United Kingdom visa pathways and migration community

British National (Overseas) visa

The British National (Overseas) visa allows British nationals (overseas) and their eligible family members from Hong Kong to live, work, and study in the UK. Applicants can apply to stay for 2 years and 6 months or 5 years, with the option to extend and a pathway to permanent settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after 5 continuous years in the UK.

Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

The Creative Worker visa allows people with a job offer in the creative industries to work in the UK for up to 12 months. Applicants must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, make a unique contribution to the UK labour market, meet minimum pay thresholds, and have sufficient savings to support themselves. Eligible partners and children can apply as dependants.

Frontier Worker permit

The Frontier Worker permit allows citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who live primarily outside the UK to work in the UK, provided they began working in the UK by 31 December 2020. The permit is free to apply for, lasts for 5 years (or 2 years for retained status), and proves your right to work, rent, and access eligible benefits and NHS healthcare.

Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa allows leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. Eligible individuals can apply through an approved endorsement or directly if they have won an eligible prestigious prize.

Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)

The Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work) allows individuals to come to the UK for a short time for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research, or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme. Applicants must have a licensed UK sponsor and meet financial requirements. The visa is granted for up to 12 or 24 months depending on the specific exchange scheme.

Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)

The Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility) allows overseas employees to come to the UK to work for their employer's UK branch on an eligible graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role. Applicants must have worked for their sponsor overseas for at least 3 months, have a valid certificate of sponsorship, and meet salary and maintenance requirements. The visa is valid for up to 12 months and cannot be extended or switched into from inside the UK.