Category: UK Nationality & Rights

Background In 1948, The British Nationality Act introduced the concept of citizenship of the United Kingdom and the colonies.  Citizens of other Commonwealth nations became British subjects or Commonwealth citizens and their right to enter and reside in the United Kingdom was protected. All citizens of Commonwealth countries were British subjects until January 1983. The […]

Employment Visas In respect of non-EU nationals, the UK  operates a points-based system of work visas. Tier 1 relates to self-employed persons. Tier 2 covers the majority of work-related visas. There is a cap on Tier 2 general visas. They are subject to skills requirement and pay thresholds for the jobs concerned. There two routes; […]

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa Conditions for the visa: set up or run a business in the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland meet the other eligibility requirements have access to at least £50,000 investment funds to apply. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months.  […]

Spouses and Partners Non-EEA nationals who seek leave to enter- remain or settle as a family member of a British citizen or settled person may apply for visas on the application of the British or settled person sponsoring them to join them in the UK. They must prove they are earning a minimum income of […]

Immigration law in the United Kingdom Immigration law in the United Kingdom is organised on a UK wide basis.  There is a common travel area between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, which is recognised by the Immigration Act.  The influence of European Union Treaty rights has been substantial in the area of […]

Irish Free State The Free State Constitution declared that every person domiciled in the Irish Free State upon the  coming into operation of the (1922) Constitution who was born in Ireland or either of whose parents was born in Ireland or had been ordinarily resident for not less than seven years became a citizen of […]

Choose a UK visit or short stay visa Standard Visitor visa Apply for this visa if you want to visit the UK on holiday or to see your family and friends, do business, take part in sports or creative events, or receive private medical treatment. Can work Can study How long you can stay Cost […]

General work visa (Tier 2) Contents Overview Eligibility Knowledge of English Documents you must provide Apply Extend your visa Switch to this visa Family members Taking a second job Overview You can apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa if: you’ve been offered a skilled job in the UK you’re from outside the European Economic […]

Intra-company Transfer visa (Tier 2) Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide Apply Extend your visa Switch to this visa Family members Overview You can apply for a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa if: your overseas employer has offered you a role in a UK branch of the organisation you’re from outside the European Economic […]

Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (Tier 5) Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide Apply Extend your visa Switch to this visa Family members Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) concession Overview You must apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) visa if: you’ve been offered work […]

Youth Mobility Scheme visa (Tier 5) Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide Apply Overview You can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa if you: want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years are aged 18 to 30 have £1,890 in savings have certain types of British […]

Temporary Worker – Religious Worker visa (Tier 5) Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide Apply Extend your visa Family members Overview You can apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Religious Worker) visa if: you want to do religious work, such as preaching or working in a religious order you’re from outside the […]

Start-up visa Contents Overview Eligibility Knowledge of English Documents you must provide Apply Switch to this visa Family members Overview You can apply for a Start-up visa if: you want to set up a business in the UK you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland you meet the other eligibility requirements Getting […]

Exceptional Talent visa (Tier 1) Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide Apply Extend your visa Switch to this visa Family members Overview You can apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa if you work in a qualifying field and have been endorsed as: a recognised leader (exceptional talent) an emerging leader (exceptional promise) […]

Graduate Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1) Contents Overview Family members Overview You can no longer apply for a new Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa. If you want to set up a business in the UK you can apply for a Start-up visa instead. If you already have a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa You can still […]

Investor visa (Tier 1) Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide Apply Extend your visa Switch to this visa Family members Overview You can apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa if: you want to invest £2,000,000 or more in the UK you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland you meet the […]

Check if you can become a British citizen There are different ways to apply for British citizenship based on your circumstances. If you were born in the UK You do not automatically get British citizenship if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances. You may […]

Life in the UK Test Contents Book the Life in the UK Test What happens at the test Cancellations, refunds and complaints Book the Life in the UK Test This is the only official government service for booking the Life in the UK Test. You need to take the test as part of your application […]

Visiting the UK after Brexit What you’ll need to do to visit the UK after the UK leaves the EU, including whether you’ll need to apply for a visa. Published 5 March 2019 Last updated 1 May 2019 — see all updates From: UK Visas and Immigration, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Department […]

Standard Visitor visa Contents Overview Eligibility Documents you must provide If you’re under 18 Apply Extend your visa Overview You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK: for leisure, for example on holiday or to see your family and friends for business, or to take part in sports […]

Passport rules for travel to Europe from 1 January 2021 Find out if you need to renew your passport before you travel to Europe from 1 January 2021 and which countries the new rules apply to. Published 13 September 2018 Last updated 25 September 2020 — see all updates From: HM Passport Office New rules for […]