Types of Residence Permits in the UK in 2024

The United Kingdom is a popular destination among foreign job seekers. What makes the UK so attractive to expats? Having a residence permit (RP) in this country significantly increases the chances of finding a promising and well-paying job. Residents gain access to one of the most developed healthcare systems in the world, can elevate their business to new levels, and find potential partners for expanding their ventures. With a UK residence permit, candidates can travel freely across Schengen countries without needing a special visa. Students can study at some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities while living in a country with a high economic standard.

In this review, we will talk about the types of visas for the UK, the grounds for obtaining a residence permit, necessary documents, renewing residency status, and much more.

Types of UK Residence Permits in 2024

Currently, several types of long-term visas are available in the United Kingdom. A residence permit is a status with a limited validity period, but it can be extended if all immigration laws are followed. There are various types of permits, depending on the grounds for migration. The permit itself is a plastic card with one of the following designations:

• Tier 1 – Highly qualified applicants who have passed a special assessment in several categories. This category includes entrepreneurs, investors, and those who graduated with honors from UK universities.
• Tier 2 – Foreign residents who have signed a work contract with a UK company.
• Tier 4 – Students currently studying at a British university.
• Innovators – A separate category of applicants.
• Global Talent Visa – A special permit for professionals in digital technology and innovation, and outstanding figures in science and art.
• Refugees.
• Official spouses of UK citizens.

The obtained permit allows candidates to stay in the country for 2–5 years (depending on the visa type). If all conditions are met, the applicant may later apply for permanent residency and even a British passport. Residence permit applications are typically processed within three months.

Residence Permits for Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople

UK residency status is available to those planning to start their own business or manage an existing one in the United Kingdom. There are several types of residence permits for entrepreneurs.

• Startup Visa: To obtain this permit, you need to submit a business plan confirmation letter from an organization authorized to do so. The full list of such organizations can be found on the official UK website. The applicant must prove financial independence by showing at least €1,429 in a bank account, have a B2 level of English, and a clean record (no criminal background or visa rejections). However, the startup visa does not provide a path to permanent residency. To obtain permanent residence, an innovator visa is required.

• Innovator Visa: For this permit, a business plan must be approved, and the company must be registered in the UK. Unlike the startup visa, applicants must have at least €5,600 in their bank account, which will later be invested in the business.

• Sole Representative Visa: Ideal for entrepreneurs planning to open a branch of their company in the UK.

Student Residence Permit

There are several types of student visas for studying at UK universities.

• Tier 4 (Child): This visa is for applicants aged 4-17. A letter of admission from a UK educational institution is required. Additionally, proof of funds to cover living and tuition expenses is needed, along with written parental consent for migration.

• Tier 4 (General): This visa is for students aged 17 and older. The main requirements include proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses, an admission letter from a UK institution, and evidence of English proficiency. Parental consent for migration is also required.

Residence Permit Through Employment

To obtain a work residence permit, you must receive an official job offer from a UK company with a sponsor license. This means the employer guarantees that the salary paid will cover the employee's living costs in line with UK standards.

Before applying for a work visa, the candidate must obtain a sponsorship certificate from the hiring company. If the employee is dismissed, they must find another job and receive a new certificate to remain in the country as a resident.

Residence Permit Through Marriage

To marry a UK citizen, foreign nationals must obtain a fiancé(e) visa, which is valid for six months, during which time the marriage must occur, and residency documents must be submitted. If already married to a UK citizen, a spouse visa, valid for 2.5 years, can be obtained and extended by another 2.5 years, after which citizenship can be applied for. Residency requires proof that the marriage is genuine and lasting at least three years.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining UK Residency

To become a UK resident, you must:

• Provide proof of entry grounds (e.g., work contract, university admission letter, marriage certificate, sponsor certificate);
• Prove you pose no threat to the public (no criminal record);
• Show financial stability (bank statement, proof of salary, sponsor funds);
• Submit a B1-level English proficiency certificate.

To obtain a visa, several mandatory steps must be completed:

1. Gathering visa documents. Foreign applicants need to prepare documents that confirm their identity, as well as documents that support the basis for obtaining a residence permit.

2. Submitting the application. The application can be completed online through the visa center or the consular section of the UK Embassy in the applicant's country. The candidate submits an application for an interview at the British consulate.

3. Attending the interview. At the appointed time, the applicant must attend the interview with a prepared set of documents.

4. Issuance of the visa permit. After reviewing the documents and based on the interview, the immigration service will make a decision on whether to grant the permit. Once approved, the applicant collects the visa at the consulate in their home country.

5. Entering the United Kingdom. After receiving the permit, the candidate can enter the country with the visa. Upon arrival, they must contact the immigration office to complete the residence permit process.

Documents for a Residence Permit

Required documents include:

• Completed application form;
• Valid passport;
• Proof of financial means;
• Medical fee receipt;
• Visa fee payment receipt;
• English language certificate;
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).

If necessary, the receiving party may request additional documents to clarify the basis for staying in the United Kingdom.

Obtaining Permanent Residence Status

You can apply for permanent residence status after 5 years of continuous residency in the country. With permanent residence (PR) status, you are allowed to leave the country for up to 2 years, live in the UK indefinitely, study, register, and run a business. Even with PR status, foreign residents can enter many countries without a visa, including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA.

To maintain your UK residence status and obtain permanent residence, you must spend at least 185 days per year in the country. If the applicant plans to apply for citizenship in the future, they must not leave the country for more than 90 days a year. To obtain PR status, applicants must pass an English language test (at least level B1) and the "Life in the UK" test, which demonstrates knowledge of life in the country. The processing time for a PR application depends on the type of visa the applicant holds, the scale of their business, and the amount of investment made into the country’s economy.

Refusal and Revocation of Residence Status

An applicant may be refused or stripped of their residence status for several reasons:

• Incorrect document submission process.
• The applicant provided false or incorrect information.
• The candidate is found guilty of breaking laws in their home country, such as unpaid traffic fines.
• Unsettled bank loans.
• Violations of laws and visa denials in other countries.

A foreign citizen will receive a visa refusal by mail. If the applicant disagrees with the decision, they have the right to appeal by taking the case to court.

What is a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) in the UK?

In 2015, the UK government introduced significant changes to the procedure for issuing long-term visas for foreign applicants. This was due to the need to standardize visa procedures in line with EU laws. Instead of a long-term visa, the candidate receives a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit), a biometric document containing the following information:

• Personal details: full name, date of birth, place of birth.
• Legal status: the basis for entry, conditions, and duration of stay.
• Biometric data: fingerprint scan and photo of the resident.
• Other details, such as restrictions on access to public benefits.

All applicants requesting permission to reside in the UK for more than six months receive a 30-day multi-entry permit. A corresponding stamp is placed in the resident’s passport. Long-term visas, which used to be affixed to the passport, have been discontinued.

When submitting a visa application, the applicant must specify a postal code and a 30-day period during which they expect to stay in the UK. The next step is to schedule an appointment at the visa center to submit biometric data and documents. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a visa in their passport, allowing them to enter the UK within the 30-day window.

Along with the entry documents, the applicant will receive a letter of instructions indicating the period of stay in the UK and the location where the BRP can be collected. The BRP is available for collection after arriving in the UK.

Biometric documents can only be obtained at select post office branches, with around 200 currently available across the UK. BRPs are produced by the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Additional information about visas and documents is available on the Visa4UK online portal.

The BRP serves as proof of the holder’s immigration status. All foreign residents holding a passport from a non-EU country must apply for a BRP if they plan to stay in the UK for more than six months. Upon arriving in the country, they have 10 days to collect their BRP.

If the applicant does not collect the BRP within the specified timeframe, they may be fined or have their visa revoked. Once the BRP is produced, it is held at the post office for 60 days before being returned to the UK Home Office.

Changes to BRP Requirements

In the near future, BRP requirements will be abolished. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU rules concerning the BRP are no longer relevant. Despite this, the UK Home Office has decided to continue issuing BRPs with a maximum validity period until the end of the current year, 31 December 2024. This measure is part of the Home Office’s efforts to digitize immigration status information.

Starting from 1 January 2024, foreign nationals will no longer need to obtain a BRP, as their status will be confirmed online.

If you need assistance with obtaining a UK visa or residence permit, contact the specialists at the licensed agency GARANT.in. We will help you select the basis for migration, prepare the dossier, properly certify documents, provide professional translations, and submit the completed dossier for processing. We will assist you through every step of the process, from preparing for interviews to obtaining the desired permit with minimal difficulties.