UK Visas & Immigration — Complete 2026 Guide
Whether you're moving for work, study, family, or settlement — find the right UK visa, understand the requirements, and navigate the application process with confidence.
Every guide references official Home Office policy. We flag changes as they happen so you're never working from outdated rules.
Salary thresholds, eVisa requirements, and Skilled Worker compliance rules have all changed. Our guides reflect the latest position.
Our guides focus on legal relocation routes — work, study, family reunion, and settlement. Clear, practical, and free to use.
Move to the UK for work
From the Skilled Worker visa to the Global Talent route — find the right work visa for your profession, salary, and situation. Includes the latest April 2026 compliance updates.
Explore all work visa guides →Study in the United Kingdom
Planning to study in the UK? From the Student visa to the Graduate route allowing you to stay and work after graduation — everything you need to know.
Explore all study visa guides →Bring your family to the UK
Joining a partner, spouse, or family member already living in the UK? Our guides cover every family visa route, financial requirements, and what to expect at each stage.
Explore all family visa guides →Make the UK your permanent home
After years of living and working in the UK, settlement and British citizenship are your long-term goals. Understand the qualifying periods, Life in the UK test, and application process.
Explore all settlement guides →Visiting or entering the UK
Visiting for tourism, business, or a short stay? The UK ETA is now required for most nationalities. Find out what you need before you travel.
Explore all visit & entry guides →UK immigration news — stay ahead
The rules change fast. Our editorial team monitors Home Office announcements daily so your plans are always based on current policy.
Find UK jobs before you arrive
CV-Library is one of the UK's largest independent job boards — with hundreds of thousands of live vacancies across every sector. Start your search while your visa application is in progress.
Boost your UK career prospects
Many UK visa routes require recognised qualifications or English language skills. Reed Courses offers thousands of accredited UK courses — from English for employment to professional certifications recognised by UK employers.
Browse all courses on Reed →We may earn a commission if you enrol through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked immigration questions
The Skilled Worker visa is the most widely used route for overseas nationals moving to the UK for employment. It replaced the Tier 2 General visa in 2021. You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, and your salary must meet the occupational threshold — which changed in April 2024 and is subject to further updates in April 2026.
No. The UK ETA is for nationals of eligible countries who do not need a visa to enter the UK for short stays. If you already hold a UK visa — such as a Skilled Worker, Student, or Family visa — you do not need an ETA. The ETA applies to visa-exempt nationalities including most EU citizens, Americans, Canadians, and Australians.
Most routes to ILR require five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK. This includes the Skilled Worker, Family, and many other visa categories. Once eligible, you can apply online and standard processing takes around 2–8 weeks. A planned change to extend the qualifying period has been delayed to Autumn 2026 — see our ILR news update for the latest.
Yes, most UK work visa holders can bring a spouse or partner and dependent children under 18 as dependants. Your partner and children can generally live, work, and study in the UK for the same duration as your visa. They apply separately using the relevant dependant visa route. Financial requirements apply — you must show you can support them without recourse to public funds.
The Student visa allows you to study at a UK higher education institution. Once you complete your degree, you can switch to the Graduate Route — a two-year post-study work visa (three years for PhD graduates) that allows you to work in any role at any salary. It's a common stepping stone to the Skilled Worker visa.
The exact documents vary by visa type, but most UK visa applications require: a valid passport, confirmation of sponsorship (for work or study visas), proof of English language ability, financial evidence showing you can support yourself, and a completed online application form. Biometric enrolment at a Visa Application Centre is also required for most nationalities. Check the specific guide for your visa type for the complete list.
Need help with your UK move?
Browse immigration lawyers, relocation specialists, and visa services in our vetted expat directory.