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UK Visitor Visa
If you plan to visit the UK for several reasons (seeing family members or friends or visiting sightseeing places) and If you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you need to apply for a UK Visitor Visa.
The Standard Visitor Visa allows you to visit the UK, usually for a period of up to 6 months.
In order to make an application FOR Visitor Visa, you need to submit an application outside the UK, which will be assessed to determine whether you meet the requirements under the visitor rules and qualify as a genuine visitor. You will need to provide supporting documents that prove you qualify for a visitor visa. Failure to show that you meet the visa requirements will result in a refusal and loss of your application fee.
How long does a UK visitor visa last?
The visitor visa generally lasts for 6 months.
You can apply to stay longer if you’re coming to the UK for private medical treatment or you’re an academic coming to the UK for research (up to 12 months) but you will also need to apply for a biometric residence permit.
You can apply for a long-term visitor visa if you are looking to make frequent visits over a longer period, such as 2,5 or 10 years. However, regardless of the length of your visa, you can only stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time.
What are the permitted activities for visitors?
The visitor rules specify activities that are allowed under the route. The following are permissible activities:
- for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
- to see your family or friends
- to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
- to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
- for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
- for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession, for example, to give lectures or perform
- to take part in a school exchange programme
- to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example, a dance course
- to study, do a placement or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
- for medical reasons
You cannot:
- do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK for long periods through frequent or successive visits
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership – you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
Supporting documents
Your circumstances will specify the exact documents to provide with your application to support your case. As a minimum, you will need to verify your identity with your current passport which will be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and with a blank page for the visa.
- Additional supporting documents should also be provided to prove:
- Planned travel dates and itinerary including accommodation details
- Your Travel history (past 10 years)
- Work information such as your employer’s name and address
- Contact information of the people you will visit
- You have a genuine relationship with the person you are visiting
- Details of any convictions
- Intention to leave the UK on visa expiry. Evidence could show your ties with your home country; like proof of a job or studies in your home country, or family living in your home country.
- Sufficient funds need to be shown for you and your dependants in the UK for the duration of your visit.
Any documents not in English or Welsh must be provided as certified translations.
After completing the form, you will need to attend a visa application centre overseas to have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
Visitor visa processing times
Under normal Home Office processing standards, visitor visa applications from overseas usually take around 3 weeks.
FAQs
How much funds are required for a UK visitor visa?
You will need to show you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of tickets, traveling, living, and accommodation expenses while you are in the UK.
How much does a visitor visa cost?
Currently, the UK visitor visa costs £115 for the standard 6-month stay. If you are travelling for medical reasons, the cost is £200 for six months.
2-year long-term Standard Visitor visa £400, 5-year long-term Standard Visitor visa costs £771 and a 10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa costs £963.
Which Visa Type is Right for Me?
Navigating the myriad of UK visa options can be overwhelming, but we're here to help. Contact us to simplify your visa selection process.