UK VISA

The UK visa system works on a points-based Tier category structure. Anyone wanting to apply for a visa must score the points required by the visa category they are seeking. A few Tier categories make you eligible to settle in the UK and obtain citizenship. The assessment is based on English language fluency, age of the applicant, (lower the age-higher the points), profession and experience and such other factors dependent on the specific visa category one apply for.

In this article, we have discussed the various visa categories and work visas available for individuals across the globe.

The UK visa system offers the following categories:

I. Tier 1

This category is for high-value immigrants. The tier 1 visa has the following sub-categories:

1. Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)- Individuals who are internationally recognized in the fields of sciences, arts, humanities, fashion, engineering, medicine or technology.

2. Tier 1 (UK Innovator visa scheme)-This scheme replaced the Entrepreneur visa. People who can invest at least 50,000 pounds in the UK to set up a business can apply for this visa.

3. Tier 1 (Investor)- Persons who wish to make a large financial investment in the UK. The investment should not be less than 2,000,000 pounds.

4. Tier 1 (Start-up visa category)- This scheme replaced the Graduate Entrepreneur Tier 1 visa category. To be eligible for this scheme following are the requirements:

a) The applicant must not be a citizen of Switzerland or the EEA (European Economic Area)

b) The applicant wants to start a business in the UK. For this purpose, the planned business must be endorsed by a recognized body (either a higher educational institution in the UK or a business organization that holds a record of supporting early-stage entrepreneurs starting a business for first time in the UK.

II. Tier 2

The Tier 2 work visa is a skilled worker’s opportunity to work and stay in the UK for a long period. The category applies to a wide range of occupations in the field of Information Technology, Teaching, Accountancy, Healthcare, etc. For an application to be valid the occupation needs to be included in the Tier 2 occupation list (Codes of practice for skilled workers). Applicants for the Tier 2 visa are expected to score a minimum of 70 points on the Tier 2 points assessment. In most cases, you can bring your family under this visa provided you have sufficient funds to sponsor their stay.

Following are the types of Tier 2 visas:

1. Tier 2 (General visa)- This work visa is limited to 20,700 positions per year for individuals residing outside the UK. Before an employer can sponsor an individual under this visa category, the person must have a skilled job offer, valid sponsorship license and a Tier 2 certificate of sponsorship obtained from the employer in the UK. Tier 2 jobs are first advertised to EEA citizens before they can be offered to non-EEA citizens unless they are under the shortage occupations list. Tier 2 General visa applicants may be assessed for the English language tests if they don’t come from an English speaking country or have not studied an English language program.

2. Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer visa)- Employees of multinational companies can be transferred to the UK branches or offices of the same company. The Certificate of Sponsorship is a must from the employer. Employees are not required to take any English language test for this visa. The Tier 2 visa has 2 sub-categories:

· Long term staff

· Graduate trainee

3. Tier 2 (Minister of Religion visa)- This visa is available for individuals who are offered positions as religious workers/ missionaries/ ministers of religion by a community / religious organization or any other institution directly affiliated to the religious organization in the UK.

4. Tier 2 (Sportsperson visa)- This type of Tier 2 visa is open for globally reputed sportspeople and sports coaches. The applicants need to be recognized by the sports governing body or the sports association they are attached to.

III. Tier 3

This visa category has been discontinued.

IV. Tier 4

Tier 4 International student visa is mandatory for students from the Non-EEA countries to study at a school, college or university in the UK. To obtain a Tier 4 student visa, you have to first receive a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies from an educational institution in the UK that owns a valid Tier 4 sponsorship license. Students on Tier 4 visas have to spend a minimum of 15 hours every week studying, pay the tuition fees, and meet the maintenance and accommodation expenses without working.

Following are the types of Tier 4 visas:

1. Tier 4 (General student visa)- Students over 18 years of age who have a letter of acceptance from a school or university in the UK for higher studies are eligible to obtain this visa. This visa covers full-time degree level courses and level 3 courses. Students may be allowed to work for 20 hours per week during the course term and may work full-time during semester breaks. According to the recent change in the UK immigration laws, Tier 4 visa holders can now stay back and work in the UK for 2 years after completion of their course or program.

2. Tier 4 (Child student Visa)- This visa is for students under the age of 18 years who have been admitted to independent fee-paying schools and are allowed to work for 10 hours per week if they are 16 above.

3. Tier 4 (Short-Term Study Visa)- For students who want to attend and participate in a short term course/ program/ training session/ research project or language course at an institution in the UK, a short-term study visa is a right permit to obtain. This visa usually lasts for 6 to 11 months for applicants above 18 years of age depending on other circumstances.

4. Tier 4 (Family Members Visa)- Family members of the Tier 4 Student visa are allowed to join them in the UK under this visa under certain conditions. Married or unmarried spouses and children are included in this category.

V. Tier 5

Tier 5 visa (Temporary workers visa) allows people from different occupations to stay and work in the UK after getting a job offer from a licensed Tier 5 sponsorship employer in the UK. Exceptions include nationals from a few specified countries who can come to the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme even without a job offer. Tier 5 visas are usually granted for up to 12- 24 months depending on the category, authenticity, and purpose of every application.

Few categories include:

1. Charity Worker Visa

2. Creative and sporting Visa

3. Government Authorized Exchange (GAE) Visa

4. International Agreement Visa

5. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

It is possible that students who are holding a Tier 4 visa and staying in the UK may be permitted to switch to the Tier 5 GAE visa in case they are undertaking an internship, assistant-ship, research training, fellowship or any other kind of work through certain government authorized bodies or institutions recognized for this purpose