Immigration to the United Kingdom

The Global Talent visa is designed for leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. This visa offers:

• Flexibility: No job offer required, and you can work for any employer or be self-employed.
• Endorsement: You must be endorsed by a recognized UK body as a leader or potential leader in your field.
• Duration: Initially granted for up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension.
• Path to Settlement: Eligible to apply for ILR after 3 years (for leaders) or 5 years (for potential leaders).

UK citizens and settled persons can sponsor eligible family members to join them in the UK. Family visa categories include:

• Spouse/Partner Visa: For married partners, civil partners, or unmarried partners of British citizens or settled persons.
• Child Visa: For dependent children of British citizens or settled persons.
• Parent Visa: For parents of British children or children who have lived in the UK for 7 years.
• Adult Dependent Relative: For adult relatives who require long-term care from a UK-based family member.

Most family visas have a 5-year route to settlement, with an option for a 10-year route in certain circumstances.

The UK offers pathways for entrepreneurs and investors:

• Innovator Visa: For experienced entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved body. Requires at least £50,000 investment funds.
• Start-up Visa: For entrepreneurs setting up their first UK business. No initial funding requirement, but you need endorsement from an approved body.
• Investor Visa: For high-net-worth individuals willing to invest at least £2 million in UK companies. Offers an accelerated route to settlement based on the investment amount.

The UK offers excellent opportunities for international students:

• Student Visa: For those accepted into a course at a licensed UK educational institution. Allows part-time work during studies.
• Graduate Visa: Allows international students to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after completing their degree (3 years for PhD graduates) to work or look for work.
• High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa: For graduates from top global universities to come to the UK to work or look for work.

These routes provide valuable UK experience and can serve as stepping stones to other immigration pathways.

The UK's points-based immigration system assigns points for specific skills, qualifications, salaries, and professions. For the Skilled Worker visa, you need 70 points: 50 mandatory points (job offer from approved sponsor, job at appropriate skill level, English language proficiency) and 20 tradeable points (salary level, job in shortage occupation, PhD qualification). Our consultants can help you understand how to maximize your points.

Processing times vary by visa type and individual circumstances. Skilled Worker visas typically take 3-8 weeks from outside the UK and around 8 weeks from within the UK. Family visas can take 12-24 weeks. Priority and super-priority services are available for most visa types at an additional cost, reducing processing times to 5 working days or 1 working day respectively.

The general minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa is £26,200 per year or the "going rate" for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. However, there are exceptions for certain situations, such as jobs on the shortage occupation list, healthcare workers, or if you have a PhD relevant to your job. New entrants to the labor market (under 26, recent graduates, or in professional training) may qualify with a lower salary threshold.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that most visa applicants must pay to access the UK's National Health Service (NHS) during their stay. The current rate is £1,035 per year for most adult applicants and £776 per year for students and those under 18. The full amount must be paid upfront for the entire duration of your visa. Some exemptions apply, such as for health and care workers.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is usually available after 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK on an eligible visa. Some routes offer accelerated settlement, such as the Global Talent visa (3 years for leaders) or Investor visa (2-5 years depending on investment amount). To qualify for ILR, you generally need to:

• Meet the continuous residence requirement
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Meet English language requirements
• Not have excessive absences from the UK
• Not have breached immigration rules