Are you finding it difficult in getting the right steps to acquire a UK Visa? If so then you are definitely in the right place. In this article, we are going to be telling you all you need to know about UK visa application, providing you with guidelines on how your application can be achieved.
What is a UK Visa?
A UK visa is an authorizing document that gives a citizen of another country the right to enter and stay temporarily or live permanently in the UK.
It comes in two ways, either a stamp you receive in your passport or a document given by a UK consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
People have different reasons for getting a visa to help them enter the UK, some of which include;
- To work and to do business
- To study
- For short stays and tourism
- To join family members who are already in the UK
- To transit through the UK to another country
- To live permanently
- As a refugee or as someone who needs humanitarian protection
- As a stateless person
- As someone who needs permission to stay
Types of UK Visa
There are different types of UK visas, which are based on the purpose of the visit, they include;
1. Work and Business Visa
The UK offers Visas for high-end professionals from other countries who wish to work and live in the UK for a short or longer period of time.
Work visa comes in different categories;
- Global Talent Visa
- UK Senior Specialist Worker Visa
- UK International Sportsperson Visa
- UK Minister of Religion Visa
- Government Authorized Exchange Visa
- UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
- Domestic Worker Visa
- Exempt Vignette Visa
- UK Business Visas
2. Student Visa
This type of visa is issued to international students who want to work in the UK
A student visa can come in different categories;
- Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa
- Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
- Short-Term Study Visa
3. Tourist and Visiting Visas
According to global statistics, the UK is a very popular area for tourist visits. Most tourists visit the UK for a longer or shorter period of time. The UK tourist and visiting visa are issued for short stays, tourist visits, and other similar purposes. The visa is valid for up to six months, it usually does not exceed six months. Holders of this visa are prohibited from getting jobs inside the UK.
Tourist and visiting visas can come in different categories;
- Marriage Visitor Visa
- Parent of Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa
- Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
- Short-term Study Visa
- UK Visitor Visa
- Visa for a Chinese Tour Group
4. Family Visa
This type of visa is issued to holders to enable them to visit family members working or living in the UK and want to join them for more than six months as their dependents. The dependents can be wives, husbands, children, parents, and so on.
This visa can come in different categories;
- UK Spouse visa
- UK Parent visa
- UK Child visa
5. Transit Visas
This type of visa is for foreigners who are not from the EEA (EU countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) or Switzerland and are using the UK as a transit country to pass from another country to their destination.
This type of visa offers the holder the opportunity to apply for a long-term transit visa if the applicant has enough evidence that he needs to travel regularly through the UK to arrive at his destination but has no intention to stay or live there permanently. Such long-term transit visas can be given from 1 to 10 years long.
The transit visa can come in different categories;
- Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) – for those who have to change flights in the UK without leaving the airport
- Visitor in Transit Visa – for foreigners who have to leave the airport and take another means of travel, of making a part of their traveling through the land. This visa can be valid for up to 4 days.
6. Refugee Visa
This type of visa is for people who are about to enter the UK and are at the borders due to life-threatening issues that are going on in their home country.
This visa is temporary until the holder is no longer in danger and can return back to their home country.
Read Also: Canada Visa Application and Guidelines.
How To Commence UK Visa Application
The application process for a UK visa depends on the type of visa you want to apply for.
Below are the steps you need to apply for a UK visa;
Step 1: Find Out If You Need a UK Visa
Depending on your nationality, you may be exempted from a UK visa.
You will not have to apply for a UK visa prior to your trip to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland if you are:
- An EEA citizen.
- A Swiss citizen.
- A Commonwealth citizen.
Once you notice that you need a UK visa, proceed to apply
Step 2: Choose the Right Type of Visa
The type of Uk visa you need is dependent on your purpose of visit, which can be any of the following;
- UK Tourist Visa
- UK Transit Visa
- UK Work Visa
- UK Study Visa
- Other Visa
Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form
The Uk visa online application form contains personal information such as;
- your name & surname.
- nationality.
- country of residence.
- marital status.
- personal number.
- passport number.
- reason for wishing to enter the UK.
- other information about your application.
Step 4: Collect The Required Documents
It is mandatory that you submit some requirements for your Uk visa application.
To know those requirements, click Here
Step 5: Schedule a UK Visa Appointment
After submitting online, print the email confirming the details of your appointment and then take it with you to the UK Visa application center you have chosen to attend, together with your required documents.
Make sure you come with the original documents that are required to avoid any complications.
Step 6: Attend UK Visa Interview
When you attend the UK visa application center, you will need to provide your biometric information, which includes a photograph and a digital scan of your fingerprints.
Every applicant who is submitting a visa application must attend the visa application center in person, including children. Applicants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
How Long Does It Take to Get a UK Visa
Getting a Uk visa may take up to three weeks to be processed. Although the duration and time differ from one another based on the following factors;
- the visa type you are applying for
- the country from where you are applying
- your specific situation
- the number of applications the UK consulate/visa processing center is receiving at the time, etc.
