Tier 1: High value migrants

• Tier 1 For people with at least £50,000 to invest in the UK by taking over or setting up a UK business
• Tier 1 For people who want to invest in the UK and have at least £1m to invest in a UK investment opportunity
• Tier 1 For graduates of UK universities who are endorsed by their university. Limited to 2,000 a year.

Tier 2 Skilled workers

• For workers who have an offer of skilled work and a certificate of sponsorship from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 sponsorship licence. The job on offer must be one that cannot be filled by a worker already resident in the UK. Since 2011, there has been a cap of 20,700 visas that can be issue in this category every year
• Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) For employees of multinationals who are being transferred to the UK branch, Applicants must have a valid certificate of sponsorship from their employer. There are four sub-categories Long-term staff Short-term staff Graduate trainee Skills transfer
• For sportspeople of international calibre intending to stay in the UK for a lengthy period

Tier 4 Students

• Tier 4 student visas are for students at UK educational institutions. While studying, some students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during the holidays.

Tier 5 Temporary workers

• Youth mobility scheme. If you are from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco or Taiwan, you can come to the UK on a 'working holiday' visa and experience life in the UK while working to pay your way.
• Creative and sporting. Artists, performers and sportspeople of international calibre can come to work in the UK
• Government authorised exchange. For people coming under government-approved schemes aimed at the sharing of knowledge, experience and best practice.
• International agreement. For people coming to the UK under contract to do work covered by international agreements, employments of international governments and private servants in diplomatic households