Moving to the UK can be a life-changing experience, especially if you are looking to improve your work, education, or family life. Although it may appear daunting, there are many fast and legal routes by which you can relocate as an immigrant. The right preparation and understanding of your visa routes will allow you to relocate easily, legitimately, and in a timely manner.
One of the most important aspects of shortening your relocation is knowing which visa route most suitably matches not only your skills and goals but also your personal situation, at the start of your efforts.
Whether you are in healthcare, technology, or have family members in the UK, selecting the right pathway from the beginning minimizes potential delays and improves your chance of receiving an approval on your application. Many employers are openly recruiting internationally and sponsoring employment visas making the process easier than it has ever been.
- Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa is one of the most popular and fastest routes for relocating to the UK. The UK is facing skills shortages in numerous fields including health, logistics, engineering, and technology. Employers are actively recruiting skilled worker professionals from abroad and sponsoring employment visas.
Several of these positions are listed on the Shortage Occupation List for the UK, meaning that the application process for a visa to work in the UK will be faster, and that the salary threshold can be lower for these positions as well. This will make it easier for qualified, skilled immigrants to live and work in the UK. After you are offered a position, you can apply for the Skilled Worker visa. This will give you legal residency and allow you to bring your family and eventually apply for permanent residency.
Basic Requirements:
- Job offer from a licensed UK employer
- English language proficiency
- Qualifications or experience related to or relevant to your position
- Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)
After you are offered a position and COS, you will need to apply for the visa online. Processing will typically take 3-8 weeks.
Benefits:
- Legal residency
- Ability to bring dependants
- Ability to apply for permanent residency after 5 years.
- Health and Care Worker visa
If you have experience working in health care, this option will be faster and a high-demand position. The UK is recruiting nurses, care assistants, and other medical roles.
Many healthcare professionals can gain full visa sponsorship from many potential employers. Many health care profession employers even have free housing and relocation assistance to help with initial settlement.
This pathway is therefore one the easiest routes for immigrants (in particular those that have accredited training or work experience in nursing, caregiving, or allied health professions). Because of an aging population and demand for care services, not just welcome, but we need you!”
Requirements:
- Job offer from an approved care provider
- English proficiency
- Accredited certifications
This visa does not take long to process and there is also often free visa application and health surcharge exemption.
- Student Visa with Work Flexibility
Moving to the UK to study is another quick way to relocate, especially if you plan to commence work after graduating. Many universities offer admission decisions with no IELTS and some offers even come with a scholarship.
Once you arrive, you will be allowed to work part-time while you study, which provides you with local experience during your studies and allow you to earn some extra spending money.
When you finish your degree, you can apply for a Graduate Visa that allows you to work in the UK for up to two years without requiring you to have a job offer in advance. This gives you time to find an appropriate job and change to a Skilled Worker Visa. Education thus becomes a means to settle permanently, not just an opportunity for education.
To summarize the steps:
- Apply to a UK University
- Obtain Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Apply for a student visa
You can always switch to a Graduate Visa or Skilled Worker Visa after graduation so long as you have a job offer.
Advantages:
- World class education
- Part-time study
- Post-study work options
- Global Talent Visa
This is a fast-track visa for exceptional talent in science, arts, engineering and technology. You don’t need an offer of employment but must obtain suitable endorsement from a UK recognized organization.
Once you receive endorsement, you could apply for the visa and receive a decision in three weeks or less, making it one of the fastest routes into the UK.
There is also flexibility in this visa’s employment offer, you can work for more than one employer, start your own business, or work freelance. It is particularly relevant for people who just want to contribute to the UK innovation and creative sector and do not wish to be tied to one job contract.
Ideal for:
- Researchers
- Innovators
- Artists and others creative professionals
This visa provides flexibility and it is also a direct pathway to settlement.
- UK Expansion Worker Visa
If you work for a company that intends to expand into the UK then you could be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa. You could be applying from overseas and need to relocate to set up the business.
This is appropriate for senior employees or specialists who can be trusted to set up the company’s presence in the UK. The company must not have been trading in the UK and you will have worked for them for a minimum period of time, usually, 12 months. This visa does not lead to permanent residency straight away, but it does offer the chance for you to gain UK work experience and potentially other long-term visas.
Requirements:
- Be employed by a business located outside of the UK
- Be assigned to assist with launching its UK branch
- Certificate of Sponsorship
This route will be suitable for professionals in management, technology or business development.
- Family Route
If your family members are UK citizens or residents, you may be eligible to apply for a family visa. Family visas can apply to spouses as well as children and parents.
The application will generally require you to provide evidence of your relationship, proof of financial support, and evidence of accommodation in the UK. Depending on individual circumstances, there may also be an English language requirement for adults, and you may be required to submit biometrics.
Once you receive the claims decision in your favour, the family visa will allow you to live, work and study in the UK, and after a period of years, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain. This route is particularly useful for someone looking to build a stable life with family members, and/or reunite with loved ones.
Documents Required:
- Evidence of your relationship
- Evidence of financial support
- English language requirement (for adults).
Overall, the family route is an uncomplicated process that provides the opportunity to settle with family.
- Humanitarian and Refugee Route
If you are fleeing conflict or persecution, the UK has protection and resettlement programs for individuals. Hence, you will need make a proper application through a designated process and provide evidence of your circumstances.
If your application is approved, you will have the opportunity to receive refugee status or humanitarian protection. This status will allow you to live and work legally in the UK.
You will receive various support services to assist with your relocation, which can include temporary accommodation, financial support and access to education and healthcare. On waiting for a certain period of time, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain and citizenship, giving you the opportunity to rebuild your life in a safe and secure environment.
The support you do receive will include:
- Temporary accommodation
- Legal support
- Pathway to indefinite leave to remain
Final Tips for a Quick Relocation
For a wrap up, while seeking for the Fastest Ways to Relocate to the UK as an Immigrant it is advisable that you;
- Prepare your documents ahead of time: Your passport, CV, certificates, and references.
- Search for jobs with visa sponsorship: Use words like “UK visa sponsorship jobs” or “Skilled Worker Visa UK”.
- Apply to many jobs: Don’t wait for one answer.
- Stay updated: Watch the latest videos on immigration, explore immigration updates and reviews/flogs like Jackie’s for real-time updates.
