United Kingdom UK Visa Routes: Skilled Work, Global Talent, Study and Family
- Capital
- London
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English
- Official fee
- 894 – 4,506 GBP
The United Kingdom operates a points-based immigration system administered by the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration). It is not a member of the EU or the Schengen Area following Brexit. Most long-term routes require sponsorship, endorsement, or a qualifying relationship, and lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) typically after 5 years, followed by naturalisation as a British citizen.
Immigration Pathways
(18) Last updated: Jun 19, 2026 2 months agoNo pathways match your search.
Requires a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. From 22 July 2025, the sponsored job must be skilled to RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above — approximately 180 medium-skilled occupations (RQF 3–5) were removed from eligibility. Exceptions apply for: (1) roles on the Immigration Salary List; (2) roles on the Temporary Shortage List (occupations at RQF 3–5 critical to the Modern Industrial Strategy, time-limited to end of 2026 except adult social care); (3) workers already sponsored in the Skilled Worker route before 22 July 2025 (transitional protection to renew, change employment, or take supplementary employment in the same SOC code). The worker does not need to hold a graduate qualification personally — it is the job itself that must be at RQF Level 6.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK) after biometrics and documents
- Validity
- Up to 5 years per grant; renewable
- Language requirement
- English at the required CEFR level
- Documents
- 4 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 5 years
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (subject to residence rules)
A reduced-fee, IHS-exempt sponsored work route for medical professionals and care workers with an approved health/care sponsor.
- Processing time
- Usually 3 weeks; faster-decision service available for an extra fee
- Validity
- Up to 5 years per grant; renewable
- Language requirement
- English at the required CEFR level
- Documents
- 3 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 5 years
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (subject to residence rules)
A sponsored route to work for a fast-growing UK business; after 6 months sponsored you may work unsponsored. Leads to settlement after 5 years.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- 2 years initially, extendable
- Language requirement
- English at the required CEFR level
- Documents
- 4 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 5 years
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (subject to residence rules)
For senior managers or specialist employees transferred to a UK branch of an overseas business. Does not lead directly to settlement.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- Max 5 years (9 in any 10-year period if paid £73,900+)
- Language requirement
- No English language requirement for this route
- Documents
- 4 required
A post-study work route for graduates of UK courses to stay and work or look for work. Non-extendable; no direct settlement.
- Processing time
- Usually 8 weeks
- Validity
- 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD or doctoral graduates: 3 years (unchanged). The visa cannot be extended.
- Language requirement
- Not separately tested (English proven on the prior Student visa)
- Documents
- 3 required
For people aged 16+ accepted onto a course with a licensed UK student sponsor. Does not lead directly to settlement but can be a route into work visas.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- Duration of the course plus a short wrap-up period
- Language requirement
- English at the required CEFR level
- Documents
- 4 required
Allows graduates from top global universities to live and work in the UK without a job offer. The route is capped at 8,000 applications per allocation year (1 November–31 October), introduced 4 November 2025; applications exceeding the cap are treated as invalid rather than refused. English language must be demonstrated at CEFR B2 level across all four components for initial applications on or after 8 January 2026.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- 2 years (3 years for PhD), non-extendable
- Language requirement
- English at CEFR B2 (for initial applications on or after 8 January 2026). Holders already granted leave under the previous B1 requirement continue to be subject to B1 if extending.
- Documents
- 4 required
For a senior worker setting up a UK branch of an overseas business that has no current UK trading presence. Short-term, no settlement route.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- Up to 12 months initially; maximum total 2 years
- Language requirement
- No English language requirement for this route
- Documents
- 3 required
For experienced entrepreneurs establishing an innovative, viable and scalable UK business endorsed by an approved body. Leads to settlement after 3 years.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- 3 years per grant; renewable
- Language requirement
- English at the required CEFR level
- Documents
- 5 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 3 years if criteria met
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (subject to residence rules)
Closed to new applicants since 17 February 2022. Extension applications also closed on 17 February 2026 — no further extension applications can be submitted. Existing holders who obtained further leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor may still apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/settlement) until 17 February 2028.
- Processing time
- Not applicable (closed to new applicants)
- Validity
- Not applicable (closed to new applicants)
- Language requirement
- Not applicable to new applicants
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR remains available to existing/qualifying holders only
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR for existing holders (subject to residence rules)
For partners and spouses of British citizens or settled persons. Leads to settlement after 5 years on the 5-year route.
- Processing time
- Typically 8–12 weeks (longer without priority; super-priority available)
- Validity
- 2.5 years per grant on the 5-year route
- Language requirement
- English at the required CEFR level
- Documents
- 4 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 5 years (Life in the UK test + English)
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation immediately after ILR if married to a British citizen (the 12-month post-ILR wait is waived)
For British National (Overseas) status holders from Hong Kong and their family members to live, work and study in the UK. Leads to settlement after 5 years.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- 2.5 or 5 years, unlimited extensions
- Language requirement
- No English requirement to enter; required for ILR/citizenship
- Documents
- 3 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 5 years
- Citizenship
- Yes · Citizenship 12 months after ILR
An endorsement-based route for leaders or potential leaders in academia/research, arts and culture, or digital technology. No job offer required; fast track to settlement.
- Processing time
- Endorsement up to 8 weeks; visa 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Validity
- Up to 5 years per grant; renewable
- Language requirement
- No English language requirement for the visa itself
- Documents
- 2 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 3 years (exceptional talent / some fields) or 5 years
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (subject to residence rules)
A temporary route for young people (typically 18–30/35) from participating countries to live and work in the UK for up to 2–3 years. No settlement route.
- Processing time
- Usually 3 weeks
- Validity
- 24 months (Australia/Canada/New Zealand can extend by 1 year)
- Language requirement
- No English language requirement
- Documents
- 2 required
For Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man who intend to work in the UK. Leads to settlement after 5 years.
- Processing time
- Usually 3 weeks (from outside UK)
- Validity
- 5 years, extendable
- Language requirement
- No separate English language requirement
- Documents
- 4 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · ILR after 5 years
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (subject to residence rules)
Free scheme for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and family members resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. Settled status is effectively permanent residence.
- Processing time
- Varies; often within days to weeks
- Validity
- Pre-settled status (5 years) or settled status (indefinite)
- Language requirement
- No English requirement for the scheme itself
- Documents
- 1 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Settled status after 5 years' continuous residence (effectively PR)
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after settled status (subject to residence rules)
UK permanent residence, typically granted after 5 years' qualifying residence (3 for some routes), subject to the Life in the UK test and English requirement.
- Processing time
- Standard up to 6 months; priority and super-priority available
- Validity
- Indefinite (permanent residence)
- Language requirement
- English at the required level (not re-tested for Skilled Worker / Health and Care)
- Documents
- 3 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Granted on approval
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (waived if married to a British citizen)
The main route to British citizenship for adults holding ILR/settled status, subject to residence, Life in the UK test, English and good-character requirements.
- Processing time
- Usually up to 6 months
- Validity
- Permanent (citizenship)
- Language requirement
- English at the required level
- Documents
- 6 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Citizenship supersedes ILR
- Citizenship
- Yes · Granted on approval and at the citizenship ceremony
Views of the country
Frequently asked questions
What UK visa routes are available?
The UK operates a points-based immigration system with routes for skilled workers, health and care workers, global talent, scale-up workers, and global business mobility. There are also visas for students, graduates, high-potential individuals, innovators, and family partners. The Tier 1 Investor route is closed, and most long-term routes lead to settlement after the qualifying period.
Is the UK in the EU or Schengen?
No, the UK is not an EU or Schengen member after Brexit. Its immigration system is run separately by UK Visas and Immigration within the Home Office. UK visa rules and border checks are therefore distinct from EU and Schengen states.
How long do you need to live in the UK to settle?
Most long-term UK routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain, typically after 5 years of qualifying residence. After you hold ILR, you can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. The exact time may vary by visa category.
Can my partner or spouse come to the UK with me?
The Family visa covers partners and spouses and is one of the UK's documented immigration pathways. It is based on a qualifying relationship as defined by the Home Office. This route can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after the standard residence period.
What is the Skilled Worker visa?
The Skilled Worker visa is a points-based route for those coming to work in the UK. It requires sponsorship, which is a key condition for many long-term UK visas. This visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after the usual 5-year period.
What is the Global Talent visa?
The Global Talent visa is a UK points-based route for individuals recognised in their field. It requires an endorsement, which is one of the qualifying conditions for certain UK routes. This visa can lead to settlement like other long-term pathways.
