How to switch to a different visa and stay in the UK long-term
We explain which visas allow you to stay in the United Kingdom long-term.
Working in the UK offers not only career opportunities but also the chance to secure a future with a high level of stability and freedom. The British passport, one of the most coveted in the world, provides visa-free access to 193 countries. If you are already in the United Kingdom and are considering how to settle here for the long term, this article is for you.
Option 1: Extend Your Stay with a Graduate Visa and Switch to Another Visa for ILR
The Graduate Visa allows students to remain in the UK after completing their studies. This visa grants graduates from UK universities the right to live in the country for two years following the completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and for three years after obtaining a PhD.
Students who have successfully completed certain conversion courses, such as GDL and LPC, can also apply for the Graduate Visa, provided their course lasted at least 12 months.
The Graduate Visa allows you to work, undertake internships, and participate in graduate schemes. However, this visa does not itself lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and does not count towards the total residency period required for ILR.
Moreover, recent changes in legislation mean that British students can no longer bring family members to the UK on student visas, which also applies to the Graduate Visa.
Therefore, the Graduate Visa can be useful as a temporary solution to extend your stay in the UK and explore other opportunities, especially if your current visa is expiring or you are facing challenges in finding a job.
Option 2: Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for Employment with a Sponsoring Company
To obtain a Skilled Worker Visa, you need a job offer from a company with a Sponsorship Licence or assist your employer in obtaining this licence (our company, Goldman Solutions, is ready to help your employer secure a Sponsorship Licence and process your Skilled Worker Visa).
Candidates for the Skilled Worker Visa must meet the skill and salary requirements based on the occupation and market status.
The Skilled Worker Visa offers various opportunities, including employment, study in the UK, and bringing family members. It also leads to ILR, which can be obtained after 5 years, followed by the possibility of applying for British citizenship.
However, there are restrictions: you cannot work for yourself or run a business on this visa, and often you need to submit new visa documents when changing jobs or employers, which makes your stay in the UK dependent on the sponsoring company.
This visa is beneficial if you already have a job offer from a company with a Sponsorship Licence or the company is prepared to obtain it, if you wish to work for someone else and are not considering running your own business, and if you do not meet the criteria for the Global Talent Visa but are actively seeking a job with visa sponsorship.
Option 3: Apply for a Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa offers various privileges, including employment, running a business, studying, moving family members, and applying for ILR after 3 or 5 years, with the prospect of obtaining British citizenship.
To apply for this visa, you need to have recognised talent and achievements in one of the fields such as science, digital technology, art, or culture. The application process includes providing a CV, cover letter, three reference letters, and other documents that confirm your achievements.
Preparing to apply for this visa can be complex, as not all businesses or roles meet the criteria. It is advisable to apply for the Global Talent Visa only if you fully meet the requirements. Otherwise, the Innovator Founder Visa might be a more suitable option.
Option 4: Apply for an Innovator Founder Visa (the Most Effective Route in Most Cases)
To obtain an Innovator Founder Visa, you need to have a business idea that meets the criteria of innovation, viability, and scalability. You must obtain approval for your idea from an authorised body by providing a business plan, financial plan, and market research. Additionally, proof of English language proficiency and compliance with other requirements are necessary.
If you do not yet have a business idea, we at Goldman Solutions can help develop one by discussing your background, interests, and goals.
The Innovator Founder Visa allows you to run a business, work for others, study, and bring family members. It provides the opportunity to apply for ILR after just 3 years, regardless of the type of business or endorsing body, making it one of the fastest and most advantageous paths to obtaining ILR in the UK.
The Graduate Visa allows students to remain in the UK after completing their studies. This visa grants graduates from UK universities the right to live in the country for two years following the completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and for three years after obtaining a PhD.
Students who have successfully completed certain conversion courses, such as GDL and LPC, can also apply for the Graduate Visa, provided their course lasted at least 12 months.
The Graduate Visa allows you to work, undertake internships, and participate in graduate schemes. However, this visa does not itself lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and does not count towards the total residency period required for ILR.
Moreover, recent changes in legislation mean that British students can no longer bring family members to the UK on student visas, which also applies to the Graduate Visa.
Therefore, the Graduate Visa can be useful as a temporary solution to extend your stay in the UK and explore other opportunities, especially if your current visa is expiring or you are facing challenges in finding a job.
Option 2: Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for Employment with a Sponsoring Company
To obtain a Skilled Worker Visa, you need a job offer from a company with a Sponsorship Licence or assist your employer in obtaining this licence (our company, Goldman Solutions, is ready to help your employer secure a Sponsorship Licence and process your Skilled Worker Visa).
Candidates for the Skilled Worker Visa must meet the skill and salary requirements based on the occupation and market status.
The Skilled Worker Visa offers various opportunities, including employment, study in the UK, and bringing family members. It also leads to ILR, which can be obtained after 5 years, followed by the possibility of applying for British citizenship.
However, there are restrictions: you cannot work for yourself or run a business on this visa, and often you need to submit new visa documents when changing jobs or employers, which makes your stay in the UK dependent on the sponsoring company.
This visa is beneficial if you already have a job offer from a company with a Sponsorship Licence or the company is prepared to obtain it, if you wish to work for someone else and are not considering running your own business, and if you do not meet the criteria for the Global Talent Visa but are actively seeking a job with visa sponsorship.
Option 3: Apply for a Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa offers various privileges, including employment, running a business, studying, moving family members, and applying for ILR after 3 or 5 years, with the prospect of obtaining British citizenship.
To apply for this visa, you need to have recognised talent and achievements in one of the fields such as science, digital technology, art, or culture. The application process includes providing a CV, cover letter, three reference letters, and other documents that confirm your achievements.
Preparing to apply for this visa can be complex, as not all businesses or roles meet the criteria. It is advisable to apply for the Global Talent Visa only if you fully meet the requirements. Otherwise, the Innovator Founder Visa might be a more suitable option.
Option 4: Apply for an Innovator Founder Visa (the Most Effective Route in Most Cases)
To obtain an Innovator Founder Visa, you need to have a business idea that meets the criteria of innovation, viability, and scalability. You must obtain approval for your idea from an authorised body by providing a business plan, financial plan, and market research. Additionally, proof of English language proficiency and compliance with other requirements are necessary.
If you do not yet have a business idea, we at Goldman Solutions can help develop one by discussing your background, interests, and goals.
The Innovator Founder Visa allows you to run a business, work for others, study, and bring family members. It provides the opportunity to apply for ILR after just 3 years, regardless of the type of business or endorsing body, making it one of the fastest and most advantageous paths to obtaining ILR in the UK.
Do you have any questions about immigration, obtaining permanent residency, or citizenship in the United Kingdom?
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