The most popular immigration destinations in the world if you want to live and work abroad. Before the Brexit transition period ends on December 31, 2020, the UK visa points system was streamlined for skilled workers. The UK Start-Up and Innovator visa programmes, however, have made admission more challenging for many business owners.
In many situations, you must apply through the UK points-based visa system, which compares applicants to a number of requirements in order to determine their eligibility for a work or study visa in the UK. This system is used for the majority of work-related visa applications, including those for study visas (formerly Tier 4 visas) and skilled worker visas (formerly Tier 2 visas). The points-based visa system’s current Boris Johnson administration is gradually doing away with the phrase “tier.”
Full Name:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Population:
7,326,569
Capital:
London
Currency:
Pound sterling (GBP)
Area:
242,495 km2
Immigration to UK
The majority of UK visas are obtained under the points-based system put in place after the UK exited the EU.
People must get at least 70 points to be eligible for a skilled worker visa.
Speaking English well and having a job offer from an accepted employer for a skilled position both earn 50 points.
If the applicant is expected to earn at least £25,600 annually, they can get the final 20 points.
Additionally, they can receive bonus points for holding more advanced degrees (10 points for a pertinent PhD or 20 points for a PhD in science, technology, engineering, or math) or for receiving an offer for a position, even one with a lower income, for which there is a need in the UK (20 points).
The UK visa system consists of the following:
Tier 1 Visa: This visa category is for ‘high-value migrants’ from outside the EEA and now only covers the £2 million Investor visa There is Global Talent visa (formerly Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa) and Exceptional Promise visa. On 29 March 2019 the UK Innovator visa scheme replaced the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa scheme.
Skilled Worker Visa: This category is for ‘skilled workers’ from outside the EEA with a job offer in the UK from a Skilled Worker Sponsor. It includes skilled workers who are transferred to the UK by an international company via the Intra-Company Transfer visaroute, skilled workers who meet the points requirement, ministers of religion and sportspeople.
Tier 3 Visa: This category was designed for low-skilled workers filling specific temporary labour shortages. The Government has so far never allocated any visas under this scheme. Unfortunately, this means that you cannot apply for the Tier 3 visa scheme.
Student Visa: This category, formerly called the Tier 4 visa, is for students who wish to study in the UK. Applicants must have a place at a registered UK educational establishment before they can apply.
Temporary Work Visa: This work visa category, formerly called the Tier 5 visa, contains six sub-tiers of temporary workers including creative and sporting, charity, religious workers, and the youth mobility scheme which enables about 55,000 young people every year to work in the UK on working holidays.
Other UK visas
The UK points-based visa system covers most work, study, and investment visas. But visitor visas, family visas, and some UK business visas fall outside of the points-based visa system.
UK Business Visas: This section covers a number of long term business visas which fall outside of the UK visa tier system.
UK Visitor Visas: This section has the information you need to enter the UK as a visitor, whether for business or pleasure
UK Family Visas: Whether you want to bring your family to the UK, or join a family member already living there, this section covers the main UK visa options for families.