Tourist Visa UK Guide 2025

Section A: What is the Tourist Visa for the UK?

The term “UK tourist visa” is widely used, but it is not legally recognised under UK immigration law. The correct category is the Standard Visitor Visa, which is the formal route that covers tourism, leisure travel, and visiting family or friends. It is one of the most commonly used UK visa routes, with millions of applications submitted each year. However, its rules are tightly defined within the Immigration Rules and are subject to strict enforcement by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Border Force.

Most foreign nationals visiting the UK will need either a Standard Visitor Visa (for visa nationals) or an ETA (for non-visa nationals).

The Standard Visitor Visa permits short-term stays of up to six months for a limited number of purposes. These include holidays, sightseeing, visiting family and friends, attending cultural or sporting events, or undertaking a short course of study lasting no longer than six months at an accredited institution or an eligible overseas provider. Certain business-related activities are also allowed, such as attending meetings, conferences, or signing contracts. Importantly, the visa does not allow individuals to undertake paid or unpaid employment, participate in work placements, or take on long-term study. Access to public funds is also prohibited.

One of the defining conditions of the visa is that the applicant must qualify as a genuine visitor. This means they must be able to show that their stay is temporary, that they will leave at the end of their visit, and that they have the financial resources to support themselves during their time in the UK. Border Force officers may also conduct checks and interviews at the point of entry to confirm that these conditions are being met, and they retain discretion to refuse entry even where a visa has been issued if concerns arise at the border.

1. Permissible Activities

The scope of prohibited activities under the Standard Visitor Visa is extensive and tightly policed. Visitors cannot work in the UK, whether paid or unpaid, cannot take part in long-term study, and cannot enrol in training, work experience, or internships. Marriage and civil partnership are also restricted: a separate Marriage Visitor Visa will be needed for individuals who intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK. Attending as a guest at a wedding or ceremony, however, is permitted.

Visitors are typically granted leave to enter for up to six months per visit. However, making frequent or back-to-back trips can raise red flags with the Home Office, who may suspect that the visitor is effectively living in the UK without the correct visa. For those who need to travel regularly, long-term multiple-entry visas are available with validity periods of two, five, or ten years. Despite the longer validity, each entry remains capped at a maximum of six months, and misuse of these longer visas can result in cancellation at the border.

2. Mixing Activities

Many visitors plan trips that combine holiday activities with business meetings or a period of remote working. The visitor rules do allow a mixture of activities, provided each is expressly permitted.

Attending a meeting, conference or trade fair is acceptable, but the visit must not cross into providing services or undertaking productive work for a UK organisation.

Similarly, checking emails or joining calls for an overseas employer is tolerated if incidental, but a trip framed as “working remotely from the UK” would be outside the scope of the visa.

The risk is that caseworkers or Border Force officers may suspect misuse if the balance of activities suggests employment rather than tourism.

3. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Alongside the Standard Visitor Visa, the UK has now introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for non-visa nationals. An ETA is not a visa but is a mandatory pre-travel approval that must be obtained before travelling to the UK. It applies to many nationalities who previously did not need to apply for anything in advance. While the ETA is covered in more detail later in this guide, it is important at the outset to understand that most visitors to the UK now need either a visa or an ETA depending on their nationality.

Section B: Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to be granted a UK tourist visa, formally known as the Standard Visitor Visa. The Home Office applies these rules strictly, and refusal rates are high where evidence is weak or inconsistent.

1. Permitted purposes of travel

The trip must fall within the activities allowed under visitor rules. For tourists, this usually means holidays, sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or attending cultural or sporting events. Short study of up to six months at an accredited institution is permitted, as are certain business activities such as meetings or conferences. Attempting to rely on the visa for work or long-term study will almost always result in refusal.

2. The genuine visitor test

Applicants must prove they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit. The Home Office looks at evidence such as family connections, property ownership, employment, or ongoing education in the applicant’s home country. Weak ties or past immigration breaches are common reasons for refusal. Border Force officers also assess this test on arrival, even for non-visa nationals.

3. Financial requirements

Visitors must show they can support themselves without working or accessing public funds. Bank statements, payslips, or evidence from a sponsor are accepted forms of proof. Where a third party is funding the trip, evidence of their finances and relationship to the applicant must be included. Unexplained deposits, inconsistencies, or weak financial documentation frequently result in refusals.

4. Visa nationals vs non-visa nationals

Nationals of countries listed in Appendix Visitor: Visa National list must apply for a visa before travelling. Non-visa nationals may travel without applying in advance but must still satisfy Border Force officers that they meet the visitor rules. A return ticket is not legally required, but absence of onward travel evidence is often treated as a red flag at the border.

5. Supporting documents

Applicants must provide a valid passport or travel document, travel and accommodation details, and where relevant, an itinerary or invitation letter. Evidence of prior compliant travel history can strengthen the application, particularly for nationals of countries with high refusal rates. Certified translations must be provided for any documents not in English or Welsh.

Section C: Tourist Visa Application Process and Costs

Applications must be carefully prepared to meet Home Office requirements. Even minor discrepancies in forms or documents can lead to refusal.

1. Submitting the application

The application is made online via the official GOV.UK website. Applicants complete an electronic form covering their personal details, financial situation, travel history, and purpose of visit. Information must be consistent with the supporting evidence provided.

2. Attending the biometric appointment

After submitting the form, applicants must attend a visa application centre in their country of residence. At the appointment, fingerprints and a digital photograph are taken. Documents can be uploaded online or provided at the appointment, depending on local procedures. Key documents include a valid passport, bank statements or payslips, and accommodation and travel details. An invitation letter may be needed if staying with family or friends.

3. Visa fees

As of August 2025, fees are as follows: £127 for a six-month visa, £475 for a two-year multiple-entry visa, £848 for a five-year visa, and £1,059 for a ten-year visa. Regardless of duration, the maximum stay on any single visit is six months.

4. Processing times and priority services

Most applications are processed within three weeks of the biometric appointment. Priority services may be available in some locations for an additional fee, reducing processing to around five working days. A super priority option, with a 24-hour turnaround, is available only in limited locations. Availability varies and cannot be guaranteed worldwide.

5. Common errors

Frequent mistakes include weak financial documentation, unexplained bank deposits, inconsistent details between the application form and documents, and failure to provide certified translations of non-English documents. These errors often lead to refusal. Applicants should review all evidence carefully before submission.

6. Employer-issued invitation letters

Employers and HR teams inviting overseas contacts must ensure invitation letters accurately reflect the purpose of the visit. The letter must not suggest employment or long-term activity, as this will likely result in refusal and could expose the business to compliance risks. Letters should confirm that the visit is short term and falls within the permitted visitor activities.

Section D: Refusals, Extensions, and Alternatives

The UK tourist visa, formally the Standard Visitor Visa, has one of the highest refusal rates among UK visa categories. The Home Office applies the eligibility rules strictly, and applicants must be prepared for close scrutiny of their evidence and personal circumstances.

1. Common reasons for refusal

The most frequent reason for refusal is a failure to convince the Home Office that the applicant intends to leave the UK at the end of their stay. Weak family, financial, or professional ties to the home country often raise concerns about overstaying. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is another common issue, such as mismatched travel dates or unexplained funds in bank accounts. Financial evidence is heavily scrutinised, and sudden deposits with no clear source often trigger refusal. Where the stated purpose of travel does not align with the applicant’s profile or documents, the application is also likely to be rejected.

2. Challenging a refusal

Visitor visa refusals generally do not carry a right of appeal. Administrative review is not available. The only limited recourse is judicial review, which can only be pursued if there are grounds that the decision was unlawful, irrational, or procedurally unfair. Judicial review is costly, time-consuming, and rarely practical for most applicants. In practice, the more effective option is usually to reapply with stronger evidence and clearer explanations to address the issues identified in the refusal notice.

3. Extensions of stay

Extensions of a Standard Visitor Visa are only possible in tightly limited circumstances. These include individuals receiving private medical treatment, academics visiting for up to 12 months, or doctors taking the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test or clinical attachments. In almost all other situations, visitors cannot extend beyond six months and cannot remain in the UK long term under this route. Attempting to extend without meeting the criteria will result in refusal and could negatively impact future applications.

4. Switching to another visa

The visitor route is not designed as a pathway to work, study, or settlement in the UK. Switching into another immigration category while in the UK is generally prohibited. If a visitor wishes to work, study, or remain long term, they must leave the UK and apply for the correct visa from overseas. Remaining in the UK and attempting to switch is likely to result in refusal and could damage immigration history.

5. Alternative visa options

Where a person’s planned activities do not fit within the visitor visa rules, alternative visas may be more appropriate. For example, the Marriage Visitor Visa is required for those coming to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership. The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa is suitable for certain professionals invited to perform paid assignments. For longer study, the Student Visa applies, and for work, routes such as the Skilled Worker Visa or other sponsored categories must be used. Choosing the correct visa at the outset is vital, as applying under the wrong category almost always results in refusal and wasted fees.

6. Employer and HR considerations

Employers and HR teams should be cautious when inviting overseas visitors. The visitor visa does not allow employment or volunteering, and misuse can expose both the visitor and the organisation to compliance risks. If the visitor’s planned activities extend beyond the scope of permitted visitor activities, they must obtain the correct visa before travelling. Allowing visitors to engage in work-like activity under the visitor visa risks enforcement action against the business as well as refusal for the individual.

Section E: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Alongside the Standard Visitor Visa, the UK is introducing the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for non-visa nationals. The ETA is not a visa, but from 2024 onwards it has become a mandatory pre-travel requirement for many nationalities who previously could travel to the UK without prior clearance. By the end of 2025, most non-visa nationals will require an ETA before they can board a flight or travel to the UK, even if their stay is short and for tourism purposes.

The ETA is applied for online or via a mobile app, with applicants required to provide personal information, passport details, travel history, and answer security questions. Biometric information is not required, but the system cross-checks details against Home Office and security databases.

The fee is £16 per person and the ETA, once granted, is valid for two years or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever is sooner. During this period, travellers can make multiple short visits to the UK, each capped at six months, provided they continue to meet the visitor rules.

Importantly, the ETA does not expand the activities permitted under the visitor route. Holders must still comply with the conditions of the Standard Visitor Visa rules, even though they have not applied for a visa. For example, they cannot work, study long term, or overstay. Failure to comply can result in cancellation of the ETA and refusal of entry on future trips. Border Force retains discretion to refuse entry on arrival if the traveller cannot show that they are a genuine visitor.

Applicants should apply for the ETA well before travel, as airlines and carriers will check for valid approval before allowing boarding. Without an ETA, boarding will be refused. For employers and HR teams, this means overseas visitors from ETA countries must now be advised to secure ETA approval in advance to avoid last-minute disruption to planned visits.

Section F: Summary

The so-called UK tourist visa is formally the Standard Visitor Visa, covering short-term travel for leisure, family visits, short study, and limited business activities. Alongside this, the UK has rolled out the ETA scheme for non-visa nationals, now a mandatory requirement before travel. Both routes are strictly policed and refusals are common where evidence is weak or inconsistent. Applicants must demonstrate the genuine visitor test and comply fully with the visitor rules. For employers and HR teams, understanding the boundaries of visitor permissions — whether under a visa or ETA — is vital to avoid compliance risks and disruption to travel plans.

Section G: FAQs

Is the UK tourist visa the same as the Standard Visitor Visa?

Yes. The “UK tourist visa” is an informal term. The correct category is the Standard Visitor Visa, which covers tourism, leisure, family visits, and short study.

Do I need an ETA or a visa to visit the UK?

It depends on nationality. Visa nationals must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before travelling. Non-visa nationals now require an ETA before travelling to the UK. The ETA is valid for two years and allows multiple short visits, each capped at six months, provided visitor rules are met.

How long can I stay in the UK as a tourist?

Each visit is capped at six months. Even with a long-term visa or an ETA, visitors cannot extend their stay beyond six months in a single trip. Frequent or back-to-back trips can raise suspicions of trying to live in the UK without the correct visa.

Do I need a return ticket for a UK tourist visa or ETA visit?

No, but it is strongly recommended. Border Force often treats lack of onward or return travel evidence as a red flag that the traveller may overstay, whether they are entering with a visa or under an ETA.

Can I work or volunteer on a UK tourist visa or ETA visit?

No. Neither the Standard Visitor Visa nor the ETA permits paid or unpaid work, volunteering, or internships. Only limited business activities such as meetings or conferences are allowed. Attempting to work can result in refusal of entry and future bans.

Can I switch to another visa while in the UK as a visitor?

Generally no. Visitors under a visa or ETA cannot switch into another immigration category from within the UK. To work, study, or stay long term, you must leave the UK and apply for the correct visa from overseas.

Can I mix holiday and business on a UK tourist visa?

Yes, but with limits. You can combine holiday plans with permitted business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or trade fairs. You can also carry out incidental remote work for your overseas employer, such as checking emails or joining calls. What you cannot do is use the visa as a way to live in the UK while working remotely, or to provide services for a UK company. If the balance of your activities looks more like employment than tourism, you risk refusal or being denied entry at the border.

Section H: Glossary

Section I: Additional Resources