USA Study and Exchange Visa Types

If you want to study in the US or participate in an educational exchange program, there are several types of visas you can apply for depending on what program you’re leaning towards:

• F-1 visa. To get this visa, you must first be enrolled in an approved school in the United States as listed in SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program). If your university application is completed successfully, you will be registered in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). It’s important to receive the I-20 form from SEVIS, or you cannot apply for this visa.
• M-1 visa. You can apply for this study visa if you are interested in vocational studies that include, cooking, technical courses, flight training, cosmetology, and similar fields. Even for this visa, you also need to be enrolled at an eligible institution in SEVP, so you can be registered in SEVIS and get your I-20 form.
• J-1 visa. This is a two-year exchange visa you can apply for only if you’ve applied for one of the acceptable programs in this category. Additionally, you can apply for a J-1 visa if you are going to do short-term work, such as au pair, work and holiday, or temporary scholar work. There are several categories of J-1 visas you can apply for depending on the program- make sure you choose the correct visa category for you.
• Q-1 visa. A Q-1 visa is a cultural exchange visa, that allows you to work in the US and share your culture and traditions with other people in the US. To get a Q-1 visa you have to apply for a program managed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• Which US Study Visa You Should Apply for?

What is the reason for your visit to the United States?*Select one of the options belowStudy full-time at a collegeAttend elementary schoolAttend high schoolAttend graduate schoolAttend a cooking classAttend flight schoolAttend cosmetology classesAttend mechanical classesAu-pairBecome a camp counselorVisit as a government visitorTake an internshipWork as a physicianWork as a professor or research scholarWorking holiday programsWork in teachingAttend a student exchange programAttend a cultural exchange program 

Select one of the options below

How to Apply for a US Study and Exchange Visa?

To apply for a US study and exchange visa you need to follow these steps:

1. Apply for a study or exchange program. Before you can apply for a study and exchange visa for the US, you must first be enrolled either in a university or be a participant in an exchange program. So, first, apply for the program you are interested in and then apply for your visa.
2. Fill in the visa application. For your study visa application, you have to fill in the online application form DS-160 and have the confirmation page printed as you need it for your documents.
3. Make an interview appointment. After you apply for the visa, make an appointment at your nearest embassy or consular office, for a visa interview.
4. Get your documents ready. When you attend the interview, you have to submit some required documents, i.e., your application confirmation page, a valid passport, a visa photograph, and so on.
5. Pay the visa fee. Usually, you have to pay the fee when you attend the interview, but sometimes you may be required to pay before the interview, if so, then bring the fee receipt with you.
6. Attend your interview. Finally, you can attend the interview and submit your fingerprints. After the interview, you have to wait until a decision is made on your visa application. Here are the questions that may be asked during a student visa interview.

USA Study and Exchange Visa Cost

A US study and exchange visa costs around $160. However, not all study visas will cost the same. In addition to this, you have to pay several fees during the application process, i.e., you have to pay for your visa application, the SEVIS fee, and you may also be required to pay an issuance fee when your visa is granted. You can find the full US visa fees here. 

How Long Can I Stay In the USA With a Study and Exchange Visa?

With a study and exchange visa, you can usually stay in the US for one up to three years. However, the validity of your study visa is always dependent on how long your program lasts- which means most of the time your visa is valid for the duration of your training or program.

Keep in mind that an F-1 visa is mostly issued for a year even if your program lasts for two or three years, in those cases you have to apply for a visa renewal or extend your F-1 visa.

Bringing Family Members Under a USA Study and Exchange Visa

You can bring your family members to the US if you have a study and exchange visa. However, you can usually only bring your spouse and children- they have to apply separately for one of the following visas:

• J-2 visa for dependents.
• M-2 Visa.
• F-2 dependent visa.

Visa Q-1 does not allow you to bring family members, if your spouse or children want to visit you while you have a Q-1 visa, they have to apply separately for a visitor’s visa.

Am I Allowed to Work With a US Study and Exchange Visa?

Usually, you can work only on campus and during school part-time- you can work full time during holidays. However, for some study visas, you have to get a special form that allows you to work, but even then you can only work with restrictions.

Can I Get a Permanent Residence With a Study and Exchange Visa?

One of the easiest ways to get a permanent residence visa from a study and exchange visa is if you marry a US citizen, this is also one of the most common ways. Usually, you have to apply for a fiance visa, and afterward, you can apply for your Green Card.

You can also get permanent residence if you invest at least $500,000 in the US economy or you’ve proven yourself to have exceptional skills that America needs, or you have a job offer and your sponsor can support you for a work visa.

However, getting a permanent residence may be more difficult depending on what type of study and exchange visa you have. For example, getting a permanent residence may be easier from an F-1 visa than from a Q-1 visa.

Read: How to get a green card from an F-1 visa?

What if My Study and Exchange Visa Is Denied?

In case your study and exchange visa is denied because you are considered ineligible for a visa, then you may apply for a waiver of the denial decision. If your ineligibility is temporary you may even re-apply for the visa after you overcome your reason for the visa denial in the first place.

If your visa was denied due to permanent reasons of ineligibility, then you have to apply for the waiver.

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The most common type of long-term residence visa issued is the UAE Investor Visa, which requires that the applicant invests a substantial amount of money in UAE to qualify.

Who qualifies for a UAE Long-Term Residence Visa?

There are two types of Long-Term Residence Visas for the UAE, which both have their own requirements and eligibility criteria.

10-year UAE long-term residence visa

You’re eligible for the 10-year UAE long-term residence visa if you fall under one of the following categories:

• You invest at least AED 10 million in the public sector (UAE Investor Visa – see below)
• You are a person with a specialized talent, such as a doctor, scientist, inventor, specialist, or of special talent in the field of culture and art; medical doctors, as well as engineers of computer programming, electronics, electrical and biotechnology.

5-year UAE long-term residence visa

You’re eligible for a 5-year UAE long-term residence visa if you fall under one of the following categories:

• You invest in a property in the UAE (UAE Investor Visa also known as the Property Visa UAE)
• You are an entrepreneur with an existing project which has a minimum capital of AED 500,000
• You are an outstanding student who has:
  • A minimum grade of 95% in a public or private secondary school
  • A GPA of at least 3.75 in a university in or outside the country after you graduate

online since information keeps changing. Make sure to know all you need before you apply or invest.

What do I need when applying for a UAE long-term residence visa?

When applying for a AE long-term residence visa, you must have several documents which support your purpose of application.

When you apply for the entry permit, you need documents such as:

• Copy of your passport
• Passport-size pictures
• Bank Statement for the past 6 months
• Any additional documents related to your purpose:
  • Company Trade License Copy
  • Copy of Partnership Contract (if applicable)
  • ID of other partners (if applicable)
  • A copy of the Memorandum of Association (for LLC)
  • Proof of accreditation by the relevant UAE authority (for specialized talents)
  • Proof of patent (for investors)

When applying for the long-term residence visa once you’re in the UAE, you need the following documents:

• Your entry permit
• Medical test
• Passport
• Pictures
• Immigration Establishment Card
• Any documents related to your purpose of travel

Keep in mind: This is not a complete list of documents. The required documents differ for each case, and you may also need to obtain approval from the UAE authorities prior to applying for the visa. Additionally, due to the more sensitive nature of this visa, you may also need to get the help of an attorney or other authorized legal entity.

How to get a UAE Investor Visa?

To get an Investor Visa in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE, you must invest at least AED 10 million in the public sector in UAE or invest at least AED 5 million in a property.

Investing in the public sector (10 year visa for UAE)

To get a 10 year UAE visa by investment, you must invest at least AED 10 million in the public sector in the country. This includes:

• Making a deposit in an investment fund
• Setting up a new company in the UAE, whose capital is at least AED 10 million
• Becoming a partner in an existing company, provided that your shares are not less than AED 10 million

Additionally, when you invest the money, you must make sure that:

• It is not loaned
• You maintain the investment for at least three years

Buying property (5 year visa for UAE)

You may also get a long-term visa for the UAE by investing in a property which has a gross value of at least AED 5 million. The money you invest cannot be loaned from someone, and you have to maintain it for at least three years.

10 year UAE visa for persons with specialised talents

You may also get a UAE visa for the UAE if you have a specialized talent. For example, if you are a doctor, investor, specialist, scientist, or you have a talent in the field of culture and art. However, the 10 year visa for the UAE for persons with specialised talents is subject to the following conditions:

• For scientists: You must be accredited by the Emirates Scientists Council or hold a Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
• For artists: You must be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
• For inventors: You must have a patent of value (accredited by the Ministry of Economy), which is beneficial to the UAE’s economy.
• For doctors and specialists: You must fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
  • You hold a PhD degree issued by one of the top 500 universities in the world
  • You have a PhD degree and 10-year professional experience in your field
  • You have an award or certificate of appreciation related to your field
  • You are a member of an organization related to your field
  • You have published articles or scientific books in renowned publications related to your field
  • You have specialized in an area that’s of priority to the UAE
• For executives: You are the head of a leading and internationally recognized company
• For otherwise exceptional talents: You must have a scientific research that’s been published in a world-class journal or you must have a patent

Can I take my spouse and children with a UAE Investor Visa?

Yes, if you have an Investor Visa for UAE, you are allowed to bring your family members with you, such as your spouse and children. Additionally, the visa can be extended to include one executive director and one advisor.

Can I have a business partner with a UAE Investor Visa?

Yes, multiple business partners can apply under a single UAE Investor Visa. However, that doesn’t mean that you can split the investment multiple ways: each business partner must invest their own AED 10 million.

How to apply for a UAE Investor Visa?

Usually, all foreigners applying for a visa for the UAE have to be sponsored by someone in the UAE, such as their employer (for work visa) or school (for student visa). However, in the case of long-term residence visa for the UAE, you can apply yourself, without the need for a sponsor.

• For UAE Investor Visa, the registered company serves as your sponsor
• For UAE Property Visa, the property you purchase or invest in serves as your sponsor

Applying for the entry permit

Before you apply for a Residence Visa, you must first get a UAE Entry Permit, which is issued for multiple entries and for a duration of six months. You can apply for an Entry Permit online:

• For UAE Investor Visa
• UAE Visa for Entrepreneurs \ Special Students
• UAE Visa for otherwise talented persons

Once you enter the UAE with an entry permit, you have to go to the relevant visa issuing authorities in the UAE and request the long-term Residence Visa.

Applying for the Residence Visa

UAE Residence Visa applications are issued in the UAE at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the relevant emirate in which you will live.

The websites of the GDRFA in each emirate:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai (see also Amer, a website which Dubai citizens and residents can use to apply for family reunion and visitors can use to extend their Visa On Arrival)
• Sharjah
• Ajman
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Fujairah

You must enter a medical test to prove your medical fitness before applying for the residence visa.

Note: Because the Investor Visa for the UAE is a different category than regular visas, you may need to hire an attorney or legal representative to help you with the process, as well as to find investment opportunities in the UAE. Additionally, the Investor Visa is a relatively new visa, and as such there is contradicting information

How to get an Investor Visa in Dubai?

Foreign nationals who want to settle in the emirate of Dubai, have to apply for an Investor Visa for Dubai. Since Dubai is simply one of the emirates making up the country of the UAE, the application process for an Investor Visa for Dubai is the same as detailed above. The only difference is, of course, that you will apply directly to the GDRFA offices in Dubai, not in another emirate, such as Abu Dhabi.

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Dubai, like many countries, has joined the wagon of digital nomad visas. Dubai’s digital nomad visa is called “Work Remotely from Dubai.” Through its Work Remotely from Dubai program, Dubai has been welcoming remote workers and digital nomads since March 2021.

This article will show in more detail what Dubai’s digital nomad visa scheme offers.

Benefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Dubai

Working as a digital nomad in Dubai under the Work Remotely from Dubai program has the following benefits:

• Tax-free. As a digital nomad in Dubai, you are not imposed to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. However, you are expected to pay taxes back home, but you do not need to prove it.
• High healthcare system. Dubai offers a top-notch healthcare system with state-of-the-art facilities and a high standard of medical care. Health services in Dubai are administered by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which oversees both public and private services. Many foreigners choose the private healthcare system. There are more than 130 facilities you can choose from in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) alone, a modern medical complex offering advanced private health care across 150 specialties.
• Access to facilities. The Emirates ID will be given to applicant holders when they receive their visas and arrive in the UAE. The Emirates ID is a document that can be used for many things in their daily lives. By having the ID, you will have access to many services, such as banking, phone lines, housing rentals, and, if you have children, the ability to enroll them in local schools.
• Fast internet connection. The internet speed fixed is 189.27 Mbps, and the mobile connection is 273.87 Mbps. There will likely be no issues with your wifi in the UAE since the majority of accommodations for foreigners have speeds of over 100 Mbps. It will be enough for browsing and Zoom calls on a daily basis, as well as heavy streaming. Furthermore, the 4G network is excellent.

Requirements for Dubai Digital Nomad Visa

The documents required to apply for a digital nomad visa in Dubai are:

• Online filled visa application form. You can fill out the application form from the official website of Work Remotely from Dubai.
• Valid passport. Your passport needs to be valid at least for six months.
• Digital passport photo. Your passport photo needs to be with dimensions 45mm/35mm and white background.
• Accommodation reservation. You will need either a hotel booking, a lease, or a rental agreement to confirm your accommodation.
• Medical insurance. You need medical insurance designed for digital nomads and remote workers who are living abroad to travel to Dubai. Health insurance must have UAE coverage validity.
• Documents for business owners:
  • Proof of ownership of the company for one year or more
  • Minimum of $5.000 monthly income
  • Bank statements for the last three months
• Documents for employees:
  • Proof of employment with one year contract
  • Last month’s payslip
  • Minimum of $5.000 salary per month
  • Bank statements for the last three months

How to Apply for a Dubai Digital Nomad Visa?

You must apply for a Dubai digital nomad visa online through the official Work Remotely from Dubai website. The application process is as follows:

1. Prepare the necessary documents. The list of the documents is under “Requirements for Dubai Digital Nomad Visa” above. The documents need to be in English and digitized.
2. Proceed to the official website. On the official website of Work Remotely from Dubai, you can apply for the program. There you have to complete a short application form with information about yourself, such as your name, email address, country, and telephone number. A member of their team will be in touch with you to take the application forward.
3. Wait for the response. An email will be sent to you after submission. There will be further instructions therefore read them carefully.
4. Send the documents. After the email, you will have to send the required documents to workvirtual@dubaitourism.ae. The documents are in the section “Requirements for Dubai Digital Nomad Visa”. The documents and the application will be reviewed by Dubai Tourism and commercial marketing travel partner Al Rais Travel Agencies LLC.
5. Wait for a reply. You will be given an email stating the payment instructions and the amount.
6. Pay the fees. The cost of the Dubai digital nomad visa is $611. This amount includes the application fee of $287 and other processing charges, medical insurance premium, and Emirates ID. Once you fill out your credit card information, you will receive an email welcoming you to Dubai.
7. Arrange a medical visit. This step can be done after traveling to Dubai, but it may be helpful to do it before flying to Dubai.
8. Travel to Dubai. After your visa is granted, you can travel to Dubai.
9. Go to the medical appointment. You have about a month to go to the medical appointment. Your results will be out in two weeks’ time.
10. Go to the biometrics office. After getting the medical results, you will be given a list of offices to do biometrics and complete an application form. Then print the medical results and the application form and go to one of the biometrics offices.
11. Get a passport stamp. You will get a call stating that your passport needs to be taken to be stamped. This process will take a day.
12. Get the residency card. An SMS should be sent to you by the government informing you that your residence card is waiting at a post office. Go get the residency card and live in Dubai for a year.

Additionally, depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to enter Dubai.

Note: You can enter Dubai with a tourist visa and then apply for a digital nomad visa, but the fees may differ.

How Much Does the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa Cost?

The cost of the Dubai digital nomad visa is $611. This amount includes the application fee of $287 and other processing charges, medical insurance premium, and Emirates ID.

Note: There is no guarantee that the visa will be approved just because you paid the processing fee. It is possible to incur additional charges depending on your country of citizenship country, the nature of the services requested, and other factors.

Processing Time For A Digital Nomad Visa in Dubai

The processing time for a digital nomad visa in Dubai is from thirty days up to sixty days.

How Long Can I Work in Dubai as a Digital Nomad?

The validity of the Dubai digital nomad visa is one year, renewable upon re-application.

Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Dubai

Individuals in the UAE are not subject to income tax. Oil companies and foreign banks, however, are subject to corporate taxes. In addition, specific goods that are harmful to human health or the environment are taxed under excise taxes. Finally, a majority of goods and services are subject to Value Added Tax.

As a digital nomad in Dubai, you are not imposed to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. However, you are expected to pay taxes back home, but you do not need to prove it.

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There are few ways through which you can get a UK family visa:

• As a spouse or partner of a UK resident.
• As a parent of a UK resident.
• As a child of a UK resident.
• As a sickened, disabled or aged relative in need for long-term care from a UK resident.
• On the basis of a private life.
• As a widowed partner of a former UK resident.
• As a separated spouse or partner.

Do I Qualify for a UK Family Visa?

You cannot get a UK family visa if your circumstances are as follows:

• You’re already in the UK with a UK work visa, or a UK temporary student visa.
• You’re living in the UK with a UK visitor visa with validity period of 6 months or less. The rule doesn’t apply for UK visitor marriage visa, or if you’re awaiting for a final court decision on a family or divorce matter.

What are the UK Family Visa Types?

There’s a range of UK family visa categories you may get depending which is your personal circumstances and your relationship with the sponsoring UK resident.

Spouse Visa

The UK Spouse Visa is issued to those who want to join their spouse in the UK or other partner who is either a British citizen, a settled person, a refugee or someone under the humanitarian protection.

Your relationship with your partner must be either a marriage, a durable relationship or civil partnership.

Parent Visa

The UK Parent Visa is issued to parents of British citizens or settled persons or persons that have spent at least 7 continuous years in the UK.

To qualify for this visa the child must be younger than 18, or must have been that age when you’ve first applied for the UK family visa.

Child Visa

The UK Child Visa is issued to children of a settled person in the UK.

You have to be the dependent child living in the UK with your parent, who is making a joint application with you for a UK visa or an extension of stay in the UK.

Family visa for an adult who needs a long-run care by a relative

The Visa for adults in need of care by a relative is issued for the purpose of taking long-term care from a relative who is a British citizen, settled person, refugee or under humanitarian protection in the UK. The person that needs this type of care has to be an adult of age 18 or older suffering from a disability or a medical condition, or who has reached the old age.

Family visa on the basis of your private life

The Family visa on the basis of your private life is given to remain permanently in the UK, after having lived there for quite some time, due to your unfavorable personal circumstances for leaving the UK, or overlong residence in the UK.

Settle in the UK if Your Partner Dies

Dependents of a deceased partner visa is issued to those who want to permanently remain in the UK, as a former spouse/civil partner/partner in a durable relationship, of a deceased British citizen or a settled person in the UK. You must have a valid family visa appropriate to the aforesaid relationship with the deceased sponsor, i.e. Spouse visa

Visa as a separated or divorced dependent partner

Separated or divorced dependent partner visa is issued for the purpose of remaining permanently if your relationship has broken down due of domestic violence from your partner. You must have had your last visa was as a spouse or partner of the aforesaid sponsor and public funds until application for settlement is processed.

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A UK family visa, is the type of visa you will need if you want to enter and remain in the UK to live with a family member for more than 6 months. Besides the Parent Visa, other types of UK Family visas include:

• Spouse visa
• Child visa
• Visa for a relative who will provide long-term care for you

What is the UK Parent Visa?

UK parent visa, is a type of visa established for cases when a parent wants to join their child who is a citizen or a resident of the United Kingdom with no immigration restrictions. Keep in mind that you can only apply for this type of visa if your child is a dependent UK resident under 18.

How to Apply for a UK Parent Visa?

The UK Parent Visa application process is very similar to the other application processes. It really depends on the way you apply. You will need to apply online if you are applying from outside of the UK. You will also have to complete the application form VAF4A.

Whereas, if you are in the UK you have two choices. You can apply online, or by post. You can also apply at a premium service center. In order to do so you will have to fill in the form and book an appointment, or make an online application and book an appointment.

UK Parent Visa Requirements

The UK child resident, and the parent that wants to join him / her in the UK, both must fulfill some criteria set by the Immigration Authorities in the UK.

If you are planning to join your dependant child, the main thing you have to know before applying for this type of visa is that if your partner is living together with the child and is a UK resident, then you will have to apply for the UK spouse visa. You can apply for the UK Parent Visa only if you are no longer in a relationship with the other parent of your child residing in the UK.

The other eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Your child must be under 18 on the date you apply, and not live an independent life
• You must be a parent of a British child, or have an indefinite leave to remain
• You need to have shared or sole parental responsibility for your UK resident child
• If you share responsibility, the other parent of the child must not be your partner
• If you share responsibility, the other parent of the child must be a British citizen, or settled in the UK
• Throughout your application you will have to prove that:
• you are taking an active role in your child’s upbringing and plan to continue doing so
• you have a good knowledge of English
• you can financially support yourself and your child in the UK

Parental responsibility requirement

You will have to prove to the consular officer that you are taking an active role in your child’s upbringing and you plan to continue doing so. You will have to prove through documents as:

• School confirmation that you take part in parent evenings and meetings,
• School confirmation that you also take your child to school,
• Confirmation from the dentist that you take your child to appointments.

If your child has been living for too long in the UK and you don’t have any of the above mentioned evidences, then you can just submit pictures of you two whenever you met. You can submit photos that you took your kid to the park, cinema, theater, bookstore, etc. This requirement comes as a result of the Immigration Authorities wishing to know if they are bringing to the UK someone who will really care for their child and take an important role in their child’s upbringing.

UK Parent Visa Financial Requirements

The failure to fulfill the financial requirement is the main reason that many people fail to obtain a UK parent visa. The main reason behind this requirement is that the UK does not want to bring over people that are not capable of financially maintaining themselves, therefore they are requiring from them to be capable to show proof they can earn (or possess) a minimum amount of money.

If you want to join your child in the UK then you will have to prove that you have enough financial funds to sponsor both, you and your child. That is why you must prove that you have an income of at least £18,600 per year. You might also use your saving to prove you have enough funds.

If you are planning to bring to the UK, other children who aren’t British nationals or European Economic Area (EEA) nationals with you, you will have to:

• earn an extra £3,800 per year for your first child
• earn an extra £2,400 per year for each child you have after your first child

Every legal source of income can be counted in order for you to meet the income requirement, as:

• your salary, if you earn it in the UK
• cash savings above £16,000
• pension money
• non-work income, i.e. property rentals or dividends
• In order to prove your income you will have to submit proof, as:
• bank statements
• 6 months of payslips
• A letter from an employer which includes the job title, the period you have worked there, the current salary and also payslips

Parent Visa Language Requirement

The English language requirement is a very important requirement without the fulfillment of which you cannot obtain a UK parent visa. When you submit your visa application, you will have to submit some document as an evidence of your English knowledge.

You can prove your knowledge in English by:

• submitting a document or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English, which is recognized by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher
• taking an approved English language test and passing it with at least a CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening.

Here you can find a list of approved English language tests and providers.

The residents of English speaking countries are exempt from English knowledge requirement, as listed below:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

Exempted from the English language requirement are also the individuals that belong to one of the categories listed below:

• Children
• Applicants over 65
• Applicants coming to be cared for by a relative
• Applicants with a physical or medical condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement

Parent Visa Fee

Visa fees depend on the way you apply. If you apply outside the UK to join your child, you will have to pay a fee of £1,464. Whereas if you apply in the UK online or by post the fee will cost to you £993, and £1,583 if you apply in the UK in person with the premium service.

You will have to pay an extra £1,464 for each dependant you are planning to bring with you to the UK, if you apply outside the UK, £993 if you apply in the UK online or by post and £1,583 if you apply in the UK in person with the premium service.

Required Documents for Parent Visa Application

For a UK parent visa you will have to submit the common documents that are usually required by applicants, as listed below:

• Valid passport with at least an empty page in order to be able to affix visa
• Previous passports
• 2 passport sized color photos according to the ICAO standards
• Proof of English language requirement (as explained above)
• Proof of financial means (as explained above)
• Proof of parental responsibility as photos of you two together (as explained above)

Aside of these documents you will also have to submit other supporting documents that will give the following information:

• Your full name
• your date of birth
• details of any previous immigration applications, if any
• details of any criminal convictions, if any
• your national insurance number, if any
• your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
• You will have to provide a translation of any document that isn’t in English or Welsh

How Long Does it Take to Get a UK Parent visa?

The fastest way to get an answer for your visa application is to apply in person in the UK, since then you will get an answer regarding your visa application, within a day.

However, the process takes us to 12 weeks to be processed when you apply outside the UK, or up to 8 weeks if you apply within the UK either online or by post.

Still, the application processing might take longer if:

• you do not meet the income requirement
• cannot prove your English knowledge
• need to attend an interview
• have a criminal record
• haven’t provided all of the required documents

Visa Validity

In general, if you have applied to join your child, you will get a permit to stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months. After this period you will have to extend your stay.

UK Elderly Dependent Visa

Whereas, if you are the parent of an independent child residing in the UK, and wish to join him or her because due to your age, physical or mental health, you need somebody to take care of you, then you will have to apply as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative.

To be fully eligible for this type the following requirement must be fulfilled by you and the child you are planning to join in the UK:

• Your child must be over 18 and independent,
• your child must be a British citizen settled in the UK,
• your child and you must fulfill the financial requirement,
• you must show proof that you need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age,
• the care you need is not available in your country of residence.

The child who is sponsoring their parent to join him or her in the UK must be capable of financially supporting the parent, accommodating and caring for him or her without claiming public funds for at least the first five years of stay in the UK. If the applicant has enough savings, even if the child does not have enough financial means to sponsor the parent, they can prove through a bank statement that the parent will not be a burden to the UK public funds, because he or she has enough savings to maintain oneself.

A person who applies as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative does not need to fulfill the English language knowledge requirement.

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The UK spouse visa, also known as Marriage Visa in the UK, is a UK family visa, and it is the type of visa you will need if you want to enter and remain in the UK to live with a partner (spouse/fiance) for more than 6 months.

Do I Qualify for the UK Spouse Visa?

To qualify for the UK Spouse visa, the UK resident, and the applicant that wants to join them in the UK, both must fulfill some criteria set by the Immigration Authorities in the UK. The main condition for the Spouse visa is that both, the resident and the applicant must be over 18 since the British law does not recognize marriages under the age of 18.

The other eligibility criteria are as follows:

• The person you want to join must be a British citizen.
• Your marriage or civil partnership must be recognized in the UK.
• Your relationship must be at least two years old when you apply (this is to prevent arranged marriages which the British law does not recognize).
• If you are a fiance you must show proof you will marry within 6 months.
• If you are a proposed civil partnership you must show proof that within 6 months, you will be entering into a civil partnership.
• The partner living in the UK must meet the financial requirement.
• The applicant must meet the English language requirements.

Relationship Legitimacy for UK Spouse Visa

In order for you to be eligible for a UK Spouse Visa, your relationship must be recognized by the UK authorities. This is the first part of your application towards obtaining a UK visa.

You should be very careful when submitting proof for your marriage/relationship because if the embassy or consulate where you are applying at suspects that you are in a fake marriage/relationship for visa benefits, they will automatically refuse your visa application.

Clarifications of terms

UK Spouse Visa Document Checklist

The UK Spouse visa required documents that you will have to submit when you go to meet with the consular officer are the below listed:

• UK visa application form. For the spouse visa you will need to submit the form VAF4A.
• Valid passport with at least an empty page in order to be able to affix visa.
• Your previous passports.
• Two passport-sized color photos that are in line with the requirements set by the UK.
• Proof of English language requirement.
• Proof of financial means.
• Proof of relationship as photos of you two together, etc.
• Your full name.
• Your date of birth.
• Details of any previous immigration applications, if any.
• Certificate of criminal record.
• Your national insurance number, if any.
• Your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK.
• Proof of accommodation. You will need to present a document that shows where you will be accommodated while in the United Kingdom.
• Biometric information. This includes giving your fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at the appropriate application center.
• Proof of paid spouse visa fees. You should submit the receipt that confirms you have paid the visa fee as required.

What Are the Financial Requirements for the Spouse Visa UK?

If you are bringing your spouse to the UK you must prove that you both have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year.

This is the most important part of your application, that many fail to fulfill, therefore have their visas rejected. The UK doesn’t want to bring people that are not capable of financially maintaining themselves, therefore they are requiring them to be able to earn a minimum amount of money.

What counts as proof of financial subsistence?

The following sources of income can be counted in order for you to meet the UK Spouse Visa income requirements:

• your salary, if you earn it in the UK.
• cash savings above £16,000.
• pension money.
• non-work income, i.e. property rentals or dividends.

Documents to prove financial subsistence for UK Spouse visa

In order to prove your income, you will have to submit proof, as:

• bank statements of the partner already residing in the UK.
• 6 months of payslips.
• A letter from an employer which includes the job title, the period he or she has worked there, the current salary and also payslips

If bringing your children

If you are planning to bring to the UK your children who aren’t British nationals or EEA nationals, alongside with your partner, you will have to:

• earn an extra £3,800 for your first child.
• earn an extra £2,400 for each child you have after your first child.

Spousal Visa UK Language Requirements

One of the very important UK Spouse visa requirements is that of English language knowledge. When you submit your visa application, you shall also submit some document that proves your English knowledge.

You can prove your knowledge of the English language by:

• submitting a document or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English, which is recognized by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher
• taking an approved English language test and passing it with at least a CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening.

Who needs to provide proof of English language proficiency?

Exempt from English knowledge requirement are the residents of the countries listed below:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

And also applicants that belong to one of the categories listed below:

• Children.
• Applicants over 65.
• Applicants coming to be cared for by a relative.
• Applicants with a physical or medical condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement.

UK Spouse Visa Application

You will need to apply online if you are applying from outside of the UK. To begin your UK spouse visa application you have to complete the form VAF4A.

Whereas, if you are in the UK you have two choices. You can apply online, or by post. You can also apply at a premium service center. In order to do so, you will have to fill in the form and book an appointment, or make an online application and book an appointment.

UK Spouse Visa Fee

The UK Spouse Visa fees depend on the way you apply. If you apply for a UK spouse visa from outside the UK to join your partner you will have to pay a fee of £1,464. Whereas if you apply for Spousal Visa in the UK online or by post the fee will cost to you £993, and £1,583 if you apply in the UK in person with the premium service.

You will have to pay an extra £1,464 for each dependant if you apply outside the UK, £993 if you apply in the UK online or by post and £1,583 if you apply in the UK in person with the premium service.

How Long Does it Take to Get a UK Spouse Visa?

To get a UK spouse visa it takes up to 12 weeks, or up to 8 weeks if you apply within the UK either online or by post. On the other hand, if you apply in person in UK then you will get an answer regarding your UK Spouse Visa application, within a day

However, application processing might take longer if:

• you do not meet the income requirement.
• cannot prove your English knowledge.
• need to attend an interview.
• have a criminal record.
• haven’t provided all of the required documents.

How Long Can I Stay in the UK With a Spouse Visa?

If you have applied to join your spouse, you will get permission to stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months, whereas if you have applied as a fiance or proposed civil partner, you will be permitted to stay for six months. After this period you will have to extend your stay.

How Can I Apply for an Extension of the Spouse Visa in the UK?

You will be permitted to apply for a UK spouse visa extension, 28 days before the expiration of your current UK visa. Among others, you will have to prove that you and your partner have been continuously living together during your time in the UK, in order to get a visa extension.

What Are Other Types of Family Visas for the UK?

Besides the Spouse Visa, other types of UK Family visas include:

• Parent visa
• Child visa
• Visa for a relative who will provide long-term care for you

The post UK Spouse Visa appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

You are eligible for a UK transit visa if:

• You can prove that you are in transit to another country with sufficient means and the intention to travel on; and
• You can prove that the only purpose of your visit to the UK in transit.

Who Needs a Visa to Transit in the UK

ALL nationals of the countries and territories listed below need visas to enter or transit through the UK.

ALL nationals of the countries and territories listed below need visas to enter or transit the UK landside.

Types of Transit Visas

There are three types of Transit visas:

• Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV)
• Visitor in Transit visa
• Long-term Visit visa.

Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV)

If you will be changing flights in the UK without going through immigration control and you are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you may need a Direct Airside Transit Visa.

Visitor in Transit visa

You may apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if:

• On your way to another country, you will be changing flights in the UK,
• You will go through UK border control for reasons such as: checking in your luggage, or you have a connecting flight
• You will be leaving the UK in 48 hours
• You won’t be studying or working in the UK.

Long-Term Visit Visa

If you need to transit through the UK over a longer period, a long-term visit visa enables you to stay in the country for a maximum of 48 hours on each visit, and your visa can last for two, five, and ten years.

How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa?

You have to apply for a UK transit visa online, on the official visa website of the UK government. You will also be required to submit certain documents and your biometrics to a visa application centre in your country. The step-by-step application process is as follows:

• Prepare the documents. For your application to be admissible, you must provide evidence that:
  • You are entering the UK to carry out permitted activities
  • You will leave the country at the end of your visit
  • You have sufficient means to support yourself
  • You are able to pay for yourself, e.g., your onward and return ticket and all other costs
• Apply for the UK transit visa online. You have to complete the online application form in the visa and immigration website of the UK government.
• Upload the required documents. You may be required to upload certain documents on the application portal. The exact documents for your visa type and destination are listed on the application form.
• Pay the visa fee. Once you complete the application form, you will be redirected to the fee payment, which you have to pay online.
• Submit your documents and biometrics at a visa application center. After you complete the online application, you have to submit your documents and biometrics at a visa application center in your country. You can find a UK visa application center in your country here. You must attend the appointment in person, as your biometric data, both fingerprints and photographs will be taken.

You will be notified about the decision on your visa after the appointment.

Processing Time for a UK Transit Visa

The official processing time for a UK transit visa is three weeks. However, if there is a larger number of applications, the processing time could be extended to six weeks or longer. You should apply well in advance of your trip if you know it is upcoming.

Documents Required for UK Transit Visa

The documents you may be required to submit for a UK transit visa application depend on the type of transit visa you are applying for. As such, they are:

UK Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) Documents

• Valid passport/travel document
• Proof that you are allowed to enter the country which you plan to enter by providing either a:
  • Residence permit
  • Green card
  • Valid visa
• Proof of onward or booked journey, such as a flight booking email, printed tickets, or confirmation from a travel agency.
• if you are not a national or resident of the country that you are traveling to, you must:
  • Provide proof of why you are traveling there
  • Provide details of where you will stay

You should bring your documents with you when you travel through the UK.

UK Visitor in Transit Visa Documents

• Current passport or valid travel document,
• Proof that you are allowed to enter the country which you plan to enter by providing either a:
  • Residence permit
  • Green card
  • Valid visa
• Proof of onward flight, which is within 48 hours of arriving in the UK. E.g. a flight booking, email printed tickets, or confirmation from a travel agent.
• If you are not a national or resident of the country that you are traveling to, you must:
  • Be able to explain why you are going there
  • Provide details of where you are going to stay

You should bring your documents with you when you travel through the UK.

Long-Term Visit Visa Documents

• Proof that you have a legitimate reason to frequently transit through the UK.
• Proof that your reason to transit through the UK will not change while you are in the UK.
• Proof that the only purpose of your visit to the UK is transit.
• Proof that you will leave the UK within 48 hours.

Note: If you are traveling to or from Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, you may need to apply for another type of visitor visa.

How Long Is the UK Transit Visa Issued For?

UK transit visas are issued for 24 to 48 hours. It is a long-term visit visa for transit, it may be valid for 2-10 years, but you cannot stay in the UK for more than 48 hours on each entry.

If you plan to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours before traveling onward, you will need to apply for a standard visitor visa instead.

Transit Visa Fees

The UK transit visa fees are as follows:

The post UK Transit Visa appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

With a Global Talent Visa for the UK, if you are a “leader or potential leader” in the fields of academia and research, arts and culture, and digital technology, you can work in the UK for up to five years, without a sponsor or a job offer.

You can also renew the visa as many times as you want and can change jobs without notifying the immigration authorities.

Eligibility Criteria for the Global Talent Visa for the UK

You can use a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader (exceptional talent) or potential leader (exceptional promise) in one of the following fields:

• Academia or research
• Arts and culture
• Digital technology

Academia or research

To qualify for a UK Global Talent Visa in the fields of academia and research, you must be an exceptional talent/promise in one of these fields:

• Science
• Medicine
• Engineering
• Humanities

You must also fit into one of the following categories:

• You have a job offer as a senior academic or researcher (e.g. a university professor) in the UK
• You have received an individual fellowship in the UK
• You are part of a research grant that is approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

If you do not have any of the aforementioned, you can still apply for the Global Talent Visa for the UK if your application is endorsed via peer review. In this case, someone with an eminent position and with “internationally recognised expertise” in your field must write you a letter of recommendation.

Arts and culture

To qualify for a UK Global Talent Visa in the fields of arts and culture, you must be an exceptional talent or exceptional promise on one of the following:

• Combined arts
• Dance
• Literature
• Music
• Theatre
• Visual arts

Additionally, you must fit into one of the following categories:

• In the last five years, you have worked regularly in your field and have produced work which is recognized internationally and considered “outstanding” by the Arts Council England
• For application as a leader in your field: You can prove that your work is well known in at least 2 countries

Architecture

To qualify for a Global Talent Visa in the field of architecture, you must:

• Have worked continuously as an architect for the last 5 years
• Have produced work that is published internationally
• Have produced work which the RIBA judges as ‘outstanding’

Fashion design

To qualify for a Global Talent Visa in the field of fashion design:

• You must be considered an exceptional talent or exceptional promise in your field
• You must have worked continuously in the field of fashion design for the last 5 years
• You must be known as a leading figure in the industry.
• You must have work which is sold or exhibited internationally and shown on catwalk exhibitions.
• Your work must be recognised by leading figures in the fashion industry.

Film and television

To decide whether you qualify for a Global Talent Visa in the field of film and television (which also includes animation, post-production, animation, and visual effects),the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) will judge whether you are a leader or exceptional talent.

Digital technology

To be considered an exceptional talent or exceptional promise in the field of digital technology, you must fit in one of the following categories:

• You have set up or held a senior position in an innovative product-led tech company.
• You have worked in an innovative digital field or concept.
• You have taught, mentored, or taken part in collaborative projects to help the digital technology sector.

Additional requirements include having won awards, developed new skills (commercial or technical) during your career, or having had your research works published or endorsed by an expert.

Required Documents to Apply for the Global Talent Programme in the UK

The documents you have to submit when applying for a Global Talent Visa will depend on your field of qualification. This includes:

• For researchers or academic leaders: A letter from the head of HR of the organisation where you will work. The letter must:
  • Include your name, position, and department
  • State that got the position after applying via an open competition, which was advertised.
  • State that you were interviewed by 4 senior academics from the organisation where you will work.
  • State that you handed in at least three references.
• For work on a research grant: A written confirmation from the funder, stating that the fund was at least £30,000 and it will last at least 2 years.
• For peer-reviewed endorsements: A letter from someone of eminence in your field with “internationally recognised expertise”. The letter must state:
  • How that person knows you
  • That they believe you have exceptional talent or promise
  • That you would contribute to the UK and benefit from being in the UK
• For leaders in arts and culture:
  • Your CV
  • Three recommendation letters, which states how the writer knows you, lists your achievements and details why you would benefit from this program as well as what you can bring to the UK.
  • Up to ten pieces of evidence which attest to your achievements, such as international media recognition, international awards, international appearances, or exhibitions.
• For leaders in digital technology:
  • Three letters of recommendation from organisations which is established in digital technology. Each of the letters must state how the person knows you, including proof of their position, showcase your achievements in digital technology, as well as state how the writer believes you are a leader or potential leader.
  • Evidence of any digital technology business which you have set up or in which you have been a senior member in the last 5 years.
  • Up to ten pieces of evidence which support your qualifications and eligibility.

How to Apply for a Global Talent Visa for the UK?

The application process for a Global Visa for the UK is divided into two parts:

1. Applying for endorsement from an organization that is recognized as an expert in your chosen field.
2. Applying for the Global Talent Visa.

Applying for Endorsement

You have to get an endorsement to attest to the fact that you actually are a leader or potential leader in your field. To submit your application, you must visit the Visas and Immigration website of the UK Home Office and register using your email address.

You must submit the required documents (see below) and pay the endorsement fee. If you do not have all the documents, you can close the application and restart where you left off later.

Then, depending on which field you will work in, the UK Home Office will forward your endorsement application to one of these so-called “endorsements bodies” for review.

The endorsement application can take from one to eight weeks to process, depending on which organization is reviewing your application.

Applying for the Global Talent Visa

Once you receive your endorsement, you have to apply for a UK Visa by submitting the endorsement letter and any requested supporting documents. You must apply no earlier than three months before you intend to depart for the UK. You and all your dependent family members can apply at the same time

You will usually receive your visa within three weeks.

What Is the Duration of a Global Visa?

A Global Talent Visa for the UK is valid for five years, with the possibility of renewal.  If you apply as a leader or exceptional talent, you can apply for settlement in the UK after three years of residence. If you apply as a potential leader, you can apply for settlement after five years.

Global Visa UK Fees

The overall fee for a Global Visa is £608 per person:

• £456 for the endorsement
• £152 for the visa (£97 if you’re from Turkey or North Macedonia)

Can I Bring My Family to the UK with a Global Talent Visa?

Yes, if you are eligible for a Global Talent Visa, you can bring your family to the UK with you, and you can all apply at the same time. This includes your spouse and any minor or dependent children. For each of your dependent family members, you have to pay an extra application fee of £608 and bring the relevant documents.

Can I Switch to a Global Talent Visa?

If you are already in the UK via one of the following visas, then you can apply to switch to a Global Talent Visa:

• Tier 1 Visa
• Tier 2 Visa
• Tier 5 for temporary workers on a Government Authorised Exchange (exchange scheme for sponsored researchers)
• Start-up visa
• Innovator visa

Make sure your visa is still valid at the time of application. If your visa has expired you will have overstayed. If your visa is about to expire, you may not be able to wait out for your application to be processed.

If you are in the UK under another visa category, then you have to leave and apply for the visa from your home country.

The post Global Talent Visa UK appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

However, the Investment Visa for the UK is not a direct citizenship-by-investment program, like in many other countries. This means that you actually have to live in the UK before you can apply to become a citizen.

Is a UK Investor Visa a Golden Visa?

The Tier 1 (Investment) Visa is the UK’s version of the Golden Visa, in the sense that it offers residency to individuals who make substantial investments in the British economy. However, the minimum qualifying investment for a Tier 1 visa is higher – starting from £2 million – and investment in real estate (i.e. buying a house) does not qualify.

Unless you have expert knowledge of UK legislation and financial matters, you will need legal help to settle your investment.

To get assistance with the required paperwork and procedures of getting a Golden visa for the UK, it is advisable to hire legal representatives that specialize in these matters.

Additionally, you cannot renew the UK Investment visa or apply for permanent residency or citizenship without actually living in the UK for the majority of the year.

UK Investor Visa Benefits

The benefits of the UK Investor Visa are:

• You can live, work, study, and do business in the UK.
• You can bring your close family members with you.
• You will enjoy the benefits of living in one of the biggest economies in the world.
• You enjoy the benefits of one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
• You and your family can eventually become British citizens, which would allow you to travel visa-free to more than 187 countries.

Who Can Apply for a UK Investor Visa?

You can apply for the UK Investor Visa if you invest at least £2 million into the British economy and you fulfil the following eligibility requirements:

• You are over the age of 18.
• You have a clean criminal record.
• You can prove that the money you wish to invest belongs to you, or your spouse/partner.
• You are not from an EEA country or from Switzerland.
• You have opened a bank account in the UK to use for your funds. The bank must be a “regulated financial institution”.
• Your money must be disposable in the UK (free to spend).

Residency Requirements for UK Investor Visa

Unlike most countries which issue residency by investment visas, in the UK, you have to actually spend time in the country if you wish to renew the visa or apply for permanent residency.

UK Investment Visa Options

To qualify for a UK Investment Visa, you must invest at least £2 million* in one of the following options:

• An active and trading UK registered company. This means that the company must be:
  • Registered in the UK (or at least have a registered office in the UK)
  • Actively trading – not dormant or non-trading.
  • Have a UK bank account which shows recent transactions and payment of taxes.
• UK Corporate bonds, by way of share capital or loan capital.
• Investment in Government Bonds is no longer a viable option, as of March 29, 2019.

*The amount of investment is decisive on when you receive permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain):

• If you invest £2 million, you can get ILR after five years.
• If you invest £5 million, you can get ILR after three years.
• If you invest £10 million, you can get ILR after two years.

Required Documents for a Tier 1 UK Investor Visa

To apply for a UK Investor’s Visa you will need to submit several documents as a part of your application process. Based in these documents, and the online application form, the UK authorities will take a decision on your application.

The required documents for a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa are as follows:

• Valid Travel Document. Your passport must have at least one blank page in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
• Tuberculosis test results. Check if you are required to take a tuberculosis test, since only the nationals of certain countries do.
• A criminal record certificate. You should obtain this document from any country you have stayed in for at least 12 months, over the last 10 years.
• Evidence that you have the required funds. You will also need to submit proof where that money came from, and if it can be transferred to the UK and converted to sterling.
• If the money is provided by your partner you should submit the following as well:
  • A certificate of marriage or civil partnership, as applicable.
  • A confirmation from your partner that they will allow you to control the funds in the UK.
  • A letter from a legal adviser stating that the statement is valid.
• Evidence you have a UK bank account. This document should be dated within three months of your application. It should be on the headed paper of the bank and state your name and account number. It must confirm that the bank is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and that the checks for money-laundering have been carried out.
• Certified translations of all documents that aren’t in either English or Welsh.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

When to Apply for a UK Investor Visa?

The earliest that you can file an application for a UK visa for investment is three months prior to your intended trip to the UK. Yet the latest you are advised to file an application is three weeks before this day since this is the amount of time necessary for visa processing.

How to Apply for a UK Investor Visa?

You have to apply for a UK Investment Visa via the Visas and Immigration website of the UK Government. The application process is as follows:

1. Complete the online application form.
2. Provide the required documents.
3. Pay the visa fee.
4. Pay the health surcharge.
5. Once you submit the application online, you must locate the nearest UK visa application centre to submit your biometric information and fingerprints, as well as any other required documents.
6. Wait for the visa application to be processed. This usually takes up to three weeks.
7. Once the visa application is processed, you can collect your biometric residence permit.

Seeing as the required investment is so high, most applicants hire experts with strong knowledge of British finance and immigration laws.

Online Application Form for a UK Investor Visa

As explained above, before you start any other procedure to apply for an Investor Visa, you should complete the application form.

The application form for a UK Investor Visa contains questions regarding:

• Your name & surname.
• Your date and place of birth.
• Nationality
• Parents, their names, date and place of birth and nationality.
• If you have traveled to the UK before.
• If you have traveled anywhere in the world before.
• The purpose of your trip to the UK.
• The visa type you are applying for.
• Whether you are meeting the requirements, etc.

Can I Switch to an Investor Visa if I Am Already in the UK?

Yes, if you are in the UK with one of the following visas, you can switch it into a Tier 1 Investment Visa before your current visa expires, provided you fulfil the requirements:

• Tier 1 (General)
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
• Any Tier 2 Visa
• Tier 4 (General Student)

If you have any other visa, you have to leave the UK and apply via the regular method.

UK Investor Visa Fees

The Investor Visa application fee is £1,623. When applying to extend your Investor Visa you will also need to pay the same fee again. There are no exceptions.

UK Investor Visa Processing

The UK authorities take up to three weeks to process a UK Innovator Visa (Tier 1) application.

How Long Is the UK Investor Visa Valid?

A UK Investor Visa is valid for up to 3 years and 4 months. When your visa is about to expire, you can apply to extend it for another 2 years. After five years of residency, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

If you invested £5 million, you can apply for ILR after three years of residency, whereas if you invested £10 million, you can apply for ILR after only two years.

UK Citizenship by Investment

Since the UK investor visa makes way for settlement in the UK, it is also known as UK Citizenship by Investment.

To get a UK Citizenship by Investment you first need to get a settlement permit in the UK, You can do so after a particular period in the UK with an Investor visa. This period depends on the amount of money that you invest, as follows:

• You can apply to settle in the UK after 2 years if you invest £10 million.
• You can apply to settle in the UK after 3 years if you invest £5 million.
• You can apply to settle in the UK after 5 years if you invest £2 million.

After 12 months in the UK with a settlement permit, you are eligible to apply for UK Citizenship by Investment. You will need to pay a fee of £1,330 in order to apply.

Can I Get UK Citizenship by Investment?

Yes, an Investment Visa for the UK can lead to British citizenship – a few years down the line. After receiving the Investor Visa, you have to maintain your investment and you and your family members have to live in the UK continuously to qualify for citizenship.

To be eligible for a British passport, you must:

• Live in the UK for at least six years.
• During the five years before applying, you must have been in the UK 75% of the time. In other words, the time you spent outside the country must not be longer than 450 days out of five years.
• In the year before the citizenship application, you cannot have been out of the country for longer than 90 days total.
• You must not have broken any British laws.
• You must be of good moral character.
• You must have knowledge of the UK culture and knowledge of either English, Scottish, or Welsh language.

Can My Family Join Me With a UK Investor Visa?

Yes, your family members can join you in the UK if you receive an Investor Visa. dependent family members include:

• Your spouse or your partner.
• Your minor child (under 18).
• Adult children if they are dependent or if they are already in the UK with you (i.e. they reached adulthood while living in the UK).

They have to apply online via the Visas and Immigration website of the UK Government and have a clear criminal record from all the places they have lived in (adult family members only).

Can I Work in the UK with an Investor Visa?

Yes, if you have a UK Investment Visa, you can work and study in the UK as well. The same applies to your dependent family members.

You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. You also cannot work as a doctor or dentist in training, unless you have a degree from a UK institution or have worked in the UK previously in those positions.

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A UK Visa Sponsorship for Employers is the authorization empowering UK employers with the right to assign Certificate of Sponsorship for foreign nationals that come to the UK under a work visa. Those seeking to get a sponsor employer, must have the needed qualification, experience and skills for the position which should be suitable for sponsorship.

A UK employer that wants to hire foreign workers in their organization will be asked to sponsor them in their visa application, by granting them with a certificate of sponsorship for work. The longest an employer can sponsor a foreign worker is five years.

The purpose of a Certificate of Sponsorship is, primarily, to support foreign workers’ visa application but, equally, is to assure the UK authorities that the UK employer will take the needed responsibilities and obligations for activities of the sponsored employee during their employment in their company.

What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?

Certificates of sponsorship (CoS) are not regular paper documents, they are electronic records with a unique number reserved for each foreign employee. This number is to be used by the employee during their application for the work visa (amongst a list of other application documents), and it cannot be put in use later than three months from the issuance day.

Who can get a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK?

Any foreigner who has the required skills, qualification and experience to do a job in either Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the point-based system, is eligible to get a sponsor employer in the UK.

Tier 2 skilled workers:

• Tier 2 General – persons that have a job offer in a  skilled job position or a position ranked in the shortage list that cannot be taken by the settled or EEA workers
• Tier 2 Intra-company transfer – foreigners working in a multinational company willing to either get a job position that cannot be taken by the settled or EEA workers, or to follow a training program within the UK branch of the same company.
• Tier 2 Sportsperson – foreigners with a job offer as an elite sportsperson or coach in the UK who are internationally recognized and whose contribution would be of a benefit for further development of the UK sport field
• Tier 2 Minister of religion – foreigners with a job offer for a position in a faith community as a minister of religion, engage in preaching and pastoral activities, missionaries or are members of religious orders.

Tier 5 temporary workers:

• Creative and sporting: foreigners with a job offer for a position that lasts up to 1 year as a sportsperson, or lasting up to 2 years for a job as an entertainer or artist
• Charity worker: foreigners with a job offer for an voluntary position lasting up to 1 year
• Religious worker: foreigners with a job offer lasting up to 2 years as a preacher, pastor or non-pastor
• Government authorised exchange: foreigners with a job offer lasting up to 1 year for work experience purposes, or lasting up to 2 years for attending a training or research projects for exchange purposes
• International agreement: foreigners they have a short-term position covered by the international law – i.e. a position as foreign government staff, or as a private servant in a diplomatic household

Who Can Sponsor Foreign Workers?

Almost any UK employer is entitled to employ foreign staff in their company.  Yet, they must be authorized for issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).  To issue a CoS, an employer must first get the sponsor license – a license that is appropriate to the type of job they will be occupying with foreign staff.

The legitimacy to sponsor employment of the foreign staff within their company is reserved only to those employers who are capable of coping with the necessary requirements, conditions and procedures set for the UK employment sponsorship.

How to Get a CoS?

A CoS has to be created by the assigned staff of the sponsor employer using Sponsorship Management System (SMS), after the staff was given the login details of a licensed sponsor (following the successful application for the license).

The sponsor has to complete all the mandatory fields in the system with the needed information regarding the sponsored foreign employer. The information includes ID information, passport info, current home address, identification numbers, work address, work dates, home address in the UK, migrant employment, labour market test, other as required in the online form.

There is a fee to be paid by the sponsor employer for assigning a certificate of sponsorship as in the following:

• Tier 2 CoS – £199
• Tier 5 CoS – £21
• Free to nationals of the Turkey, Croatia and North Macedonia

Another fee known as “Immigration Skills Charge” is applicative when it comes to issuing Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) CoS. The fee needs to be paid latest 10 days from assigning the CoS; otherwise workers visa will be cancelled.

What are the Types of CoS?

Depending on the job a foreign employee will be performing in their business, the employer must require a sponsor license to issue certificates of sponsorship for either in Tier 2 – skilled workers with long term contracts, or Tier 5 – temporary workers with short-term.

When the employer applies for the license, they have to estimate the number of CoS they are attentive to issue in the first year of the license.

For specific jobs, employers are restricted as regards of the number of CoS allowed to assign each month. These are known as restricted certificates. While, for some jobs there is no limitation on the number of CoS employer can assign, and these are called unrestricted certificates.

Restricted certificates are issued on the following categories:

• Tier 2 (General) out of the UK, with a salary offer under £159,600/year
• Dependants of Tier 4 foreigners willing to switch into a Tier 2 visa

How to apply for a Sponsoring Licence?

Briefly said, the organization can assign CoS and support a foreign employee to come and work with them in the UK if the following conditions are met:

• have open job positions suitable for sponsorship,
• prove that their organization is an eligible business,
• successfully apply for and receive the appropriate sponsor license,
• demonstrate having the necessary staff and capacity to properly administrate with the sponsorship process

UK employers have to undergo the following steps of applying to get a sponsor license:

1. Complete, sign and send the online application form for sponsor license
2. Pay the application fee
3. Send the supporting documents to show you are located in the UK
4. Show documents which prove being an eligible and suitable business/organization
5. Send planning permission, or local planning authority consent to operate the type of business at your trading address (if required)
6. Offer the registration certificate with the food authority (if being a food business)
7. During the application, the tiers, categories and subcategories under which the employer wishes to be licensed must be chosen, in order to get the appropriate sponsor license

Table of fees involved in the application for sponsor license

What is considered a job suitable for sponsorship?

Job suitability means that the job position a UK employer offers for the foreign national worker meets the criteria as regards of the salary offered and skills required.

This because for every category there is a criterion for sponsorship, as in the following:

• Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) – must reach the level 6 and higher of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
• Ballet dancers, other dancers, film and TV performers, theatre and opera performers, film and TV workers

The sponsor has to take the procedure known as “the resident labour market test” in some cases to assure that the job position that can be occupied by the foreign worker could not be filled by either local or EEA nationals.

The case includes Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) or Tier 5 (Religious Workers) important positions only, excluding cases when of living within a religious order (such as a monk or nun), as well as for Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting) in the creative and entertainment sector.

The test means advertising the job position in minimum two job advertising mediums for 28 days.

What is an Immigration Skills Charge?

Immigration skills charge is a fee to be paid from the sponsor employer when assigning CoS for Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) foreigners.

The fee is charged for the aforementioned cases if they are expecting to get a job lasting 6 months or longer while they are out of the UK. While, if the foreigner is already in the UK the fee will be charged for any sort of extent of the job period.

Excempt to pay this fee are cases when the sponsor wishes to assign a CoS to the following cases:

• A foreigner with Tier 4 (General) student about to switch into a Tier 2 (General)
• A foreigner already having a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Graduate Trainee
• A foreigner who is about to get a job within the PhD level of the SOC code
• Dependants of the worker that the sponsor wishes to assign CoS for

The fee depends on the size of the sponsor employer and the length of the contract with the sponsored foreign worker, but the general fee is presented below:

• First year / small or charitable employers – £364
• First year / medium or large employers – £1,000
• Every further half-year / small or charitable employers – £182
• Every further half-year / medium or large employers – £500
• For persons working less than a year and more than half-year – £364 or £1,000

Which are responsibilities of the sponsor?

Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a foreign worker will make the sponsor responsible as in the following:

• Properly examine skills, education, accreditations related to the job requirements
• The issuance of the CoS has to be for a suitable job for sponsorship
• Inform UKVI about any break of the visa conditions from the sponsored worker
• be informed about workers’ immigration status
• keeping dossier of sponsorship for any foreign worker
• keep information and registers about workers presence in the work place and inform IKVI in case of any unexplained absence
• update contact information of the worker
• For any change in the business process – must inform UKVI within 20 working days, if any of the following happen to the sponsor employer:
• Insolvency
• change in the business’ scope of work
• part-taking in a union or take-over

The change must be registered using SMS.

Who cannot be sponsored to work in the UK?

Employers are not allowed to sponsor the following:

• Persons aged below 18 for the category of Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme), Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – International Agreement) for a job as a private servant in a diplomatic household, or in the household of an international organization
• Persons aged below 16 for the any Tier 2 category

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