UK Visas and British Citizenship

This is for nationals who don’t normally need a visa to come to the U.K. for holidays or short visits. Also known as non-visa nationals.  You could continue to visit “visa-free” but would have to get a pre-authorisation online under the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It’s the same principle as the USA has had for many years now. If the online system “approves”, you can head to the airport. If not, you would need to apply for a Visitor visa.  From 27 November 2024 ETA will become available to most non-visa nationals: Americans, Australians, Malaysians , Japanese, Brazilians etc.  You can check your nationality here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta From 5 March 2025 it will become available to the European tourists.  The above is only re the Visitor visa. All other visas (Student, Work, Spouse) retain the same rules and procedures as now. Meaning a formal application, evidence (financial etc), waiting for decision. Th

  We are often asked what happens once a migrant is in the UK, how they could get a National Insurance number or how paying IHS affects using the NHS. Here is some useful info!  1. National Insurance number (NI number or NINO)  is like a social security number, used for taxes and many other things. You could usually apply for it when you have a job offer. If you are on a Skilled Worker visa, it would be issued automatically with the visa.    2. There is tax also called National Insurance.  It’s deducted from wages of workers and passed on to the tax authority. Not connected to any immigration fees paid for visas. It applies to all workers (migrant or not), will be deducted by the employer’s payroll system before they pay your money. It is also used to calculate your entitlement to UK state pension.    3. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)  is what most migrants pay during the visa application. It’s supposed to be passed on to the National Health Service. It is a one-off payment and ref