Table of Contents
The official pathways through which people may come to the UK to work, study, join family, or seek protection.
Points-Based System (PBS)
The framework introduced in 2008 and substantially reformed after Brexit, through which the UK manages immigration for work and study. Applicants must score a minimum number of points based on factors such as job offer, salary, skill level, and English language ability. It replaced a patchwork of over 80 separate visa categories.
Skilled Worker visa
The main route for overseas nationals to work in the UK. Applicants must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above, with a general salary threshold of £41,700. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 and is the most commonly issued work visa.
Health and Care Worker visa
A sub-route of the Skilled Worker visa for qualified doctors, nurses, and other eligible health and social care professionals working for the NHS or a registered care provider. It offers faster processing, lower fees, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Overseas recruitment of care workers was closed to new applicants from July 2025.
Global Talent visa
An unsponsored route for recognised or emerging leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, and digital technology. Applicants need endorsement from an approved body rather than a job offer. It offers flexibility to work for multiple employers and leads to settlement after three years, faster than most other routes.
Innovator Founder visa
A route for experienced overseas entrepreneurs wishing to establish an innovative business in the UK. Applicants must be endorsed by an approved body and meet investment requirements. It replaced the earlier Innovator and Start-up visas and is designed for those with genuinely novel, viable business ideas.
Scale-up visa
A route for highly skilled workers joining fast-growing UK companies. It requires a sponsored job offer for the first six months, after which it becomes unsponsored. The minimum salary threshold is £36,300. Designed to help high-growth businesses recruit internationally without long-term sponsorship obligations.
Graduate Route / Graduate visa
Allows international students who have completed a UK degree to stay and work — or look for work — for two years after graduation, or three years for PhD holders. No sponsorship is required. Currently under review; from January 2027, the standard period will be reduced to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates.
Student visa
The main route for non-UK nationals aged 16 or over to study a qualifying course at a licensed UK education provider. Applicants must hold a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), meet English language requirements, and demonstrate sufficient funds. Recent reforms have tightened the rules on bringing dependants and on post-study work.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
A unique reference number issued by a licensed UK education provider to a prospective international student. It confirms the details of the course and is a mandatory requirement for a Student visa application. Each CAS can only be used once and expires if not used within a set timeframe.
Intra-Company Transfer visa
Part of the Global Business Mobility routes, this allows multinational companies to transfer existing employees to a UK branch. Roles must be at RQF Level 6 or above. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, time spent on this visa does not count towards settlement, making it a temporary work route by design.
Youth Mobility Scheme
Allows young people aged 18 to 30 from a specified list of participating countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. It is a reciprocal arrangement and does not require a job offer or sponsor. The scheme does not lead to settlement and is capped by annual quotas per participating country.
High Potential Individual visa
An unsponsored route for recent graduates of top-ranked overseas universities who wish to work or look for work in the UK. No job offer is needed. Grants permission for two years (three years for PhDs). From January 2026, applicants must meet a B2 English language standard.
Family / Spouse / Partner visa
A route allowing the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of a British citizen or settled person to join them in the UK. Applicants must meet a minimum income requirement — currently £29,000 — and demonstrate a genuine relationship. Significant recent increases to income thresholds have made this route harder to access.
Ancestry visa
Allows Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or over who have a grandparent born in the UK to come and work here for up to five years. It does not require a job offer and can be extended or lead to settlement. One of the few routes available to Commonwealth nationals without needing employer sponsorship.
Visitor / Standard Visitor visa
Allows nationals of visa-required countries to visit the UK for up to six months for tourism, family visits, business activities, or short study. Work is not permitted. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) serves a similar purpose for nationals who previously entered the UK without any prior permission.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
A digital pre-travel permission required for nationals of countries that do not need a visa but are no longer able to enter the UK without prior authorisation following Brexit. This includes most EU and US citizens. The ETA is linked to a passport and must be obtained before travel. Full enforcement began in February 2026.
EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
The scheme through which EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 could apply to secure their right to continue living here after Brexit. Successful applicants receive either settled status (ILR equivalent) or pre-settled status. The scheme is closed to most new applicants, though late applications are still accepted in some circumstances.
Resettlement scheme
A government programme through which refugees are brought to the UK directly from countries of refuge, rather than arriving and claiming asylum. The UK has run several such schemes, including for Syrian, Afghan, and Ukrainian nationals. Resettlement offers a safe and legal route and grants immediate leave to remain on arrival.
Safe and legal routes
A policy term referring to official, government-sanctioned pathways through which people can come to the UK for protection or other purposes — as distinct from irregular entry. The term has become politically significant as the government argues that such routes reduce the need for dangerous Channel crossings, though critics argue the routes are too limited in scale.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A unique electronic reference number assigned by a licensed UK employer to a worker they wish to sponsor for a Skilled Worker or similar visa. It is not a physical document. The CoS records details of the job and salary and must be presented as part of the visa application. Each CoS can only be used once.
Sponsor licence
A Home Office authorisation allowing a UK employer to sponsor overseas workers or students on certain visa routes. Employers must apply for and maintain a licence, meet ongoing compliance duties, and are subject to audit. Failure to comply can result in suspension or revocation, preventing further overseas recruitment.
Immigration Salary List (ISL)
Introduced in April 2024 to replace the Shortage Occupation List. It identifies specific occupations — mostly at RQF Level 6 or above — where reduced salary thresholds apply for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Unlike its predecessor, it does not offer a flat percentage discount; each occupation has its own threshold set by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Shortage Occupation List (historical)
A list, abolished in April 2024, of occupations facing genuine labour shortages in the UK. Roles on the list benefited from a 20% salary discount and reduced visa fees under the Skilled Worker route. It was replaced by the Immigration Salary List. Some roles that previously appeared on the list are no longer eligible for overseas sponsorship at all.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
A time-limited list introduced in July 2025 to allow sponsorship of workers in certain below-degree-level roles (RQF Levels 3–5) that would otherwise no longer qualify under the Skilled Worker route. It is an interim measure while the Migration Advisory Committee reviews longer-term arrangements. Workers sponsored under TSL roles cannot bring dependants. The list expires at the end of 2026.
RQF Level (Regulated Qualifications Framework)
The system used in England and Northern Ireland to classify the skill level of qualifications and job roles on a scale from Entry Level to Level 8. In immigration, it determines eligibility for visa routes: Skilled Worker visas now generally require roles at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above. The RQF level of a role — not the applicant’s own qualifications — is what matters for sponsorship purposes.