Ultimate Guide to Settling in the UK for Indian Citizens

Moving to the United Kingdom offers Indian citizens exciting opportunities, from career advancement and quality education to a high standard of living and access to world-class healthcare. There are several pathways to settle in the UK, depending on your skills, work experience, family connections, or investment capacity. Here’s a complete guide on how to settle in the UK from India, covering visa options, eligibility, and steps to permanent residency and citizenship.

Table of Contents

1. Main Visa Options for Settling in the UK

The UK offers multiple visa routes that lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a form of permanent residency, and ultimately citizenship. Here are the main visa categories Indian citizens can consider for settling in the UK.

Key Visa Categories:

Skilled Worker Visa: For professionals with a UK job offer from a licensed employer.
Family Visa: For those joining family members who are UK citizens or permanent residents.
Investor Visa (Tier 1): For individuals with a significant investment capacity.
Student Visa: For those studying in the UK, with a pathway to work and settle afterward.
Innovator and Start-Up Visas: For entrepreneurs starting or expanding a business in the UK.

Choosing the right visa depends on your background, purpose for moving, and long-term settlement plans.

2. Skilled Worker Visa: A Pathway for Indian Professionals

The Skilled Worker Visa (formerly the Tier 2 Visa) is a popular route for skilled Indian professionals with job offers from UK employers. This visa allows individuals to work and live in the UK and is valid for up to five years.

Key Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa:

Job Offer from a UK Employer: The employer must be a licensed sponsor in the UK, offering a position in an eligible occupation.
Salary Threshold: The job must meet the minimum salary requirement, generally £26,200 per year or the specific “going rate” for the job.
English Language Proficiency: Proof of English proficiency is required, usually through an approved test like IELTS.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Issued by the UK employer, confirming the job offer details.

Pathway to Settlement:

After five years on the Skilled Worker Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows you to live in the UK permanently.

3. Family Visa: Joining Family in the UK

Indian citizens with close family members in the UK may be eligible for a Family Visa, which includes visas for spouses, children, and dependent relatives of British citizens or permanent residents.

Family Visa Requirements:

Relationship Proof: Proof of a genuine relationship, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other evidence for dependents.
Financial Requirement: The UK-based sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold of £18,600 per year (more if dependent children are included).
Accommodation and English Language: Proof of adequate accommodation and basic English language proficiency for adults.

Pathway to Settlement:

After five years, Family Visa holders can apply for ILR, provided they continue to meet eligibility criteria.

4. Investor Visa (Tier 1): For High Net-Worth Individuals

The Investor Visa is ideal for high-net-worth individuals with significant investment capacity. It allows Indian citizens to settle in the UK by investing in the country’s economy.

Investor Visa Requirements:

Minimum Investment: An investment of at least £2 million in the UK.
Investment Options: The funds must be invested in active and trading UK companies, excluding property investment.
Financial Evidence: Proof of funds held in a regulated financial institution and transferable to the UK.

Pathway to Settlement:

Investor Visa holders can apply for ILR after two, three, or five years based on their investment level, with higher investments accelerating eligibility for ILR.

5. Student Visa to Work Visa: A Pathway for Indian Students

Studying in the UK can provide a pathway to settlement, especially for Indian students who transition to a work visa after graduation. The Student Visa (Tier 4) allows international students to study in the UK and gain experience that can help with settlement.

Steps from Student Visa to Work Visa:

Apply for a Student Visa: Begin studies at a recognized UK institution.
Graduate Visa: After completing studies, apply for a Graduate Visa to work for two years (three years for doctoral graduates) and gain UK experience.
Switch to a Skilled Worker Visa: Secure a job with a licensed employer and switch to the Skilled Worker Visa, which leads to ILR after five years.

Studying in the UK followed by relevant work experience can be an effective route for Indian citizens planning long-term settlement.

6. Innovator and Start-Up Visas: For Entrepreneurs

The Innovator Visa and Start-Up Visa are aimed at individuals with a viable business idea that can contribute to the UK economy. Both require endorsement from an approved organization.

Innovator Visa Requirements:

Innovative Business Idea: The idea must be unique and viable, showing growth potential.
Investment: At least £50,000 is required for the Innovator Visa (not necessary for the Start-Up Visa).
Endorsement: An endorsement from a recognized UK body.

The Innovator Visa allows for a pathway to ILR after three years, while the Start-Up Visa can be extended to an Innovator Visa.

7. Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Once on an eligible visa, Indian citizens can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants permanent residency and the ability to live in the UK without visa restrictions.

Requirements for ILR:

Residency Requirement: Must have lived in the UK for the required period (typically five years).
Absence Limits: Cannot have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period.
Life in the UK Test: Passing the Life in the UK Test is mandatory.
English Language Requirement: Proof of English proficiency, usually at a higher level than the initial visa.

ILR allows Indian citizens to stay in the UK permanently, with eligibility for citizenship after one additional year.

8. Pathway to British Citizenship

After holding ILR for 12 months, ILR holders may apply for British citizenship, which provides full rights, including voting and a UK passport.

Requirements for Citizenship:

Residency: Must have lived in the UK for at least five years (three years if married to a British citizen).
Good Character Requirement: No serious criminal history or immigration violations.
Life in the UK Test: Applicants must pass this test if not previously completed.
Language Requirement: Proof of English language proficiency.

Becoming a British citizen allows you to hold dual citizenship if your original country, such as India, permits it.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I work in the UK on a Family Visa?
Yes, Family Visa holders have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

2. How long does it take to process a Skilled Worker Visa?
Processing generally takes three to eight weeks, depending on the application location and processing option chosen.

3. Can I apply for ILR if I’m a student in the UK?
Yes, but students must switch to a work visa and complete five years on an eligible visa before applying for ILR.

4. Is the Life in the UK Test required for ILR?
Yes, passing the Life in the UK Test is required for most ILR applicants as part of the settlement process.

5. Can I bring my family with me on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes, dependents such as spouses and children can join you as long as you meet financial requirements.

6. Can I have dual citizenship in the UK and India?
India does not allow dual citizenship. However, India offers an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, granting Indian citizens certain rights after acquiring foreign citizenship.