The standard visitor visa lets you come to the UK for a variety of purposes. Each category has its own specific requirements and permits different activities during your stay. Below are some of the common routes under which you can visit the UK:
Here we will focus on the most common Visitor Visa which is for Tourism, Leisure or Visit Family.
The Tourism, Leisure, and Family Visit Visa is designed for individuals planning a short stay in the UK to visit friends or family, or to enjoy a brief holiday.
This visa falls under the Standard Visitor category, which allows people to visit the UK temporarily for up to six months.
It is important to note that this visa does not provide a path to indefinite leave to remain and each visitor must submit their own application, even if traveling as part of a group.
To qualify for a visit visa for Tourism, Leisure, or meet with Family, you must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
The specific requirements may vary based on your individual circumstances. For expert guidance, it’s advisable to consult an immigration lawyer.
A visa national is someone who, due to their nationality, must obtain a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK as a visitor. Generally, visa nationals are required to apply for a Visit Visa in advance.
Non-visa nationals usually do not need a visa and can apply for entry as visitors when they arrive in the UK. However, non-visa nationals must still meet the requirements for entry, which means they should be prepared to explain the purpose of their visit, how they will support themselves and arrange accommodation, and their plans for returning home.
EU citizens are considered non-visa nationals and can enter the UK as visitors without needing a Visit Visa in advance.
To qualify for a Visitor Visa for tourism, leisure or to visit family, you must convince UK Visas & Immigration that your purpose for entering the UK is genuine and falls within the permitted activities under the visitor routes, and that you will not engage in any prohibited activities.
Holders of a Tourism, Leisure, or Family Visit Visa may undertake the following activities:
Since this visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, holders may also engage in other activities allowed under the broader Standard Visitor categories. This includes permitted paid engagements, as long as the paid work is arranged prior to traveling to the UK and completed within 30 days of arrival.
When applying for a Visit Visa, you must demonstrate to the Home Office that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. Additionally, you must show that you will not make the UK your main home or live there for extended periods through frequent or consecutive visits.
In reviewing your application, the Home Office will consider various factors, including:
The Home Office may question your intentions if you have limited family or economic ties to your home country but several family members in the UK. They will also take into account whether there have been previous attempts to mislead the Home Office in immigration applications, or if there are inconsistencies in your application.
You must have enough funds to cover all reasonable expenses related to your visit, such as travel, accommodation, and living costs, without working or relying on public funds.
These funds must be held in an approved financial institution as approved by the UKVI.
If a third party is covering your travel, maintenance, and accommodation expenses, they must have a genuine personal or professional relationship with you. Furthermore you must not be in breach of immigration laws, and must be able to support you throughout your stay as a visitor.
There is no English requirement for the visitor visa.
The current Home Office fee for a Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £127.
For longer-term visas, the fees are as follows:
We can provide expert immigration advice for you to apply for a Visit Visa. Contact our expert UK immigration lawyers today on 0330 113 1316 or complete our enquiry form. We're here to guide you every step of the way.