Standard Visitor Visa

Planning a short stay in the UK for leisure, business, or family visits? The UK Visitor Visa (Standard Visitor Visa) is designed for individuals who want to visit the UK for a limited period without working or settling permanently.

Key requirements

To qualify, you must:

• Be a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of your visit
• Not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
• Have enough funds to cover your travel, accommodation and living costs without relying on public funds
• Provide details of your travel plans and accommodation
• Hold a valid passport for the duration of your stay.

You may also need additional documents if you visit the UK for other reasons, such as to receive medical treatment, get married or for academic / study purposes.

What does it allow?

The Visitor Visa lets you:

• Stay in the UK for up to six months for tourism, family visits or limited business activities
• Attend a short recreational course or volunteer (up to 30 days), take professional exams
• Carry out certain permitted paid engagements as an expert in your profession
• Take part in a school exchange programme
• Receive private medical treatment or conduct academic research (with specific conditions).

Longer stays are possible for certain purposes:

• Up to 11 months for medical treatment or short-term study visa
• Up to 12 months for academic visits
• Multiple-entry visit visas for two, five, or 10 years are available, but each visit is capped at six months.

You cannot work, claim public benefits, or use this visa to settle permanently.

How do you apply?

You should first check whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or an Entry Clearance Visitor visa before travelling. Most visa nationals, such as Chinese, Russian, Belarusian, South African, Kazakhstani and Indian nationals, must apply online for an Entry Clearance Visitor visa and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. They can only travel once their visa has been granted.

Nationals of countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and the EEA do not need an Entry Clearance Visitor visa in advance. However, they must now obtain an ETA before visiting the UK. ETA applications are made online or through the UK ETA app and allow travel for tourism, family visits and certain other activities for up to six months. British Nationals (Overseas) are exempt from the ETA requirement.

An ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, so check the expiry date before travelling. If you visit the UK regularly, a long‑term Standard Visitor visa may be a more practical option.

Applications are made overseas and online via the UK Government website. The process generally includes:

• Completing the online form
• Providing biometric data at a UKVI approved Visa Application Centre or via the ETAapp for an ETA
• Submitting supporting documents (if relevant).

Fees

Home Office fees vary by category.

The Visitor category does not attract the Immigration Health Surcharge even if the visit is extended for more than six months.

How can we support you?

We’ll make the process clear and stress-free:

• Confirm if the Visitor Visa is right for your plans
• Guide you through every step of the application
• Advise on alternative routes if your circumstances change.