Move to the United Kingdom
One-year master's, big cities, old universities
Visas and permits
Ways to move
UK Student visa
This visa is for study on an eligible course with a licensed student sponsor in the UK. Eligible students may be able to extend their visa or switch to a Graduate visa after successfully completing their course.
- Fee
- £558 per person
- Decision
- About 2 weeks
UK Graduate visa
This visa lets eligible graduates stay in the UK to work or look for work after completing a course there. It lasts 2 years for applications made by 31 December 2026, or 3 years for those with a PhD or other doctoral qualification.
- Fee
- £937 per person
- Decision
- About 8 weeks
UK Health and Care Worker visa
This visa lets eligible health and care professionals work in the UK for an approved employer. It remains open to new applicants, but people applying from outside the UK cannot use the care worker or senior care worker occupation codes.
- Fee
- £324 per person
- Decision
- About 3 weeks
UK High Potential Individual visa
This visa lets eligible graduates of listed universities work or look for work in the UK without a job offer. It lasts 2 years, or 3 years for someone with a PhD or other doctoral qualification, and has an annual application limit.
- Fee
- £880 per person
- Decision
- About 3 weeks
UK Scale-up Worker visa
This visa lets you work in an eligible job for an approved, fast-growing UK business. It initially lasts 2 years; after the first 6 months in your sponsored job, you can change or stop doing that job without telling the Home Office.
- Fee
- £937 per person
- Decision
- —
UK Skilled Worker visa
This visa lets you come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job for an approved employer. It can last up to 5 years and can be extended if you remain eligible.
- Fee
- £819 per person
- Decision
- —
UK Global Talent visa
This visa lets leaders and potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology work in the UK. Applicants need an endorsement unless they are the named winner of an eligible prestigious prize.
- Fee
- £561 once
- Decision
- About 3 weeks
UK indefinite leave to remain for business, investor or talent visa holders
This is a settlement application for eligible people already in the UK with a Global Talent, Tier 1 (Investor) or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa. It is still possible to apply for settlement, but the Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas are closed to new entrants, and their settlement applications have deadlines.
- Fee
- £3,226 per person
- Decision
- —
UK indefinite leave to remain for Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa holders
This route lets eligible people who have lived and worked in the UK for five years settle permanently. Applicants using this route do not need to prove their English again.
- Fee
- £3,226 per person
- Decision
- —
UK long residence settlement
You may be able to settle in the UK after 10 years of continuous lawful residence. Settlement lets you live, work and study in the UK without a time limit.
- Fee
- £3,226 per person
- Decision
- —
Funded study
Open scholarships
Chevening Scholarship – Brazil
Chevening
Tuition, return economy travel and a monthly living allowance; eligible visa and arrival costs are also covered.
Chevening Scholarship – India
Chevening, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partners
Tuition fees, return economy travel, a monthly living allowance and other allowances.
Chevening Scholarship – Indonesia
Chevening
Tuition, return economy travel and a monthly living allowance; eligible visa and arrival costs are also covered.
Work
Jobs that can sponsor you
Biomedical Scientist
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
£32,073 to £39,043 a year
Healthcare Assistant
Practice Plus Group - Health in Justice
£27,543 to £31,789 a year
Healthcare Assistant
Operose Health
£26,500 a year
Money
What it costs
Biometrics fee
Standard appointment at some visa application centres outside the UK; most centres offer free appointmentsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£76.50
Health surcharge (students)
Immigration health surcharge for studentsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£776 a year
Health surcharge work
Usual immigration health surcharge for applicable adult work and Graduate visas; Health and Care Worker visa is exemptgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,035 a year
Living costs month in Edinburgh
2026–27 average for one undergraduate; includes accommodation, food, transport and other living costs.study.ed.ac.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,546 a month
Living costs month in London
2026–27 student living-cost range; includes accommodation, food, travel and personal expenses.kcl.ac.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,331 to £2,342 a month
Living costs month in Manchester
2026–27 undergraduate living-cost estimates, based on a 41-week academic year; includes accommodation.manchester.ac.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,484 to £1,503 a month
Living costs in London
Money you show, not spend.Student maintenance requirement for up to 9 monthsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,529 a month
Living costs in Outside London
Money you show, not spend.Student maintenance requirement for up to 9 monthsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,171 a month
Proof of funds work
Money you show, not spend.Usually required personal maintenance funds; exemptions include qualifying employer supportResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£1,270
Proof of funds work
Money you show, not spend.Usually required personal maintenance funds; exemptions may applyResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£1,270
Proof of funds work
Money you show, not spend.Usually required personal maintenance funds; exemptions may applyResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£1,270
Proof of funds work
Money you show, not spend.Usually required personal maintenance funds; exemption for some applicants already in the UKgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,270
Rent in Edinburgh
Average private-flat rent per bedroom, based on 2025 rental data; utilities excluded.study.ed.ac.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£688 a month
Rent in London
Room in a privately rented shared house; household bills excluded.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource£650 to £1,300 a month
Rent in Manchester
Room in a privately rented house share, with average bills included.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource£645 to £710 a month
Tuition, postgraduate
International postgraduate tuition; varies by course and university.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource£9,000 to £30,000 a year
Tuition, undergraduate
International undergraduate tuition; varies by course and university.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource£11,400 to £38,000 a year
Visa fee graduate
Graduate visa applicationgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£937
Visa fee pr
Indefinite leave to remain after a Skilled Worker visa, per persongov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£3,226
Visa fee pr
Indefinite leave to remain through long residencegov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£3,226
Visa fee pr
Indefinite leave to remain after a Global Talent visa, per persongov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£3,226
Student visa fee
Student visa application, from outside or inside the UKgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£558
Visa fee talent
Global Talent application; paid in two parts if endorsement is requiredgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£766
Work visa fee
Skilled Worker job on the Immigration Salary List; fee depends on visa lengthgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£628 to £1,235
Work visa fee
Health and Care Worker application; fee depends on visa lengthgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£324 to £628
Work visa fee
Scale-up Worker applicationgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£937
Work visa fee
High Potential Individual visa application; excludes qualification-check chargeResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£880
What changed
Recent rule changes
27 Sept
Home Office publishes September 2026 Immigration Rules statement
This page alone does not establish whether plans to study or work in the UK are affected. Read the linked statement of changes and explanatory memorandum before making plans.
gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource27 Sept
UK tightens visa refusal limit for student sponsors
These are requirements for education providers that sponsor students, not a new visa refusal rule for individual applicants. A sponsor that misses a core requirement receives a red compliance rating and may face further action. Check that your chosen education provider is on the Register of Student Sponsors.
gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource27 Sept
Seasonal Worker guidance adds information on permitted work
If you plan to work in the UK on a Seasonal Worker visa, check the updated guidance for information about the work you can do. Read the accessible sponsor guidance before planning your work.
gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource
Questions
Moving to the United Kingdom, answered
What visas can I use to move to the United Kingdom?
Japper tracks 10 routes to the United Kingdom: UK Student visa, UK Graduate visa, UK Health and Care Worker visa, UK High Potential Individual visa, UK Scale-up Worker visa, UK Skilled Worker visa, UK Global Talent visa, UK indefinite leave to remain for business, investor or talent visa holders, UK indefinite leave to remain for Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa holders, UK long residence settlement. Each has its requirements, fees and decision time on its own page, from official sources.
How much does the UK Student visa cost?
The student visa application from outside the uk is £558 per person, according to gov.uk (checked 27 September 2026). Other costs, like tuition and money to show, are listed on this page.
How long does a UK Student visa take?
About 2 weeks. For applications outside the UK, the published time is 3 weeks, expressed here as 15 UK working days. For applications inside the UK, it is 8 weeks, or 40 UK working days. These are separate processing times, not a 15-to-40-day range; an application can take longer..
Are there scholarships for international students in the United Kingdom?
Yes. Japper lists 23 open scholarships in the United Kingdom right now, including Chevening Scholarship – Brazil, Chevening Scholarship – India, Chevening Scholarship – Indonesia. Each links to its official page.
Can I find a job in the United Kingdom that sponsors a visa?
Japper lists 385 open jobs in the United Kingdom, each marked with whether the employer sponsors visas.
How we know
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these, and shows when it was last checked. Routes were last checked on 27 September 2026.
- nhs job listingsjobs.nhs.ukOfficial
- Sponsor a seasonal workergov.ukOfficial
- Universities seek answers over ‘late surge’ in UK student visa refusalsgov.ukOfficial
- UK Immigration Rules September 2026: New Erasmus+ Changes for Students, Visitors and Child Studentsgov.ukOfficial
- Graduate visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Health and Care Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Apply for the Global Talent visa : Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you have a business, investor or talent visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Student visa : Your course - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: Check if you need a TB test for your visa application - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/student-visa/apply-onlineOfficial
- Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Skilled Worker visa: Documents you'll need to apply - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Health and Care Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
- Health and Care Worker visa: If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Health and Care Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Health and Care Worker visa: Documents you'll need to apply - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Graduate visa: How much it costs - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/graduate-visa/documents-youll-need-to-applyOfficial
- gov.uk/graduate-visa/applyOfficial
- Scale-up Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Scale-up Worker visa: Documents you’ll need to apply - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/scale-up-worker-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
- gov.uk/government/publications/settlement-customer-service-standards/…Official
- gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-tier-2-t2-skilled-worker-visa/applyOfficial
- gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-tier-2-t2-skilled-worker-visa/after…Official
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Long Residence - Guidance - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK for 10 years (long residence): Eligibility - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/long-residence/documents-you-must-provideOfficial
- gov.uk/long-residence/apply-to-settleOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you have a business, investor or talent visa: Time in the UK and financial requirements - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules part 6A: the points-based system - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-business-investor-global-talent/app…Official
- gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-business-investor-global-talent/aft…Official
- Apply for the Global Talent visa : Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Living expenses | King's College Londonkcl.ac.ukInstitution
- Living costs for undergraduate study | Undergraduate study | The University of Edinburghstudy.ed.ac.ukInstitution
- India (Chevening Scholarship) | Cheveningchevening.orgInstitution
- Indonesia (Chevening Scholarship) | Cheveningchevening.orgInstitution
- Brazil (Chevening Scholarship) | Cheveningchevening.orgInstitution
- Student visa : Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker - Guidance - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Student visa : Money you need - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Skilled Worker visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Student visa : Knowledge of English - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Student visa : Documents you'll need to apply - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Health and Care Worker visa: How much it costs - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Graduate visa: The course you studied - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Scale-up Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Scale-up Worker visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa: Time in the UK - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa: Salary requirements - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa: Your family members - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK for 10 years (long residence): Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: How much it costs - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- How much does it cost to study at UCL? | Study at UCLucl.ac.ukInstitution
- Cost of living | Undergraduate study at The University of Manchestermanchester.ac.ukInstitution
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Scale-up - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-high-pot…Official
- gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
- gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/eligibilityOfficial
- Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: How much you have to pay - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- Scale-up Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
- gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/knowledge-of-englishOfficial
- gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/documents-you-must-provideOfficial
- gov.uk/global-talent/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
- gov.uk/global-talent/documents-youll-need-to-applyOfficial
- gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/your-partner-and-childrenOfficial
- Cost of studying in the UK | Study UKstudy-uk.britishcouncil.orgInstitution
Find your way to the United Kingdom
Answer a few quick questions and see the routes, scholarships and jobs that fit you, with the steps to get there.
Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.
