UK Visa Requirements

Entering the United Kingdom with the intent to settle on any basis will require a form of visa. The requirements for a visas varies depending on the specific type of visa and can change rapidly. There are several categories of visa: employment based visas, family based visas, student visas, ancestry visas, and youth mobility scheme visas. All will allow a person to enter and remain in the United Kingdom.

Employment Based Visas

Employment based visas operate on a points-based system, where the applicant's suitability is determined by the number of points awarded by the UKBA Points Calculator. The categories the points are awarded in are education, age, previous earnings, funds available at the time of application, and previous UK based education or work experience. An applicant must have a minimum of £2,800.00 in funds available at the time of the application and meet the requirement of a minimum of 75 points as per the Calculator.

Family Based Visas

Family based visas are for applicants seeking to join a family member who is present and settled or who intends to settle in the UK. This category includes fiances, spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners. The requirements for this type of visa are proof of a valid relationship between the UK citizen and the applicant, proof of accommodation or housing available, proof that each party is over the age of 21 and proof that the immigrant will not become a public charge.

Student Visas

Student visas allow a student to come and study in the UK. The applicant must be enrolled in an approved course of study and have proof of tuition funds as well as proof of support while in the UK. While the student visa allows a student to work for up to 20 hours per week, this may not be counted in the proof of support. An education sponsor is necessary; this is most often the school that the applicant is enrolled in.

Ancestry Visas

Ancestry visas are granted to descendants of UK citizens who are also citizens of a Commonwealth country such as Canada. In order to be granted an ancestry visa, the applicant must be able to show that they are over the age of 17 and have at least one grandparent that was born in the UK, on the Isle of Man or on the Channel Islands. A grandparent born in the Republic of Ireland before March 31, 1922 will also qualify.

Youth Mobility Visas

The Youth Mobility Scheme is a reciprocal agreement that the UK has with several countries that allows young people between the ages of 18 and 30 the chance to live and work in the UK. Currently this scheme is not open to residents of the United States. To qualify for this visa, the applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 30, have at least £1,600 in funds available at the time of the application and be a citizen of a participating country.

Resources

• UK-Yankee US to UK Immigration Website