United Kingdom · long-stay visa routes and official sources
5 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for United Kingdom: Medium (58/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Student visa / Graduate route.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to United Kingdom?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Student visa / Graduate route. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium" (58/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to United Kingdom without a local job offer?
Yes — 1 of the 5 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Student visa. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
A UK Student visa requires a licensed sponsor's CAS and the applicable course, English and financial conditions. A dated maintenance-funds increase is scheduled for 30 November 2026.
Typical timeline / duration: Length depends on course and previous study; extension/switching possible if eligible.
Be aged 16+, have an offer from a licensed student sponsor and a CAS, meet English requirements, and provide parental consent if under 18.
Unless a substantive financial exemption applies, hold the required funds for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days before applying, or use qualifying loan/official sponsorship evidence. Tuition, maintenance and the immigration health surcharge are separate costs.
Choose the maintenance rate by application date: before 30 November 2026, London £1,529/month and elsewhere £1,171; from that date, London £1,570/month and elsewhere £1,203. Multiply by the course months, capped at nine, and add outstanding tuition; separate exceptions apply.
Sponsored employment in an eligible occupation, with the correct salary option, English evidence and Certificate of Sponsorship. Eligibility and dependant rules vary by occupation and prior permission.
Typical timeline / duration: Up to five years before extension; job/employer changes may need an updated visa. Settlement after five qualifying years remains conditional.
Obtain a genuine job offer and CoS from a licensed sponsor. Match the actual duties to the occupation code: higher-skilled occupations qualify, while medium-skilled occupations need a listed or other expressly permitted basis.
The usual annual salary test is the higher of £41,700 and the occupation's going rate. Lower-pay, health/education and transitional options have their own conditions; a shortage-list label is not a universal salary waiver.
From 8 January 2026, new applicants and people switching from another route normally need B2 English. Those who held Skilled Worker permission before that date and extend/update retain the stated B1 treatment. Apply the accepted qualification, Ecctis, SELT or other exemption rules.
Unless exempt, hold £1,270 for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days before applying, or obtain valid sponsor maintenance certification. Prepare passport, CoS details, English/financial evidence, and applicable TB, police and other documents.
Global Talent visa: endorsement or qualifying prize
A non-employer-sponsored route for leaders or potential leaders in eligible fields, through an authorised endorsement or an exactly listed prestigious prize.
Typical timeline / duration: Choose up to five years per application, with further extensions if eligible. Settlement normally needs three or five qualifying years, depending on the endorsement/prize basis.
Select the correct field and endorsement pathway, then supply that body's evidence. Academia/research, digital technology and arts/culture have different criteria; there is no single universal portfolio checklist.
For the prize alternative, be the named recipient of the exact prize on the official list. An organisation's/group's prize or another award from the same institution does not automatically qualify.
If relying on endorsement, apply for the visa no more than three months after the letter, with endorsement still valid and the body still approved. Endorsement does not itself grant immigration permission.
Prepare passport/identity, applicable TB evidence, biometrics and the visa/health-surcharge payments through the appropriate outside-UK or in-country process. Entry clearance is needed before travelling under this route.
For founders actively building an endorsed innovative, viable and scalable UK business; not a passive investment or company-purchase residence route.
Typical timeline / duration: Three years per grant; extension needs a fresh qualifying endorsement. Settlement after three years requires separate business achievements and residence conditions.
Have an approved body assess your own innovative, viable and scalable business proposal and your active role. New initial applications must use a current Business Endorsing Body; legacy bodies are restricted to their specified existing endorsees.
Provide credible business funding and its source to the endorser. There is no universal fixed entry-investment amount, but that does not mean an unfunded proposal qualifies. This is not permission to buy passive residence.
Meet B2 English through accepted evidence unless exempt. Unless the applicable in-country exemption applies, hold at least £1,270 for 28 consecutive days; business investment funds cannot double as personal maintenance.
Prepare a current endorsement, passport, financial/English evidence, applicable TB and translated documents, then use the correct outside-UK or extension/switching process and pay the visa/health charges.
Typical timeline / duration: Existing holders may extend for maximum 5 years under guidance.
The retired person of independent means category is closed for new applicants; guidance only applies to people who already have permission and are extending/settling.
Closed route; do not quote as current entry requirement.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.