UK Visa Policy
UK Visa Policy and New Visa System
According to the UK visa policy, there are different practices depending on the country of citizenship of the applicants and the duration of their travel to the UK. With the UK leaving the European Union, new regulations regarding application procedures have been introduced by the UK Visas and Immigration Department as of December 2020.
rsscanadaimmigration.com is an accredited organization that provides up-to-date consultancy services to applicants within the framework of the new UK visa system for UK visa application and follow-up procedures.
Does the UK issue visas?
The UK will grant visas to individuals who meet the necessary visa requirements and complete their applications in full in 2022. UK visa applications grant visa-free entry for up to 6 months to individuals who are citizens of many countries, most of which are members of the European Union.
Citizens of countries that are not exempt from visas under UK visa policies must apply for a standard visitor visa. People who wish to stay or work in the UK for more than 6 months must apply for a visa regardless of their country of citizenship.
How is a UK visa issued after Brexit?
Although there has been no major change in UK visa applications after Brexit, short-term visa types that were previously named separately have been grouped under the name of UK standard visitor visa and have begun to be issued as multiple entries. The main changes to the UK visa system after Brexit have been for work visas.
In April 2020, the UK Home Office made new regulations regarding new asylum applications and visa restrictions for low-skilled workers, which will come into force in January 2021. With the newly regulated UK visa applications; a points-based immigration system was put forward, in which the skills, salaries, qualifications and the demand status of the profession in which the individuals will work will be taken into consideration. In the points system applied for UK visa applications, applications for UK work visas of individuals who fall below the required score level are not accepted.
What are the Features of the New UK Immigration System?
The features of the UK new immigration system are listed below.
- The UK’s new immigration system applies to citizens of European Economic Area and non-European Economic Area countries.
- The UK’s new immigration system is a points-based system and applicants must score at least 70 points on criteria such as sponsorship status, English language skills, suitability for the requested salary level and possession of the requested skills.
- Visa applications for people living outside the UK borders can be made via the mobile application.
- Many immigration and visa categories have had their names changed.
- The Resident Labour Market Test has been abolished.
- The salary and skills threshold for UK work visa applications has been lowered.
- The names of the sponsorship certificates have been changed.
What is the UK Visa Scoring System?
The UK visa scoring system is a system where various characteristics of individuals are evaluated and a certain score must be achieved in order to apply for a visa. The UK visa scoring system takes into account the applicants’ age, English language skills and other characteristics that may be required for the type of visa applied for.
For UK work visa applications, applicants must receive the required level of points from categories such as employer sponsorship, adequate salary, English language proficiency and financial adequacy within the UK visa points system categories. The minimum score required for UK immigration visa applications for work purposes varies depending on the type of visa applied for.
What are the visa types that have changed with the new UK visa system?
The visa types that have changed with the new UK visa system are given in the table below.
| Pre-Brexit visa type | Post-Brexit visa type |
|---|---|
| UK Tier 1 entrepreneur visa | UK innovator visa |
| UK Tier 1 graduate entrepreneur visa | UK startup visa |
| UK Tier 2 visa | UK skilled worker visa |
| UK Tier 4 visa | UK student visa |
| UK Tier 5 visa | UK temporary work visa |
What are the New UK Visa Types to Open in 2022?
The new UK visa types that will open in 2022 are listed below.
- UK scale-up visa: A UK scale-up visa is a type of visa granted to fast-growing UK companies to hire skilled workers from overseas. People who want to apply for a UK scale-up visa must have received a job offer from a UK company to work as a skilled worker, receive a salary of at least 30,000 British pounds per year, and have a certificate of English proficiency at the required level.
- High potential individual visa: The high potential individual visa is designed to attract high potential graduates from internationally recognised universities to the UK. High potential individual visa holders have the right to move to the UK without having to have a job offer from a UK company.
- Global business mobility visa: A global business mobility visa is a type of visa that is designed to make it easier for companies to recruit employees from abroad to the UK. A global business mobility visa allows entrepreneurs to set up and grow their businesses in the UK.
- Revised innovator visa: The revised innovator visa is a type of visa granted to individuals whose business plans show growth potential, will continue to be innovative and will benefit the UK.
People who will apply for a UK visa in 2022 must apply for the visa type that is appropriate for them among the UK visa types.
What is the UK Revised Innovator Visa?
The UK revised innovator visa is a type of visa that allows applicants to set up and run their businesses in the UK. The UK revised innovator visa has changed considerably compared to its previous state. Those who wish to apply for the UK revised innovator visa must be over the age of 18, have the intention to conduct business activities in the UK, have a business idea approved by the relevant institutions, provide evidence that the business activities specified in the application can be carried out, have at least B2 level English language skills and have a source of income of at least 945 British pounds.
While the old UK innovator visa applications required demonstrable financial resources of at least £50,000 for business activities, this requirement has been removed in the revised UK innovator visa. While the old UK innovator visa applications required that individuals have no intention of working in the UK in a different job other than the job specified, this requirement is not required for the revised UK innovator visa .
What is a UK Scale-up Visa?
A UK scale-up visa is a type of visa that allows highly qualified foreign nationals to be employed by companies operating in the UK. UK scale-up visa holders contribute to the growth of the company they work for in the UK.
UK scale-up visa applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a sponsorship document, have the skills required for the job they will be doing in the UK, intend to do the job stated in the application, receive an annual salary of at least 33,000 British pounds, have at least B1 level English language skills and have sufficient savings to support themselves without the need for social support. Individuals who meet the necessary conditions can apply for a UK scale-up visa .
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions frequently asked to our experts about the UK visa regime and post-Brexit regulations are answered below.
Does the UK Accept Schengen Visas?
No, the UK does not accept Schengen visas.
Citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union must apply for a UK visa to travel to the UK. Applications for a UK visa can be made to the UK Foreign Mission Visa۔
Can I Go to the UK with an Irish Visa?
Citizens who want to travel from Ireland to the UK must also obtain a UK visa.
Can I Go to the UK with a US Visa?
Should an American Citizen Get a UK Visa?
American citizens do not need a visa to travel to the UK for tourism or business purposes for less than 6 months. American citizens are required to obtain a visa for travel to the UK for purposes other than tourism or business.
Can EU Citizens Travel to the UK Without a Visa?
EU citizens can travel to the UK without a visa. Citizens of EU member states, European Economic Area member states or Switzerland do not need a visa for holidays or short trips to the UK of up to 6 months.
Should an EU Citizen’s Spouse Get a UK Visa?
The spouse of an EU citizen must obtain a UK visa.
Can I Go from France to the UK Without a Visa?
Travelling from France to the UK without a visa is possible for European Union citizens for trips lasting up to 6 months. Citizens must have a valid UK visa if they wish to travel to the UK via France.
Can I Go to the UK with an EU Residence Permit?
No, you cannot go to the UK with an EU residence permit. It is not enough to have a European Union residence permit to go to the UK and citizens of non-EU countries must obtain a UK visa.