UK or United Kingdom is a country that is marked by the presence of people belonging to different communities or ethnic identities. It is also a much-preferred country for a large number of Canadians who come here to work or study. According to data compiled by government agencies, United Kingdom serves as the home to around 90,000 Canadians in 2021.
A large number of visas are available for people who wish to move from Canada to UK. You can choose and apply for a particular visa once you are sure about your purpose of visiting or moving to the country. There are also visas for those who plan to live with a family member who happens to be a UK citizen. If you visit a good agency, you will get the right immigration advice that will help you walk through the process more easily.
Types of Visas to travel to United Kingdom
Before you commence the process of applying for a visa, you must get proper information of the types of visas that you can choose from. The UK immigration offers a wide range of visas to people who wish to move from Canada to UK. Following is a list of the different types of UK visas.
- Study Visa
- Partner Visa
- Family Visa
- Visitor Visa
- Business Visa
- UK Skilled Work Visa
Each visa comes with its own set of requirements that a citizen, who has applied for it, must fulfill. If you are planning to move to the UK, one of the first things you need to do is study all the visa requirements and find out which visa you should apply for.
Study Visa for UK
If you plan to go to the UK for higher studies, you can choose from three different visa categories. These visas are differentiated by the student’s educational status. A student studying in a secondary school will have to apply for a different visa than one pursuing a course in a university. You will have to choose from ‘Student Visa’, ‘Short-Term Study’ and ‘Child Student’.
Partner Visa for moving to United Kingdom
Partner visas are divided into two categories, spouse visa and fiancé visa. These are issued to individuals who are in a civil relationship, married or engaged to a British Citizen and are planning to live with their partner in the UK. If you manage to procure a spouse visa, you shall have the requisite permission to be with your partner in the United Kingdom for as long as 30 months. The fiancé visa allows one of the partners to go to the UK and get married to their partner within a period of six months.
Family Visa for UK
If you are planning to join or live with a family member in the United Kingdom, you will have to apply for a family visa. Family visas have been further divided into multiple sub-categories including EEA Family Permit and UK Ancestry Visa. If you have a child, under the age of 18, living in the UK, you have to apply for a ‘parent’ visa that will allow you to move to the country and be with your child for a specific period of time.
Visitor Visa for UK
The UK visitor visa enables you to go to the United Kingdom on a brief visit for different purposes like meeting people for business or undergoing a medical treatment procedure. A visitor is further divided into three different types. For business appointments or medical treatment, you need to apply for a standard visitor visa. For traveling to another country, via UK, you need a ‘visitors in transit’ visa. A permitted paid engagement visa would be essential for researchers or academics.
Also read- Is it Possible to get US Visa without an Interview
Business Visa for Travel to United Kingdom
Businessmen or entrepreneurs, who wish to start a business or a company in the United Kingdom, are often referred to as ‘high-value migrants’ owing to the kind of financial benefits they could bring to the country. Four types of visas are available for individuals who wish to do business in the UK.
People who have achieved a certain amount of name and fame in fields like medicine, arts, science or engineering can apply for Global Talent Visa. If you are willing to invest a minimum amount of £2,000,000 in the business, that you are planning to set up in the UK, you can apply for Investor Visa. An experienced entrepreneur, who is willing to invest at least £50,000 is eligible for an Innovator Visa. A Start-Up Visa is designed for those who are planning to begin their entrepreneurial journey in the UK.
UK Skilled Work Visa
People who are skilled in a particular field or area like engineering or accountancy and have received a job offer from the UK, apply for this visa. If you are a ‘skilled worker’, you get to choose from four different categories of visas, based on your qualification. These four types are Skilled Worker Visa, Intra-Company Transfer, Minister of Religion Visa and Sportsperson Visa.