Frequently asked questions for life in the UK and new arrivals, plus trusted links
Short, sourced answers to the questions our community asks most. Newest first.
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Global Talent is for leaders or potential leaders in academia and research, arts and culture, or digital technology. No employer sponsor is needed; you need an endorsement or an eligible prize. The fee is £766 plus the health surcharge; settlement after 3 or 5 years.
The Health and Care Worker visa is for doctors, nurses and other health professionals with an eligible job in the NHS, an NHS supplier or adult social care. The fee is £324 or £628 and families pay no health surcharge. Care worker roles closed to overseas applicants in July 2025.
Scale-up Worker is for people with a job offer of at least 6 months from an approved fast-growing company, paid at least £39,100 or the going rate. The first visa lasts 2 years; after 6 months you can change jobs freely, and extensions need no new sponsor but earnings rules apply.
Innovator Founder is for people setting up a new, innovative and scalable business in the UK. A Home Office approved body endorses the idea; there is no minimum investment, but you need £1,270 savings and B2 English. The visa lasts 3 years; settlement after 3 years if the business meets set targets.
There is no general rule; the university and programme decide. QAA says master's entrants can be honours graduates or people whose work experience convinces admissions staff. Keele online asks for 2-3 years, Henley's Executive MBA over 5 years of management. No example names an associate degree.
In both, state schooling is free and education runs close to 18. Differences: Türkiye uses a 4+4+4 structure with central placement through LGS and YKS; in England children start in Reception, schools and universities are applied for separately, and a bachelor's is 3 years.
GOV.UK says the Child Student visa is for ages 4 to 17. You need an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor school, suitable accommodation, enough money and parental consent. The fee is £558, plus the healthcare surcharge. The child cannot claim benefits or bring dependants.
UCAS says applications for 2027 entry opened on 12 May 2026; the date is 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses and 13 January 2027 (18:00) for most courses. The fee of £34.50 covers five choices. One reference is needed; the personal statement is at most 4,000 characters.
Universities set their own requirements. Sheffield accepts the Turkish diploma from schools verified on MEB e-Okul and converts the final-year percentage to A levels (85% = AAA). A foundation year is the alternative. IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is asked.
The university decides fee status. UKCISA says the 'settled' category needs 3 years' UK residence. For a 'child of a Turkish worker', GOV.UK requires parent and child to have lived in the UK by 31 December 2020; later arrivals get no home fee for courses from 1 August 2021.