Visas and immigration: official information
Plain-language summaries of official guidance on student, visitor, work and family visas, refusals, settlement and citizenship, with links to official forms and to regulated help. Information only.
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General legal information from official sources, not legal advice. You decide what to do.
What this problem is
This hub summarises official GOV.UK guidance and links to the official applications. It doesn't assess your case or prepare applications: in the UK, only regulated advisers may give immigration advice.
Your rights in plain English
Only regulated advisers may help
Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, s. 84. Only qualified (regulated) people may give immigration advice or services.
Verified source: Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, s. 84 — Provision of immigration services(opens in a new tab)All immigration advisers must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or belong to an approved professional body. Check that an adviser is registered, and whether they charge, before you use them.
Verified source: Find an immigration adviser(opens in a new tab)
Official information by topic
- Student visas (Student route)
- Visiting: Standard Visitor and ETA
- Work and family visas
- Refusals and next steps
- Settlement and citizenship
Student visas (Student route)
To study in the UK at 16 or over you usually need a Student visa, sponsored by a licensed course provider.
Who can apply
You can apply for a Student visa if you're 16 or over and you've been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course, can speak, read, write and understand English, and (if you're 16 or 17) have your parents' consent.
Verified source: Student visa(opens in a new tab)
When to apply
From outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course starts; from inside the UK, 3 months before.
Verified source: Student visa(opens in a new tab)
Documents
You must provide a current passport or other valid travel document, and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider. You may also need proof of money, an ATAS certificate, tuberculosis test results or parental consent.
Verified source: Student visa(opens in a new tab)
Official guidance and application
What to have ready
- Your passport or travel document
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Proof of money, if asked
- Parental consent if you're 16 or 17
Visiting: Standard Visitor and ETA
Depending on your nationality, you'll need a Standard Visitor visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or neither, to visit for up to 6 months.
What visitors can and can't do
As a Standard Visitor you can usually stay up to 6 months, for tourism, visiting family, certain business activities and short courses. You can't work for a UK company or claim benefits.
Verified source: Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor(opens in a new tab)
What you must show
You must be able to show you'll leave the UK at the end of your visit, can support yourself during the trip, and can pay for your return or onward journey.
Verified source: Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor(opens in a new tab)
Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets many visitors travel to the UK for up to 6 months. It costs £20 on GOV.UK. Having an ETA doesn't mean you'll be allowed to enter.
Verified source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)(opens in a new tab)
What to have ready
- A passport valid for your whole stay
- Evidence you can pay for your trip and your return
- Apply only on GOV.UK: other websites may charge more
Work and family visas
Most work visas need a job offer from an approved employer. Family visas let you join a partner, parent, child or relative in the UK for more than 6 months.
Skilled Worker visa
For a Skilled Worker visa you need a confirmed job offer from a Home Office–approved employer, a certificate of sponsorship, a job on the eligible occupations list, a minimum salary, and English.
Verified source: Skilled Worker visa(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Skilled Worker visa(opens in a new tab)
Family visas
You need a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months, such as a spouse or partner, fiancé(e), child, parent, or a relative who'll care for you.
Verified source: Family visas: apply, extend or switch(opens in a new tab)You'll need your passport or travel ID, details of previous immigration applications and any criminal convictions, tuberculosis test results if required, certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh, proof of your English, and proof of your finances.
Verified source: Family visas: apply, extend or switch(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Family visas: apply, extend or switch(opens in a new tab)
What to have ready
- For work: your certificate of sponsorship details from your employer
- For family: passports, relationship evidence, proof of English and finances
Refusals and next steps
Your decision letter tells you whether you can ask for an administrative review or appeal. Time limits are short, so read it carefully and get regulated advice.
Administrative review
You can ask for an administrative review only if you're outside the UK, you applied from outside the UK and your application was refused. Your decision letter tells you if you can. It costs £80.
Verified source: Ask for an immigration decision to be reviewed (administrative review)(opens in a new tab)28 days from the date you get the decision (to ask for an administrative review)
Verified source: Ask for an immigration decision to be reviewed (administrative review)(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Ask for an immigration decision to be reviewed (administrative review)(opens in a new tab)
Appeals to the tribunal
You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) against certain decisions, such as refusing a protection or human rights claim. The tribunal is independent of government. If you can't appeal, you might be able to ask for an administrative review.
Verified source: Appeal against a visa or immigration decision(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Appeal against a visa or immigration decision(opens in a new tab)
What to have ready
- Your decision letter, with its date
- The reasons given for the refusal
- Advice from a registered immigration adviser or solicitor
Settlement and citizenship
Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) usually comes after several years on a qualifying visa, and can lead to British citizenship.
Indefinite leave to remain
Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It lets you live, work and study for as long as you like and can lead to British citizenship. On a work visa you usually need 5 years in the UK first.
Verified source: Indefinite leave to remain(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Indefinite leave to remain(opens in a new tab)
British citizenship
Key deadlines
| Deadline | Source |
|---|---|
| 28 days (the date you get the decision (to ask for an administrative review)) |
The official process
Find the right official guidance
Use the sections below to reach GOV.UK guidance for your situation.
Check the requirements and fees
Read the official eligibility rules, documents and fees before you apply.
Get regulated advice if you need it
Use an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority, or a solicitor.
Apply on GOV.UK
Apply and pay only through official GOV.UK services.
Common mistakes
- Using an adviser who isn't registered: it's a criminal offence for them to give immigration advice.
- Applying through websites that imitate GOV.UK and charge more.
- Missing the 28-day limit for an administrative review.
Rules where you live
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Questions
Is this free?
Yes. This hub is information only. We don't charge for it, and we don't prepare immigration documents.
Can you help with my application?
No. Only regulated advisers may give immigration advice or services in the UK. Use the official adviser finder linked on this page.
Get help from a person
Free and low-cost help, and official bodies that can step in.
- Find a registered immigration adviser (GOV.UK)Every immigration adviser must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority or an approved professional body. Search the official finder.
- Law Society: Find a SolicitorSearch for a solicitor in England and Wales, including those offering legal aid.
- Citizens AdviceFree, independent advice on housing, consumer, money and legal problems in England.
- Citizens Advice WalesFree, independent advice on housing, consumer, money and legal problems in Wales.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources. We check them regularly.
- Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, s. 84 — Provision of immigration servicesThe National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Find an immigration adviserGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Immigration Advice AuthorityGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Student visaGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Visit the UK as a Standard VisitorGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)GOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Skilled Worker visaGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Family visas: apply, extend or switchGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Ask for an immigration decision to be reviewed (administrative review)GOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Appeal against a visa or immigration decisionGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Indefinite leave to remainGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
- British citizenshipGOV.UK · checked 24 Oct 2026
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