The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) is the oldest capitalist power in the world. He is a member of the European Economic Community and NATO, as well as a permanent member of the UN Council. The total population for 2016 is 64 million 716 thousand inhabitants. Migration population growth in the United Kingdom for 2016 is 183 thousand 748 people.
Immigration to England for permanent residence
Great Britain is one of the most difficult countries to relocate to. If it was decided that immigration to England for permanent residence is necessary, then the future migrant needs to weigh all possible ways of arrival. In recent years, the government has tightened immigration conditions in order to reduce the number of foreigners in the country.
In 2012, student visas were issued for students in a simplified form, where after the completion of the educational process, young specialists had every right to stay in the country and look for a job for two years. Also, visas were not required for wealthy pensioners and top-level specialists. Today, for citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union, there are few opportunities to move to the United Kingdom.
Visas to England
If you plan to immigrate to England, where to start? The first thing to do before the planned move is to familiarize yourself with the detailed conditions for obtaining visas. To do this, on the web page of the British Consulate there is a special instruction where step by step it is written how to get a visa and on what conditions. The process of obtaining visas is individual for each migrant. A visa can allow a visitor to live and work in a country for a certain amount of time.
After the type of visa has been selected, you need to submit an application, it is advisable to do this in advance, a couple of months before the planned departure. You need to understand that Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales are the United Kingdom and you do not need to make a visa specifically for England.
The rights of citizens of the European Union in the UK
Citizens who live in countries within the European Union, as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Iceland, have the right to work and live in the UK without visas. For this, only a document confirming citizenship is required. But family members of EU citizens who do not reside in the EU must write a visa application. They can apply for permanent residence in the UK only after relatives from the European Union have worked in the country for about 5 years.
UK job search
Immigration to England is possible with a work visa. Today, a lot of job offers from foreign companies can be found via the Internet. After a job interview has been successfully completed, the British employer makes an invitation for cooperation. The employee must submit documents on work from the company. The duration of the visa depends on the end date of the contract with the company.
Business immigration to England is the first level of a visa issued to novice businessmen. Such a visa is issued for 5 years with the option of renewal up to 10 years.
The second level visas are given to those specialists who are in great demand in the country, as well as to those who are transferred from another branch of an international company. Such a visa gives the right to stay in the country for 3 years with the option of continuing for up to 6 years.
Fifth-level visas are issued to people who will work in the sports field, in charity organizations, for artists and religious workers.
Immigration through investment and work. Advantages and disadvantages
Visa through investments is called Tier1 Investor. The easiest way to immigrate to England is through investment and work. These visas have a simple design scheme that does not require knowledge of the language. To enter the country you need to invest two million pounds in government securities or purchase shares of companies. After 5 years, permanent residence is granted and the shareholder has the opportunity to sell the shares.
The disadvantage of this option of moving is that two million will be frozen within 5 years, the shareholder will not have any opportunity to manage finances. In addition, this is a fairly large amount for investment.
Immigrating to England on a work visa (Tier 2 General) is the most common way to relocate. There is no need to invest your personal money and upon arrival you can start earning from the first day. Staying on such a visa, after 5 years you can get the right to ILR (permanent residence), and after another year to apply for citizenship.
The disadvantage of this option is that not every British company wants to take an employee from another country and deal with red tape, which is associated with paperwork. Only companies with a sponsorship license can invite citizens of another country to their service.
Visa Tier 4 Student. Advantages and disadvantages
Immigration to England through study with subsequent employment makes it possible to exchange a student visa for a work one. The positive side of such a move is that a student visa is easy to obtain, and that during the course of training you can already look for an employer.
The disadvantages of such a visa are the high financial costs of studying and living in the country. There is also no guarantee that after training an employer will be found who would be happy to draw up documents for an employee with no work experience.
Moving on an entrepreneur's visa
Immigration to England for permanent residence is possible on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur business visa. The advantage of such a move is that you can conduct your business in British territory. Such a visa is also provided for a business partner. After five years, the entrepreneur has the full right to obtain a permanent residence permit, and after another year - to acquire the status of a citizen of the United Kingdom.
Problem Tier 1 Entrepreneur is that there is no other way to earn money than to conduct your business. Initially, you need to invest about 200 thousand pounds in your business. Investments in the acquisition of premises and in construction are not considered. A prerequisite for an entrepreneur is the employment of at least two English employees with a work contract for a minimum of two years. Such a visa is issued for 3 years and 4 months. After the expiration of the document, you can shed a visa for another two years, if there is evidence of business performance.
Relocation to England on a relative's visa
Immigration to England is possible by several other methods. Special situations for moving:
- Family reunion.
- Visa based on British roots (at least one relative must have British citizenship).
- Visa level 5 for young citizens of specific countries (ages 18 to 30).
- A guest visa by invitation is issued to a person who has money to stay. During the validity of the guest visa, it is possible to find work and apply for a work visa, but to make a guest invitation, each of the parties must have an annual income of at least 18,600 pounds, otherwise, entry will be prohibited. This requirement does not apply to citizens from EU countries.
The positive side of moving on a family visa is the opportunity to live in the UK and receive support from the state, in the future - with the option of acquiring British citizenship.
Types of permission for spouses
In order for marriage to take place in the UK, you need to apply for one of several visa options. Possible design options:
- Marriage Visitor is the conclusion of a marriage with a further departure from the country.
- Fiance Visa is a marriage union with a UK citizen.
- Spouse Visa is a document for those already married.
- For civil matrimony.
To purchase one of the above visas, you need a lot of documents and time, therefore it is better to entrust this business to professionals.
Documents required for spouses, groom or bride
To obtain a visa for a future or already real wife (or husband), you need to collect and present the original documents. The list of required documents includes:
- birth certificate;
- Marriage certificate;
- bank statement confirming the existence of a source of income;
- several paychecks for recent numbers;
- documents for the apartment where the couple lives;
- photos, videos of a couple relaxing and living a couple;
- a statement from a man stating his intention to connect his life with that woman.
This type of visa is issued for six months, after which it is necessary to legalize the marriage and present documentary evidence. A special requirement is the maturity of the couple, a long acquaintance and income for the year of 18 thousand. 600 pounds. An important factor in obtaining a visa is a good command of English. Minor children travel to another country as dependents.
A visa for spouses implies a further opportunity to work in England, and also after the expiration of the necessary period, you can ask the state for permanent residence and citizenship. The state recognizes the legality of marriage only if it was concluded in the English church or at the embassy.
Immigration to England through marriage ceases to be legal after a divorce from a partner with British citizenship or European Union citizenship. In this situation, you will have to leave the country immediately.
Tier 2 Intercompany Transfer migration with the ability to change visa
This is a transfer of translation between departments in different countries within the company itself. This method provides an opportunity for employees of international companies to receive a job transfer to a British branch. A visa is issued for no more than 5 years. The positive point is that after moving there is already a place of work.
The disadvantages of Tier 2 Intercompany Transfer is that it is impossible to obtain permanent residence on such a visa.
England for foreigners on a Tier 4 Child Student and Partner of Tier 4 Child Student visa
This is a good way to send your child to school. It is possible to start teaching foreign children from 4 to 18 years. While living and studying for 10 years in the Kingdom, you can get a document on permanent residence, and after a year the status of citizen is assigned. Parents cannot but rejoice at such an opportunity for their child. He can have a British higher education and acquire excellent English skills. By law, one of the parents can accompany children under 12 years old. Living in England legally for 10 years, the parent has the full right to permanent residence.
The disadvantage of this option is the high cost of training and directly on life in the country. It is not possible to unite the whole family on such a visa.
Other UK Citizenship Options
There are several more ways to move to a dream country. This is likely for this category of people:
- refugees
- Athletes
- clergymen;
- for descendants of British citizens;
- people with incredible talents;
- representatives of foreign companies.
Immigration to England from Russia
Today, when the conditional borders between the states are practically blurred, the opportunity has appeared for Russian citizens to study, live and work in the United Kingdom. Immigration to England from Russia is not widespread, but the number of Russians in England is already tens of thousands.
What causes England to attract Slavic peoples? Main reasons:
- stable standard of living;
- social security of citizens;
- the possibility of obtaining a modern and prestigious education, mastering a foreign language;
- top-level medical care;
- visa-free entry with a British passport to approximately 150 countries;
- retention of Russian citizenship while residing in the United Kingdom;
- stable currency of the country.
Immigration to England from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan for all of the above reasons is attractive and promising, but very problematic, since these countries are not EU members. In such situations, there are special agencies that you can turn to for help.
Immigrant Reviews
Immigration to England (reviews only confirm this) was an important step in the life of many compatriots. Immigrants say that a good prospect in a foreign country is the possibility of family unification. To do this, you must have a visa for more than a year, as well as provide income statements. Great Britain is very loyal to family unification, unlike other countries.
Immigrants say that as soon as a document for permanent residence and a certificate of citizenship is received, a certain number of positive bonuses can be acquired: there are no terms for living in the country, red tape with documents, assistance from the state becomes available and new prospects for work are opened.