How to Move to the UK

In order to immigrate to the UK, you will first have to obtain an eligible visa from the UK government.

Which visa you’ll want to apply for will depend heavily on your own personal circumstances, needs and suitability. It’s essential that you meet all of the eligibility requirements for your chosen route in order to have your application accepted.

Below is a basic step-by-step guide of how to immigrate to the UK that may fit most people’s experiences when applying:

1. Identify the visas that you qualify for based on your circumstances and confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria, or take action to meet the criteria (such as acquiring an eligible UK job offer if your visa requires you to do so).
2. Gather your supporting documents and apply for your chosen pathway through the UK government website.
3. Prove your identity as part of the application process. Depending on your circumstances, this may be through the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ mobile app or in person at a local visa application centre.
4. Pay the visa application fee and submit your visa application.
5. Attend your visa appointment to prove your identity and give your biometrics, if you were asked to do so.
6. Wait for a decision on your application.
7. If your application has been refused, organise plans to re-submit with additional assistance, or lodge an appeal or administrative review.
8. If your application has been approved, start making preparations to come to the UK such as booking your travel, organising accommodation and sorting logistics.
9. If you have any dependents who wish to come to the UK with you, organise separate visa applications for each of them (if you haven’t already done so as part of your main application).
10. Travel to the UK with your documents.

Immigration applications can be complex and there is often a high chance of an application being rejected or refused if it is not completed accurately. Getting the assistance of an immigration lawyer ensures that you can get your application right the first time and maximise your chances of being able to immigration to the UK without any issues. Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 for help with your application today, or use the online contact form to get in touch.

Overview

If you wish to travel to the UK and set up your own business, you’ll be able to do so using one of the UK’s business visas.

These visas will often require significant financial investment and/or an approved business plan or existing investment project.

UK Innovator Founder Visa

What is this visa? This visa is designed for individuals who want to set up and run an innovative UK-based business that is unlike another existing business.

What are the requirements? Your business idea must have been endorsed by an approved body (endorsing body) and must be innovative, viable, and scalable. You must also have enough business funds to meet the above requirements. There is no set amount.

How much does it cost? The visa costs £1,274 if you apply from outside the UK, or £1,590 if you apply or extend from inside the UK.

How long can you stay? If approved, you can stay in the UK for three years. This can be extended for an additional three years if you came to the UK while on an Innovator Founder Visa, or alternatively, if you switched to this visa from another in the UK.

Overview

Skilled Worker visas are the primary way that most foreign nationals will come to the UK to work with. There are a couple of visas within this category that you can apply for, which are outlined below.

Skilled Worker Visa

What is this visa? The Skilled Worker visa allows individuals (including EU workers) to come to the UK to undertake certain forms of work with approved UK employers.

What are the requirements? You must normally meet 70 points on the points-based immigration system and meet certain minimum salary, financial and English language requirements. You must also have an eligible job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor.

How much does it cost? The Skilled Worker visa application costs between £769 to £1,751 depending on your circumstances. There is also a discount if you have a job role on the Immigration Salary List.

You must also normally pay the immigration healthcare surcharge of £1035 annually.

How long can you stay? If approved, you’ll be able to stay in the UK for up to 5 years, after which you may extend it or apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Health and Care Worker Visa

What is this visa? The Health and Care Worker visa is specifically for applicants who wish to come and work in the UK for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.

What are the requirements? You must be a qualified health or adult social care professional with a valid job offer in the UK. You must also meet minimum salary and English language requirements.

How much does it cost? The Health and Care Worker visa costs £304 for up to 3 years, or £590 for more than 3 years.

How long can you stay? If approved, you’ll be able to stay in the UK for up to 5 years, after which you may extend it or apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Overview

In addition to the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, there are a range of other work and business-oriented visas available that will allow you to immigrate to the UK long-term.

International Sportsperson Visa

What is this visa? The International Sportsperson visa is a work visa specifically aimed at elite international sportspersons or qualified coaches to enable them to come and live and work in the UK.

What are the requirements? You must be an internationally established elite sportsperson or qualified coach. You must also have a valid certificate of sponsorship for your UK-based job and meet minimum English language and financial requirements.

How much does it cost? This visa costs £319 if you’re staying in the UK for up to 12 months. If you’re staying longer than this, it will cost £769 to apply for this visa from outside the UK, or £885 to extend or switch inside the UK.

How long can you stay? Up to 3 years initially, though you will be able to extend this visa if you’re still eligible. After 5 years, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Minister of Religion Visa (T2)

What is this visa? Minister of Religion visa is for overseas individuals who have been offered an eligible job within a faith community in the UK

What are the requirements? You must have an eligible job offer with a faith community in the UK, such as as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order. You must also have a valid certificate of sponsorship for your UK-based job and meet minimum English language and financial requirements.

How much does it cost? It costs £769 to apply for this visa from outside the UK.

How long can you stay? You will be able to stay in the UK for up to three years and one month, or the time indicated on the certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You can extend this visa beyond this time if you’re eligible, however. After 5 years, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Scale-up Worker Visa

What is this visa? The Scale-up Worker visa is for workers who wish to come to the UK and work for a fast-growing UK business.

What are the requirements? You must have a confirmed job offer from an approved fast-growing, scale-up business. Your job must also be in the list of eligible occupations and meet minimum salary requirements.

How much does it cost? This visa costs £880 to apply for.

How long can you stay? Two years initially, after which you can extend your visa for another three years. After 5 years, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Global Talent Visa

What is this visa? The Global Talent visa allows leaders in academia or research, arts and culture and digital technology to come and live and work in the UK.

What are the requirements? You must have endorsement from a valid endorsing body that you are a leader or a potential leader in your field. Alternatively, you may apply if you’ve won an eligible internationally-recognised award.

How much does it cost? A Global Talent visa costs £766 to apply for. This consists of £561 to apply for endorsement, and £205 when you apply for the visa itself.

How long can you stay? You’ll be able to stay in the UK for up to 5 years at a time, after which you may extend your visa. You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after either 3 or 5 years with this visa.

Overview

Although not a direct pathway to permanent settlement in the UK, Student visas are still one of the most popular visa categories in the UK, and hundreds of thousands of people come to the UK to study every year.

Student Visa

What is this visa? The Student visa is the main study visa the UK offers. It allows individuals to come to the UK and enrol in courses provided by a Home Office-approved sponsor.

What are the requirements? You must have been offered a place on a study course from a Home Office-approved sponsor. You must also meet minimum financial and English language requirements. If you’re aged 16 or 17, you’ll need consent from your parents in order to apply.

How much does it cost? Student visas cost £524 to apply for from outside the UK.

How long can you stay? If your course is degree level, you’ll be able to stay for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, this will be 2 years. You may be able to extend your visa if necessary, or apply for a Graduate visa.

Graduate Visa

What is this visa? The Graduate visa allows you to stay in the UK for 2 or 3  years after completing a course in the UK. You’ll be able to work without most restrictions in the UK.

What are the requirements? You must currently be in the UK on a Student visa and have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course in the UK.

How much does it cost? It costs £880 to apply for a Graduate visa.

How long can I stay? If you completed a PhD or Doctoral qualification, the Graduate visa will last 3 years. All other courses will last 2 years. You won’t be able to extend this visa, though you may be able to apply for another visa if you’re eligible if you wish to stay in the UK.

Overview

Although in most cases, temporary visas cannot be used as a way to immigrate to the UK, it may be possible in some cases.

Below are some of the most common Temporary Work Visas in the UK.

• Charity Worker visa: For individuals who wish to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity
• Creative Worker visa: For people who have been offered work in the UK as a creative worker
• Government Authorised Exchange visa: For those who wish to come to the UK for short-term work experience, do research or a fellowship. Applicants must have a sponsor
• International Agreement visa: This visa is for those coming to the UK for the purposes of temporary work covered under international law or treaty
• Religious Worker visa: Religious workers are those who wish to undertake religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order
• Seasonal Worker visa: For individuals undertaking temporary seasonal agricultural work

UK Visitor Visa

What is this visa? Visitor visas allow visa-required nationals the ability to come to the UK temporarily and see friends and family, engage in tourism or take short-term study courses.

What are the requirements? Your plans in the UK must be allowed by the standard visitor rules. You must also leave the UK at the end of your visit and prove that you can support yourself financially.

How much does it cost? Visitor visas cost £127.

How long can you stay? You can stay up to 6 months on a Visitor visa.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

What is this visa? The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows eligible young people to come and live and work in the UK temporarily.

What are the requirements? To be eligible for this scheme, you must be aged between 18 and 30, have at least £2,530 in savings and are from one of the eligible countries.

How much does it cost? It costs £319 to apply for this visa.

How long can you stay? You can stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Overview

Many people who wish to immigrate to the UK will want to apply for permanent residence, also known as settlement, and also known in the UK as indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

There are numerous routes towards ILR in the UK, but many people become eligible for it by spending a qualifying amount of time in the UK with an eligible visa.

In the case of the Spouse visa and Skilled Worker visa, for example, this period of time is normally five years.

The specific requirements for ILR will vary with each individual pathway. But there are some general requirements that all or most applicants will have to adhere to when applying for ILR, such as the following. You must:

• Have no record of previous criminal offences or immigration law breaches
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Meet the English language requirements
• Meet the financial requirements or demonstrate that you can support yourself and your dependents financially
• Continue to meet eligibility criteria for your chosen visa pathway, or intend to fulfil the conditions of your visa after applying for ILR in some instances

Indefinite Leave to Remain

How can you get ILR in the UK? There are numerous routes towards ILR in the UK. The best route will depend on your circumstances.

Below are some of the ways to qualify for ILR:

• Live and work in the UK on an eligible visa for at least five years (some visas may qualify after two or three years)
• Meet the minimum salary/ financial requirements depending on your visa
• Have a partner, parent, child, or eligible relative based in the UK who holds ILR
• Live in the UK for ten years (the long residence basis)
• Live in the UK for five years on a UK Ancestry Visa
• Apply as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection or discretionary leave
• Return to the UK having previously held ILR
• Have served in the UK armed forces

The cost of an indefinite leave to remain application is £3,029. There may be additional costs included, such as if you are required to submit official translations of your documents and if you need to take an approved English language test.

If you are granted ILR, you are considered settled in the UK and in most cases, ILR status will not expire. However, there are some instances where it can. For example, if you stay outside the UK for two years or more, your ILR may be revoked.

After moving to the UK, you may wish to become a naturalised British citizen.

Depending on your existing nationality, you may be able to hold dual citizenship, as this is acceptable under UK law.

British citizenship may be granted to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements. These may include the following situations:

• You were born in the UK to British parents and automatically qualify as a citizen
• You were born in the UK and you are eligible for citizenship but not automatically entitled to it
• You are the spouse of a British citizen and you hold ILR or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• You have held ILR for five years (or three years under some routes) and you have waited the additional 12 months to become eligible for citizenship
• You have a British parent
• You have another form of British nationality
• You are stateless
• You have previously renounced your citizenship
• You are an eligible Commonwealth citizen

Once you have been naturalised as a British citizen and attended your citizenship ceremony, you will be able to apply for your first UK passport.

Moving to a new country can be very challenging and it can be very daunting, especially understand the different rules regarding banking, healthcare and finding suitable accommodation.

Legal Processes

Navigating UK bureaucracy is crucial for newcomers. Key steps include:

• Register with Local Authorities: Optional but aids in accessing services.
• Apply for a National Insurance Number: Essential for work and tax; apply online or by phone.
• Set Up Utilities: Compare providers online to establish gas, electricity, water, and internet accounts.
• Obtain a Biometric Residence Permit: Required for non-EU residents; collect at a post office within 10 days of arrival.

Using UK Healthcare

Unlike in many other countries, the UK does have a free at the point of service healthcare. The National Health Service (NHS) is accessible by all UK residents. If you are coming to the UK on a visa you will need to pay the Health Immigration Surcharge that will allow you to access NHS treatment and services.

If you are visiting the UK and are a EU/EFTA national then you are advised to apply for a free European Healthcare Insurance Card. This will allow you access to emergency medical treatment while in the country.

To register with the NHS, find a local GP (general practitioner) through the NHS website and complete their registration form online or in person. You’ll need proof of address and ID, such as a passport.

Some people do opt for private healthcare insurance as there is a number of private healthcare providers in the UK but even if you do, you still have to pay the mandatory healthcare surcharge (IHS).

How to Open a UK Bank Account

You will need to open a UK bank account if you plan to stay long-term in the UK.  This is so that you can receive a salary and pay bills. If you rely on an overseas account you could end up paying significant fees and some employers may refused to pay your wage into a non-UK account.

To set up a UK bank account, choose a bank, book an appointment online or visit a branch. You’ll need proof of ID (passport or driver’s license) and proof of UK address (such as a utility bill or rental agreement). Many banks also offer online-only account setups for added convenience, so you may be able to do this from overseas, but may need an address, even if it’s a temporary one, to set up.

Understanding UK Tax

If you work while in the UK then your employer may require you to provide a National Insurance number. This can be applied for online and could also be included on your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you already have one.

You may be required to pay income tax and in the UK this is processed by the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with the deductions paid directly from your monthly salary if you are employed.

However, if you are self-employed then you may need to complete an annual self-assessment to ensure you are paying the correct tax.  Failure to pay tax in the UK can have serious financial and criminal consequences.

Bringing Family to the UK

Bringing family to the UK depends on their relationship with you. Spouses, unmarried partners, dependent children, parents and adult dependents (usually vulnerable or in need of your care) can come to the UK under specific conditions. Usually, you must have lived with them for 2 years or more previously and be able to support them in the UK.

• If you have settled status or British or Irish citizenship or have protected status in the UK, you can apply for a Family Visa or Adult Dependent Visa (to care for a family member long-term).
• If your sponsor is not a British national, you may be able to apply for a Dependent Visa on the Points-Based System (PBS) or a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa. You must meet all the requirements.

Enrolling Children in School

To enrol in a UK school, contact your local council to apply for a place. They will guide you on available schools and require documents such as proof of address and your child’s previous school records.

Bringing Pets to the UK

Bringing pets to the UK can be costly. As with anywhere, it is expensive to transport your pet, and depending on where you are travelling from, your pet may be subject to quarantine periods or longer quarantine periods. You must prepare in advance to ensure all vaccinations (especially for rabies), health certificates and microchipping is up-to-date. Beyond paying for their transport to the UK, which can cost £1400-4000 depending on when and where you’re travelling from and the airline you choose, you will also need to pay for an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) which typically costs £90–£180.

Housing in the UK

Expats moving to the UK will need to find accommodation. Conditions in the rental market are good in many cities, but competition is high among renters. You will need to act fast and, in many cases, put down a deposit or commit to an extended contract to compete for studios and houses, for example. Rooms are typically easier to acquire. Property on platforms like zoopla.com and rightmove.com can often be filled in in days.

There is also an emphasis on references and credit checks, so you will likely need to be able to complete both of these requirements. Especially in major UK cities like London, Manchester, Bristol, York and Liverpool.

Some companies and individuals help expats to move to the UK without references, but you may need to find short-term or flexible accommodation on places like spareroom.com or airbnb.com. You may also be able to find people renting out accommodation on platforms like Facebook. Proceed cautiously, but this can be a great option for your first property as you can build rapport with the landlord, and they can see who you are in contrast to using an estate agent who can only feedback information to the landlord. Try to ensure, even if you do find them on platforms outside traditional agents, that they complete the process using a third party, such as an estate agent, for peace of mind, security and tenancy rights.

Cultural Integration in the UK

Integrating in the UK can be made easier by joining events and groups on platforms like meetup.com, which tends to have expat and local communities organising events from pub crawls to organised walks and meditation retreats.

Walking tours can also be a great way to learn about the local area and its history. Most large UK cities offer FREE walking tours that accept donations.

Familiarise yourself with basic laws, like the drinking age (18+), driving rules, whether you need an international driving licence, car insurance, and fines for actions like stepping on rail tracks, smoking in undesignated areas or littering.

Respect local etiquette, such as speaking softly if conversing on public transport and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.