European Visas

European Applicants

Morgan Smith Immigration advises European nationals on all UK visa and immigration routes following the end of EU free movement. European citizens apply under the UK Immigration Rules, with requirements depending on nationality, purpose of stay, and length of residence.

This page provides a complete overview of UK visa options available to European applicants, helping you identify the correct route before proceeding to detailed guidance.

Quick Links
  1. Who is a European Applicant in UK?
  2. Work Visas
  3. Business and Corporate Visas
  4. Study Visas
  5. Family Visas
  6. Visit Visas
  7. Temporary Work Visas
  8. Settlement Visas
  9. Nationality Based European Schemes

Who is a European Applicant in UK?

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals

Citizens of:
EU Member States
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Switzerland
Freedom of movement ended on 31 December 2020. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals now generally require a visa unless they hold valid status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Non-EU European nationals

Citizens of European countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, including:
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and others.
These applicants are treated as non-EU nationals, unless a specific nationality-based scheme applies.

Work Visas

For European nationals who have a UK job offer or are being transferred to work in the UK under a sponsored employment route.

Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa is for European nationals who have a confirmed job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor in an eligible skilled occupation. Applicants must meet minimum salary and skill thresholds and satisfy the English language requirement. This route can lead to settlement in the UK.

Health and Care Worker visa

The Health and Care Worker visa is for qualified professionals working in eligible health or social care roles in the UK. Applicants must have a job offer from an approved UK health or care employer. This route benefits from reduced fees and can lead to settlement.

Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa is for recognised leaders or emerging leaders in science and research, academia, digital technology, or arts and culture. No job offer is required, but applicants must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body. This route can lead to settlement.

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

The HPI visa is for graduates from eligible universities who were awarded an eligible qualification within the required timeframe, allowing them to work in the UK without sponsorship for the visa period.

International Sportsperson visa

The International Sportsperson visa is for elite sportspersons and qualified coaches endorsed by their sport’s governing body and sponsored for a UK role that will develop the sport at the highest level; it replaced the former sportsperson route and the sporting element of the old Creative and Sporting category.

Minister of Religion visa (T2)

The Minister of Religion (T2) visa is for those sponsored to perform a leading role within a faith-based organisation or to join a religious order in the UK, meeting the route requirements including English.

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows eligible young people from participating countries and territories (some of which are European) to live and work in the UK for a temporary period, subject to nationality and eligibility requirements.

Temporary Worker visas

Temporary Worker visas are for European nationals undertaking short-term employment in specific sectors such as creative work, charity work, exchange programmes, or seasonal roles. These visas are time-limited and generally do not lead to settlement.

Business and Corporate Visas

Business and corporate visas are for European entrepreneurs, company founders, and senior professionals operating or managing businesses in the UK.

Innovator Founder visa

The Innovator Founder visa is for European entrepreneurs establishing an innovative UK business endorsed by an approved body. Applicants must play an active role in the business and meet English language requirements. This route can lead to settlement.

Skilled Worker visa

In some circumstances, European nationals who are business owners or directors may qualify under the Skilled Worker route where sponsorship, salary, and genuine vacancy requirements are met. This route can lead to settlement.

Senior or Specialist Worker visa

For senior managers or specialist employees transferring to a UK entity linked to their overseas employer under sponsorship and route requirements

Graduate Trainee visa

For employees on structured graduate training programmes being assigned to the UK for a limited period under sponsorship and route requirements

UK Expansion Worker visa

The UK Expansion Worker visa is for senior employees sent to establish a new UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business that has not yet begun trading in the UK. This route is temporary and does not lead to settlement.

Service Supplier visa

The Service Supplier visa is for European nationals providing services to a UK business under an eligible international trade agreement or service contract. Applicants must meet sector-specific and contractual requirements. This route does not lead to settlement.

Secondment Worker visa

The Secondment Worker visa is for employees seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment arrangement between an overseas business and a UK organisation. This route is time-limited and does not lead to settlement.

Study Visas

Study visas allow European nationals to undertake education at UK institutions holding the appropriate sponsor licences.

Student Visa

The Student visa is for applicants aged 16+ accepted on an eligible course with a UK education provider that is a licensed Student sponsor, subject to meeting the route requirements (including finance and English where applicable).

Child Student visa

The Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 attending an independent school in the UK. Applicants must have sponsorship from the school and appropriate care and consent arrangements in place.

Graduate visa

The Graduate visa allows European nationals who have successfully completed an eligible UK degree to remain in the UK for work or job-seeking purposes. The visa is granted for two years, or three years for PhD graduates, and does not lead directly to settlement.

Short-term study visa (English language)

This route is for applicants aged 16+ coming to the UK to study an English language course with an accredited provider for longer than 6 months and up to 11 months; it does not permit work

Family Visas

Family visas allow European nationals to join close family members who are British citizens or settled in the UK.

Partner visa

The Partner visa is for spouses, civil partners, or unmarried partners of British citizens or persons settled in the UK. Applicants must meet relationship, financial, and English language requirements. This route can lead to settlement.

Parent visa

The Parent visa is for European parents of a child who is British or settled in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate parental responsibility and that the child is resident in the UK. This route can lead to settlement.

Child visa

The Child visa is for dependent children joining or remaining with a parent in the UK who is British or settled. Dependency and care requirements apply. This route can lead to settlement.

Adult Dependent Relative visa

The Adult Dependent Relative visa is for elderly or dependent relatives requiring long-term personal care from a family member in the UK. Applicants must show that adequate care is unavailable or unaffordable overseas. Settlement is granted on approval.

Visit Visas

For European nationals coming to the UK for tourism, visiting family, short business activity, short study, medical treatment, or transit, usually for up to 6 months depending on the route and nationality. Many Europeans get a visa waiver for the visitor category.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

An ETA is a digital permission to travel for eligible non-visa nationals visiting the UK for up to 6 months (including tourism and visiting family) where an ETA is required for travel; whether you need one depends on your nationality and existing UK status.

Standard Visitor visa

The Standard Visitor visa is for tourism, business activities, family visits, or short courses in the UK. Stays are limited to a maximum of six months, and work is not permitted. Visa requirements depend on nationality.

Marriage Visitor visa

The Marriage Visitor visa is for those who want to come to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership within 6 months and then leave the UK at the end of the visit.

Transit visa

Transit visas are for passengers stopping in the UK on the way to another destination; different rules apply depending on whether you pass through UK border control and your nationality.

Temporary Work Visas

For European nationals coming to the UK for short-term, sponsored work in specific temporary routes. The Home Office Temporary Work routes are: Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and Seasonal Worker.

Creative Worker visa

The Creative Worker visa is for those sponsored to work in the UK’s creative sector, where the role meets the route requirements and the applicant will work in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship.

Charity Worker visa

The Charity Worker visa is for those sponsored to do temporary unpaid voluntary work for a recognised charitable organisation in the UK under the route requirements.

Religious Worker visa

The Religious Worker visa is for those sponsored to support the activities of religious institutions in the UK by conducting religious work such as working in a religious order or undertaking non-pastoral work for a religious organisation, on a temporary basis.

Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa

The Government Authorised Exchange visa is for applicants on approved schemes for work experience, training, research or a fellowship, sponsored under an approved exchange programme.

International Agreement visa

The International Agreement visa is for applicants contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK, including certain roles linked to international arrangements.

Seasonal Worker visa

The Seasonal Worker visa is for sponsored temporary seasonal work through an approved scheme operator, with route restrictions on the work you can do and bringing family members.

Settlement Visas

These routes provide long-term or permanent residence in the UK for eligible European nationals.

EU Settlement Scheme

The EU Settlement Scheme is for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020. Eligible applicants may be granted pre-settled or settled status, with late applications possible in limited circumstances.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Indefinite Leave to Remain is permanent immigration status granted to eligible European nationals who meet continuous residence and route-specific requirements. Applicants must usually pass the Life in the UK test and meet English language requirements.

Nationality Based European Schemes

These routes apply only to nationals of specific European countries under dedicated UK immigration schemes.

Ukraine Family Scheme

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals to join qualifying family members in the UK. It is a temporary protection route and does not lead directly to settlement.

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals to come to the UK with the support of an approved UK sponsor. The route provides temporary permission to stay with access to work and public services.

Turkish Businessperson (ECAA) extensions

Extensions under the former Turkish Businessperson (ECAA) route are available to eligible Turkish nationals who already hold permission under this scheme. The route is closed to new applicants, but settlement may be possible for existing holders.

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