United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
UKVI — UK Visas and Immigration
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the directorate of the UK Home Office that decides all UK visa applications, both from inside and outside the country. It replaced the UK Border Agency in March 2013 after the Agency was split into UKVI, Immigration Enforcement, and Border Force.
Parent ministry
Home Office
Established
2013
Last reviewed
20 April 2026
Scope
- Issues every UK visa and residence permit, from Visitor stamps through Skilled Worker sponsorship to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- Operates the sponsor licence system that every UK employer, college, and university must maintain to bring non-UK workers or students into the country.
- Administers the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) collection at application time and coordinates biometric enrolment through Visa Application Centres worldwide.
- Publishes the Immigration Rules and quarterly Statements of Changes that re-shape eligibility, salary thresholds, and occupation lists.
Procedural quirks
- Priority and super-priority services are regional — a route may offer priority from Mumbai but not Manila. Always check the relevant VAC before paying.
- Processing times are published monthly for out-of-country work and study routes, but in-country settlement and family routes have less predictable timelines and can stretch past 6 months.
- Statements of Changes are typically tabled twice a year (March/April and October) and come into force within weeks, so in-flight applicants can find thresholds shifting mid-process.
Primary service channels
GOV.UK — Browse visas and immigration
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
Visa decision waiting times
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk
Immigration Rules
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules
Register of licensed sponsors
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers
Routes administered
UKVI decides the following United Kingdom visa routes covered on Visa Atlas:
Skilled Worker visa
Work visa for non-UK workers with a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation.
Health and Care Worker visa
Discounted Skilled Worker route for eligible NHS, adult social care, and allied health roles.
Global Talent visa
Unsponsored visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology.
Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of eligible UK higher education institutions.
High Potential Individual visa
Unsponsored work visa for graduates of a time-limited list of top global universities.
Innovator Founder visa
Endorsement-based visa for founders launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK.
Scale-up visa
Sponsored route for workers joining qualifying fast-growing UK scale-up businesses, with faster settlement timelines.
Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Unsponsored 2-year visa for 18–30 or 18–35 year olds from participating countries and territories.
Student visa
Study visa for international students enrolled with a licensed Student sponsor at eligible UK institutions.
Family visa (partner/spouse)
Visa for partners of British citizens, settled persons, or certain other qualifying sponsors.
Standard Visitor visa
Short-stay visa for tourism, visiting family, or permitted business activities up to 6 months.
Refugee Sponsorship Route (announced)
The UK announced named community and refugee-study routes with lead-sponsor applications planned for autumn 2026 and arrivals from autumn 2027. Check launch guidance and distinguish these plans from existing schemes.