Visa and Immigration | Scotland.org

Posted by Martina Birk on Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Moving to Scotland from outside the UK and Ireland

From America and Canada to China, Australia and everywhere in between, Scotland welcomes people from every corner of the globe, every day. The good news is, with the right visa, you can come and join them!

The type of visa that you require will depend on a number of different factors and there are several different types of visa you can apply for. You must remember to apply for your documentation before you travel to Scotland, as you can be refused entry if you do not have the required papers.

Find out if you require a visa at gov.uk

Bringing your Family

Moving to Scotland is an incredibly exciting opportunity and we know that you may want to share that adventure with your family. It’s important to apply for visas for your partner and your children before they arrive to help them settle into their new life easily. Different visas have different requirements for  family members. 

Find out more about bringing your family to Scotland at SDI (Scottish Development International).

Acquiring Citizenship

As Scotland is part of the UK, there is no separate Scottish citizenship as an alternative to UK citizenship and the Scottish Government has no control over the operation of the immigration system.

Find out about British citizenship

Visiting Scotland

From crumbling castles to pristine beaches, jaw-dropping landscapes to bustling city centres, you’ll never be stuck for something to do on a trip to Scotland. With so many things to choose between its important to make sure you have your documentation sorted out so you can hit the ground running.

More on passports, visas and customs on Visitscotland.com

Studying in Scotland

If you’re from outside the UK, you may need a visa to study in Scotland. It’s extremely important to make sure that you have the correct type of visa while you’re studying in Scotland. There are several different categories that will depend on the type of course you’re studying, your age and how long you plan to stay in the country.

Find out more about student visas

Investing in Scotland

Now is the perfect time to invest in Scotland, with a massive range of opportunities across the country in all our key growth sectors. Scotland is also the most successful part of the UK for spin-out creations, highlighting our commitment to investing in new and emerging ideas.

Find out about business visas in Scotland

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