The United Kingdom has promised us all an easy entry into the country when we seek entry into the country via their visa programs. The UK visa is a document that gives the holder the the pass to enter the country, live and stay in the UK for sometime or forever. Many people visit the country for a lot of purposes which include: studying, working, business, vacation, etc.
The country has been one of the most performing nations in the world, whose economy has greatly developed and become one of the world’s greatest countries in history. In this article, we will look at the types of visa available for all foreigners, the mode of application and the eligibility criteria and requirements for each type of visa.
What is a UK visa?
A United Kingdom visa is an official document issued by the UK government to a foreigner, allowing him/her entry into the country. The different types of UK visa depends largely on the purpose of visitation, the fulfilment of the eligibility criteria and requirements. Many reason for visitation into the country includes:
- For working
- For studying
- For business activities
- For family union
- For tourism
- For permanent relocation
- For immigration
- As a route into another country.
UK Visa Types
There are different types of UK visa for everyone in the world who are willing to visit the country. These visas include:
- Study visa: This type of visa is available to students who are interested in studying in the country as the education system in the country is International standard. Examples of visas under these categories are: Tier 4 (for children). Tier 4 (the general student visa), Short term study visa, etc.
- Family visa: This type of visa is for family members of a permanent resident or citizens of the United Kingdom. This visa makes sure that the family members of the UK citizens meet and reunite again. Examples of categories in this division are: UK spouse visa, UK parent visa, UK child visa.
- Visitor visa: This type of visa is for those who are visiting the country only for a short period of time for purposes like vacation, short business meeting, etc.
- Transit visa: Many use this visa to get an entry into the country, stay for a short time and move to the designated country.
- Work visa: this is a type of visa issued to applicants for the purpose of working and : living in the country. Working visas that allow the holder to stay for a particular period of time is known as the temporary working visa. While other categories in this division are: Global talent visa, domestic worker visa, etc.
- Business visa: This is a type of visa issued to those who are interested in setting up a business in the country or building their brand in the country. Some categories of visa under this division include: UK Senior Specialist Worker Visa, UK International Sportsperson Visa, UK Minister of Religion Visa, UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, etc.
How to Apply for a UK visa
To apply for a United Kingdom visa, you will need to fulfill a lot of requirements and criteria. Below are the steps to follow when you are applying for a UK visa:
1. Create an account at the UK government website here . It is important that you were able to determine which type of visa you are going to apply for when visiting the country.
2. Request an application form on the website, then pay for the application fees and request for an appointment to attend the interview and submit your documents and application form. A GWF number will be awarded to all applicants for the progress of the next months.
3. The next thing now is registering your details on the TLScontact website for proper booking of appointments. And you should know that you can easily track your application on this website only after you have registered.
4. Visit the visa application centre when your appointment interview is due and you will also need these documents to complete your application:
- Your ID original passport
- Copies of submitted online application form and appointment details form
- Receipt of visa application fees payment
- Personal documents like birth certificate, police clearance form, etc.
Note: You should also note that your application fees will not be refunded after you have done all the due process and your appointment should be taken very important and do not be late.
5. You will also have to wait for your application to be processed as you can easily view your application progress on the TLS contact website.
6. For your visa collection, you will receive a notification when the visa is ready for pickup.
UK Visa Fees
The cost of a UK visa fee for visitors around the world is around $151 now. The visa fees are different and vary based on the type of visa and the duration of the visa. You can find out the cost of the visa fees on the United Kingdom official website.
UK Visa Eligibility criteria and Requirements
The eligibility criteria and requirements for a United kingdom visa include the following:
- Age: This mostly depends on the type of visa you are applying for. E.g a working visa requires you to be at least 18 years and older.
- Language Proficiency: You must be able to speak, talk and communicate in English language especially in the country of origin.
- Valid ID passport: You must have a valid international passport that has a blank space on both sides.
- A visa completed application form: You will need a filled application form which you were given online at the United Kingdom website.
- Proof of financial capability: You must be able to prove that you are financially capable to fund yourself throughout your stay in the country and if you are moving into the country with your family then you must show that you are also able to support and provide for their needs.
- Personal Documents: Some personal documents are also needed to process your visa application like your birth certificate or adoption certificate, marriage certificates, etc.
- Accommodation documents and flight bookings: You must be able to show you have been provided accommodation in the country before your flight.
- Medical exam results: A medical exam result will be needed to prove that you are healthy and you did not not possess any health conditions that could threaten the health of other people in the country.
- Travel history: You must also submit your travel history which is very much important and it determines the progress of your application fees.
- Recent Bills receipt or Bank statement
Where to Apply for a UK visa?
You can easily apply for your UK visa online from anywhere in the world at the United Kingdom government website. Even though you may have to visit any visa application center in your country. Find your nearest UK visa application center in your country here.
Reasons for UK visa Rejection
You may find it offending when your visa application are rejected many times even though you are convinced that you have done all that is needed to be done to avoid delays or rejection but the following are common reasons why most UK visas are rejected, which include:
- Submission Error: You must try as much as possible to avoid errors while you are submitting your documents and make sure not to submit false or fabricated documents as most of all documents go through verification.
- Deportation order: Another reason for deportation is that you have received a deportation order to leave the country upon your visa application process.
- Crime Accusation: Most people’s visa applications are rejected because they were convicted of crimes and some unsolved judicial matters.
- Financial Incapability: Before a decision was made on your financial status, necessary verifications must have been made to analyze your financial capability and compare with your daily cost of living in the country. Many people’s visa applications are also rejected due to this. It is better to do the analysis of your financial status before submission.
- Not too good of travel history: You must have a good travel history in the United Kingdom. Bad history like illegal staying in the country after visa expiration, submitting fabricated documents on a previous journey to the United Kingdom.
- Lack of substantial reason for visitation to the country
- Disobeying all the application rules and regulations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much do I have to wait for my UK visa to be processed?
A UK visa may take a long time depending on these factors: type of visa you are applying for, your country, your situation at the UK embassy and others. But a UK visa processing time takes around three weeks.
2. What can I do about my visa denial issue?
When you visa application is rejected, you have no other things to do than to just give up or do these:
- You can reapply and make sure not to repeat the same mistake again.
- You can request for a judicial review; though you must have a strong stand that your application rejection was truly unfair.
- You can appeal the case; you must also have a strong stand to appeal for this kind of case.
3. Is it possible or illegal to travel outside the United Kingdom while I am still on a valid UK visa?
Yes, you can travel and return back to the United Kingdom as long as your visa has not expired when you return back to the country.