Visas for the United Kingdom

If you’re an expat planning to travel, take up a short-term job offer, or make a more permanent move to the UK, you’ll need to consider applying for a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), depending on your nationality. The visa process and availability of certain types vary, so it’s key to know which one fits your situation before booking your flight.

The UK uses a points-based immigration system that applies equally to both EU and non-EU nationals. Irish nationals, however, can continue to visit, live, and work freely in the UK. If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you can still visit the UK for up to six months without needing a visa. But if you’re planning to work, study, or stay longer, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate visa. Options range from work visas to study or family visas.

The official GOV.UK website is the best source for up-to-date information on UK visas and immigration. Alternatively, your local embassy or consulate can offer guidance on the latest requirements for your nationality.

Below, you’ll find a summary of some of the most common visa types for the UK.

Useful links

• GOV.UK – Visas and immigration

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new entry requirement for nationals from certain countries, allowing you to visit the UK for up to six months without needing a full visa. Currently, nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates can apply for an ETA. If you’re travelling with a passport from one of these countries, this might be the simpler route.

Starting in November 2024, many more nationalities will be eligible for an ETA, including citizens from the United States, Canada, and Australia. This means you could bypass the visa process for short visits related to tourism, business, or study.

An ETA grants permission to travel but doesn’t guarantee entry. On arrival, you’ll still need to meet a Border Force officer who’ll decide if you can enter the UK.

The application process is quick, often taking less than three days, and it can be done via the UK ETA app or online. The ETA is valid for two years, during which you can make multiple trips to the UK as long as you don’t stay for more than six months at a time. But remember, if your passport expires, so does your ETA.

Useful links

• GOV.UK – ETA

Standard visitor visas for the United Kingdom

A standard visitor visa lets you visit the UK for tourism, short-term study, business, or medical treatment for up to six months. It’s ideal if you’re planning a holiday or short trip.

Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland don’t need a visa to visit the UK for up to six months, and they can continue to use ePassport gates at the UK border for faster entry. However, non-European nationals will need to apply for a standard visitor visa before their trip.

You won’t be able to use your EU, EEA, or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless you meet specific conditions, such as having settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, holding a frontier worker permit, or other similar situations.

To obtain a visitor visa, you’ll need to show you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit – providing proof of onward travel and demonstrating sufficient funds for your stay. Bear in mind, you cannot work, access public funds, or get married while in the UK on a visitor visa.

Useful links

• GOV.UK – Check if you need a UK visa

Student visas for the United Kingdom

If you want to take short-term courses, you may be able to apply for a standard visitor visa. Longer-term courses will require a student visa.

If you’re 16 or over and have been accepted into an academic program by a licensed student sponsor, you can apply for a student visa. You will also need enough money to support yourself and be fluent in English. Parental consent is required if you’re under 18.

The validity of student visas depends on the course. Degree-level courses typically allow for five years in the UK; below that, validity is up to two years.

If you’re on a student visa, you may be able to work, depending on what you are studying and whether the work would take place during or outside of semester time. Generally, the student visa limits the number of hours that can be worked weekly.

Family visas for the United Kingdom

Family visas allow you to move to the UK to live with a family member for more than six months. Family members can include a spouse or partner, child, parent, or relative. Note that the fees for a family visa vary based on how and where you apply. Generally, costs are lower when applying from within the UK.

Applying for a visa for the United Kingdom

Before moving to the UK, you will need to determine the appropriate visa for your situation and undergo the relevant application process.

It is best to apply for a UK visa well before the intended date of travel, as it’s challenging to predict processing times and whether delays might arise along the way. The visa application process will also likely differ in each expat’s home country, so you must research the appropriate process for your country of origin.

If you’re applying for certain visas for the UK, you will also need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and facial images). This will be collected at the visa application centre.

You may have additional requirements depending on your nationality and the type of visa for which you are applying. For example, work visa applications may also require proof of tuberculosis screening and proof of your knowledge of English.

Permanent residence in the United Kingdom

If you want to remain in the United Kingdom for the long term, you will need to apply for permanent residence. To do so, you must have lived legally in the UK for a certain length of time (usually five years) before you can apply, depending on the category of visa you currently possess.

Being a permanent resident means you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK and are free from immigration control. You are also free to live and work in the UK without restrictions. Those with indefinite leave to remain have a visa status known as ‘settled status’, which is a step towards naturalisation as a British citizen.

Generally, you must have lived in the UK continuously for five years to qualify for ILR, but spouses of British citizens can apply for ILR after three years. You cannot have been outside the UK for longer than six months at any time during the relevant period.

It is also beneficial to demonstrate that you have strong ties to the UK and consider it home – for example, owning property or business in the country.

Permanent residents who only spend short periods in the UK may risk losing their ILR status. To avoid this, it’s best to consider applying for British citizenship as soon as possible, usually a year after being granted ILR status.

EU Settlement Scheme

In the wake of Brexit, if you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss national living in or moving to the UK, you must check whether you need a visa or work permit. The GOV.UK website has a ‘Brexit checker’ where you can get immigration information personalised to your needs.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals and their family to continue living in the UK and receive the same rights as they had pre-Brexit. Generally, this scheme applies if you were already living in the UK by 31 December 2020. As such, you must check the latest regulations for the EU Settlement Scheme and whether you are eligible to apply.

Useful links

• GOV.UK – Travel or do business in Europe: Brexit guidance
• GOV.UK – EU Settlement Scheme

*Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and you should contact your respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.