What type of visa should I choose
In most cases you should not have difficulty choosing the correct visa type, but some visas types are not so easy to choose. Please use the table below to help you in choosing the correct type of visa. The descriptions below under Purpose of Visit and Type of Visit correspond to the options you will see when completing your online application. Please note that this table has only selected visa types; you will find more selections on visa4UK website than are shown here.
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Reason for going to the UK
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Purpose of Visit
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Type of Visit
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Comments
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Visit visa, up to six months
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Visit
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6 month visit
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Visit visa, long-term (1 to 10 years)
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Visit
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1 year visit
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Each visit may be for no more than six months. An entry clearance officer will decide the duration of your visa when your application is assessed. We will not normally issue a long-term visa if you are a first time visitor.
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Direct Airside Transit (DAT)
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Visit
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Direct Airside Transit
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Only some nationalities need a DAT visa (DAT nationals). Please use the Do I need a UK visa? questionnaire on the UK Border Agency website to find out if you are DAT national. If you are a DAT national and will be in transit to Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, you must apply for a full visit visa.
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Visitor in transit
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Visit
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Visitor in transit
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Unless you are a DAT national, you can request transit without visa (TWOV) on arrival in the UK. If you want to apply for a visitor in transit visa, but will be in transit to Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, you must apply for a full visit visa.
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Visit for marriage or civil partnership
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Visit
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Visit for marriage / civil partnership
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This kind of visa allows you to visit to give notice and marry, or register a civil partnership, but not to live in the UK. If you want to marry or register a civil partnership and live in the UK with your spouse or civil partner, you need a Marriage or Proposed Civil Partnership visa.
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Commonwealth visa
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Visit
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Overseas Territory
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EEA family permit
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Exempt / Other
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Family member of an EEA / Swiss national
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Eligible family members of EEA nationals who want to visit the UK with their EEA national family member may apply for an EEA Family Permit, free of charge. Please note that family members of British Citizens will not usually be eligible to apply for an EEA Family permit.
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Student visitor
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Visit
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Student Visit, less than six months
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A student visitor is not allowed to stay more than six months, to extend their stay, or to work in the UK.
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Chevening Fellow
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Student
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Chevening Scholarhip
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Your visa will be valid for six months.
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Domestic helper, visitor
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Employment
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Domestic Worker Up to 6 months
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Domestic helper, long-term
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Permit Free Employment
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Domestic Worker more than 6 months
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You may not apply for this type of visa if your employer intends only a visit to the UK.
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PLAB Test
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Employment
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PLAB Test
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Dependant of someone in employment category other than work permit holder
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Permit Free Employment
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Dependants more than / up to 6 months
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Dependant of a serving member of the British Army
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Permit Free Employment
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Dependants more than / up to 6 months
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International Graduates Scheme (IGS)
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Permit Free Employment
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International Graduates Scheme
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If you graduated on, or after 01 May 2007
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Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS)
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Permit Free Employment
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International Graduates Scheme
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If you graduated before 01 May 2007 with a qualifying degree.
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Attending a specific event such as a competition or tournament, professional or amateur
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Permit Free Employment
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Sports Person and Entertainers
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Fiancé(e) to settle
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Settlement
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Marriage
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If you want to get married in the UK, but not live there, choose Visit for Marriage
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To register a civil partnership and settle
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Settlement
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Proposed Civil Partnership
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If you want to register your civil partnership in the UK, but not live there, choose Visit for Civil Partnership
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