UK Immigration - Immigrate to UK in 2024

Did you know?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the overall immigration to the UK was 685,000 in 2023. This was substantially above the number of immigrants that moved to the UK in the pre-COVID-19 era.

The primary reason for the rise in UK immigration was an increase in non-EU citizens coming to the UK. The non-EU net immigration gradually increased during the 2010s, reaching around 190,000 in 2019. It fell slightly during the pandemic - but has since risen sharply.

The number of immigrants in 2023 remained well above historic levels.

Almost half of the visas issued in 2023 resulted from those arriving in the UK for work purposes (21%) with their dependents (27%). International students and their dependents accounted for a further 39% of the intake in 2023. Those immigrating to the UK from India were the largest nationality, accounting for 21% of overall immigration in 2023, followed by Nigerian (12%) and Chinese (7%).

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Why immigrate to UK?

The United Kingdom is a popular destination for immigrants looking to move abroad. UK’s rich history, diverse culture, and strong economy are some of the many reasons that attract immigrants from around the world.

People choose to immigrate to UK for various reasons, including better job opportunities, high-quality education, and a robust healthcare system. The country offers a stable environment with a good quality of life, making it an attractive place to live and work. Additionally, the UK is home to some of the world's leading universities, which makes it an ideal choice for students seeking top-notch education. For families, the UK provides a safe and welcoming environment with numerous social benefits.

Immigrating to the UK can open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth, offering a chance to experience life in one of the world's most influential and dynamic countries.

What are the different UK immigration programs?

Whether you are looking to visit, study, work, invest or apply for UK PR Visa, the UKVI offers many pathways to immigrate to UK. You can apply for a UK Visa online. You will also be required to meet the eligibility criteria, submit certain documents, and pay the fees - as part of the application process.

A UK Visa is an electronic document that will give you the right to stay temporarily or permanently in the United Kingdom. This visa is usually a stamp you receive in your passport or a document given by a UK Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

The earliest you can apply for UK Visa is 3 months before the date of your intended trip. Make sure to apply in advance, so that you can give enough time to the UKVI to process your visa.

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Here are some of the most popular UK immigration programs.

Visit Visa

A UK Visit Visa allows you to travel to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family or friends, or attending a business meeting. You can’t work or study on this visa, but you can explore the UK and experience its culture and attractions. Popular UK Visit Visa options include the Standard Visitor Visa and Marriage Visitor Visa.

Top Benefits

• Quick processing time.
• High approval rate.
• Popular tourist destinations.

Average processing time

The average processing time to apply for the UK Visit Visa is 3 weeks.

Study Visa

A UK Study Visa lets international students study at a UK educational institution. Depending on the course, you can stay in the UK for the duration of your studies, with options for part-time work. The most common type is the Student Visa (Tier 4). Popular UK Study Visa options include the Student Visa and Short-term Student Visa.

Top Benefits

• 90 QS World Ranking universities.
• High-paying scholarships.
• Post-Study Work Visa.

Average processing time

The average processing time to apply for the UK Study Visa is 3 weeks.

Work Visa

A UK Work Visa allows you to live and work in the UK for a specific employer. There are different types of work visas, including the Skilled Worker Visa, which is for jobs that meet certain skill and salary requirements. This visa can lead to permanent residency. Popular UK Work Visa options include the Skilled Worker Visa and Health & Care Worker Visa.

Top Benefits

• Career advancements.
• Earn 5-8 times your current salary.
• Pathway to UK PR Visa.

Average processing time

The average processing time to apply for the UK Work Visa is 3 weeks.

Business Visa

A UK Business Visa is for those who want to start or run a business in the UK or engage in business-related activities like attending conferences. The visa allows you to stay in the UK for a limited time, depending on the type of business activity. Popular UK Business Visa options include the Innovator Founder Visa and Start-Up Visa.

Top Benefits

• Global business opportunities.
• Strong-networking.
• Pathway to UK PR Visa.

Average processing time

The average processing time to apply for the UK Business Visa is 3 weeks.

Family Visa

A UK Family Visa allows you to join family members who are already living in the UK. This visa is for spouses, children, parents, or dependent relatives. You can live, work, and study in the UK, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency later. Popular UK Family Visa options include the Partner or Spouse Visa and Child Visa.

Top Benefits

• Reunification with loved ones.
• Long-term stay.
• Pathway to UK PR Visa.

Average processing time

The average processing time to apply for the UK Family Visa is 24 weeks.

Permanent Residence Visa

A UK PR Visa also known as ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)’ allows you to stay in the United Kingdom permanently. With a UK PR Visa, you have the right to study, work, and live anywhere in the UK. The application process for a UK PR Visa takes 3-5 years and varies depending on your circumstances, such as if you have worked in the UK or have a family member in the UK.

Top Benefits

• Live in the UK permanently.
• Access to social benefits.
• Pathway to UK Citizenship.

Average processing time

The average processing time to apply for the UK PR Visa is 26 weeks.

NOTE: The UK Visa processing times mentioned above are based on the latest volume of visa applications and are subject to change. Check for recent updates regarding UK Visa processing time here: Latest UK Visa Processing Time

How can Nationwide Visas help you?

We at Nationwide Visas have assisted thousands of individuals to successfully immigrate to UK from India with their families through popular UK Immigration programs. Our qualified and experienced immigration consultants are equipped with the proficiency to accurately assess your case and advise the most suitable course of action for best serving your needs.

Nationwide Visas has accumulated a treasure of goodwill and exhaustive experience over the last 17+ years in this dynamic immigration industry and have constantly facilitated a wide range of aspiring immigrants to achieve their overseas goals.

We are among the top-most brands in the immigration sector being a highly reliable immigration firm with an outstanding track record of several thousands of triumphant UK Visa applications. The following major factors make us the best UK immigration consultants in India:

• Our Consultation is offered by authorized and licensed Immigration Consultants
• Step-by-step guidance through eligibility and process
• We maintain a Secure Online Process & transparency
• System of Complaint Redress for any process
• Experience of having processed more than 30,000 applications
• Every Case is assessed multiple times before submission
• Easy evaluation of the qualifications and other skills