Consensually, the United Kingdom is one of the great and popularly known countries around the globe as there is a much better life experience that makes one comfortable compared to many other parts of the world due to having a strong economy, advanced technology, diverse cities, lucrative job opportunities and lots more. the country is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A lot of people annually migrate to the UK in search of a comfortable life for themselves and their families and this desire can at times come as a result of their love for the culture, an exciting professional opportunity, studies, or just for a change of environment.
If you have been contemplating vacating to the UK, but thinking of where to start from and what to expect, you’re not alone because there are a large amount of information available on this article that can help you ascertain and comprehend the processes or steps to take to successfully migrate to the UK.
There are many different reasons why people tend to migrate to UK on a regular basis and they are all broadly categorized into four major reasons;
- Study
- Work
- Family
- Asylum.
The UK has a very rigid economy and potential with abundant of well-established industries for people to work in. Coupled with high standard of enterprises, there is a high demand for specific skills that can help boost the economy and keep it growing. This has made many people hop on every opportunity to migrate to the UK in search of better job opportunities than their home country can provide or pay. Also, the UK is known to be home to some of the world’s top and most popular universities like Oxford, Cambridge University, etc., thus people from all works of life tend to migrate to the UK to advance their studies.
Their free and top-notch healthcare system cannot be overemphasized which is another reason thousands of people around the world migrate to the UK.
How to apply
There are a lot to know when it has to do with migrating to the UK and one of the key aspects is getting a Visa. To simplify it, here are the steps you need to take to make your big dream come true;
- Decide which kind of visa you need
- Carry out the online application process and pay the required fee
- Make ready and available all the required documents
- Schedule an appointment
- Prepare and respond to the interview for your Visa
- here is the application processess.
There are different types of visas depending on your purpose of migrating and prior knowledge of it can make your application process stress-free…they are as follows;
- Tier 1 permit
Though was shut in 2011, can only be used to extend a visa and a few situations
- Tier 2 work permit
Can be applied by people who want to migrate to the UK for work.
- Tier 4 student visa
Only available for international students who have been offered admission to study in an institution in the UK
- Tier 5 UK work visa
This visa has five categories;
- Charity worker category
people migrating to the UK for temporary voluntary work for which they won’t be paid.
- Creative and sporting worker category.
These are for sportsmen, artists, and entertainers who want to migrate to the UK to unleash their potential.
- Religious worker category
Here, only people who want to undertake religious work in the UK while on break from their normal work are allowed to apply.
- Government exchange category.
These are for people who are specially approved by the government.
- International agreement category.
This category is for people coming to the UK temporarily to provide a service covered by international law.
- UK Fiancè/Fiancèè visa.
One who is engaged to be a citizen or a permanent resident of the UK may apply for this visa.
- UK marriage visa.
Eligibility is for those who are married to or are in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or permanent resident.
- Tier 1(entrepreneur) visa.
These are for entrepreneurs who are willing to migrate to the UK to set up a company or business.
- Tier 1 (investor) visa.
This is available to high-net-worth individuals who want to move to the UK. These individuals must be willing to make passive investments
- Permanent residency.
Also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), is awarded to people who have proved their commitment to the UK while living there on a temporary visa. It allows one to live in the UK for as long as they want.
Note that, the above visa types have different criteria for application and must be followed accordingly to ensure a smooth application process.
However, how long your visa application needs to be approved is solely dependent on the type of visa you have applied for. You can check for the wait times on their government website but mostly they are often processed in ten days.
Documents needed for application.
The following are usually the required documents for applying for a UK visa;
- A complete visa application.
- Your application fee payment receipt.
- A valid passport.
- The confirmation of your flight and any accommodations.
- A passport-sized photo of yourself.
- Proof of finances such as a bank statement from no longer than 3 months ago.
- Recent utility bill.
- Letter from a family member or friend if you are sponsored.
- Birth certificate if you are carrying any of your children along.
- Original marriage license if your spouse is going with you.
- Proof of proficiency in the English language.
Moreover, some common reasons can cause one’s visa application to be declined or denied due to silly mistakes. Hence, apt attention is required during the application process as well as making available all the necessary documents. Some of these common mistakes could be;
- Applying for the wrong type of visa.
- Overstaying in the UK on your previous visit.
- Inability to prove you have the means to live in the UK.
- Fake documents.
- Security and other criminal history.
That notwithstanding, you may be able to appeal your visa application when it is denied first by identifying and correcting your wrong and then filling out the IAFT-2 appeal form and submitting it to the UK immigration and asylum chambers which it will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities and then have your application reviewed.
In conclusion, migrating to the UK might be a daunting and energy-draining task that may seem impossible but with a proper step taken, it can turn out been a very smooth and life-changing opportunity. it all starts with a step and then you see yourself exploring your dream country. For questions and inquiries, contact their government’s official website for more information. Wishing you the best at it.
