UK Visitor Visa Application
Types of Visitor Visas
- Tourist Visa
- Purpose: Travel for holidays, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family.
- Duration: Usually valid for 6 months per visit.
- Multiple Entries: Often allows multiple entries during the visa validity.
- Key Condition: No work or long-term study allowed.
- Business Visitor Visa
- Purpose : For attending meetings, conferences, training, or short-term
business activities. - Permitted Activities :
- Attend meetings or interviews
- Give one-off talks or speeches
- Negotiate or sign deals
- Conduct site visits
-
Not Allowed : Paid or unpaid work, long-term employment, or selling
goods/services directly to the public.
- Purpose : For attending meetings, conferences, training, or short-term
- Other Categories (Under Standard Visitor Visa)
- Medical treatment
- Short-term study (up to 6 months)
- Academic visitors (up to 12 months, in some cases)
Basic Requirements
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of intent to return to your home country
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during the visit
- Purpose of visit must be clear and supported by documents (e.g., invitation letter, hotel
booking) - Proof of employment or ties to home country (optional but recommended)
Visa Duration & Validity
- Standard Visitor Visa: Up to 6 months
- Long-term Visitor Visa: Valid for 2, 5, or 10 years, but each visit still limited to 6 months
- For frequent travelers (e.g., businesspeople, family visitors)
Fees (as of 2024, subject to change)
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) | 115 |
| Long-Term Visitor Visa (2 years) | 400 |
| Long-Term Visitor Visa (5 years) | 771 |
| Long-Term Visitor Visa (10 years) | 963 |
What You Can’t Do on a UK Visitor Visa
- Work (paid or unpaid)
- Live in the UK for long periods via frequent visits
- Claim public funds (benefits)
- Marry or register a civil partnership
Application Process
- Apply online via the official UK government website: www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
- Pay the visa fee
- Book a biometric appointment at a local visa application center
- Submit documents (passport, photos, financial documents, invitation letters, etc.)
- Wait for decision – usually within 3 weeks, though processing times can vary
Common Supporting Documents
- Passport (valid for the entire stay)
- Bank statements (3–6 months)
- Employment letter or business ownership proof
- Invitation letter (if visiting family/friends)
- Hotel bookings or travel itinerary
- Proof of ties to home country (property, job, family, etc.)
Who Should Apply?
- Tourists
- Business travelers
- Family visitors
- Short-term students
- Medical visitors