Frequently Asked Questions

According to the British Home Office (February 25, 2021), almost one million UK visas of various types were issued during 2020 as follows: 51% of British visas were granted to visitors; 23% were given to international students; 13% were issued to foreign workers; 4% were granted to family members; and 9% of UK visas were given for other reasons. The British Government also reports that 125,176 expat workers along with their family members were granted visas to the United Kingdom during 2020.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

After the British Home Office approves the UK visa application for a skilled foreign worker (such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Global Talent Visa), the foreign worker and his or her family will need to schedule an appointment at the nearest Visa Application Center so they can provide their biometric data (i.e., fingerprints and digital photo) for the Biometric Resident Permit (BRP), which is a hard plastic card used as proof of legal residence in the United Kingdom. The Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) is used as an official form of identification while an immigrant is living in the UK, it will be presented when accessing the British National Health Service (NHS) and when applying for employment, and it facilitates re-entry into the United Kingdom if the immigrant travels abroad.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

The Intra-Company Visa allows a foreign national who is working for a company outside of the United Kingdom to relocate to the UK to work at the company’s British branch office.

There are two types of Intra-Company Visas.

The Intra-Company Transfer Visa is for a foreign employee who is being transferred to work in the UK branch office of the company and who has been working for the employer over 12 months (unless the employee will earn a yearly salary of £73,900 (British Pounds) while working in the UK).

The Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa is a British visa for an employee who has been working for a company for a minimum of 3 months who will relocate to the UK branch office to participate in a graduate training program for a specialist or managerial position.

In order to apply for an Intra-Company Visa to the UK, the employee must have been working for an organization which the British Home Office has approved as a sponsor and receive a Certificate of Sponsorship from his or her employer. The applicant will need to have an occupation that qualifies for the Intra-Company Visa while he or she is working in the UK and earn a minimum yearly salary of £41,500 (British Pounds) for the Intra-Company Transfer Visa or a minimum annual salary of £23,000 for the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa.

A visa decision will usually be made within 3 weeks after a complete Intra-Company Visa Application was filed with all of the required documents and fee(s). The applicant’s spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 years of age may be included in the Intra-Company Visa Application.

The Intra-Company Transfer Visa is normally issued for up to 5 years or the amount of time stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days. This UK visa can be renewed for a maximum of 9 years within a 10-year period if the employee will earn at least £73,900 (British Pounds) per year; or a maximum of 5 years within a 6-year period if the employee’s salary is under £73,900 (British Pounds) per year.

Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa is usually issued for 12 months or the length of time stated on the employee’s Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days. The Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa cannot be renewed; however, an employee who has been working for the sponsoring employer outside of the United Kingdom for a minimum of 3 months prior to the date of their UK visa application may re-apply for another Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa. The total years that a foreign worker can live in the UK with an Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa is 5 years within the previous 6 years.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

A Start-up Visa to the UK is granted to foreign entrepreneurs who are at least 18 years of age and want to launch a start-up business in the United Kingdom that is innovative or different from what currently exists in the United Kingdom. The applicant will need to receive an endorsement from an authorized endorsing organization in the United Kingdom that is either a business organization which has been supporting entrepreneurs living in the UK or from an institution of higher education (such as a university) in the United Kingdom.

The business that the applicant wants to open in the UK must be something different (i.e., “innovative”) from what is in the current British market; it must have good growth potential; and the business or original business concept must be endorsed by an approved endorsing organization in the United Kingdom.

The applicant must also read, write, speak and understand English at the B2 level or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Someone applying for a Start-up Visa to the UK must also have at least £1,270 (British Pounds) in his/her bank account for 28 days in a row prior to applying for the Start-up Visa as proof of funds to support oneself.

A UK visa decision is usually received about 3 weeks after a complete visa application has been filed with all of the required documents and fees.

A Start-up Visa to the UK is normally issued for 2 years and cannot be renewed. The foreign entrepreneur’s spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 years of age may be able to relocate to the UK if they are approved for the relevant British visa. An entrepreneur who has been living in the UK with a Start-up Visa may be able to apply for an Innovation Visa if they meet the eligibility requirements.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

Foreign entrepreneurs at least 18 years of age who want to establish an innovative business in the United Kingdom and who satisfy all of the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for an Innovator Visa to the UK. The Innovator Visa is granted for 3 years and it can be extended in 3-year increments as many times as desired. The applicant’s spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 years of age may also immigrate to the UK with the relevant British visa if they qualify.

The business that the applicant wants to open in the UK must be something different (i.e., “innovative”) from what is in the current British market; it must have good growth potential; and the business or original business concept must be endorsed by an approved endorsing organization in the UK. The applicant must also read, write, speak and understand English at the B2 level or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The applicant will need to have a minimum of £50,000 (British Pounds) to establish a new business in the UK under the Innovator Visa program, but this will not be required if the business already exists and was previously endorsed for a UK visa. Someone applying for an Innovator Visa to the UK must also have at least £1,270 (British Pounds) in his/her bank account for 28 days in a row prior to applying for the Innovator Visa as proof of funds to support oneself. A UK visa decision is usually received about 3 weeks after a complete visa application has been filed with all of the required documents and fees.

A foreign entrepreneur who has been living in the UK with an Innovator Visa for 3 years may have the option to apply for permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the United Kingdom if he or she satisfies all of the eligibility requirements. Living in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status can open the door to applying for British citizenship.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

Yes, if you and your family members are living in the UK as legal residents, you will be able to access the British National Health System (NHS).

Temporary legal residents of the United Kingdom (for example, skilled foreign workers, international students, and their family members) must pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (generally done during the UK visa application process).

If an immigrant is granted permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) status in the United Kingdom and/or becomes a naturalized British citizen, they will receive free access to the NHS, which is paid through payroll deductions known as National Insurance Contributions. Dental care is one of the few healthcare-related items not covered by the NHS, although children under 18 years of age receive dental care for free. It should be noted, however, that the cost of dental care for adults living in the UK is quite reasonable. Prescription medication is free through the NHS in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while a minimal £9 (British Pounds) fee is charged for prescription medication in England (please note the amount is subject to change).

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

The education system in the United Kingdom is one of the best in the world. If you or your family members receive a British education, you can expect that it will generally be a high-quality education and the diploma or degree will be respected worldwide. Receiving an education in the United Kingdom can also make a big difference in a person’s career opportunities and earning power. The British education system is generally divided into primary education, secondary education, further education, and higher education.

In regards to higher education, the UK is home to several of the world’s top 100 best universities, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, King’s College, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Bristol, University of Warwick, University of Glasgow, Durham University, University of Birmingham, University of Southampton, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of St. Andrews, and the University of Nottingham.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

There are many benefits from immigration to the United Kingdom.

Skilled foreign workers with the relevant UK work visa (e.g., Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, etc.) are permitted to work in the UK full-time and can bring their spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 years of age to live in the UK with them if they qualify for and receive the relevant British visa.

A large international survey of 209,000 people around the globe conducted by Boston Consulting Group in October-December 2020 found that London is considered the #1 best city for expat workers in 2021, while the United Kingdom was rated as the #5 best country for expat workers.

Immigrants can access the highly-rated National Health System (NHS) for a very reasonable cost and receive free access to the NHS if they are granted permanent settlement in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or British citizenship. On a related note, people who live in the UK have an average life expectancy of 81.5 years (one of the longest in the world).

If you and your family are living in the UK as legal residents, you will have access to one of the world’s best education systems, which could open the door to better career opportunities in the future.

Furthermore, the United Kingdom is a democracy where men and women of diverse backgrounds enjoy numerous freedoms and equality.

Living in the UK will allow you to visit various points of interest in London and elsewhere in this big, beautiful country.

In general, after living in the UK for 5 years as a legal resident and meeting other criteria, you and your family could apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status (permanent settlement). Once you and your family live in the UK 12 months with ILR status and satisfy all of the eligibility requirements, you could have the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. As a citizen of the United Kingdom, you could apply for a British passport, vote in elections and even run for Parliament if you so desire!

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

UK immigration programs for skilled foreign workers generally allow a spouse or partner and dependent children under 18 years of age to also relocate to the UK if they qualify for and receive the relevant British visa.

n general, the UK immigration process take approximately 3-12 months to complete, but the amount of time will depend on which British visa you are applying for, how quickly you can do what is needed to apply, whether a UK job offer is required and how long that takes, and other factors. After you receive your eligibility evaluation from the independent UK immigration solicitor (lawyer), you will know which specific British visa best matches your profile and then the independent UK immigration solicitor will be able to provide you with a more precise timeline.

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.

A legal resident of the United Kingdom may be able to apply to become a British citizen after living in the UK for a certain number of years and satisfying all of the eligibility criteria. In general, an immigrant must usually live in the UK as a legal resident for a minimum number of 5 years (this could vary in some cases); then apply for and receive Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status (i.e., permanent settlement in the United Kingdom). Generally, after living in the UK with ILR status for a minimum of 12 months and meeting all of the other criteria, an immigrant may be able to apply to become a British citizen. As a citizen of the United Kingdom, you could apply for a British passport, vote in elections and even run for Parliament if you so desire!

DISCLAIMER: The information is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice.