Immigration to UK From Mexico

Student visas are some of the most popular visas for Mexican nationals looking to come to the UK. They’re a useful way to experience what life is like in the UK for a short period of time without having to commit to long-term residency.

To be eligible for a UK Student visa, you must be 16 or over and have been offered a place on a course in an educational institution that’s able to sponsor foreign students.

In addition, you must prove that you can speak, read and write English to a minimum standard. This may involve taking a certified English test from an approved provider.

You must also pay the immigration health surcharge when you apply, which will allow you to access NHS services while in the UK.

You may also be allowed to work on your Student visa, though this will depend on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term time.

Note that you must apply for your visa from Mexico no more than 6 months before the start date of your course, and you must not travel to the UK until your visa is approved.

Before your course finishes, you may apply for a Graduate visa in order to continue living and working in the UK for up to 2 years, if you wish.

After completing their studies, many Mexican students may wish to stay in the UK rather than going back to Mexico.

If this applies to you, then you may be eligible for a Graduate visa.

This visa will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 2 or 3 years after completing an educational course.

You must be in the UK on a Student visa and have studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course to be eligible for this visa. In addition, your education provider must have notified the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course.

A Graduate visa will allow you to stay and work in the UK for up to 2 or 3 years.

You won’t be able to extend your Graduate visa past its initial eligibility, but you may be able to switch to another type of UK visa such as a work visa or Family visa, if you’re eligible.

If you’re a Mexican national looking to come to the UK to work or set up a business, there are a wide range of dedicated visas that will allow you to do so.

It’s important to remember that any kind of employment in the UK, including full-time, part-time, self-employment or volunteering positions, will all require obtaining a dedicated visa first.

The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s general work visa for foreign workers of many different professions. It allows individuals to come and work in many different job types in the UK, as long as they are being sponsored by a Home Office-approved sponsor.

You will also need to fulfil minimum English language requirements and salary requirements to be eligible for this visa.

Other work and business visas available are more specific in their scope, such as only focusing on one or a few types of work. These include the following:

• Scale-Up Worker visa
• Health and Care Worker visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa
• International Sportsperson visa
• Minister of Religion visa 
• Innovator visa
• Start-up visa

You will need to carefully research which visa type is the best for your own personal circumstances. Alternatively, reach out to one of our legal experts on (+44) 333 4149244, or contact us online for detailed guidance for your own immigration case.

If you wish to become permanently settled in the UK, you will have to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

ILR allows you to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like, without having to renew or extend your status.

The option to apply for indefinite leave to remain will only become available to you once you’ve stayed in the UK for a minimum period of time. The exact length of this period will depend on what UK visa you have.

For example, most Skilled Worker visa applicants will be able to apply for ILR after 5 years. Meanwhile, some visas such as the Innovator visa will allow you to apply for ILR after only 3 years.

It’s important to keep in mind that the requirements for ILR will also vary depending on your visa. Broadly speaking though, you will be required to have adhered to the conditions of your visa for the whole time you’ve been in the UK, up until the point when your ILR application is approved.

For example, if you’re applying for ILR while on an Innovator visa, you must seek a new endorsement that confirms you’ve successfully met the requirements for growing your business.

Most ILR applicants will also have to pay an application fee and pass the Life in the UK Test in order to become eligible.