🇬🇧

United Kingdom Visa Guide

Complete guide for East Africans · Updated 2025

Available visa types

Standard Visitor

Standard Visitor Visa

For tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings, and short medical treatment. Up to 6 months per visit.

GBP £115 (standard); £500 (priority service)

3 weeks (standard); 5 business days (priority)

Student Route

Student Visa (formerly Tier 4)

For students aged 16+ with a place at a licensed UK student sponsor. Requires CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from your institution.

GBP £490 (outside UK) + IHS surcharge (£776/year)

3 weeks (standard); 5 business days (priority)

Skilled Worker

Skilled Worker Visa

For people with a job offer from a UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence. Replaced Tier 2 General in December 2020.

GBP £719–£1,423 depending on duration + IHS surcharge

3 weeks (standard); 5 business days (priority)

Graduate Route

Graduate Visa

Allows international students who have graduated from a UK university to work or look for work in the UK for 2 years (3 for PhD graduates).

GBP £715 + IHS surcharge

8 weeks

Family Visa

Family Visa (Spouse/Partner)

For partners and children of British citizens or settled persons. Financial requirement: sponsor must earn at least GBP £29,000/year.

GBP £1,846 + IHS surcharge (£776/year)

12 weeks (standard)

Notes by country

🇰🇪 Kenya

Kenya has very strong UK visa application volumes. VFS UK offices in Nairobi (Chiromo Road, Westlands) and Mombasa. UK is one of the top destinations for Kenyan nurses, teachers, and tech workers under Skilled Worker visas.

🇷🇼 Rwanda

Rwandan applicants: VFS UK is in Kigali (KG 7 Ave, Nyarutarama). Processing is efficient. Rwanda's recent strong economic trajectory is noted positively by UK officers.

🇺🇬 Uganda

Uganda: VFS UK at Ntinda Shopping Centre, Kampala. Strong application history especially for healthcare workers. UK actively recruits Ugandan doctors and nurses via NHS.

🇹🇿 Tanzania

Tanzania: VFS UK in Dar es Salaam (Oyster Bay). Tanzanian applicants should ensure employment letters from well-established employers — government, banks, NGOs are viewed strongest.

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Ethiopia: VFS UK in Addis Ababa (CMC Road). High volume office. Apply well in advance. Priority visa service (5 business days) is available and recommended.

Explore this guide