Table Of Contents
- What is a UK visitor visa
- Things to know before applying for a UK visitor visa
- Eligibility requirements
- What are the documents required for a UK visitor visa
- When can you apply
- What is the visa fee
- Conclusion
As the name suggests, a UK visitor visa is for foreign nationals who want to visit the UK. The purpose of their visit could be tourism, meeting family and friends, medical treatment, short-term business activities, etc. A visitor visa is valid for up to 6 months. In certain situations, it can be extended as well. For example, you can apply for up to 11 months of stay in the UK if you are going to receive medical treatment in the UK.
You should prepare well before to avoid possible visa refusal. Hence, we will discuss things you need to know before applying for a visitor visa.
What is a UK visitor visa?
A UK visit visa, or standard visitor visa, is a visa route to visit the UK. This is a short-term visa valid for a maximum of up to 6 months. The visa allows you to visit the UK for short-term purposes such as tourism, visiting family and friends, doing short-term courses, volunteering, receiving medical treatment, and other permitted activities, etc. You must leave the UK at the end of your visit.
Things to know before applying for a UK visitor visa
Before you apply for a UK visitor visa, you should know whether you require this visa to enter the UK.
Who needs a UK visitor visa?
If you are a visa national you need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UK. Non- visa nationals may need an ETA instead of a visa to enter the UK.
Check the eligibility
Before you apply for a UK visitor visa, you must check the eligibility requirements for it.
Purpose of your visit
Check whether the purpose of your visit to the UK is allowed on a visitor visa. Here is the list of activities that you can do in the UK on a standard visitor visa:
- Travel, for example, on a holiday or vacation.
- Visit your family or friends.
- Undertake volunteering for no longer than 30 days with a registered charity.
- Go to the other country through the UK (‘in transit’)
- Do certain business activities, such as attending a trade fair or a seminar.
- Participate in certain permitted paid engagement activities as an expert in your profession, such as performing as an artist or taking part in sports tournaments as a professional sportsperson.
- Participate in a school exchange program.
- A recreational course such as a dance course of up to 30 days
- To study, do placement, or take exams.
- Receive medical treatment
- Research activities such as carrying out private research, collaborating in research, attending a conference or seminar, etc.
- Give your service as a senior doctor or dentist.
What you cannot do on this visa
You cannot do the following on a standard visitor visa route:
- Any paid or unpaid job
- Access public funds (e.g., benefits)
- Make frequent or successive visits to the UK to live in the UK for long periods of time.
- Marry or enter into a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership.
Eligibility requirements
Before you apply for a visitor visa for UK, you must know the eligibility requirements fully well.
Your purpose of visit must be genuine – You cannot enter the UK through a visitor visa for a purpose other than the one you applied for.
Your intention to leave the UK – You must show your intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
Financial requirement – You must be able to support yourself and dependents (if any) financially during your stay in the UK. Someone else can fund your stay in the UK also.
Pay for the return or onward journey – You must be able to pay the cost of your onward or return journey from the UK at the end of your visit. Someone else can also pay for your onward or return journey.
You will not make the UK your home – You cannot make frequent or successive visits to the UK on a visitor visa. If you do this, the Home Office may believe that you want to make the UK your main home, which is not permissible for this visa.
Strong ties to your home country – You must show that you have strong personal and economic ties to your home country. For Example: You have a business in your home country that cannot be run without you, or you have family obligations there.
You may have to meet other eligibility requirements if you want to visit the UK for the following purposes.
- To study, do placement, or take an exam.
- Receive medical treatment
- Research activities such as carrying out private research, collaborating in research, attending conferences or seminars, etc.
- Participate in certain permitted paid engagement activities.
- Give your service as a senior doctor or dentist.
What are the documents required for a UK visitor visa?
Before you apply for a standard visitor visa, you must know and gather the necessary documents. You will require these documents when you apply for a visitor visa. The list of the documents is below, which includes but is not limited to the following:
- Your current passport (valid for the duration of your stay in the UK) with a blank page in it
- Evidence such as bank statements or payslips from the last 6 months to prove you can support yourself and dependents (if any) during your stay in the UK
- Accommodation details in the UK, such as hotel booking or an invitation letter from a friend/family if you will stay at their place.
- Your travel itinerary to show your travel dates to and from the UK.
- Evidence such as employment, property ownership, or family responsibilities to prove strong personal and economic ties to your home country
- A breakdown of the estimated cost of your visit
- Your personal details, such as home address, phone number, etc.
- Details of any criminal, civil, or immigration offenses
- Your previous visas for other countries
- Your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
- The details of family members you have in the UK
You may have to gather additional documents depending on the purpose of your visit to the UK. You should always check the official website of the UK government or consult with a solicitor or immigration lawyer for guidance.
When can you apply?
You can apply not more than 3 months before you plan to travel to the UK.
What is the UK Visitor visa fee?
The fee required to be paid for a UK visitor visa is the following:
£115 – If you are applying for a visitor visa for a maximum length of stay of 6 months
£200 – If you are applying for medical reasons
£200 – If you are applying for academic reasons
Conclusion
Applying for a visitor visa can be a long and complicated process. If you know how to go about applying for it beforehand, it may be an easy process for you.
Before you apply for a UK visitor visa, you should evaluate your eligibility and make a plan of action for a successful visa application.
If you cannot handle it on your own, you should always take professional advice from a solicitor or a UK immigration expert lawyer.
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