What Is The Fastest Way To Get Permanent Residence In The UK?

If you’re looking to make a permanent move to the UK, you might be wondering what the quickest route to obtaining permanent residence is. Well, look no further! In this article, we will explore the various options available to you and highlight the fastest way to secure your place in the UK for the long term. So, if you’re ready to embark on an exciting journey towards becoming a permanent resident in the UK, let’s get started!

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Investor Visa

Tier 1 (Investor) Visa

The Tier 1 (Investor) Visa is a popular option for individuals who wish to invest a substantial amount of money in the UK. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence. To be eligible for the Tier 1 (Investor) Visa, you must have at least £2 million to invest in the UK.

Requirements for Tier 1 (Investor) Visa

To qualify for the Tier 1 (Investor) Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have at least £2 million in investment funds.
2. The money you invest must be your own, or jointly owned with your partner or spouse.
3. The funds must be held in a regulated financial institution.
4. You must open a UK bank account.
5. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
6. You must provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependents without using public funds.

Process of obtaining a Tier 1 (Investor) Visa

The process of obtaining a Tier 1 (Investor) Visa involves several steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents, including proof of investment funds, criminal record certificate, and evidence of support funds.
2. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
3. Pay the visa application fee.
4. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
5. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
6. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
7. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
8. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

Entrepreneur Visa

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa

The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa is designed for individuals who want to establish or take over an existing business in the UK. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence. To be eligible for the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa, you must have access to at least £200,000 in investment funds.

Requirements for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa

To qualify for the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have access to at least £200,000 in investment funds.
2. You must have a business plan that demonstrates how your business will create jobs, contribute to the UK economy, and meet the Genuine Entrepreneur Test.
3. You must provide evidence of your English language skills.
4. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
5. You must provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependents without using public funds.

Process of obtaining a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa

The process of obtaining a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa involves several steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents, including a business plan, proof of investment funds, criminal record certificate, evidence of English language skills, and evidence of support funds.
2. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
3. Pay the visa application fee.
4. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
5. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
6. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
7. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
8. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

Exceptional Talent Visa

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa

The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa is designed for individuals who are recognized as leaders or emerging leaders in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, or the arts. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence.

Requirements for Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa

To qualify for the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be endorsed as a leader or emerging leader in your field by a designated competent body.
2. You must provide evidence of your achievements and recognized status in your field.
3. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
4. You must provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependents without using public funds.

Process of obtaining a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa

The process of obtaining a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa involves several steps:

1. Obtain an endorsement from a designated competent body in your field.
2. Prepare the necessary documents, including evidence of achievements, criminal record certificate, and evidence of support funds.
3. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
4. Pay the visa application fee.
5. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
6. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
7. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
8. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
9. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

Family Visas

Spouse Visa

The Spouse Visa allows individuals to join their partner or spouse who is a British citizen or settled person in the UK. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence.

Requirements for Spouse Visa

To qualify for the Spouse Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person.
2. You must have a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner or spouse.
3. You must meet the financial requirement, which includes earning a minimum income threshold or having sufficient savings.
4. You must provide evidence of suitable accommodation in the UK.
5. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Process of obtaining a Spouse Visa

The process of obtaining a Spouse Visa involves several steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents, including evidence of marriage or civil partnership, proof of relationship, financial documents, evidence of accommodation, and a criminal record certificate.
2. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
3. Pay the visa application fee.
4. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
5. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
6. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
7. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
8. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

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Ancestry Visa

Requirements for Ancestry Visa

The Ancestry Visa is available for individuals who have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence.

To qualify for an Ancestry Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be a Commonwealth citizen and be able to prove your grandparent’s birth in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
2. You must be able to work and intend to work in the UK.
3. You must be able to support yourself financially without relying on public funds.
4. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Process of obtaining an Ancestry Visa

The process of obtaining an Ancestry Visa involves several steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents, including proof of your grandparent’s birth, criminal record certificate, and evidence of financial ability.
2. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
3. Pay the visa application fee.
4. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
5. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
6. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
7. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
8. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

Work Visas

Tier 2 (General) Visa

The Tier 2 (General) Visa is designed for individuals who have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsorship license. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence.

Requirements for Tier 2 (General) Visa

To qualify for the Tier 2 (General) Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsorship license.
2. You must be able to prove your knowledge of the English language.
3. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
4. You must provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependents without using public funds.

Process of obtaining a Tier 2 (General) Visa

The process of obtaining a Tier 2 (General) Visa involves several steps:

1. Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer.
2. Prepare the necessary documents, including a CoS, evidence of English language skills, criminal record certificate, and evidence of support funds.
3. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
4. Pay the visa application fee.
5. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
6. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
7. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
8. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
9. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

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Student Visas

Tier 4 (Student) Visa

The Tier 4 (Student) Visa is designed for individuals who want to study in the UK. This visa allows you to study and work part-time in the UK and eventually apply for permanent residence.

Requirements for Tier 4 (Student) Visa

To qualify for the Tier 4 (Student) Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have a confirmed offer of a place on a course at a UK educational institution with a Tier 4 sponsor.
2. You must provide evidence of your ability to pay for your course and support yourself financially.
3. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Process of obtaining a Tier 4 (Student) Visa

The process of obtaining a Tier 4 (Student) Visa involves several steps:

1. Obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your UK educational institution.
2. Prepare the necessary documents, including a CAS, evidence of financial ability, and a criminal record certificate.
3. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
4. Pay the visa application fee.
5. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
6. Attend an interview at the visa application center, if required.
7. Wait for a decision on your visa application.
8. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
9. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

Long Residence

Requirements for Long Residence

The Long Residence route is available to individuals who have lived continuously in the UK for at least 10 years. This route allows you to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which is a form of permanent residence.

To qualify for Long Residence, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have lived continuously in the UK for at least 10 years.
2. You must not have spent more than 540 days outside the UK during the 10-year period.
3. You must provide evidence to show that you have been living in the UK continuously.
4. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Process of obtaining Long Residence

The process of obtaining Long Residence involves several steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents, including evidence of continuous residence, a criminal record certificate, and any other supporting documents.
2. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
3. Pay the application fee.
4. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
5. Wait for a decision on your application.
6. If your application is approved, you will receive a notification granting you indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Marriage to a British Citizen

Requirements for marriage to a British citizen

If you are married to a British citizen, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in the UK. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be in a genuine and subsisting marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen.
2. You must have been living in the UK for at least three years.
3. You must meet the financial requirement, which includes earning a minimum income threshold or having sufficient savings.
4. You must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage

The process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage involves several steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents, including evidence of marriage, proof of relationship, financial documents, and a criminal record certificate.
2. Submit an online application through the UK government’s visa and immigration website.
3. Pay the application fee.
4. Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometrics taken.
5. Wait for a decision on your application.
6. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
7. Upon arrival in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days.

Conclusion

There are various pathways to obtaining permanent residence in the UK, depending on your circumstances and eligibility criteria. The investor, entrepreneur, and exceptional talent visas are designed for individuals with specific skills, qualifications, or financial resources. Family visas, such as the spouse and ancestry visas, allow individuals to join their British citizen or settled partner or utilize their ancestral roots to gain eligibility. Work visas, including the Tier 2 (General) Visa, provide opportunities for individuals with job offers from UK employers. Student visas, such as the Tier 4 (Student) Visa, enable individuals to study in the UK. Long residence is an option for individuals who have lived continuously in the UK for at least 10 years. Lastly, marriage to a British citizen can also lead to the acquisition of permanent residence. Understanding the requirements and following the process for each visa category is essential to successfully obtain permanent residence in the UK.