, shot on a white background and taken within the past 6 months.
- Proof of finances which includes payslips for a period of 6 months and bank statement within the same period, employment from your employer or business registration documents if you are self-employed,
- If you will be staying over at a friend’s or family’s then you need to provide an invitation letter.
- If you will be staying on your own, you need to pre-book a hotel or an apartment and provide evidence of the accommodation at the embassy. Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Airbnb may be able to provide a pre-booked accommodation for you without payment but just debit card information for reservations.
- You may need to provide a Tuberculosis test result depending on your nationality. Check here to see if your country is on the list.
- You must submit a detailed travel itinerary which contains information about your travel dates, times, the airport you are flying into, and any other planned events you intend to attend whilst in the UK if any. You do not have to pay for the flight before getting the visa, you can book a dummy flight. Click here to book your dummy flight itinerary.
- If you are a student you need to provide a letter from your school confirming this and allowing you for a leave of absence.
- If you will be applying for a work visa then you need to get a certificate of sponsorship from your proposed employer in the UK.
- Applicants under the age of 18 would need to provide additional documents which include a birth certificate and if adopted, adoption papers. A copy of parents or legal guardian’s biographical data and a signed letter confirming permission to travel alone or accompanied by anyone else other than them.
Find further information about the visa requirements and eligibility from the UK government website here
What else can you do with the UK VISA
Apart from living in England the UK visa allows you entry to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and depending on the country of your passport you may be able to visit other 33 countries which are: Mexico, Panama, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, India, Bermuda, Bonaire British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Saint Marten, Turks and Caicos, Peru, Albania, Georgia, Gibraltar, Ireland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Armenia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Always remember to check with your destination embassy for travel eligibility based on your passport and country of location. You are responsible for you!
Hope you have enjoyed this article. Remember to ask me questions in the comment box down here if you need further clarification about this topic.
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