On Chinese Visas and UK Immigration

Understanding the requirements of immigration law can be a complex and time consuming process. Where misunderstood it can also result in delays, hardship, heartbreak and a hefty bill.

There are many different kids of UK visa, and which of them one qualifies for depends very much on one’s own status, qualifications and reasons for visiting the United Kingdom. In particular the UK visa operates on a tier system.

The UK Immigration Tier 1/HSMP visa is especially designed for visitors to the country who are highly skilled and looking for work. To apply at this level one requires a firm job offer, and to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain one needs to be in this channel for at least five years.

Also classified under Tier 1 is the Post Study Worker. One can apply to remain under UK Visa Tier 1/Post Study Workers in the UK if one has a student visa or is in the UK with permission to stay under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS), International Graduates Scheme (IGS) or Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:WISS).

A Tier 2/Work Permit is issued only to applicants who can demonstrate that they are required to work in a specific role within a specific company, and the permit has a limited lifespan which is no longer than five years. However following the successful completion of a five-year period on a Tier2/Work Permit one will qualify to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Then there is Tier 4, available to students who have secured a place to come to the UK to a particular location in order to study.

When applying for a UK visa it is absolutely essential that the applicant chooses the right category. It is highly advisable to seek out professional and impartial advice from a UK immigration specialist before submitting an application. A small amount of time and expense incurred at the beginning can prevent an enormous of both being incurred further along the line.

There are further rules and regulations concerning the status of those coming to the UK as a fiancé, a fiancée or a civil partner of somebody already resident in the United Kingdom. Once again it is sensible to clarify the position with an expert.

But visa processing is of course a two-way business and just as potential incomers to the United Kingdom will need the required documentation so British nationals seeking to locate elsewhere also need to establish their credentials. To obtain a China visa, for instance, one must first decide whether a tourist visa or a business visa is required, and then set about making an application using the correct documents and giving all the necessary information.

Immigration law is indeed a specialist field of knowledge, and one that it is imperative to get right at the very beginning.


Mark Richards is a professional writer working for The Middle Man, a business promotion service using its experience and expert knowledge of marketing strategy to generate new business for its clients at a surprisingly low cost. He also publishes A Blog About SEO.