A visitor visa permits individuals from foreign countries to visit the UK for various reasons such as tourism, business, study (for courses that last no longer than 6 months), and other permissible activities. The visa allows for a stay of up to 6 months, but in certain cases, such as for medical treatment, it may be possible to apply for a longer stay.
This guide will briefly explain the general requirements that must be met to apply for the visitor visa. All requirements must be strictly met otherwise the application will be refused.
What are the requirements?
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to show that:
- You will leave the UK at the end of your visit
- You’re able to support yourself and any dependants accompanying you during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you to cover your travel expenses)
- You’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- You’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or considering the UK as your primary residence
- You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the UK
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK:
- to study, do a placement or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
- for medical reasons
What can you do in the UK?
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:
- For tourism such as a vacation
- To visit family or friends
- To volunteer with a registered charity for up to 30 days
- To transit through the UK en-route to another country
- For specific business activities such as attending a meeting or interview,
- To participate in a school exchange program
- To undertake a recreational course for up to 30 days
- To study, do a placement or take an exam
- For academic or medical purposes
What can’t you do in the UK?
- Do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or work as a self-employed individual
- Claim public funds (benefits)
- Make the UK your main home by living in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
- Get married or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership during your visit – you must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
What documents do I need?
To apply for a UK visitor visa, you will need to provide certain documents. These include:
- A valid passport or travel document
- The intended travel dates for your visit to the UK
- The places where you plan to stay during your trip
- An estimated cost for your whole journey
- Your present home address along with the duration of your stay in the UK
- Your parents’ names and dates of births (if known)
- Your annually income (if you have income)
- Details regarding any criminal, civil or immigration offenses you may have committed
Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:
- Your travel history for preceding 10 years
- your employer’s address and phone number, your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
- The name and address of the person financing your travel
- The name, address and passport number of any family members residing in the UK
- A certificate verifying that you’ve taken a tuberculosis (TB) test if your visit exceeds 6 months
What is the application process?
- Submit an application – If you’re applying with family members, each person must submit their own application and pay the visa fee.
- After you have submitted your Attend your appointment
After you have submitted your application, you will need to attend an appointment at a UK visa application centre. During the appointment, you will need to provide your biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph.
- Wait for a decision
Once you have attended your appointment, you will need to wait for a decision on your application. The processing time usually takes around 3 weeks. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, which will allow you to enter the UK.
Fast track – how do I get a faster decision?
- Collection within 5 working days (priority services): £500
If the ‘priority service’ is available in the country you’re applying from and you verify your identity at a visa application centre, you can choose this service while applying for your visa. This service will require an extra fee. A decision on your application will be made within 5 business days from when you provide your biometric information at your appointment.
- Next day collection (super priority services): £800
If the ‘super priority service’ is available in the country you’re applying from and you verify your identity at a visa application centre, you can choose this service while applying for your visa. This service will require an extra fee. A decision on your application will be made by the end of the next working day from when you provide your biometric information at your appointment.
Check with your visa application centre to see if fast track services are available in the country you’re applying from. Contact us to find out more information.
What are the fees?
The visa fee for a UK visitor visa varies depending on the length of your stay. You will need to pay the fee online as part of the application process.
| Fee | Maximum length of stay | |
| Standard Visitor visa | £100 | 6 months |
| Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons | £200 | 11 months |
| Standard Visitor visa for academics | £200 | 12 months |
| 2-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £376 | 6 months per visit |
| 5-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £670 | 6 months per visit |
| 10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £837 | 6 months per visit |
Contact us today to start the Visitor Visa process
We at Lisa’s Law regularly assist in applying for Visitor Visa applications both from abroad, and within the UK. We will advise and represent you throughout the process.
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