6 routes

United Kingdom: routes compared

The same published facts for everyone. Open a route for its full figures and sources, or take the free check to compare them with your profile.

Information, not immigration advice. These are general summaries; always confirm on the official pages.

Side by side

Show amounts inApproximate, at rates of 27 Oct 2026. Banks use different rates.

Student visa

People aged 16 or over with an unconditional offer from a UK university or college that holds a student sponsor licence.

Main fee: £558
Money to show: £1,171 a month, × 9, plus tuition
Decision time: 3 weeks

Last checked 27 Oct 2026

Costs and steps from: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Philippines

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Graduate visa

Students who have completed a UK degree or other eligible course on a Student visa and are still in the UK.

Main fee: £937
Money to show: None
Decision time: 8 weeks

Last checked 29 Oct 2026

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Skilled Worker visa

People with a job offer from a UK employer that holds a Home Office sponsor licence, in an eligible degree-level occupation.

Main fee: £819
Money to show: £1,270 unless the employer certifies
Decision time: 3 weeks

Last checked 27 Oct 2026

Costs and steps from: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Philippines

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Health and Care Worker visa

Qualified doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier or another approved health or social care employer.

Main fee: £324
Money to show: No fixed amount
Decision time: 3 weeks

Last checked 27 Oct 2026

Costs and steps from: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Philippines

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Partner visa

Married partners, civil partners, or couples who have lived together for at least 2 years, where one partner is a British citizen or settled in the UK.

Main fee: £2,064
Money to show: Couple's income of £29,000 a year, or savings
Decision time: 12 weeks

Last checked 29 Oct 2026

Costs and steps from: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Philippines

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Ancestry visa

Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or over with a grandparent born in the UK, who can and plan to work in the UK.

Main fee: £726
Money to show: Enough to support yourself; no fixed amount
Decision time: 3 weeks

Last checked 29 Oct 2026

Costs and steps from: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

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Best value

UK pack · £9.99

All 6 UK guides, a family cost sheet and every checklist. One guide alone is £4.99.

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Before you pay anyone

Nobody can guarantee a visa. Only the government of the country you apply to decides.
UK employers must not charge you for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
German missions say you don't need an agent to get a visa appointment.
Check any adviser or recruitment agent on an official register before you pay.

How to check an agent in your country