Park Street Estates: Property Management UK Visa Types

UK Visa Types

This section will help you to navigate the UK Border Agency as you plan your stay in London. If you are coming from Europe, there is no need for an entrance visa. The rest of this entry is addressed to those who plan to settle or obtain residency in the UK. Most countries allow online visa applications and payments, which you can check here. Note that visa applications usually take 15-30 days, and not all countries allow expedited processing, so it is necessary to plan well in advance of your intended travel dates.

First, if you are coming to join family members (spouse, partner, proposed partner, parents, other relatives) who are already settled in the UK, then you would apply under a general visa that is outside the points-based system.

Partners: (joining a husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé, proposed civil partner) apply under the form VAF1B. There is now an English language requirement for partners who must demonstrate their proficiency with either an approved English language test or a degree taught in English. More information can be found here. Note that partners must be over the age of 21.
Other relatives: (children under 18 and elderly dependents) also apply under form VAF1B. You must demonstrate that you are financially dependent on the relatives already settled in the UK and that you will not need public funds for accommodations.

Second, it is possible to apply to work in the UK under the points-based system. Most likely you will be applying as a Tier 1 Investor, entrepreneur, or as exceptional talent, and you can do so without a job offer from the UK. Use application form VAF1C and the appropriate assessment forms.

Entrepreneur: if you want to set up, take over, or be actively involved in the running of 1 or more businesses in the UK. This requires 95 points on the assessment here, which will be attached to your application.
Investor: if you want to make a substantial financial investment in the UK, you will be assessed on your ability to invest £1,000,000 in the UK here.
Post-Study Work: if you obtained a degree from a UK institution in the last 12 months and would like to find employment in the UK, you need the application form VAF9 and the assessment here.

Finally, you may plan to work in the UK and already have a job offer, or you would like your child to study here for longer than six months.

Working in the UK: Apply under Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) with an employment sponsor under form VAF9 and the points assessment form here.
Studying in the UK: Apply under Tier 4 (General Student and Child Student) under form VAF9 with an education provider sponsor, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and the appropriate points assessment for students older than 17 and for those 17 and younger.

All applications require a valid passport, evidence of financial status and/or employment, evidence of family relationships if relevant, application fee, and biometrics information. The Biometric information is a complete set of fingerprints required of all visa applicants each time they apply (only children under 5, certain diplomats, and government officials are exempt). The Biometric information needs to be provided in person at your nearest visa application centre. The complete list of available centres is available here. Note that applicants from some African and Southeastern Asian countries also need to submit a health screening to confirm they are free from Infectious tuberculosis).

The United Kingdom permits prolonged stay for migrants outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland under a variety of visas. These visas are granted on a points-based system which reflects the migrant’s ability, experience, age, and if appropriate, the level of need in the migrant’s chosen industry. Different tiers have different point requirements and may also require a UK sponsor. The various tiers are listed below:

Tier 1: