Start with the purpose of the application
Your intended activity, current circumstances and
supporting information help identify the relevant route.
Understanding Your Application
Understand the purpose before
preparing the application
The relevant immigration route begins with what you intend
to do in the United Kingdom and the circumstances surrounding
that activity.
Preparation should begin by reviewing the intended purpose,
current immigration position, proposed dates and any person
or organisation involved. These details help determine which
route should be considered and what supporting information
may be relevant.
The information presented should be accurate, consistent and
clearly connected to the outcome being sought. Financial,
accommodation, educational, employment or organisational
documents may be relevant depending on the circumstances.
Supporting information should reflect the application
Documents, dates and explanations should present
a clear and consistent account of the proposed
UK activity.
Define the intended activity
Clarify what you intend to do, why it is planned
and when the relevant activity is expected to begin.
Review current circumstances
Consider immigration status, previous applications
and any person or organisation involved.
Prepare supporting evidence
Organise information that clearly supports the
purpose, arrangements and circumstances described.
Different circumstances require different evidence
The documents needed will depend on the intended
activity, current immigration position, relevant
arrangements and any organisation involved.
Visa and Sponsorship Services
Choose the service connected to
your intended UK activity
These four services cover temporary visits, international
study, sponsored employment and organisational sponsorship.
01
Temporary UK Travel
Visitor Visa
For eligible temporary visits to the United Kingdom,
including tourism, visiting relatives and other
permitted activities.
Consider the circumstances and
prepare relevant information
The information required will depend on the purpose of the
application, current circumstances and any individual,
education provider, employer or organisation involved.
Key Matters to Consider
Review the position before preparing documents
Begin with the purpose, people, organisations and
dates connected to the proposed immigration matter.
Purpose of the application
Clarify the intended UK activity and
the outcome being sought.
Applicant or organisation status
Review the current position of the
person or organisation involved.
Immigration history and timing
Consider previous applications,
current permission and important dates.
Financial or sponsorship arrangements
Identify who is responsible for costs,
support, employment or sponsorship.
Supporting Information
Evidence may cover several areas
Documents should support the purpose,
arrangements and circumstances described in
the application.
Identity and immigration status
Passport and information about the applicant’s
current immigration position.
Activity and arrangement details
Information concerning travel, study,
employment or planned sponsorship activity.
Financial information
Evidence relating to costs, maintenance,
support or other relevant financial arrangements.
Organisation or sponsor records
Information from an education provider,
employer or sponsoring organisation where relevant.
Accommodation or living arrangements
Information about proposed accommodation,
residence or living arrangements where applicable.
Additional route-specific evidence
Other documents connected to the particular
purpose and circumstances of the application.
Not every document applies to every application
The evidence required will depend on whether the
matter concerns a visit, study, sponsored work or
organisational sponsorship.
Application Preparation
A structured approach to
preparing your immigration matter
A clear process helps connect the proposed UK activity,
current circumstances and supporting information before
submission.
01
Initial Review
Define the proposed UK activity
Clarify what is planned, who is involved, the intended
outcome and any relevant dates.
02
Route Assessment
Identify the relevant application
Consider the intended activity, current status and
circumstances surrounding the proposed application.
03
Evidence Preparation
Gather supporting information
Organise documents connected to the activity,
arrangements, finances and immigration history.
04
Consistency Review
Check the information carefully
Review dates, explanations and documents for gaps,
differences or matters requiring clarification.
05
Submission Planning
Prepare for submission and follow-up
Consider timing, appointments, document retention and
any later request for further information.
Consider important dates
Review proposed activity dates, expiry dates and
other relevant deadlines.
Keep information consistent
Dates, explanations and documents should describe
the same circumstances.
Retain important communications
Keep copies of submitted information and later
correspondence relating to the matter.
Begin with a clear summary of your circumstances
Include the proposed UK activity, current immigration
position, relevant arrangements and any important date.
Begin with the main purpose of the
proposed UK activity. Consider what you
intend to do, who is involved, the
expected outcome and the relevant dates.
Your current immigration position,
previous applications and the involvement
of an education provider, employer or
organisation may also affect which
application should be considered.
Relevant information may include the
purpose and duration of the visit,
travel arrangements, accommodation,
available funds and the applicant’s
personal circumstances.
Any person paying for the visit or
providing accommodation should also be
identified clearly, with supporting
information where relevant.
Review the proposed course, education
provider, intended study dates, current
immigration position and the financial
arrangements connected to the course.
Information supplied by the applicant
should correspond with documents and
records provided by the education
provider.
The proposed role, sponsoring employer,
employment arrangements and the worker’s
immigration circumstances should be
reviewed together.
Information supplied by the applicant
should remain consistent with the records
and sponsorship information provided by
the employer.
An organisation may need to consider
sponsorship arrangements when it intends
to recruit eligible overseas workers for
qualifying employment in the UK.
The organisation’s structure,
recruitment plans, record-keeping
arrangements and responsibility for
sponsorship activity may all be relevant.
Previous applications and decisions
should be reviewed carefully. The reasons
given in any earlier decision and the
information previously submitted may be
relevant to the new application.
Any change in circumstances should be
explained accurately, while maintaining
consistency with the available
immigration history.
Preparation should begin early enough to
review the relevant application, current
circumstances, available documents and
important dates.
Additional time may be required where
information must be obtained from another
person, education provider, employer or
organisation.
Start Your Immigration Enquiry
Discuss your proposed UK activity and current circumstances
Provide a brief explanation of what you intend to do in
the United Kingdom, your current immigration position,
the arrangements already in place and any important date.
