If you are thinking about moving to the UK, the first question is usually “which visa?” The answer depends on why you are coming: to work, to study, to join family, or just to visit. Each route has its own rules, and they change often.
This overview walks through the main routes in plain English so you can work out which ones are worth reading about in detail. We have linked to the official GOV.UK page for each one, and we checked the key points in October 2026.
Skilled Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for people with a job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence. The employer gives you a certificate of sponsorship, and you then apply for the visa.
The rules tightened significantly in July 2025. For most new applicants, the job now needs to be at degree level (what GOV.UK calls “higher skilled”), with only limited exceptions for roles on special shortage lists. The general minimum salary is currently £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher, with lower thresholds in some situations. New applicants also need English at level B2. Full details are on the job and salary page.
Health and Care Worker visa
The Health and Care Worker visa is a version of the Skilled Worker route for eligible roles such as doctors, nurses and allied health professionals working for the NHS, NHS suppliers or adult social care. It usually comes with lower fees and an exemption from the immigration health surcharge.
The big change for care workers came on 22 July 2025. From that date, the Home Office stopped accepting new visa applications from overseas for care workers and senior care workers. People already in the UK can still switch into these roles until 22 July 2028, but only in limited circumstances, including having worked legally for the sponsoring care provider for at least three months before the certificate of sponsorship was issued. If someone abroad is offering you a “care worker visa”, treat it with great caution.
Student visa
The Student visa is for people aged 16 or over who have an offer from a licensed student sponsor, such as a university. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), enough money for your course fees and living costs, and the right level of English.
Most taught postgraduate students can no longer bring family members as dependants. That is now mainly limited to PhD and other research-based postgraduate courses, and some government-sponsored students.
Graduate visa
The Graduate visa lets you stay and work in the UK after successfully completing an eligible degree here on a Student visa. You do not need a job offer, and you can work at any level.
The length is changing. GOV.UK says it lasts two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates get three years. If you finish your course late in 2026, the timing of your application matters.
Global Talent visa
The Global Talent visa is for leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. Most people need an endorsement from an approved body in their field, though winners of certain major prizes can apply directly. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, it is not built around a sponsoring employer, which gives more flexibility. The visa can last up to five years at a time, and some people can apply to settle sooner than on other routes, depending on their field.
Family visas
A family visa lets you join a relative who is British, settled in the UK or has certain other status. It covers partners and spouses, fiancés, children, parents, and in rare cases adult relatives who need long-term care. Partner applications usually involve a minimum income requirement, accommodation rules and an English test. The fees and health surcharge are substantial, so check the costs early.
If your family member is in the UK on a work or study visa rather than settled status, you would normally apply as their dependant on that route instead.
Visitor visa
The Standard Visitor visa is for tourism, seeing family, some business activities and short courses. You can usually stay for up to six months. You cannot work, whether paid or unpaid, except for a few permitted activities.
Whether you need a visa in advance depends on your nationality. Some nationalities, including Nigerian citizens, must apply before travelling. Others can visit with an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) instead. Use the GOV.UK visa checker to confirm.
eVisas: proving your status
The UK has moved to digital immigration status. When you are granted a visa, you get an eVisa, an online record of your identity, status and conditions. You access it through a free UK Visas and Immigration account. When an employer, landlord or other organisation needs to check your status, you generate a share code instead of showing a physical card. Keep your account details, passport number and contact details up to date, as problems here can cause delays at the border.
A word on advice
Only advisers regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (formerly the OISC) or qualified solicitors can give immigration advice. You can find a regulated adviser on GOV.UK. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed visas or jobs for a fee.
Next steps
- Decide your main reason for coming: work, study, family or a visit.
- Read the GOV.UK page for that route, including the eligibility and cost sections.
- Check the date of any rule you read about, as many changed in 2025 and 2026.
- Gather documents early, especially proof of funds and English.
- Get regulated advice if your situation is complicated.
Official sources we checked
- Skilled Worker visa: your job
- Explanatory memorandum to HC 997 (July 2025 changes)
- Graduate visa
- Student visa: your partner and children
- Global Talent visa
- eVisas
Checked on 1 October 2026. Rules and fees change — always confirm on the official page.
