Scotland Visa Information

Scotland is a true wonderland with magnificent cities, gorgeous nature, rich culture, and a long history. As a popular tourist destination in the UK, Scotland has been among the most visited parts of the nation. If you're also planning to see this majestic country but don't know how to deal with the visa process, you're at the right place! You can find everything about Scotland visa and visa processes below!

Before preparing for your application make sure to buy your Scotland flight ticket online as the first step!

Scotland Visa

Citizens from visa-required countries visiting Scotland must apply for the relevant visa. Since it is a country within the United Kingdom, visitors who wish to visit Scotland must apply for a UK visa.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Scotland?

Whether you need a visa to travel to Scotland is about your country of origin. The US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and EEA citizens can enter Scotland without a visa. However, most visitors from Asian countries must apply for a UK visa for a holiday in Scotland. Click here to check if you need a UK visa to visit Scotland.

Scotland Visa Types

There are several different visa types for Scotland. What visa type is the best for you depends on the nature and length of your travel. Since each visa type requires you to provide different documentation, you should carefully check visa rules and required documents. Below, you can find more information about these visa types and how to apply.

Standard Visitor Visa

A Scotland Standard Visitor Visa is the visa you apply for short-term visits to Scotland. Usually, tourists or people visiting their family in Scotland prefer this visa type. You can read below for the requirements for different Standard Visitor Visa types.

Scotland Standard Visitor Visa Rules

In order to be able to apply for a visa to Scotland, you need to meet the eligibility requirements. In order to obtain a visa, you must*:

• Prove that you'll leave the UK at the end of your visit,
• Be able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you),
• Be able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey),
• Do not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits or make the UK your main dwelling.
• Plus, those under 18 can only apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which lets you stay in the country for a maximum of six months. Those above the age of 18 can apply for a 2, 5, and 10-year Standard Visitor Visa.

* All the information here is obtained from the official UK government website. For the updated information, you can visit the relevant page by clicking here.

Scotland Standard Visitor Visa Requirements

If you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can start collecting your documentation. Here is the necessary information and documentation you must submit during the online application:

• The dates of your trip,
• Your accommodation (hotel, hostel, rental, etc.),
• Your prediction of your potential expenses during the trip,
• Your parents' name and date of birth (if known),
• Your annual income,
• Criminal record with details of any criminal, civil, or immigration offenses you may have committed.

In some cases, you might need to provide further information, such as:

• Your travel history of the past ten years,
• The address and phone number of your employer,
• The name, date of birth, and passport number of your partner,
• The name and address of the person funding the trip,
• The name, address, and passport number of your family in the UK,
• The certification of a recent tuberculosis test.

Once you finish your online application, you'll need to book an appointment at a physical visa application center. At the appointment, you'll need to provide:

• Documents proving your identity, such as your passport or travel document,
• Your fingerprints and photograph - taken at the application center,
• All the documents that show you're eligible for a Standard Visitor Visa.

In some cases, the visa application center might hold your documentation while the application is processed. It usually takes three weeks for you to receive the decision on your visa application.

Scotland Standard Visitor Visa Requirements for Academics

You need to fulfill the following criteria to apply for a Scotland Standard Visa for academics:

• Being a highly skilled professional in your field of expertise or having a PhD,
• Working in your field of expertise at an institution overseas.

When applying for the visa, you need to show that you are eligible. So, you must submit a letter or document from your employer outlining the dates of your exchange and the details of the research. If you are invited by an organization in Scotland, they may also provide a letter or document confirming the arrangements for your research, exchange, or clinical practice.

Scotland Standard Visitor Visa Requirements for Medical Visits

Visitors who are traveling to Scotland for medical purposes must prove that they:

• Need private medical care in the UK for their medical condition,
• Have already made arrangements and consultations in the UK for their medical condition,
• Have enough money, funds, or income to fund their treatment,
• Will leave the UK once their treatment is completed or visa expires,
• They do not have medical conditions that are dangerous to the general public in the UK.

Additionally, visitors must submit the following documents:

• A letter written by a doctor or another professional that states the patient's condition requires consultation or treatment,
• Documentation showing the estimated costs and duration of the treatment,
• The institution where the treatment, consultation, or medical care will take place.

Scotland Standard Visitor Visa Requirements for Study Purposes

Normally, a Standard Visitor Visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months. During these six months, you can attend language courses or do an elective if you're studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery, or dentistry. Nevertheless, if your studies take longer than six months, you might need to apply for a visa specific for study purposes. You must apply for a short-term study visa, a student visa, or a child student visa for your studies longer than six months.

Scotland Standard Visitor Visa Requirements for Visitors Participating in Paid Engagements and Activities

Visiting Scotland for paid engagements and activities usually requires you to submit proof of invitation from a professional institution, organization, or UK resident. You also need to demonstrate that you are an established professional in your home country by providing evidence such as recent performances, publications, or works. The following professionals can be invited to the UK by institutions and organizations:

• Professional artists
• Entertainers
• Musicians
• Professional sportspeople
• Qualified lawyers
• Lecturers
• Speakers
• Academics
• Air pilot examiners

Skilled Worker Visa

A Skilled Worker Visa is what you need to come to and stay in Scotland for work purposes. You may be eligible for this visa type as long as you meet the following criteria:

• Your job must be eligible for the visa,
• An occupation code must exist for your job,
• Your job must pay more than the going rates.

You must submit the following documentation to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa:

• A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number,
• Proof of your knowledge of English,
• A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality,
• Your job title and annual salary,
• Your job's occupation code,
• The name of your employer and their sponsor license number.

Student Visa

If you are planning to study in the UK, you can apply for a Student Visa. The documents you'll need to apply are:

• A valid passport,
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider,
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course,
• A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it,
• Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent - if under 18,
• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian - if under 18,
• Your tuberculosis test results,
• Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor - if you received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.

What is visa sponsorship for Scotland?

Visa sponsorship is funding a skilled worker or a professional to come and work in Scotland under a Skilled Worker Visa. The employer must have a sponsor license and must work in a field eligible for the sponsorship.

Scotland Visa Requirements for Non-Europeans

Scottish visa requirements for non-Europeans depend on your citizenship and country of origin. For example, citizens of South Korea, Japan, and many countries in the Americas and Oceania are exempt from needing a visa to enter Scotland, despite being non-European countries. Most Asian countries, on the other hand, need to obtain a UK visa to enter Scotland. So, you need to check whether you need a visa to enter the country beforehand. You can visit the official website of the British government to see whether you need a visa to enter Scotland. Scotland Visa requirement for US, UK, and Canadian citizens Citizens of the US and Canada can enter Scotland without a visa and stay in the country for up to six months. However, during their stay, they cannot work at UK jobs. Since Scotland is part of the UK, all British citizens can visit, stay, live, and work in Scotland without any restrictions. Also, it is worth noting that there is no Scottish citizenship, and all citizens living in Scotland are actually citizens of the United Kingdom. Since the United Kingdom and Ireland are part of the Common Travel Area, citizens can visit and live in eitger country without any restrictions.

Scotland Visa Requirements for Russians

Currently, Russian citizens are required to submit the same documents as the citizens of other nations. Although there is no official suspension of visa processes for Russian citizens, it's reported that UK officials purposefully delay the procession of applications, especially immigration. Additionally, since immigration staff is relocated to aid humanitarian applications from Ukrainians, there is an ongoing slowdown for all visa applications, regardless of nationality. Therefore, Russian citizens who plan to visit Scotland soon should apply for a visa at least five or six months beforehand, as it might become hard to find an appointment due to limited slots.

Scotland Visa Fees

Scotland visa fees depend on the visa and the purpose of your visit. The basic visa for trips, the British Standard Visa, costs GBP 115 and lets you stay in the country for up to six months. However, the fee rises to GBP 200 for a Scottish Standard Visa for medical purposes, allowing you to stay in the country for 11 months. Scottish Standard Visa for academics also costs GBP 200 and allows you to stay in Scotland for 12 months. Additionally, you can get a 2-year long-term Standard Visitor Visa for GBP 432, a 5-year long-term Standard Visitor Visa for GBP 771, and a 10-year long-term Standard Visitor Visa for GBP 963.

How much does the Scotland visa cost?

The application fee for the British Standard Visa starts from GBP 115. Here is a list of different visa types and costs:

Visit the relevant web page of the UK government regarding visa fees for the most recent and updated information.