The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 General visa post-Brexit. To qualify, you need a job offer from a UK Home Office-licensed sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number, IELTS English B1 level (or equivalent), and salary meeting the threshold. The general salary threshold is £26,200/year or the going rate for the specific occupation — whichever is higher. Shortage occupations (nurses, care workers, engineers) have lower thresholds. Applications take 3–8 weeks; fee is £719 for up to 3 years or £1,420 for over 3 years from outside UK.
All Skilled Worker visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year upfront, granting access to the NHS. For a 3-year visa, this means £3,105 in addition to visa fees. Dependants also pay IHS. This is a significant cost that Indian workers often underestimate when comparing UK offers to UAE (where the salary comes tax-free). The total cost of a 5-year Skilled Worker visa for a worker and one dependent can exceed £10,000 in fees and surcharge alone.
Indian students need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor university. English proficiency: IELTS Academic 5.5–7.0 depending on course and institution. Financial requirement: demonstrate £1,334/month for London (£1,023/month outside London) plus first-year tuition in your bank account, held for 28 consecutive days. The UKVI surcharge (IHS) is £776/year for students. Apply from India via the UKVI online system; biometrics at VFS Global.
After completing a UK degree at a licensed institution, Indian graduates can apply for the Graduate visa — an open work permit valid 2 years (3 years for PhD holders). No job offer required. This allows graduates to work, switch employers, or start businesses. The Graduate visa cannot be extended — you must switch to another visa category (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, etc.) before it expires. UK universities welcome Indian students; India is consistently the top source country for international students in the UK.
ILR is the UK's permanent residence equivalent. Skilled Worker visa holders qualify after 5 continuous years in the UK on eligible visas. Requirements: continuous lawful residence (no absences exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period), Life in the UK test (history and culture exam), English B1 level, and no serious criminal convictions. The ILR application fee is £2,885 per adult — one of the highest PR fees globally. Family members applying simultaneously also pay £2,885 each.
After holding ILR for 12 months (plus 5 years prior residence = 6 years total), you can apply for British citizenship via naturalisation. Fee: £1,500. UK permits dual citizenship — Indian nationals can retain Indian citizenship alongside British citizenship, though India's constitution does not recognize dual citizenship. However, holding a British passport while having Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status provides excellent flexibility. Citizenship ceremony and oath of allegiance required.
Indian passport holders require a UK Standard Visitor Visa — the UK is not part of the Schengen Area and has its own separate visa system. The fee is £115 for a Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months stay), processed in 15 working days. Priority service costs £827 with 5 working day processing. Super Priority costs £1,010 for next-day decision. Applications are submitted online via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website with biometrics collected at VFS Global centers across India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Pune, Cochin, Jalandhar, and more).
UK visitor visas are often granted for 2 or 10 years with multiple entries, each stay limited to 6 months. Having a 10-year multi-entry UK visa is highly valuable. Indian travelers with strong financial profiles and good travel histories have good approval chances. Note: the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme launched in 2024 applies to visa-exempt nationalities, not Indians. Indians still require a full visa regardless of purpose. Heathrow and Gatwick are the primary entry airports from India with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.