UK Visit Visa Requirements

Section A: UK Visit Visa Overview

The UK visit visa, formally known as the Standard Visitor Visa, is a temporary immigration route allowing short-term stays in the UK. It is generally issued for visits of up to six months at a time, although longer validity visas of two, five, or ten years can be granted to frequent travellers. Importantly, each visit under a long-validity visa is still capped at six months. The visa carries strict restrictions on what holders can and cannot do and compliance with these conditions is actively enforced at the border and throughout the stay.

1. What is the UK Visit Visa?

The Standard Visitor Visa permits non-UK nationals to enter for a defined set of activities. Permitted purposes include tourism, visiting friends or family, attending business meetings or conferences, short courses of study of up to six months, private medical treatment and certain approved paid engagements. The visa is temporary and does not create any route to settlement or longer-term residency. Where an individual intends to study English in the UK for up to 11 months, they must apply under the separate Short-term Study Visa route rather than relying on the Standard Visitor Visa.

2. Who Needs a UK Visit Visa?

Not all travellers require a visa before travelling to the UK. Nationals of countries listed as “visa nationals” under Appendix V must secure a visa in advance, regardless of the purpose or length of stay. Nationals from non-visa national countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and most European countries, do not need to apply before travel for short visits. They will, however, still be assessed at the border against the visitor rules and may be questioned on their finances, accommodation and reasons for visiting. Those applying for long-validity visit visas, even if normally non-visa nationals, will usually need to make an application in advance and enrol biometrics. Carriers are under a duty to check passengers’ permission and individuals without the right entry clearance will be refused boarding.

3. Permitted and Prohibited Activities

Visitor conditions set out in the Immigration Rules are tightly defined. Permitted activities include:

• Tourism and leisure, such as holidays or visiting family and friends
• Business meetings, conferences, negotiations and signing contracts
• Short courses of study of up to six months at accredited institutions
• Private medical treatment, with proof of arrangements and ability to pay
• Certain permitted paid engagements, such as lecturing or examining, provided professional standing and event evidence are shown

Prohibited activities include:

• Undertaking employment or paid work, outside of narrow permitted engagements
• Studying on courses longer than six months, unless holding a Short-term Study Visa
• Accessing public funds, benefits, or state healthcare outside emergency treatment
• Using successive or frequent visits to effectively live in the UK
• Marrying or forming a civil partnership without holding a Marriage Visitor Visa
• Switching into another visa category from inside the UK

These conditions are policed by both border officials and compliance checks within the UK. Breaches can result in refusal of entry, cancellation of the visa, curtailment of leave and in some cases future entry bans.

Section B: UK Visit Visa Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate to the Home Office that they are genuine visitors who will comply with the conditions of stay. The requirements are set out in Appendix V: Visitor of the Immigration Rules. Caseworkers assess each application carefully, weighing up credibility, personal and economic circumstances and the strength of documentary evidence. Weak or inconsistent evidence can lead directly to refusal.

1. The Genuine Visitor Requirement

The central test is whether the applicant is a genuine visitor. This means they must prove they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit, will not attempt to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits and will not breach restrictions on work or study. They must also show they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and to pay for their return or onward journey. The Home Office applies the “balance of probabilities” standard, examining factors such as previous travel history, family and employment ties to the home country and the realism of the applicant’s plans. A history of overstaying, inconsistent statements, or unexplained sources of income can all lead to a refusal on this basis.

2. Financial Requirements

Visitors must prove that they can fund their trip without working in the UK or accessing public funds. The Home Office expects recent bank statements, payslips, or evidence of business or self-employment income. The exact level of funds required is not fixed, but they must be enough to cover accommodation, food and travel. The source of funds must also be credible and consistent with the applicant’s overall financial situation. Sudden deposits before applying are heavily scrutinised and may be taken as evidence of artificially inflated finances. Where a third party, such as a family member or business contact, is covering costs, their financial evidence and proof of relationship will be required. Decision-makers will also cross-check stated income against spending patterns and the affordability of the trip.

3. Accommodation and Care Arrangements

Applicants must explain where they will stay during the visit. This can be through hotel bookings, property ownership documents, or a letter of invitation from a UK-based host. Where staying with friends or family, the host’s tenancy agreement or title deeds should be provided to show the property can accommodate additional occupants without overcrowding. If children are applying, the Home Office requires written parental consent and evidence that suitable care arrangements are in place for the duration of the stay. For under-18s, the host may also be asked to confirm they accept responsibility for the child while in the UK.

4. Additional Eligibility Rules for Specific Visit Types

Certain categories of visitors must meet extra requirements beyond the standard rules:

• Business visitors must evidence the purpose of their meetings or events and show that they are consistent with their professional role.
• Students taking short-term study must provide proof of enrolment with an accredited institution and details of the course. If studying English for up to 11 months, they must instead apply under the Short-term Study Visa route.
• Medical visitors must provide medical documentation confirming arrangements for private treatment and evidence of the ability to pay for the course of care.
• Permitted Paid Engagements require evidence of professional standing in the relevant field and details of the event or engagement they will participate in. Since April 2024, this is part of the Standard Visitor route, but the evidential burden remains high.

Section C: Required Documents

Supporting evidence is the foundation of a successful visit visa application. The Home Office relies heavily on documents to assess whether the requirements of Appendix V: Visitor are met. Refusals often result from incomplete, inconsistent, or weak evidence, making it vital for applicants to prepare carefully. All documents must be accurate, up to date and consistent with the information given in the online application form.

1. Identity Documents

The core requirement is a valid passport or travel document. It must have at least one blank page for the visa vignette and remain valid for the duration of the stay. Applicants may also be asked to provide expired passports so the Home Office can assess previous travel history and immigration compliance. Biometrics (fingerprints and a digital photograph) must be enrolled at a visa application centre unless the applicant is eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. For long-validity visas, even some non-visa nationals must attend a biometric appointment. Children must also attend to provide biometrics, although under-5s only give a photo.

2. Financial Evidence

Applicants must show they can fund their trip without working or accessing public funds. Typical evidence includes recent bank statements covering at least three to six months, payslips, tax returns, or audited business accounts. Where a sponsor is covering costs, their financial records, proof of immigration status and a letter of support should be provided. The Home Office cross-checks bank balances with spending and income patterns and unexplained deposits or sudden large transfers are treated with suspicion. Evidence must be consistent with the claimed source of funds and the cost of the trip.

3. Evidence of the Purpose of the Visit

The applicant must prove why they are travelling. The evidence required depends on the purpose of the trip:

• Tourists should provide hotel bookings, flight confirmations and a basic itinerary showing intended travel plans.
• Family visitors should provide an invitation letter from their UK host, along with the host’s proof of status and accommodation documents.
• Business visitors should submit conference passes, meeting agendas, or letters from UK business contacts.
• Short-term students should provide confirmation of enrolment, details of the course and evidence of payment or sponsorship of tuition fees.
• Medical visitors should provide hospital or clinic letters confirming arrangements and treatment plans, together with evidence of ability to pay.
• Permitted Paid Engagements require letters from the UK organisation detailing the engagement and confirming the applicant’s professional standing.

Where invitation letters are used, they must include the host’s full name, UK address, immigration status and relationship to the visitor. Hosts should also demonstrate they can lawfully accommodate the visitor without overcrowding their property.

4. Translations and Legalisation

Any document not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation. The translation should confirm accuracy, include the translator’s name, credentials and contact details and be signed and dated. Certain official documents, such as foreign birth or marriage certificates, may also require legalisation or notarisation to be accepted by the Home Office. Failing to provide certified translations is a common and avoidable reason for refusal.

Section D: Application Process

Applying for a UK visit visa involves several stages, each of which must be completed accurately. The process is managed online through the official GOV.UK portal, followed by the submission of biometrics and supporting documents. The Home Office will then make its decision based on the evidence provided. Errors, omissions, or weak supporting evidence are the most common reasons for delays and refusals.

1. How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online. Applicants need to create an account on GOV.UK, complete the application form with personal and travel details and pay the relevant fee. Supporting documents are either uploaded online or submitted at a visa application centre. A biometric appointment must then be booked to provide fingerprints and a digital photo, unless the applicant is eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. The app is currently limited to certain nationalities and types of applications, but its use is expanding and can avoid the need for a visa centre appointment. In some cases, applicants may also be asked to attend an interview, particularly if their credibility or circumstances require further examination.

2. Visa Fees and Processing Times

The application fee for a Standard Visitor Visa is £127 for stays of up to six months. Longer validity visas cost £475 for two years, £848 for five years and £1,059 for ten years, but each visit under these visas remains capped at six months. Fees are payable in local currency at the exchange rate applied by the visa application system at the time of payment. Processing times vary depending on where the application is made, but most decisions are issued within three weeks. Priority and super priority services are available in some countries, offering decisions within five working days or even the next working day, though these services are not guaranteed and availability depends on local visa centre capacity.

3. Refusals and Reapplications

Refusals are common and usually occur where the Home Office is not satisfied that the applicant is a genuine visitor or that their finances are credible. A refusal notice will explain the reasons. There is usually no right of appeal for visitor visa refusals, but in limited cases where a caseworking error has occurred, an administrative review may be available. Judicial review remains the only route to challenge a refusal on public law grounds, but this is costly and limited to errors in the decision-making process, not a reconsideration of the facts. Most applicants who are refused will need to make a fresh application with stronger evidence addressing the reasons given in the refusal notice.

4. Extending or Switching Visas

The visitor visa route is not intended for long-term stays or to transition into other immigration categories. Extensions are only available in narrow circumstances, such as medical treatment (up to 11 months) or academic visitors (up to 12 months). Visitors cannot usually switch to another visa route from inside the UK. Anyone wishing to study long-term, work, or join family in the UK must leave the country and make a fresh application under the relevant category from abroad. The Home Office monitors repeat applications closely and evidence suggesting that a person is trying to live in the UK via successive visits will almost certainly lead to refusal.

Section E: Summary

The UK visit visa, formally known as the Standard Visitor Visa, is designed for short-term stays and carries strict eligibility rules. While it allows entry for a range of purposes such as tourism, family visits, short study, business meetings, medical treatment, or permitted paid engagements, it does not provide a pathway to residence or work. Applicants must prove they are genuine visitors, able to fund their stay and intending to leave the UK at the end of their trip. The Home Office scrutinises applications closely and weak, inconsistent, or incomplete evidence is one of the main reasons for refusal.

Preparing a successful application requires more than filling in the form. Careful attention must be given to supporting documents, proof of finances, travel history and evidence of the purpose of the visit. Misunderstanding the restrictions can have serious consequences, including refusal of entry at the border, cancellation of leave, or longer-term impacts on future immigration applications. For organisations and hosts, providing clear and accurate supporting evidence is equally important, as their credibility may be questioned if documents are incomplete or inconsistent.

Ultimately, the visit visa offers flexibility for genuine short stays, but its restrictions are enforced firmly. With strong preparation and realistic expectations, applicants can use the route to visit the UK lawfully and avoid the significant risks that come with poorly prepared or overstretched applications.

Section F: Glossary

Section G: Additional Resources and Links