Visa options for Canadians in London

Visa options for Canadians immigrating to the UK

Canadians can immigrate to the UK through a variety of visas, including work visas, family visas, and student visas. The type of visa you need depends on your intended activities, age, ancestry, and whether you have dependents.

Visas for work

Skilled Worker visa: A work permit for Canadians who want to work in the UK
Global Talent visa: A visa for Canadians with exceptional talent in a specific field
Innovator Founder visa: A visa for Canadians who want to start a business in the UK

Visas for family

UK Spouse visa: A visa for Canadians who want to live with their spouse or partner in the UK
UK Partner visa: A visa for Canadians who want to live with their partner in the UK
UK Civil Partner visa: A visa for Canadians who want to live with their civil partner in the UK

Visas for students

Student visa: A visa for Canadians who want to study in the UK

Other visas

Ancestry visa
Right of Abode

A visa for Canadians who have a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man before 1922

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

A visa for Canadians who want to work and travel in the UK for a limited time

Entry requirements

You need a valid Canadian passport
You need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to the UK
You may need to show proof of funds and a return or onward ticket

As of January 8, 2025, Canadian citizens are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to or transiting through the United Kingdom.

Useful Links:

Key details about the UK ETA for Canadian travellers:

Purpose and Duration: The ETA permits stays in the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting friends and family, short-term business activities, or short-term study. It does not allow for paid or unpaid work unless under specific conditions, such as permitted paid engagements or the Creative Worker visa concession.
Application Process: Applications can be submitted online through the UK government's official website or via the UK ETA app. The process involves providing your passport details, contact information, and answering security-related questions. The application fee is £10 (approximately CAD $17.50). Decisions are typically made within three working days, and the ETA, once approved, is electronically linked to your passport.
Validity: The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this period, you can enter the UK multiple times without needing to reapply.

Exemptions:

You do not need an ETA if you:

Already have a UK visa.
Have permission to live, work, or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode).
Are a British or Irish citizen.
Are traveling with a British Overseas Territories citizen passport.
Live in Ireland and are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Other Visa Options for Canadians:

If you intend to stay in the UK for longer than six months, work, or study for an extended period, you will need to apply for an appropriate visa. The UK offers various visa categories, including:

Work Visas: For individuals with a job offer in the UK, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Student Visas: For those accepted into a UK educational institution for a course longer than six months.
Family Visas: For joining family members who are British citizens or have settled status in the UK.

Detailed information on these visas, including eligibility requirements and application procedures, can be found on the UK government's official website.

GOV.UK

Important Considerations:

Possessing an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK. Upon arrival, UK Border Force officers may ask for additional documentation, such as proof of accommodation, return tickets, or details about the purpose of your visit.
Ensure that all information provided in your ETA application matches your passport details exactly to avoid complications during travel.

By understanding these requirements and planning accordingly, Canadian travelers can ensure a smooth journey to the United Kingdom.

I WANT TO CHANGE THE DATE ON MY TIER 5

As long as the visa has not been used, you can apply for a transfer of conditions to get a new 30 day visa. Go to www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk and then log in. Go to ‘apply for myself’ and then follow the steps, when it gets to the select visa type select vignette transfer. And follow the instructions from there. This DOES cost ££ so check all your dates carefully
BRP PICK UP

You have to enter the UK within 30 days of your visa start date, from then you have 10 days to collect your BRP card. https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/collect
CAN I STAY AFTER MY TIER 5 VISA DATE?

NO. You have options but you cannot get a new T5 or overstay. Ignore **any **advice you get from others on being able to stay 30/90 days more (untrue) or that it’s fine to overstay (NOT a safe/clever/legal option!!)Do you have UK/EU ancestry? Can you get sponsored through work? Want to marry a UK/EU citizen? These can help! Use the search box on the top of the page to search first about this. You can NOT extend your Tier 5. No no no no and no. (updated, and NO) (updated advice…. still no)
WILL THERE BE A PROBLEM WITH ME COMING BACK TO THE UK WITHOUT MY BRP?

As we now have eGates you should now have no problem with coming in. Do NOT go to border control. If your passport does not work (very rare) at the eGates, do not stress, go to the border guard, explain you have applied for a new BRP, they will look you up and let you back in. If you are coming back by train or boat, then you will need to advise border control and they will look you up and then let you in, but it may take time. We have only heard of very rare incidences where people have been refused entry and have had to apply for emergency BRP cards… which does take time and can cause you a lot of stress and bother.
SHOULD I USE BRP AS AN ID?

DO NOT USE YOUR BRP AS AN ID… IT’S TOO ANNOYING TO REPLACE (and expensive) USE THIS – **http://www.pass-scheme.org.uk/
I AM WORRIED ABOUT BREXIT//SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT BREXIT?

Firstly, Canadian passports can get you into Europe, it has nothing at all to do with the UK or your visa. It will not affect any travel. It will not affect your ability to work in Europe as you will still need to obtain a visa to work in other European countries no matter what anyway. It will not affect your job in the UK unless your company is not ready for the changes. All EU citizens living in the UK up until December 31st can register for settled or pre settled status in the UK. AFTER Jan 1 2021, there will be a new immigration system set up for EU citizens, not Canadians exercising previously agreed to visas (T5 and ancestry) Sponsorship visas MAY change, but it has been indicated that the salary requirements may lower. At this stage, the UK seems likely to pivot towards better visa conditions for the Commonwealth. Already we have seen an improvement in the Tier 2 sponsorship visa: https://www.gov.uk/…/new-immigration-system-what-you…No matter what happens, your 2 year Tier 5 working holiday visa is under no threat. UPDATE, thanks to Brexit, Canadians will be able to apply for THREE YEAR working holiday visas AND the age will be extended from 18-31 to 18-35!
LOST/STOLEN BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)

Way way too many of you lose your BRP cards, for the love of god please don’t take it anywhere with you except when you travel!Report it here: https://www.gov.uk/biometric…/lost-stolen-damaged Replacement info is here: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/replaceIt can take months to come back but if you are on a T5 visa you don’t need to send your passport in, so can continue to travel though you should not do it unnecessarily, as you will be grilled by immigration on re-entrance. PROTECT YOUR BRP WITH YOUR LIFE, even more than your passport as you can replace a passport within 10 days.
CAN SOMEBODY ELSE PICK UP MY BRP?

Yep, in some cases. But read this first! https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/collect
WHAT HAPPENS IF I TRY TO REENTER AND MY EGATES TELL ME TO GO TO A BORDER GUARD?

Do not stress. This is exactly what all of us had to go through for the last 20 years! The main thing is they want to make sure you are honestly coming in to exercise the right for the holiday visa that you’re attempting to come in on. These visas are 6 months long and are given on arrival (usually by egates) Be prepared and make sure you have the following on hand if your eGates experience is rejected: + Ticket out of the UK + Proof of funds to pay for your time here on holiday + Proof of bookings while you are here on holiday + If possible, a P45, to prove you are not working here on your return (the main thing they reject/are worried about) + Anything to prove you are a genuine holiday maker here!
CAN I COME RIGHT BACK IN ON A HOLIDAY VISA WHEN MY TIER 5 VISA RUNS OUT?

UPDATE – We now have eGates. This means you do not have to see a physical person, therefore you may be able to get back in to spend time here before you fly home. We are still unclear on if the eGates will identify that you are coming back but at this stage it is all good to reenter. See below for clarification if you need to see a human.**
I ARRIVED BEFORE MY TIER 5 VISA STARTED, WHAT SHOULD I DO??

Do I need to leave the UK and reenter? We now have eGates, so your passport will not be stamped when coming into the UK and ALL the signs at all London airports will tell you to go directly to the eGates. You can come in beforehand, but you’ll need to take a trip out of the UK and come back in through egates for your visa to start.
CAN I APPLY FOR MY 2 YEAR WORKING VISA FROM THE UK?

No chance mate. You need to apply from a country where you have the right to remain for 6+ months. This means Canada and anywhere else where you can legally reside for over 6 months. (See notes below about getting a Dutch Working Holiday visa on arrival, as you can get that, and then apply for the UK from there)
COLLECT BRP FROM DIFFERENT POST OFFICE

See ‘Collect your BRP from a different Post Office branch’ here: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/collect