How to apply for a visa

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You can apply and pay for most visas online, but you must get your visa approved before you travel to Scotland. 

If you have family members who want to come to Scotland with you, they must fill out their own application forms. Each person needs a separate application.  

You can apply for your child if you have parental responsibility for them. You can apply for a family member if you have their permission. 

Find out how to apply for a visa (gov.uk) 

Check our advice on finding the right visa.  

When to apply for your visa

  The earliest you can apply is normally: 

• Three months before your planned travel date for Visitor visas 
• Three months before your work start date for most Work visas 
• Six months before your course start date for Student visas  

Find out when to apply for a visa (gov.uk) 

How much applying for a visa will cost

The cost of your visa depends on the type you need.  

Work out the cost of your visa application (gov.uk)

How long a visa application takes

How long the application takes depends on the type of visa. Check the visa processing times (gov.uk)  

You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa. Find out how to get a faster decision on your visa (gov.uk)

Proving your knowledge of English

To get some UK visas, you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale (coe.int). 

You might need to pass an English test from an approved provider or show you have studied in English in the past.
Find out how to:

• Prove your knowledge of English for a Skilled Worker visa (gov.uk)
• Prove your knowledge of English for a High Potential Individual visa (gov.uk)
• Prove your knowledge of English for a Health and Care Worker visa (gov.uk)
• Prove your knowledge of English for a Student visa (gov.uk)
• Prove your knowledge of English for a Family visa (gov.uk)

From 8 January 2026, the level of English requirement is changing. If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa, High Potential Individual visa or Scale-up visa, you’ll have to prove that you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2.

The change applies to new applications. If you have a visa and you met B1 level when you applied, the requirement will still be B1 level if you apply to extend your visa.

eVisas

Most physical immigration documents are being replaced by eVisas. 

When you apply for a visa, the Home Office will ask you to create an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. You will access your eVisa on your UKVI account. 

You might need to create your online account during or after the application process. It depends what kind of visa you’re applying for.  

Check our advice on finding the right visa.  

Header image photo credit: Scottish Enterprise