Types of UK Visas and how to successfully apply

The UK has a variety of different visa types for people looking to move to the UK, so whether you’re moving for study, short stays, business or permanent relocation, it is important to know and understand which UK visa is most suitable for you.

Being issued a visa means that you are eligible to enter the UK whilst meeting the specific requirements for that particular type of visa.

This article provides a detailed overview of some of the more common types of UK visas.

Information within this article must not be taken as legal advice and should provide only a better understanding of what the process may or may not entail. If you are planning to relocate to the UK and unsure which visa option is best for you, request a free introduction to one of our trusted UK Visa partners. Once connected, you will receive a free initial consultation during which your options can be explored.

The UK Innovator Visa

The UK Innovator Visa was specifically created for people looking to move to the UK who either own an established business or have a carefully created business plan for a new business.

You will be required to set up and run a UK business once you have been approved for the visa.

It initially allows you to stay within the UK for 3 years, however this can have the possibility of extension if applied for once the visa has expired. Despite the ability to have extension granted, after being in the UK for 5 years or more you may prefer to apply for British nationality.

While on an Innovator Visa in the UK, you will not be eligible for any income support, benefits or tax credits of any kind.

This visa option is for individuals that wish to run one or multiple businesses within the UK, that do not have any interest in working for anywhere else or taking on any type of work outside of their own owned businesses.

While on this visa you are prohibited from training for any other profession and from being employed elsewhere.

The basic core requirements for this type of visa are summarised as follows:

Have an existing business or a well-structured business plan with the intention of creating a UK business – both of which will need to be officially endorsed
Have a minimum of £50,000 of capital to invest in your business
Can prove you can support yourself when living in the UK
Have a bank account with a minimum of £1,270 for 28 consecutive days before applying for your visa (this must be separate from the investment fund)
Are willing to run the UK business
Are over 18 years of age and can speak English

Some of the additional documentation you will need in support of being granted a UK innovator visa will include but is not limited to;

Current passport (with a blank page) or other valid travel identification
Bank statement showing you have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 or more consecutive days
Proof of £50,000 capital or investment funds
Passing language and medical tests, if required

For more information about the UK Innovator Visa, please read our detailed overview or request an introduction to one of our trusted partners.

UK Spouse Visa or UK Partner/Marriage Visa

The UK Spouse Visa (also commonly known as the UK Partner or UK Marriage Visa) enables individuals who are non-UK nationals to be able to join their partner or spouse within the UK, on the basis that that their partner is a British citizen or holds a UK visa themselves.

This visa can allow you to stay within the UK with your UK settled partner for up to a maximum of 30 months and is commonly the first step to gaining indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

The Spouse visa is valid for 2.5 years once it has been approved, with the possibility of extension for a further 2.5 years.

The core requirements for a successful application for a UK Spouse Visa can be summarised as follows:

Passing the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’ (a series of criteria to prove you are in a genuine relationship)
Meeting financial and minimum income requirements
Proving you have sufficient knowledge of the English language
Being able to prove suitable accommodation in the UK on your arrival
Taking a medical test to prove you do not have Tuberculosis
Provide required biometric information

Addition documentation that will need to be provided to the UK Home Office will include;

Your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
A valid passport
Evidence that you have lived with your partner for 2 or more years
Proof of your accommodation when you arrive
Evidence of you and your partner’s income and financial situation
Proof that your partner is either a UK Citizen (birth certificate) or a UK settled citizen (their UK passport or visa)

For more information about the UK Spouse Visa, please read our detailed overview or request an introduction to one of our trusted partners.

UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Visa is specifically designed for overseas workers of an established non-UK company to establish work in the UK as part of that company’s expansion into the UK.

It enables companies to set up a UK operation, and providing one of the workers is a UK based director, up to four additional expansion workers can join within the same company.

However, if the UK company does not have a UK based director, only one expansion worker can join the UK company.

This type of visa lasts for 12 months, but can be renewed and extended for additional periods of 12 months (as long as eligibility criteria are still being met).

Another benefit of the Expansion Visa is that a successful applicant will be able to bring a spouse or partner with them to the UK, along with any children they may have.

Measurement of eligibility

Due to the expansion worker visa being a points-based visa, eligibility for a successful applicant requires the individual to be awarded a total of 60 points.

The 60 points is earned through three key areas (sponsorship, skills, and salary), each is worth 20 points. As a guide, to be eligible the following conditions will need to be met by both the employer and the employee:

Sponsor: The applicant will be required to have a signed Certificate of Sponsorship, which will be sponsored by the overseas employer/company. The company has to have been in operation for three or more consecutive years before the employee arrives in the UK.
Skill: The applicant will have to be a skilled/specialist worker for the company – or occupying a senior position within the company. This means that the applicant must be employed as one of the eligible occupations as determined by the UK Home Office as determined by the UK Government Website
Salary: If the applicant earns between £42,400 and £73,900, they will have to have been employed by the company for a minimum of 12 months before arriving in the UK.
Salary: If you earn over £73,900, the requirement to have been employed for over 12 months prior to relocating to the UK is removed.

For more information about the UK Expansion Worker Visa, please read our detailed overview or request an introduction to one of our trusted partners.

Need help with a UK visa application?

If you're unsure which visa route is right for you, concerned about eligibility requirements, or simply want reassurance before proceeding, we can help.

We can connect you with a trusted UK visa specialist who understands the challenges often faced by people moving to the UK.

Request a free, no-obligation introduction today and we'll review your circumstances before connecting you with the most appropriate specialist from our network.

How can an introduction through Experts for Expats help?

Clarifying which visa options are most relevant to your circumstances
Avoiding costly mistakes before submitting an application
Understanding eligibility requirements and supporting documentation
Planning a move involving partners, children or other family members
Creating a clear plan for relocating to and settling in the UK

Speak to a trusted UK visa specialist