UK Visa Process
Let me preface today’s post with my understanding of how incredibly lucky and fortunate I am to have had the funds, resources, support, and American citizenship to have been able to apply to each of my UK Visas with relative ease. However, anyone interested in a self-funded and self-motivated visa should be aware that a huge amount of time, patience, commitment, and money are involved the application process.
Therefore, it’s best to embark on this journey only if you’re sure you’re ready to dedicate many hours and savings to the cause. Whether it’s a gut feeling (like me), or a step closer to your career goals (also me), or a genuine need for family/friends (oh yeah, that played a part in my most recent application too), I recommend approaching the decision with full force. If I have worried you at this point, maybe stay home. If I have energised and excited you, you’re on the right track – I invite you to keep reading 😉 (Just kidding – you know you can enjoy this post regardless)!
I just finished my third UK Visa application, so the topic is top of mind. Especially because it was particularly stressful and pricey. Therefore, I thought it could be helpful to explain them, in addition to a few pointers specific to each. Everyone’s experience will vary depending on their financials, citizenship, motives, work, etc., so please only use this insight as a guiding light to your unique situation.
STUDENT VISA
I knew that a Student Visa was right for me for two reasons. While studying in London during my time abroad years ago, I knew that I had a future of some sort here and it was just a matter of figuring out what that looked like. And second, I had seriously debated furthering my education since the day I earned my undergraduate degree. Note, this visa option isn’t just for those seeking a Master’s degree, though. Undergraduate as well given age and guardian consent requirements. Below are a few prerequisites and tips to consider if you believe the Student Visa is right for you.
- Position: Offered a spot to study in a course within a UK University
- Funds: Have enough money to pay for the course (included in a “CAS,” or Confirmation of Acceptance letter from your University), living expenses during your time within the UK (minimums included here), and the healthcare surcharge (expect around $1K a year)
- Language: Fluent in reading, writing, & speaking in English (test required for some residing outside of these countries/territories)
- Age: Consent from guardians if 16 or 17
Insight & Tips
- Biometric Appointment: You will be asked to schedule (and pay for) a biometric appointment in the city closest to you currently, so make sure to plan ahead for that.
- Loans: Course and living expenses can be proven with loans, but remember that you need to invest time in this application process before you can submit your visa forms.
- Russell Group: The best piece of advice I received during my initial research process was from my Fordham London Study Abroad contact. Mark let me in on a secret: the simplest way to narrow down your study options is to reference The Russell Group, a list of the UK’s leading 24 Universities. Take a look at the locations, reputation, costs, programs, application requirements, etc. before landing on the few you wish to seriously explore.
GRADUATE VISA
Luckily, this path is simpler than the first visa and pretty much guaranteed given a short list of requirements. Though, you should still expect to invest time and resource into the process. A huge perk of presiding in the UK on a Student Visa is the option to extend your stay by 2 years via the Graduate Visa after having completed your course.
- Currently on a Student Visa
- Achieved an undergrad or graduate degree in the UK
- Confirmation from your University that you completed the degree
Insight & Tips
- Funds: You must pay the application fee (around $1K), in addition to that healthcare surcharge again for each year that you will be staying.
- Travel: You cannot travel as your application is pending, so allow yourself a buffer after applying to ensure that you don’t risk losing money on a cancelled trip. It should take a maximum of 8 weeks, but the process tends to be quicker than that. As a warning, the Home Office will consider your application void if you do try to test your luck…so don’t do it. Not worth it.
- Plan Ahead: As you begin to apply for jobs in the UK, consider your path after your Graduate Visa has come to an end. If you hope to stay, you will need to find a company that is open to sponsoring you, so be sure to ask (at the appropriate time) during your interview process. Alternatively, you may qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa considering these types of roles.
FAMILY (SPOUSE) VISA
This one is pretty obvious – an option for couples and families who wish to stay together…you know, because living in the same country is pretty ideal. Obviously you should only lean on this visa if you’ve found your person and have already planned to move forward with the route. It just so happens that it makes the most sense for me as my Graduate Visa is coming to an end, but it’s not something I could have ever planned to rely on before meeting my now husband. My other options were a Work Sponsorship or Dual Citizenship (since I have lived in the UK for 3 years and married a British citizen).
- Partner: Your partner needs to have some sort of legal settlement to allow you to qualify
- Funds: No surprise, you must pay the application fee (around $1.5K), in addition to that hefty healthcare surcharge again for each year that you will be staying (around 2.5 years)
- Relationship: You have quite a few ways to prove that you’re in a relationship to warrant this visa –
- Marriage certificate recognised in the UK
- Proof of living together in a relationship for at least 2 years
- Proof of being in a relationship for at least 2 years, but for logistical, cultural, or religious reasons cannot yet live together
- You are engaged and plan to marry or enter a civil partnership within 6 months of moving to the UK
- Language: Understand English
- Child: Your child is living in the UK as a British or Irish citizen, or has lived there for 7 years
Insight & Tips
- Travel: Remember to be careful with application timing because you cannot travel before you’ve received a response from the Home Office. This one takes around 8-12 weeks depending on a few factors, such as proving your English proficiency, living inside or out of the UK at the time you’re applying, and meeting financial requirements.
- Documents: The moment you realise you will be applying for this visa, I recommend collecting physical and digital copies of your documents. These may include:
- All housing and housing-related bills (i.e. rent, heating, council tax, etc.)
- Evidence that you and your partner have been sharing a place for the last two years (i.e. each receiving letters at the same address and bonus for receiving letters with both of your names included)
- Digital copies of your pay slips that align with the digital copies of your bank statements (I know, a bit intrusive if I do say so myself)
- Work contract + a special letter from your employer confirming details about your role within the company
- Consent forms for you and your partner to sign confirming the accuracy of the information you’ve supplied
- Biometric Appointment: Again, you will need to schedule (and pay for) a biometric appointment in your city (around $300) once you have paid the application fees and uploaded each of your documents (around 45 for me).
I hope this quick guide offers you a helpful foundation to make your UK dreams a success! Please let me know if you have any questions or need support along your journey.
Good luck!
Bea ❤
HealthyBea 
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