🇬🇧 UK Visa Guide 2025: Application Requirements, Types and Costs
September 19, 2025 |
- Articles
| 5 minutes
With its strong economy, educational opportunities, investment opportunities and cultural diversity, the UK is one of the countries where millions of people want to live, work or invest every year. However, a visa is required to enter the United Kingdom. As of 2025, UK visas are divided into different categories according to the purpose of application.
This guide will cover work visas, investment and business start-up visas and family reunification visas in detail. Student and visitor visas will also be summarized in the table, but will not be prioritized on this page.
📌 Of ficial source: UK Government – Visas and Immigration
UK Visa Types 2025 (General Table)
| Visa Type | Description | Link Status |
|---|---|---|
| Work Visas | The right to find a job or work in the UK with employer sponsorship | ✅ Work Visas |
| Investment & Business Startup Visas | Residence through company creation, business development or investment | ✅ Investment & Business Startup Visas |
| Family Visas | Move in with a spouse/partner, child or parent living in the UK | ✅ Family Visas |
| Student Visas | Temporary residence for university or training program | ✅ Student Visas |
| Visitor Visas | Tourist, short-term visits (up to 6 months) | ✅ Visitor Visas |
Work Visas
Work visas are one of the main avenues for those wishing to obtain the right to work long-term in the UK. Most categories require a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer.
Main work visas:
- Skilled Worker Visa – The right to work as skilled workers in certain occupational groups.
- Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa – Send managers or specialists to the UK branch of multinational companies.
- Scale-up Worker Visa – Highly skilled employment in fast-growing companies.
📌 Legal Basis: Immigration Rules Part 6A, gov.uk
👉 For detailed information: Our UK Work Visas page
💼 Investment and Business Visas
The UK offers various visa opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. These visas provide not only an economic boost but also a pathway to long-term residency and citizenship.
Featured categories:
- Innovator Founder Visa – For those who want to start a business with an innovative business idea.
- Global Talent Visa – For people with international achievements in academia, technology, arts and science.
- UK Expansion Worker Visa – For employees working for an overseas company in the process of opening a branch in the UK.
📌 Of ficial Source: Innovator Founder Visa – gov.uk
👉 For detailed information: UK Investment Visas page
Family Reunification Visas
Family Visa applications are made for people who want to settle with their spouse, partner, parent or child living in the UK.
Key conditions:
- The UK resident meets the income requirement as a sponsor (minimum £29,000 for 2025).
- Proof of valid family ties with official documents.
- English language proficiency.
- Documentation of appropriate housing conditions.
📌 Of ficial source: Family Visa – gov.uk
Application Process Step by Step (2025)
- Online Application Form: filled in via gov.uk.
- Fee Payment: The application fee, which varies according to the visa type, is paid online.
- Biometrics Fingerprints and photographs are taken at VFS Global Turkey offices.
- Uploading Documents: Passport, income documents, accommodation information are uploaded to the system.
- Evaluation: The average time to finalization varies between 3-8 weeks.
📌 Turkey Application Center: VFS Global
UK Visa Costs 2025
| Visa Type | Application Fee (GBP) | Average TL Equivalent* |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | £719-£1,420 | ~40,000-80,000 TL |
| Family Reunification | £1,846 | ~103.000 TL |
| Student | £490 | ~27,500 TL |
| Visitor (6 months) | £115 | ~6,500 TL |
*Note: TL equivalents change according to current exchange rates. Check Visa Fees – gov.uk for official figures.
In addition, an annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is payable on each long-term application. For 2025, this is set at £776/year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answer: Yes. Turkish citizens must obtain a visa to enter the UK.
Short Answer: The process is clear and organized for applications with the correct documents.
Detailed Explanation: Difficulty is often caused by incorrect visa category selection or missing documents.
Short Answer: Fill in the online form, pay the fee and book a biometrics appointment.
Detailed Explanation: Applications are only available through gov.uk and VFS Global.
Short Answer No. Holders of green passports (special passports) issued from Turkey also need a visa to enter the UK.
Short Answer: The average varies between 10,000 TL and 150,000 TL depending on the type of visa.
Detailed Description: Official fees are set in GBP. Due to exchange rate fluctuations, the current TL equivalent should be calculated on the day of application.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Choosing the wrong visa category.
- Miscalculation of income requirements.
- Upload of incomplete or incorrect documents.
- Applying without English proficiency certificate (IELTS etc.) according to visa type.
👉 These mistakes increase the risk of rejection.
Conclusion and Professional Legal Support
UK visa applications have complex requirements that vary depending on your personal situation. Choosing the wrong category or submitting incomplete documents can lead to a prolonged process or even rejection.
MFY Legal | Law Firm(www.mfylegal.av.tr) manages your application process in the most accurate way with its lawyers specialized in UK immigration law.
👉 Contact MFY Legal now for expert legal support tailored to you.
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This Briefing is for Informational Purposes; it is not Legal Advice. If You Have any Questions, Please Contact Us. All Rights Reserved.
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