Types of residence permit for the UK
There are many visa options for those who want to live and work or study in the United Kingdom for a select period of time.
Call our friendly team today on 0333 222 0145 or get in touch with IAS UK immigration experts to find out more about ILR and our immigration services.
Immigration in the UK
In Britain there are large migrant populations who migrate for work or study.
In 2021 there were approximately 6.0 million people with non-British nationality living in the UK, and 9.6 million people who were born abroad.
With excellent education and work opportunities, it is a popular destination for foreigners to come to live and work.
However, individuals who wish to do so will need to follow the legal route of applying for a specific visa that suits them.
UK Visa Types
All overseas nationals who want to stay longer than 30 days need an entry permit for entry.
A non-EU national may also apply for a visitor visa for less than 90 days and the citizens of the EU are allowed entry for as long as 90 days without needing a visa.
There is also a range of UK immigration visa options available from short-term to longer-term, which depends on your plan of entry.
These types include work visa, study visa, family visa and travel visa.
UK visitor visa
Non EEE citizens may apply for the visa if their visit to England is for less than 6 months.
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.
You might be able to apply Non-EEE to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example, to get medical treatment.
Other kinds of visit visa may also suit you. Short-term studies are visas for visitors to students; they are temporary visas that allow people to study.
A Business Visitor Visa permits visitors to enter Britain for business purposes temporarily.
Visitor visas last six weeks and are not extendable.
Who needs a UK residence permit?
If you don’t have a visa, you must obtain a UK residency visa.
Any person seeking a visa to stay at home for a longer than six-month period must apply.
A resident permit can also be needed for your employment, studies and business activity in the UK.
You must reside in Britain to become a permanent resident.
How do I apply for UK biometric residence permit?
Applicants will need to provide their biometric information, which includes:
- Their name
- Their date and place of birth
- Their fingerprints
- A photo of their face
- Their immigration status and any conditions of their stay.
- Whether they can access public funds, for example benefits and health services.
It usually costs £19.20 to give your biometric information (or reuse it if you’ve provided it before) if you apply from within the UK.
If you apply from outside the UK the cost is included in your application fee.
Your Biometric Residence Permit will usually arrive within 10 working days of getting your decision from the Home Office which will state whether you can remain in the UK or not.
Family members (dependants)
Family members such as children, unmarried partners or spouses are permitted to be added to certain visas. These visa types are limited to:
- Health and Care
- Sole Representative
- Innovator
- Ancestry
- Intra-Company Transfer
- Graduate Trainee
- Temporary Workers
- Skilled Worker
If the visa allows for a sole applicant, you will be refused if you try to bring along a dependant. There are no exceptions.
How Can IAS Help
The UK visa application process is a complicated process, and navigating it without assistance from trained legal lawyers can be potentially detrimental to your cases outcome.
Having helped thousands of people get visas, we’ve successfully represented our clients.
Our application package includes the placement of an expert caseworker who can discuss your situation with you, discover your goals and advise you of best possible Immigration options in the UK that you can take advantage of.
Call our friendly team today on 0333 222 0145 or get in touch with IAS UK immigration experts to find out more about ILR and our immigration services.
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Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on October 21st, 2025 at 11:29 am
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