The United Kingdom is one of the most prominent countries in the World. The country is separated from the rest of Europe through the English Channel. Four different parts England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, together make the sovereign state of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom also consists of some of the top educational institutes in the World. Indians often look at the United Kingdom as one of the top destinations for educational and tourist purposes. Numerous Indians look at UK Visa for a brighter future due to ample opportunities available in the country. However, most of the people are unaware of the process involved in obtaining a UK visa for Indians.
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Types of UK Visa for Indians
The government of the United Kingdom provides ample types of visas for a UK visit. These visas are designed in such a way that people with different purposes can fulfil their mission. The cost of visas varies per the target and stay of the visit. Some most common types of UK visas available for Indians are:
1. Family Visa
A family visa is applicable when someone is visiting his or her family member in the UK. If your family member has permanent citizenship of UK, you need to mention all the details of their residence. If all the details check out, the visa will be awarded to you for fix duration.
2. Transit Visa
The transit visa is a sought after visa by Indians for UK visit. You are applicable for this visa if you are travelling to some country and have a connecting flight from the UK. The only condition which is necessary for a transit visa is that the duration of stay should exceed 24 hours. Perfect for tourists.
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3. Settlement Visa
This visa is useful for people who are already staying in the UK for a period exceeding five years. A settlement visa allows a person to live further in the country or live also.
4. Ancestry Visa
If you have a grandparent living in the UK and have permanent citizenship, then you can apply for this visa. You will have to sit for a personal interview if you are found to have a past criminal record.
5. Investor Visa
If you are looking to invest an amount in a property in the United Kingdom, then you are applicable for an investor visa. A UK investor visa for Indians is available in two variable investor 1 and investor 2 categories. These two categories depending upon the amount you are looking to invest.
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6. Entrepreneur Visa
You can apply for an entrepreneur visa for the UK if you wish to start a business in the United Kingdom. Indians who want to submit their application for a UK visa via entrepreneur visa need to op for a tier 1 entrepreneur visa. The application process is decided by the points-based system category designed by immigration rules. You need to ensure that your business will not cause any harm to the residents of the UK and submit all the details of your business to apply for this visa.
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7. Work Visa
There are two types of work visa which are awarded to a person. The two visas can be classified into Tier 1 and Tier 2 visas. A tier 2 visa is applied if you have been offered a skilled job in the United Kingdom. The work visas are awarded to people who are either from Switzerland or do not reside in any of the European Union countries. On the other hand, a tier 1 visa is granted if you have been identified as a leader in the field of arts, medicine, engineering, or digital technology.
8. Study Visa
Study visa is one of the most popular UK visas for Indians. This visa is awarded to students who want to pursue their studies in the country. There are a few subcategories in the study visa:
- General Student visa: It is the general visa awarded to students who are older than 16 years of age.
- Short-term study visa: A short term study visa is useful if you are planning to visit the UK for an education course of about six months long. A short-term study loan can be extended to 11 months. Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for a short-term study visa.
- Child Student visa: Students aged between four and 17 can apply for a child student visa. You need to study in an independent UK school for using this visa.
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9. Visitor Visa
Visitor visa is a multi-purpose visa. You can apply for a visitor visa for various purposes, such as a medical visit, personal visit, for investment purposes to attend some events. Indians apply for a UK visa in the form of a visitor visa to witness the various sporting or cultural events in the United Kingdom.
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10. Marriage Visa
Marriage visa is a kind of settlement visa. A marriage visa is also known as a spouse visa. If you can produce the document citing your relationship with your spouse in the UK, you will be eligible for this visa. This visa allows you to live in the UK for 30 months with a clause to extend for another 30 months.
11. Tourism Visa
The United Kingdom is one of the most beautiful countries to visit. Every year thousands of visitors visit the UK to witness the beauty it has to offer. Thousands of UK tourists visa are designated to Indians every year. You need to provide details of your trip, such as the number of days of your visit.
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12. Family Visa
A family visa is provided to a person who is willing to permanently settle in the UK with their already existing family in the country. One requirement for this UK visa is that the person ready to settle should not possess a work visa at the time of applying. You can apply for a family visa if:
- You have a spouse in the UK; the spouse can be separated or divorced also. The law of the UK makes you apply for this type of visa, even if your spouse has passed away.
- If you are the child of a UK resident.
- If you have a relative in the UK, who is suffering from some disease and requires long term care.
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13. Medical Visa
If you are suffering from some disease that can be treated in the UK, then you are applicable for this visa. The duration of this visa depends on the length of your treatment.
The application process for the United Kingdom Visa
The method of applying a UK visa is a simple one if all the steps are correctly followed. Online and Offline, both the modes are available for the application process. There are a few agencies that would be willing to do all your work for a small fee. However, if you like to do all your work by yourself, then follow the checklist, and you will easily get a UK visa.
Step 1: Decide your visa type
The first and foremost step that you should take is deciding the type of visa you want for a UK visit. The cost of visas in the UK is different for different purposes. The purpose of your stay and your country of origin often makes a huge difference in your visa application. A UK visa for Indians is not a tough prospect as the immigration department of the United Kingdom does not hold itself back in issuing permits to Indians. A few other significant factors affecting your eligibility are:
- A valid passport must be six months old.
- You must not have an existing criminal record during the visa application.
- Financial stability of the applicant.
- Applicant must be medically fit; a medically unfit candidate can only get a visa under a Medical visa or Visitor visa.
- A better educational qualification helps avail the visa.
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Step 2: Book an appointment
The second step is generally booking an appointment with the embassy. You should keep all your required documents ready before booking an appointment. Embassies usually do not take a candidate without an appointment.
Step 3: Keep your documents ready
The third step occurs once all your documents are ready, and you have booked an appointment. The third obvious step would be an embassy visit. On your embassy visit, the officials will check your documents. On verifying the reports, the embassy will submit you a receipt. The receipt will come in handy to track your application status.
Step 4: Fill out your Visa Application
The fourth step is concurrent with the third step. The fourth step in the visa application. While submitting your visa application, you should make sure that all the details in the form are filled correctly. You should also attach the photocopies of all the said documents. After the application is submitted, it takes up to 20 minutes for the verification process. The UK visa process also needs you to submit your passport along with the documents.
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Step 5: Verification of your Documents
The fifth step comes just after the fourth step. After the verification of all your documents, you will be provided with a hard copy of the same. The UK visa requirements need you to sign the hard copy in front of the embassy officials. It would again take up to 15 minutes to recheck all the documents. Also, this is the first time where you will have to pay an amount of 89 pounds. This is the UK application visa cost that needs to be submitted.
Step 6: Fingerprint Scan
The last step is the fingerprint scan. After the fingerprint scan, your visa process will be complete.
If you manage to perform all the steps and arrange proper documents, any Indian will get a UK visa.
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FAQ for a UK visa
Q.1: What is the cost of a UK visa from India?
Ans: Different costs are applied on different visas. The most common among Indians is a UK tourist visa. This time of visa approximately costs 8,000 INR. Two-year visa costs about 30,000 INR.
Q.2: What Documents are required for a UK visa from India?
Ans: The documents required for a UK visa from India are:
- Bank statements for the last six months.
- UK visa application form.
- Proof of visa fees paid in the embassy.
- Passport sized colour photos according to the requirements given embassy.
- A passport which is at least three months old.
- Biometric information.
- Information about the employment status and accommodation status in the United Kingdom if going for work or any other visa other than transit, student or tourist visa.
- Proofs of a family member or spouse living in the UK, if applicable.
- Reports of TB reports.
Q.3: How long does it take to get a UK visa from India?
Ans: Different types of visas take different amounts of time. However, a short term visa can be gained in 15 days.
Q.4: How can I apply for a UK tourist visa from India?
Ans: The process for applying a UK tourist visa is similar to any other visa. Just follow the steps to apply for a tourist visa.
