Moving from India to the UK: Visa Routes, Requirements, and Settlement Pathways

Indian citizens have several structured routes to live, work, or study in the UK. The system is points-based, evidence-heavy, and strictly enforced.

Main Visa Categories (2024)

Route	Key Requirements	Duration / Settlement
Skilled Worker	Job offer from UK sponsor (min £26,200/yr or going rate); English B1; CoS	Up to 5 yrs → ILR (5 yrs)
Health & Care Worker	NHS/eligible employer; lower salary threshold (£23,200); reduced fees	Up to 5 yrs → ILR (5 yrs)
Global Business Mobility	Intra-company transfer, graduate trainee, service supplier	Up to 5 yrs (no direct ILR)
Student	CAS from licensed uni; funds (£1,334/mo London, £1,023 elsewhere); English	Course length + 2 yrs (Graduate Route) → switch to Skilled Worker
Graduate Route	Completed UK degree; unsponsored work 2 yrs (3 PhD)	Non-extendable; bridge to Skilled Worker
Family	Spouse/partner (min £29,000 sponsor income), parent, child	2.5 yrs → 2.5 yrs → ILR (5 yrs)
High Potential Individual	Top global uni grad (last 5 yrs); 2 yrs (3 PhD)	Non-extendable; switch to Skilled Worker
Innovator Founder	Endorsed innovative business; £50K funds (or exempt)	3 yrs → ILR (3 yrs)

Visa fee: £719–£1,500+ (varies)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035/yr (main applicant); £776/yr (dependants)
Priority/Super Priority: £500/£1,000 (faster decision)
TB Test: Required for India (IOM clinic, ~₹2,500)
English Test: IELTS UKVI / PTE Academic UKVI / LanguageCert / PSI (B1 = 4.0–5.0)

Check eligibility on GOV.UK.
Secure job/admission before applying (most routes).
Gather documents: Passport, degree (ECCTIS eval if needed), bank statements (28 days), TB cert, police cert (if >12 mo stay), marriage/birth certs (family).
Apply online → biometrics (VFS Global India) → decision (3 wks standard).
Collect BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) in UK within 10 days.
Register with GP (NHS), open bank account, get NI number (auto on BRP or apply).
Police registration: ABOLISHED (Aug 2022) – no longer required.

Housing: Competitive; Rightmove, Zoopla, SpareRoom; council tax banding.
Culture: Queue, politeness, pub etiquette, indirect communication, weather talk.
Community: Large Indian diaspora (1.5M+); temples, gurudwaras, associations in every city.

Rules change frequently. Always use GOV.UK or regulated immigration adviser (OISC registered).

United Kingdom