{"id":765,"date":"2023-12-07T14:55:09","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T14:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/different-types-of-british-visas\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T15:33:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:33:56","slug":"different-types-of-british-visas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/different-types-of-british-visas\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa requirements for travel to the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main visas for the United Kingdom<\/h1>\n\n<p>The UK offers several types of visa, tailored to different traveler profiles: tourists in transit, students, professionals or family members joining a loved one. Each visa has its own specific requirements, and allows a shorter or longer stay in the UK. <\/p>\n\n<p>Here is an overview of the <strong>main visas issued by the United Kingdom<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Transit visa<\/strong>: for travelers making a stopover or changing airports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family visa<\/strong>: to join a spouse, child or parent living in the UK.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Student visa<\/strong>: for higher education at a British institution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Business visa<\/strong>: to attend meetings, conferences or professional events.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>Since 2024, the UK has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for nationals of certain visa-exempt countries.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>To apply for ETA online<\/strong>, simply complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/online-form-eta-visa-england\/\">online ETA form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I need a visa to transit the UK?<\/h2>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/transit-visa-stopover-in-england-uk\/\">transit visitor visa<\/a> is required for travelers who have to pass through border control when changing terminals or airports. It also allows you to make an <strong>extended stopover<\/strong> and temporarily leave the airport before resuming your flight to another destination.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Studying in the UK: which visa to get?<\/h2>\n\n<p>If you are planning a long-term study program in the UK, you will need to apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/student-visa-for-england-uk\/\">student visa<\/a>. To obtain it, you generally need to :<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Submit a <strong>letter of sponsorship (CAS)<\/strong> issued by the university or school.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrate a <strong>sufficient level of English<\/strong> (recognized test required).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide <strong>proof of financial resources<\/strong> to cover tuition and living expenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Joining a family member: family visa<\/h2>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/family-visa-for-england-uk\/\">UK family visa<\/a> allows you to reside in the UK for a period of more than six months alongside a close relative: spouse, child, parent or other family member. This type of visa is subject to family ties, income and sometimes accommodation criteria. There is also a <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/child-visa-for-england-uk\/\">child visa for the UK<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business stay: when to apply for a business visa?<\/h2>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/business-visa-for-england-uk\/\">business visa<\/a> is intended for foreign professionals visiting the UK for <strong>one-off, non-remunerated activities<\/strong>, such as :<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take part in a meeting or conference<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negotiating a contract<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conducting research or presenting an academic project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>This visa does <strong>not allow you to work for a British company<\/strong> or to settle permanently in the UK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Main visas for the United Kingdom The UK offers several types of visa, tailored to different traveler profiles: tourists in transit, students, professionals or family members joining a loved one. Each visa has its own specific requirements, and allows a shorter or longer stay in the UK. Here is an overview of the main visas [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-765","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Visa requirements for travel to the UK - UK GB<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What visas are available for foreign travellers wishing to visit the United Kingdom?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/en\/different-types-of-british-visas\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Visa requirements for travel to the UK - 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