Foreign nationals coming to the United States to study
UK
Spouse Visa Application
No. Work Normally Permitted
GBP 29,000/annually
8 weeks
5 years
Allowed
For married partners of sponsors with British or Irish citizenship or British settled status
UK
Bereaved Partner Visa
No. Work Normally Permitted
26 weeks
Immediate (granted as ILR)
Allowed
For partners of a British citizen or settled person whose sponsor has died, allowing direct settlement in the UK
UK
Fiance Visa Application
No. Work Not Permitted
GBP 29,000/annually
12 weeks
Must switch to Spouse visa
Allowed
For those engaged to marry or planning to register a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person, allowing entry to marry within 6 months
UK
Unmarried Partner Visa
No. Work Normally Permitted
GBP 29,000/annually
8 weeks
5 years
Allowed
For those in a genuine relationship of at least 2 years with a British citizen or settled person, without being married or in a civil partnership
UK
Civil Partnership Visa
No. Work Normally Permitted
GBP 29,000/monthly
8 weeks
5 years
Allowed
For those in a legally recognised civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person, allowing them to join their partner in the UK
UK
Dependent Child Visa
No. N/A
8 weeks
Matches parent’s route (typically 5 years)
N/A – this is the dependant route
For children under 18 of a British citizen or settled person, or of a parent with a valid UK visa, to join them in the UK
UK
Adult Dependent Visa
No. Work Normally Permitted
8 weeks
Immediate (granted as ILR)
N/A
For parents, grandparents or other adult relatives of a British citizen or settled person who need long-term personal care only their relative in the UK can provide
UK
Skilled Worker Dependent visa
No. Work Normally Permitted
GBP /required income of sponsoring partner (Skilled Worker visa holder)
8 weeks
Matches main applicant (typically 5 years)
N/A – this is the dependant route
For the partner or children of a Skilled Worker visa holder, allowing them to join or accompany the main applicant in the UK
UK
Family Visa Application
No. Work Normally Permitted for Over 18s
GBP 29,000/annually
8 weeks
5 years
Allowed
General route for family members of British citizens or settled persons applying to join or remain with their family in the UK
UK
UK Ancestry Visa
No. Work Normally Permitted for Over 18s
12 weeks
5 years
Allowed
For Commonwealth citizens aged 17+ with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or (pre-1949) Ireland, who intend to work in the UK
UK
Skilled Worker Visa Application
Yes. Sponsored Employment
GBP 41,700/annually
8 weeks
5 years
Allowed
For overseas nationals sponsored by a licensed UK employer to fill an eligible skilled job meeting salary and skill requirements
UK
Health and Care Worker Visa
Yes. Sponsored Employment
GBP 25,000/annually
8 weeks
5 years
In some cases
Discounted Skilled Worker route for eligible NHS and health professionals sponsored by an approved employer
UK
Temporary Worker Visa Application
Yes. Sponsored Employment (varies by subcategory)
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
8 weeks
No settlement allowed
Varies by subcategory
Umbrella term for six short-term sponsored routes (Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, Creative Worker, Seasonal Worker) for time-limited work with no settlement pathway
UK
Religious Worker Visa
Yes. Sponsored Employment
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
8 weeks
No settlement allowed
Allowed
For non-pastoral religious roles (administrative or support work within a faith community) sponsored by a UK religious organisation. Minimum age: 18
UK
Charity Worker Visa
Yes. Voluntary/Unpaid
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
8 weeks
No settlement allowed
Not allowed
For unpaid voluntary work with a registered UK charity, sponsored by an A-rated Temporary Worker sponsor. Minimum age: 18
UK
International Agreement Worker Visa
Yes. Sponsored/Contract Employment
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
8 weeks
No settlement allowed
Varies (private servants in diplomatic households cannot bring dependants)
For work covered by international law/treaty – e.g. foreign government employees, private servants in diplomatic households, or contractual service suppliers
UK
Government Authorised Exchange Visa
Yes. Sponsored Placement
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
8 weeks
No settlement allowed
Allowed
For approved exchange schemes covering work experience, internships, research or training, sponsored by an approved ‘overarching body’
UK
Creative Worker Visa
Yes. Sponsored Employment
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
8 weeks
No settlement allowed
Allowed
For artists, entertainers, musicians, film crew and sports professionals on short-term UK engagements, sponsored by a licensed employer. Minimum age: 18
UK
Overseas Domestic Worker Visa
Yes. Employed by private household
GBP /per hour (minimum wage)
3 weeks
No settlement allowed
Not allowed
For domestic staff (e.g. cleaners, chauffeurs, nannies) accompanying their employer to the UK for a private household. Minimum age: 19
US 
UK 
