Visit Visa UK Guide

Section A: What is the UK Visit Visa?

Many people talk about a “Visit Visa” when travelling to the UK, but the correct legal term is the Standard Visitor Visa. The route is governed by Appendix V of the Immigration Rules and its related Permitted Activities. It is designed for short-term, non-settlement purposes and applies strict limits on what a visitor can and cannot do. The visa is temporary in nature, and any indication that the applicant intends to live in the UK through frequent or extended stays can result in refusal.

The Standard Visitor Visa is the lawful route for short-term stays. “Visit Visa” is a common shorthand, but the Rules are precise. Visitors must intend to leave at the end of their stay, not rely on frequent or successive visits to build de facto residence, and comply with the restrictions on work and study. Caseworkers pay particular attention to travel history and whether previous patterns suggest that the visitor is treating the UK as a second home.

1. Types of visit visas

Although the Standard Visitor Visa is the main route for most short stays in the UK, there are several different categories of visit visas designed for specific purposes. Each category has its own conditions, evidence requirements and permitted activities. Understanding which type applies is crucial, as applying under the wrong category will almost certainly result in refusal.

The table below outlines the main types of visit visas, their typical uses, and the maximum stay allowed under each.

2. Permissible activities for visitors

The Standard Visitor Visa allows only specific activities, and caseworkers assess applications strictly against the Immigration Rules. Permitted activities include leisure travel, family visits, business meetings, conferences, short academic activity such as research or sabbatical teaching and private medical treatment. Creative or artistic activity is permitted only in tightly defined circumstances, such as performing at a cultural festival. If the individual will fill a role in the UK labour market, they require a Creative Worker visa instead.

For academics, the extended 12-month visitor option is only available to those highly qualified in their field and invited to conduct research or teach at a UK higher education institution. Strong supporting evidence is required from both the UK and overseas institutions.

Medical treatment visitors will need to provide medical confirmation from the UK provider, full details of the treatment plan, and evidence of funds to cover treatment, accommodation and onward travel. They must also show that they will return home at the end of the treatment period.

Visitors are prohibited from taking employment in the UK. This ban covers paid and unpaid work, internships, volunteering and shadowing that goes beyond observation. Remote working for an overseas employer is permitted on a visitor visa only if incidental to the main purpose of the visit.

Visitors cannot enrol in long-term courses, undertake work placements, or provide services to UK clients. Activities that generate income in the UK or that substitute for a UK-based role fall outside the visitor rules.

Marriage and civil partnership are not covered under the Standard Visitor Visa and require the separate Marriage Visitor Visa. Long-term residence by chaining successive visits is not allowed, and frequent or extended stays that appear to amount to living in the UK will usually lead to refusal or cancellation. Visitors also cannot access public funds or apply to switch into another visa category while inside the UK, except in very narrow circumstances unrelated to work or study.

3. Visa nationals, non-visa nationals and ETA

Visa nationals must apply for a visitor visa before travelling. Non-visa nationals have historically been able to seek permission on arrival, but that has changed. Since April 2025, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme has been fully rolled out to most non-visa nationals, including EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (other than Irish nationals), US, Canadian and Australian citizens, among others.

The ETA costs £16, lasts two years or until passport expiry, and is a pre-travel requirement. There is currently an exemption for airside transit, but those entering the UK border in transit must also hold an ETA where their nationality requires it.

3. Length of stay and long-term visit visas

The usual maximum stay is six months. Specific categories extend this: up to eleven months for private medical treatment and up to twelve months for certain academic visitors on sabbatical. Applicants may apply for long-term visit visas valid for two, five or ten years, but each entry remains capped at six months. The Home Office will refuse a long-term visa where there is evidence that the applicant intends to live in the UK through repeat visits.

Section B: UK Visit Visa Eligibility Requirements

To be granted a Standard Visitor Visa, applicants must satisfy strict requirements that demonstrate their visit is genuine, temporary and self-funded. The Home Office examines applications closely, and refusals are common where documents are inconsistent, funds are unexplained, or the planned activities do not fit the permitted list under Appendix Visitor. Caseworkers are trained to identify applicants who may be using the visitor route to try to live, work or study in the UK unlawfully.

1. General requirements

Applicants must intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit. They must not plan to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits. They must also show they have enough funds to support themselves and any dependants for the duration of their trip without relying on public funds. Caseworkers will expect to see credible evidence of strong ties to the applicant’s home country, such as ongoing employment, business ownership, dependent family members or property. Where ties are weak, the risk of refusal rises significantly. The origin of funds is also scrutinised to detect money laundering or third-party sponsorship that is not adequately explained.

2. Supporting documents

The Home Office publishes guidance on recommended documents, but it is not a checklist. The burden is on the applicant to provide persuasive evidence. Typical supporting documents include:

• A valid passport or travel document
• Bank statements, payslips or evidence of personal savings and income
• Employer letter confirming job role, salary and approved leave dates
• Proof of travel and accommodation, such as flight bookings or hotel reservations
• Invitation letter from a UK host, with supporting evidence where accommodation or expenses are offered
• Evidence of ties to the home country, for example property deeds, tenancy agreements, family commitments or ongoing studies

Additional evidence may be required for particular visit types. Private medical treatment applicants need a letter from the UK medical provider confirming treatment details, costs and duration. Academic visitors should provide documentation from their institution showing sabbatical approval or research invitation. For business visits, letters from both the UK and overseas employers confirming the purpose of the visit are highly persuasive. The more detailed and consistent the documentation, the stronger the application.

3. Length of stay & conditions

The standard period of stay is up to six months. Certain exceptions apply: up to eleven months for private medical treatment and up to twelve months for qualifying academics on sabbatical. Long-term visit visas are available for two, five or ten years, but every entry remains limited to six months. The Home Office will refuse long-term visas where there is evidence of potential residence, such as repeated lengthy stays with little connection to the applicant’s home country. Visitors are prohibited from taking paid or unpaid work, enrolling in long-term study, or accessing public funds. Specific activities such as getting married require their own dedicated visitor subcategory, such as the Marriage Visitor Visa.

Section C: Visit Visa Application Process

The visitor visa application process is straightforward in structure but requires careful preparation. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will only decide the case based on the online form and supporting documents provided. Weak, inconsistent or incomplete evidence is the main reason for refusal. Applicants should therefore plan ahead to ensure their application package is thorough and credible.

1. Where and how to apply

Applications are made online through the official UK government website. The form requires detailed information about the applicant’s identity, travel history, purpose of visit, financial circumstances and accommodation arrangements. Once submitted, the visa fee must be paid before an appointment can be booked at a visa application centre. At this appointment, applicants provide biometric data – fingerprints and a digital photograph – and usually surrender their passport. Depending on the country, supporting documents are either uploaded online or presented in person at the appointment. Visa application centres do not decide cases; decisions are made by UKVI caseworkers in the UK.

2. Fees

Visitor visa fees were increased on 9 April 2025. The current fees are:

• Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months): £127
• Long-term Visitor Visa (2 years): £475
• Long-term Visitor Visa (5 years): £848
• Long-term Visitor Visa (10 years): £1,059
• Visiting academic (6–12 months): £220
• Private medical treatment (6–11 months): £220
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £16

Optional fast-track services are available in some locations: priority service (around five working days) and super priority service (usually 24 hours). These services carry additional costs and are not guaranteed in every country.

3. Refusals & legal remedies

Visitor visa refusals are common, particularly where applications lack evidence of genuine intent to return home or where finances are unclear. Caseworkers look for vague travel plans, unexplained large deposits in bank accounts, or a history of extended stays in the UK. There is no right of appeal and no administrative review for visitor visa refusals decided overseas. The only legal remedy is judicial review, which is limited to examining whether the decision was lawful rather than re-examining the evidence. Judicial review is costly and used only in exceptional circumstances. In practice, most refused applicants reapply with stronger evidence addressing the refusal reasons.

4. Processing times

Most visitor visa applications are decided within three weeks of the biometric appointment. Priority and super priority services, where available, can reduce the wait. Applicants should not book non-refundable travel before the visa is granted, as processing times can vary depending on local demand and peak travel seasons.

Section D: Employer & HR Considerations

The Standard Visitor Visa is designed strictly for short-term visits. Employers and HR professionals should understand its limits clearly. Any misuse of this visa can expose organisations to civil penalties, criminal sanctions and risks to their sponsor licence. UKVI compliance teams are proactive in scrutinising visitor activity, particularly where a business already holds a sponsor licence.

1. Right to work

Visitors are not permitted to take employment in the UK. This prohibition covers both paid and unpaid work, including volunteering, internships and work placements. A visitor cannot be added to a payroll, contracted directly by a UK company, or perform duties that amount to filling a UK-based role. Employers are under a statutory duty to carry out right to work checks before employment starts. For visitors, such checks will confirm that work is not permitted. Allowing a visitor to work in any capacity risks severe penalties.

2. Permitted business and professional activities

While work is prohibited, Appendix Visitor does allow certain business-related activities that must remain incidental to overseas employment. These include attending meetings, interviews, conferences and seminars; signing contracts; providing training or giving briefings at the request of an overseas employer; and conducting site visits or inspections. These activities must not tip into productive work in the UK labour market. For example, delivering a presentation at a conference is permitted, but providing billable consultancy services to a UK client is not. Academic, artistic and religious visitors are also allowed to undertake limited activity, but always within the scope of Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities.

3. Compliance risks

Employers who allow visitors to engage in unlawful work expose themselves to significant penalties. Since January 2024, civil penalties for employing illegal workers have increased to up to £60,000 per worker. Serious cases may also trigger criminal prosecution. For sponsor licence holders, misuse of the visitor route can result in licence suspension or revocation, placing the wider workforce at risk. UKVI regularly conducts both digital and on-site audits, sometimes without notice, and will request evidence showing that visitor activities were compliant. HR teams should therefore keep clear records of the purpose of any visit, the activities undertaken, and the evidence confirming that these activities were permitted.

4. Practical guidance for employers

Employers should ensure that staff involved in arranging or hosting overseas visitors are trained on what is and is not allowed. Visitors should be briefed in advance about the limits of their visa. If there is any doubt as to whether the activities fall within the permitted list, professional advice should be sought before travel. Organisations should also maintain documented processes for checking the immigration status of all visitors and retain supporting evidence in line with their compliance policies. For businesses holding a sponsor licence, this is particularly important, as non-compliance in one area can have wider consequences for sponsored workers.

Section E: Summary

The Standard Visitor Visa is the main short-stay route, but there are distinct visas for marriage, medical treatment, academic activity, paid engagements and transit. Each has strict eligibility rules and limited permitted activities. Applicants must prove they are genuine visitors with funds, strong ties to their home country and a clear plan to leave at the end of their stay. Weak or inconsistent evidence, unexplained finances, or travel patterns that suggest residence almost always lead to refusal. Since April 2025, most non-visa nationals also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel, adding a new layer of pre-clearance checks.

Refusals cannot be appealed or reviewed, so getting the first application right is critical. For employers, the compliance risks are equally sharp. Visitors cannot work, whether paid or unpaid, and permitted business activities are narrow. Allowing a visitor to step beyond those limits can result in civil fines of up to £60,000 per worker and sponsor licence suspension. With careful preparation and a clear understanding of what is and is not allowed, the UK visit visa routes can facilitate legitimate short-term travel without creating long-term immigration problems.

Section F: FAQs

Is a Visit Visa the same as a Tourist Visa?

The Standard Visitor Visa is the legal route for tourism and general short stays. “Visit Visa” is a commonly used phrase, but the correct legal designation under the Immigration Rules is the Standard Visitor Visa.

Do non-visa nationals need to apply before travelling?

Yes, in most cases. Since April 2025, most non-visa nationals — including EU/EEA/Swiss (except Irish citizens), US, Canadian and Australian nationals — must obtain an ETA before travel. The ETA costs £16, lasts for two years or until the passport expires, and must be secured before boarding. A narrow exemption applies for airside transit only.

How long does the application take?

Most visitor visa applications are decided within three weeks of the biometric appointment. Priority (around five working days) and super priority (about 24 hours) services are available in some countries for an additional fee, but availability is not guaranteed.

What activities are not allowed on a Visit Visa?

Visitors cannot take up paid or unpaid work, join internships or work placements, enrol in long-term courses of study, or access public funds. They also cannot marry or enter into a civil partnership without applying under the specific Marriage Visitor Visa route. Using a visitor visa to live in the UK through repeated stays is also prohibited.

Can I switch from a Visit Visa to another visa route while in the UK?

Switching from visitor status to another visa type, such as Skilled Worker or Student, is not permitted from within the UK. Applicants must usually leave and apply from overseas. Limited exceptions exist, but these do not cover work or study routes.

Can employers reimburse expenses for visitors?

Employers may cover genuine expenses such as accommodation, travel or subsistence, but cannot provide payments resembling wages or salary. Visitors must not perform work in the UK labour market and reimbursements must remain incidental to the permitted activities under the visitor route.

Section G: Glossary

Section H: Additional Resources and Links