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Types of
Visas
There
are different types of visas available to citizens of the many
countries and territorial entities who require a visa to enter the
UK and perhaps take up employment.
Over
the course of 2008/2009 this huge range of visa categories and sub
categories will be rationalised into the new Five Tier (PBS)
structure.
In
order to determine whether or not you require a visa to enter the
UK, click on the following link:
Home
Office UK
The
more common types of visas available in the UK are:
Working Holiday
Visa
The
Working Holiday Maker will soon be known as the “Youth Mobility
Program” and listed at Tier 5 under the PBS.
At
present the visa is available to nationals of Commonwealth
countries, British Dependant Territory citizens and British
Overseas citizens aged between 17 and 30 (inclusive) who want to
come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years. This
visa is valid for two years from when it is issued and you must
have the intention to take up paid employment whilst in the
UK.
As from
7 February 2005 you will only be able to work for a total of 52
weeks of the two year term and must be able to accommodate yourself
without recourse to public funds. You must also plan to leave the
UK at the end of the two year period or otherwise switch to another
eligible UK visa if possible.
The
Working Holiday Maker visa must be applied for outside of the UK
and is one off visa that cannot be granted a second
time.
The
Youth Mobility Program once introduced will become available only
to participating countries who meet certain qualifying criteria
which seem to be: level of immigration risk, returns arrangements
and reciprocal opportunities for UK nationals. The age parameters
will remain the same however maintenance (evidence of funds) will
be set at £1600. In addition countries will be provided with a “USA
style” capped system on the amount of their citizens who can apply
annually. This figure will also be reviewed and if appropriate
adjusted annually in the future.
This
will mean little change you would expect for citizens of countries
such as: Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc. It has become unclear
however where large users of the program like the South African
citizens will stand once this program is implemented.
Ancestry
Visa
The
Ancestry visa is available to Commonwealth citizens who can show
that their grandparent was born in the UK and allows them to stay
and work in Britain for a period of five years. You are able to
work as an employee or in self employed roles and can also exit and
re-enter the UK without restriction. Should you remain in the UK
for the five year term you can then apply for Indefinite Leave to
Remain (ILR) 28 days prior to the visa expiration date. If the
conditions of this visa have been met on the Ancestry visa, ILR
will allow you to remain in the UK as a permanent resident for an
indefinite period of time. Once you have remained in the UK as a
permanent resident for longer than one year you may then apply for
naturalisation as a British Citizen.
Spousal / Unmarried
Partner (De Facto) Visa
The
Spouse or Unmarried Partner visa allows a partner of a person with
settled status in the UK to join them in the UK. The relationship
may be a heterosexual or same sex relationship. In the case of the
unmarried partner you must be able to show evidence of having lived
together for at least two years prior. You must also have the
intention of living together permanently and be able to accommodate
and maintain yourselves without recourse to public
funds.
Where
the partner is a British citizen, person with the right of abode or
a British resident (Indefinite Leave to Remain status), an
Unmarried Partner visa is issued for a two year period and the
partner is able to work freely in the UK. At the end of the two
year term, provided the relationship is proven to be genuine, the
Home Office may issue ILR status to the partner.
Alternatively the
dependency will usually be granted for the term of the “primary
visa holder” for the UK.
Business Visitor
Visa / Tourist Visas
A
Visitor visa allows a person to enter the UK for a period of up to
six months. You must not intend to take up employment, produce or
sell goods, provide services or study during that time and must
intend to leave the UK at the end of the term. Whilst here, you
must be able to accommodate and maintain yourself and any
dependants adequately without recourse to public funds.
A
Business Visitor visa allows a person to come to the UK to transact
business on a limited basis such as attend meetings and
conferences, arrange deals and sign contracts, give or receive
training, undertake fact finding missions or work on the
enhancement of the company’s own computer software. This type of
visa is granted for only a short period and is based on the nature
of the activities to be performed in the UK, not the length of the
visit. You must not receive a salary or fees (in the UK) for these
activities but may receive reasonable expenses to cover the cost of
travel and living expenses.
Click
here for a free
online assessment or contact our staff and
one of our consultants will assess your situation & provide you
with your best permit or visa options.
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