The Difference between an Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa from the United Kingdom

After relocating to the United Kingdom, you must establish your residency there by applying for a passport or visa. If you’re planning on residing in the nation for less than six months, you may only need to apply for a passport. Otherwise, United States citizens residing any longer than the six month timeframe will need to apply for a visa. There are two main types of visas, immigrant and non-immigrant. Under non-immigrant follows 20 sub-categories of visa types. This is where professional assistance might come in handy.

About Non-Immigrant Visas

Non-immigrant visas are for foreign citizens who only intend on staying in the UK temporarily. Usually the individuals that qualify for non-immigrant visas are those who move to the UK for study, medical practice or treatment, temporary employment, business matters, or extended tourism. As stated above, non-immigrant visas come in many forms. You must apply for the right type of visa for it to be valid.

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About Immigrant Visas

Anyone that plans to permanently reside in the UK will need to apply for an immigrant visa before the six month time limit. Obtaining an immigrant visa grants you residency in the UK and confirms your citizenship in the nation.

Applying for a Visa

Applying for a visa is relatively simple. You must know what type of visa you need to apply for is the most confusing and time consuming part. Once you know what type of visa you need, you’ll need to fill out a paper or online application. It’s safe to assume you’ll also need to provide copies of specific documents such as ID’s and other government issued paperwork. You must also pay for any visa fees upon the submission of your application.

After your application is submitted, you may be asked to schedule an interview. If so, your visa could take up to two weeks to process. Other non-immigrant visas may only take 24 hours. It all depends on what type of non-immigrant visa you applied for. As for immigrant visas, they could take up to a year to process since you’re seeking full citizenship in the United Kingdom.