UK Visa Types
| Visa Type | Eligibility |
| Skilled Worker Visa | For skilled workers with a job offer in the United Kingdom |
| Temporary Worker Visa | For temporary workers in the UK for less than one year |
| Youth Mobility Visa | 2-year work permit for young people aged 18-30 (eligibility is limited to certain countries) |
| Paid Permitted Engagement Visa | Short-term entry for experts invited to the UK |
| Sportsperson Visa | Work permit for sportspersons |
| Minister of Religion Visa | Work permit for religious workers |
| Intra-Company Transfer Visa | For employees transferring to work in a UK branch |
| Business Visitor Visa | For business people who travel to the UK for up to six months for business activities |
| Adult Student Visa | For students who want to study in the UK |
| Two-year Post-study Work Visa | For international students who studied a bachelor’s or master’s course in the UK |
| Student Visitor Visa | Studying in the UK temporarily |
| Child Student Visa | For children between 4-17 to study in the UK |
| Spouse Visa | For spouses of British Citizens or settled people |
| Fiancé Visa | For fiancés of British Citizens or settled people |
| Unmarried Partner Visa | For long-term partners of British Citizens or settled people |
| Adult Dependent Visa | For foreign nationals requiring care from their relative in the UK |
| Innovator Visa | For international entrepreneurs who invest £50,000 in a business in the UK |
| Investor Visa | For international investors with a minimum of £2 million to invest in a UK business |
| Startup Visa | For applicants who have approved sponsors to start their business in the UK |
| Transit Visa | For passengers who pass through the UK on their way to another country |
| Tourist Visa | For visitors who travel to the UK for up to six months for leisure |
| Ancestry visa | Citizens of commonwealth countries with a British grandparent |
| Schengen Visa | Travel throughout the Schengen area |
UK Visa Processing Times
When applying for a UK visa, it is important to know the processing times for different types of visas. Processing times can vary depending on the type of visa and the country of origin of the applicant. Generally, UK visas take around 3 weeks to process but some may take longer.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Visa For The UK?
The amount of time it takes to get a visa for the UK depends on the type of visa you are applying for. Typically, the standard processing time is around three weeks, but in some cases, it can take up to six months or more. This is due to the fact that the Home Office needs to thoroughly review all applications before granting a visa.
Priority Services To Apply For UK Visa
If you need to get a visa in a hurry, there are priority services available. These services are for people who need a visa for urgent reasons, such as medical treatment or if you have a specific deadline. If you choose this option, your visa will be processed within three days. However, this service can be expensive and is only available to those who meet certain criteria.
Another option is the ‘super priority’ service, which allows you to get your visa within 24 hours. This service is more expensive than the priority service and is only available for certain types of visas.
It is important to note that priority and super-priority services do not guarantee that your visa will be approved. The processing time is faster but the Home Office still has to thoroughly review all applications before granting a visa.
What Are the Reasons for UK Visa Denial?
When applying for a UK visa, the most important step is to ensure that your application meets all the requirements and criteria outlined by the UK Home Office. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why a visa application can be denied, ranging from not meeting the requirements to providing false information or documentation.
Common Reasons for UK Visa Denial
- Not Meeting the Basic Requirements: A UK visa application will be rejected if an applicant does not meet the basic requirements set out by the UK Home Office. This can include not having sufficient financial means, or not having enough funds to cover the intended length of stay. Additionally, failure to provide complete and accurate supporting documents can result in a visa denial.
- Falsified Documents: Applicants must always provide genuine, verifiable documents to the UK Home Office when applying for a visa. Any attempt to provide falsified or forged documents will result in a visa refusal.
- Incorrectly Completed Forms: All forms related to a UK visa application must be completed accurately and truthfully. Incomplete or incorrect information on any form can lead to a visa refusal.
- Previous Immigration Violations: If an applicant has been previously refused entry into the UK, or has overstayed their visa in the past, it is likely that their current application will be refused.
- Discrepancies in Biometric Information: The UK Home Office uses biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial recognition technology, to verify an applicant’s identity and to check for any discrepancies between their provided documents and the biometric data collected. If any discrepancies are found, then the visa application may be refused.
- Criminal Record: An applicant with a criminal record may have their application denied if they have committed any offences that are deemed serious enough to warrant a visa refusal.
How to Avoid Visa Denial
To ensure that your UK visa application is successful, it is important to make sure that you meet all the requirements outlined by the UK Home Office. Additionally, you should always submit genuine documents and information that is truthful and accurate in order to avoid any discrepancies that could lead to your application being refused. Finally, if you have previously been refused entry into the UK or have overstayed your visa in the past, you may wish to consult with a specialist immigration lawyer before submitting your application in order to avoid further complications.
What Can I Do In Case of Visa Denial?
If you have been denied a UK visa, it can be quite disheartening. But don’t worry – there are options available to you. Firstly, you may appeal the decision if you feel the refusal was based on incorrect information or was otherwise unfair. You must make your appeal within 28 days of the date of the decision notice.
When appealing a visa denial, you must provide a written statement explaining why you feel the decision should be overturned. You will need to provide evidence to support your argument such as letters from your employer, school, or any other relevant documents. You may also wish to include character references or proof of funds for your intended stay.
Your appeal must be sent to the tribunal appointed by the UK government to hear such cases. It will then be reviewed and a decision will be made.
You may also choose to reapply for a UK visa. If this is the case, you must ensure that all documentation is complete and up-to-date and that you meet all necessary requirements. It’s best to get help from an immigration lawyer if you are unsure about how to proceed.
Lasty, if your visa was refused due to not providing enough information, you may consider reapplying with an updated application and additional information. Be sure to include all relevant documents and evidence to strengthen your application.
No matter what option you choose, make sure that you understand why your application was rejected in the first place and take the necessary steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Will I Get a Refund?
When applying for a UK visa, there may be an associated fee. If you are refused a UK visa or your application is withdrawn, you may be eligible for a refund of the fees paid.
The UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has a refund policy that applies to visa applications that are rejected, or withdrawn before the decision is made. Generally, this includes applications made through the Premium Service Centre, online or at a visa application centre. It does not include postal applications made via HM Passport Office or by completing a paper form.
The refund policy states that you are eligible for a refund of the fees paid if
- Your application is rejected
- Your application is withdrawn before the decision is made
- Your application is successful but there is an error in the calculation of your visa fee
- Your passport/travel document is not available in time for the date of your appointment
- You have to cancel or postpone your appointment due to circumstances beyond your control
If your application is approved, you will not be eligible for a refund. However, you can submit an appeal if you feel that you should have received a refund.
When making your visa application, it is important to check that all documents and information submitted are accurate and up to date. If any mistakes are made in the submission of your application, you may not be entitled to a refund of the visa fees paid.
Can I Get a UK Visa If I Have a Criminal Record?
Having a criminal record can affect your ability to get a UK visa. The UK Government is responsible for making sure that the country is safe and that only those people who do not pose a threat are allowed to enter the country. As part of this vetting process, those applying for UK visas may be asked to provide details of their criminal records.
In general, if you have a criminal record, this could lead to your visa application being refused. However, there are exceptions and exemptions that allow some individuals to be given consideration. For example, if you have only been convicted of minor offences, such as minor traffic violations, then these may not necessarily lead to refusal. In addition, if you have already served your sentence and it was more than 12 months ago, then it is unlikely to be taken into consideration.
The exact effect of a criminal record on a visa application can vary depending on the seriousness of the offence committed and the type of visa being applied for. For instance, if you are applying for a visa to visit the UK for a short period of time (less than 6 months), the Home Office may consider waiving the criminal record requirement. In other cases, they may require further proof or documentation in order to make a decision.
It is important to note that each case is different and the Home Office will take into account the individual circumstances. If you are unsure about how a criminal record may affect your visa application, it is best to seek advice from an immigration lawyer. They will be able to provide more detailed guidance based on your specific situation.
Do I Need to Register With the Police?
For certain UK visa types, you may be required to register with the police in the UK. This is a legal requirement for some visa categories and failure to comply can lead to fines, detention, or deportation.
In the UK, registration with the police is a legal requirement for some visa categories. If you are granted a visa for more than 6 months, you may be required to register with the police within 7 days of arriving in the country. You must have a valid passport, UK visa, and proof of address at the time of registration. You will also need to pay the fee associated with registering with the police.
Certain types of visas require police registration such as those issued for work or study. Tier 1 Investor and Entrepreneur visa holders, and their family members, must register within seven days of arrival in the UK. Also, skilled worker , Tier 4 and Tier 5 visa holders are obliged to register at the local police station within 7 days of entering the UK.
Failure to register with the police can result in fines, detention, or deportation. Therefore, it is important to understand if you are subject to this requirement and what documents are necessary for registration. Once you have registered with the police, you will be given a registration certificate to prove your compliance.
Police registration is a legal requirement for certain visa categories in the UK. Therefore, it is important to understand if your visa requires you to register with the police and what documents are necessary for registration. Failure to register can result in fines, detention, or deportation so it is important to take this seriously. Once you have registered with the police, you will receive a certificate which proves your compliance.
How we can help
CGM App is an end-to-end immigration app, designed to make immigration and global mobility seamless. It is designed specifically for expats, sponsoring companies, and immigration consultants, globally.
Visit cgmpartners.org.uk/register for more information.
Frequently asked questions
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