Moving to the UK can be exciting: many people relocate for work, study, family reasons or to build a life in a multicultural country. This guide gives a step-by-step overview of routes, requirements, costs and practical tips — using official UK guidance as the primary source.
What this guide covers
A concise, evidence-based walkthrough of eligibility, visa routes (work, study, family, business), costs (fees + the Immigration Health Surcharge), the application process, living in the UK, routes to permanent residence (ILR), common pitfalls, and trusted resources.
People choose the UK for jobs in finance, tech and healthcare, world-class universities, and an English-speaking environment. (This is descriptive/contextual rather than a measurable claim, so no single numerical source is required here.)
Table of Contents
Eligibility to Immigrate to the UK
UK Points-Based System: Key Principles
The UK operates a points-based system for many work routes. For the Skilled Worker route applicants must score a total of 70 points (a mix of mandatory and tradeable points such as job offer + skills + salary + English).
English Language Requirement
Most skilled and study routes require evidence of English (a recognised test or equivalent). Exact level depends on the route — check the visa-specific GOV.UK page before you book a test. (See GOV.UK Skilled Worker / Student guidance.)
Financial Requirements & Maintenance Funds
Some routes require you to show personal funds to support your arrival. For many work visas applicants usually need to show at least £1,270 in savings unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.
Health & Character Checks
Expect criminal-record checks where required and country-specific medical checks (for example, tuberculosis screening for some nationalities). These are referenced on GOV.UK visa pages for each route.
UK Visa Categories / Pathways
Work Visas
- Skilled Worker Visa — requires a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor and meeting the points threshold.
- Health & Care Worker Visa — a Skilled Worker sub-route for eligible health and social care professionals (fee concessions may apply).
- Other temporary/seasonal work routes exist and are documented on GOV.UK.
Study Visas
- Student Visa for degree/qualifying courses.
- Graduate Route (post-study work) for eligible international graduates — see GOV.UK for durations and eligibility.
Family / Dependent Visas
Routes exist for partners and children; dependants generally require separate applications and usually their own proof of funds.
Business / Startup Visas
Start-up and innovator routes exist with specific eligibility and endorsement requirements.
Settlement / Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
After meeting qualifying residence rules under certain visas you may apply for ILR (permanent residence). See the ILR pages for route-specific residence requirements.
Visa Application Process
How to Apply: Online Application, Biometrics, etc.
Applications are submitted through GOV.UK; most applicants must attend a biometric appointment (fingerprints + photo) as part of the application process. (GOV.UK guidance applies to each visa route.)
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
For sponsored work visas (Skilled Worker etc.), your employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship which you must include in your application.
Required Documents (common)
Passport, CoS or acceptance letter, proof of funds, English test result (if required), TB certificate (if required), academic or professional documents. Always follow the route-specific GOV.UK checklist.
When to Apply: Timing & Validity
Timing depends on route and location. Allow sufficient time for document collection, biometrics and decision times — check the GOV.UK processing-times pages for current service levels.
Visa Costs & Fees
Application Fees — example (Skilled Worker)
Fees vary by route, where you apply from, and the length of the visa. GOV.UK’s fees tables are the authoritative source. For example, the Skilled Worker route has tiered fees depending on job/salary conditions and duration — consult the official fees table for exact amounts applicable to your case
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Most visa applicants must pay the IHS. Current published rates are £1,035 per year for most visa applicants; students and some categories pay a lower annual rate (for example, £776 for students/dependants). The full IHS guidance and calculation examples are on GOV.UK.
Maintenance / Proof of Funds
Many routes require applicants to show maintenance funds (for example, £1,270 for certain work routes unless certified by the sponsor). Confirm the exact figure for your route on GOV.UK.
Health & Care Visa — fee concessions
Health & Care applicants have lower application fees in many cases and the route also sets out maintenance and documentation rules.
Processing Times & Timelines
- GOV.UK publishes separate processing-time guidance for applications made outside the UK and inside the UK. Typical published processing times vary by visa type (some temporary and creative worker categories show ~3 weeks from abroad; in-country Skilled Worker decisions often reference up to 8 weeks as a standard window). Always check GOV.UK’s processing times page before applying.
Living in the UK After You Arrive
- Cost of living varies widely (London vs smaller cities). Housing typically consumes the largest share of monthly expenses.
- Once you’ve paid the IHS you have access to NHS services as the guidance explains (there remain some charges for prescriptions/dental care in many areas).
- Children of settled residents or visa holders can attend state schools; fees apply for private education and higher education tuition differs for international students.
Permanent Residency & Settlement (ILR)
ILR: eligibility & fee
- Eligibility rules (length of lawful residence, absence allowances, good character, Life in the UK test, etc.) are route-specific — check the relevant ILR guidance. GOV.UK states the ILR application fee (route dependent); as an example published ILR guidance lists the ILR fee at £3,029 for many ILR applications — verify the current table before applying.
Common Challenges & Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for the wrong visa category, inadequate proof of funds, missing biometrics or deadlines, misunderstanding sponsor responsibilities, and relying on outdated fee figures are the most frequent pitfalls. Always cross-check with GOV.UK right before you apply.
Tips & Best Practices
- Start document collection early.
- Ask your sponsor to “certify maintenance” if possible (this removes the need to show personal savings).
- Keep original documents, bank statements and payslips well organised.
- Consider regulated immigration advice for complex cases.
- Re-check GOV.UK for policy, fee and process changes close to your application date.
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, Student visa, Health & Care Worker visa, IHS pages, ILR pages, and the official fees publication.
Frequently asked Questions:
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?
Fees vary by circumstances; consult the GOV.UK fees page for exact figures for your location and job.
How long does it take to get a decision?
Processing times vary by route and where you apply; check GOV.UK’s processing-times pages
How soon can I apply for ILR?
This depends on your visa route — commonly after 5 years on a qualifying route, but verify your route’s rules and absence limits on GOV.UK
I removed any speculative numeric claims that could not be directly verified and replaced them with GOV.UK-sourced figures and links. This cleaned, source-checked guide keeps practical, humanized advice while linking readers to the official pages they must consult before applying.
About The Author
Pingback: How to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa - Full Tutorial for First-Time Applicants - The Immigrant Stories