UK immigration basics: an overview of the main visa routes

The UK immigration system is complex and changes often. This guide gives a high-level overview of the main routes so you can understand the landscape and know where to look on GOV.UK. It is general information only. It is not immigration advice, and you should check the official guidance for the route you are interested in before applying.

A note about immigration advice

In the UK, it is a criminal offence for someone to give immigration advice or services unless they are qualified to do so. This is set out in Part 5 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (opens in a new tab). Qualified people include solicitors regulated by the SRA and advisers registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (opens in a new tab), which was previously called the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

Free Legal Advice UK is not qualified to give immigration advice and does not do so. This page describes the routes in general terms. If you want advice on your own case, speak to a regulated adviser.

How the system works

Immigration rules are made by the Home Office and published as the Immigration Rules. Applications are handled by UK Visas and Immigration. Each route has its own requirements, fees and evidence. Most applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives access to the NHS. The best starting point is GOV.UK's visas and immigration section (opens in a new tab).

The UK has moved to digital immigration status. Most people now prove their status with an eVisa (opens in a new tab), an online record linked to a UKVI account, rather than a physical document.

Visiting the UK

The Standard Visitor visa (opens in a new tab) covers activities such as tourism, visiting family and friends, some business activities and short courses of study. Visitors cannot normally work in the UK, and a visit is usually for up to six months.

Nationals of many countries do not need a visa to visit, but most now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel, including most European nationals. GOV.UK explains who needs an ETA (opens in a new tab) and how to apply.

Working in the UK

Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa (opens in a new tab) is the main work route. In broad terms, you need:

• a job offer from an employer that holds a sponsor licence from the Home Office
• a certificate of sponsorship from that employer
• a job in an eligible occupation, at the required skill level
• a salary that meets the relevant threshold
• to show you can speak, read, write and understand English to the required level

The eligible occupations and salary thresholds have changed several times in recent years, so always check the current figures on GOV.UK.

Health and Care Worker visa

The Health and Care Worker visa (opens in a new tab) is a version of the Skilled Worker route for eligible doctors, nurses, health professionals and some adult social care roles, with reduced fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The rules for care roles have been tightened, so check the current eligibility carefully.

Other work routes

There are other routes for particular groups, including the Global Talent visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts and culture or digital technology, and certain temporary work routes. Each has its own rules.

Studying in the UK

The Student visa (opens in a new tab) is for people aged 16 or over who want to study at a licensed student sponsor, such as a university. You usually need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution, enough money to support yourself and pay your course fees, and to meet the English language requirement. Restrictions apply to work during studies and to bringing dependants.

The Graduate visa

After successfully completing an eligible UK degree on a Student visa, you may be able to apply for the Graduate visa (opens in a new tab), which lets you stay and work, or look for work, for a limited period without a sponsor. The length of the visa has been subject to change, so check GOV.UK for the period that applies to you.

Family routes

The family visa (opens in a new tab) routes allow people to join or stay with family members who are British citizens, have settled status or, in some cases, refugee status or humanitarian protection. The main categories are:

• partners: spouses, civil partners, fiancé(e)s and unmarried partners who have lived together for at least two years
• parents of a child who lives in the UK
• children
• in limited cases, adult dependent relatives who need long-term care

Partner applications usually involve a financial requirement, an English language requirement and evidence that the relationship is genuine and subsisting. The financial rules are detailed and have changed recently.

The EU Settlement Scheme

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020 could apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (opens in a new tab). The main deadline was 30 June 2021, but late applications can still be made in some circumstances if there are reasonable grounds for missing the deadline. Successful applicants receive settled status or pre-settled status.

Settlement (indefinite leave to remain)

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also called settlement, allows someone to live in the UK permanently without immigration time limits. On many routes, including Skilled Worker and partner routes, the qualifying period has been five years.

The government has proposed major changes. Following the 2025 immigration white paper, it consulted on an "earned settlement (opens in a new tab)" model with a ten-year baseline qualifying period that could be shortened or extended according to individual circumstances. The consultation closed on 12 February 2026. At the date of this guide, the final policy and any transitional arrangements had not been published, and the existing routes remained in the Immigration Rules. If you are working towards settlement, keep checking GOV.UK and consider taking regulated advice.

British citizenship

Adults with ILR or settled status can usually apply to become a British citizen (opens in a new tab) by naturalisation after meeting residence requirements. Applicants usually need to pass the Life in the UK test, meet an English language requirement and be of good character. Spouses and civil partners of British citizens may have different residence requirements.

Asylum

Asylum and humanitarian protection follow a different process and are outside the scope of this overview. Legal aid is often available for asylum cases. You can check whether you can get legal aid (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK.

Common pitfalls

• Applying under the wrong route or using out-of-date guidance.
• Missing documents or evidence in the specified format.
• Letting permission expire before a new application is made. Overstaying can have serious long-term consequences.
• Working in breach of visa conditions.
• Using unregulated "advisers". Check that anyone advising you is a solicitor on the SRA register (opens in a new tab) or registered with the Immigration Advice Authority.

Where to get help

Law centres and some charities offer free immigration advice from regulated advisers; see our free legal help page. To find a solicitor, search the Law Society's Find a Solicitor (opens in a new tab) and check any firm on the SRA register (opens in a new tab). Our free legal help page lists free options.

Sources

1. Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (opens in a new tab) (legislation.gov.uk)
2. Immigration Advice Authority (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
3. visas and immigration section (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
4. eVisa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
5. Standard Visitor visa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
6. who needs an ETA (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
7. Skilled Worker visa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
8. Health and Care Worker visa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
9. Student visa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
10. Graduate visa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
11. family visa (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
12. EU Settlement Scheme (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
13. earned settlement (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
14. become a British citizen (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
15. check whether you can get legal aid (opens in a new tab) (gov.uk)
16. SRA register (opens in a new tab) (sra.org.uk)
17. Law Society's Find a Solicitor (opens in a new tab) (solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk)

Sources checked for the update dated 15 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and read how we handle corrections.