The UK is a popular destination for work, study and family life for many due to its opportunities and high quality of life. However, moving to the UK requires obtaining the correct visa or immigration status, which can be a long and complex process. Since there are many routes to moving and living in the UK, it can be difficult to understand which is the best route to take, whether it’s through education or marital status.
This article will help to cover the main legal pathways that you can take to enter and move to the UK, outlining key requirements and practical steps that can make it simple and easy to understand your path to living in the UK.
Understanding UK immigration rules
The UK immigration system is set up as a points-based system that lets foreign nationals work or study in the UK and requires applicants to have 70 points based on a job offer, skill level, English proficiency and salary. Each applicant must meet a specific criterion, depending on the visa type. Choosing the correct visa for your route into the UK is highly important, so your route is legal and catered to individual circumstances. It’s also important that you stay up to date with recent information and immigration rules so that your route is completely legal.
Work-based visas
The skilled worker visa is the most common route to live and work in the UK, as it allows those who are skilled in a specific area of work to be sponsored to live in the UK, provided that they meet salary and skill level thresholds. This is often perfect for those in healthcare who would like to move on to a healthcare and work visa or those who are highly skilled on a global talent visa, and can lead to the acquisition of British citizenship.
Study-based routes
For those accepted into UK educational institutions, the student visa is the most appropriate and easy way to live and work in the UK. For this visa, there are requirements and information that students must provide to gain this kind of visa, including the confirmation of acceptance into the educational institution, proof of sufficient funds and English language proficiency. After graduation, it is possible to switch to a work visa to remain in the UK after completing studies.
Family-based immigration
In the UK, there are visas available for those who are joining a family member, such as a spouse, partner, parent, or child, in the UK. This includes UK spouse visas or UK family visas, which need proof of relationships, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates, to acquire, as well as financial thresholds and proof of suitable accommodation. This route often leads to settlements after a qualifying period.
Other immigration pathways
If these routes do not apply to you or your situation, alternative routes include, which allow commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry, innovator or start-up visas, which help entrepreneurs set up businesses in the UK, or refugee or asylum routes for those fleeing crises or war. Each of these individual pathways has its own eligibility criteria that a person must meet to enter the UK legally.