UK visa resources
Visa types
An overview of the main UK visa categories and how to find the right route.
Important
UK visas are grouped by why you are coming: to visit, work, study, join family, invest or build a business, or to settle. Each category contains several specific routes with their own rules. This page gives a quick map; use the official checker or our visa finder to narrow down the right one.
The main UK visa categories
- Visitor visas — short stays for tourism, business meetings, short study and medical treatment (plus the Electronic Travel Authorisation for visa-free visitors)
- Work visas — sponsored and unsponsored routes such as Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent and the Youth Mobility Scheme
- Study visas — the Student visa, Child Student visa and Short-term study, plus the post-study Graduate visa
- Family visas — joining a partner, parent, child or other relative who is in the UK
- Business and talent — Innovator Founder and routes for overseas businesses
- Settlement and citizenship — indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British citizenship
How to find the right route
Start with the official gov.uk checker, which asks your nationality, reason for visiting and how long you plan to stay, then tells you whether you need a visa, an ETA, or neither. You can also browse routes by purpose using our UK visa finder.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-20. Information only — not legal advice.