UK Visitor Visa – Key Takeaways

• The UK visitor visa usually allows a stay of up to six months on each visit.
• You can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor Visa valid for 2, 5, or 10 years if you visit frequently; each visit still lasts up to six months.
• Standard Visitor visas permit tourism, short business activity, attending conferences, and some medical and academic visits.
• Typical UK visa fees start at £127 for a short stay visit visa for up to six months. Fees vary for long-term visas and by country.
• Transit travellers should check UK transit visa requirements, as some nationalities must apply for a transit visa instead of or as well as a standard visitor visa. Some nationalities require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) unless exempt. A Standard Visitor visa is used for landside transit if leaving the airport.

Official guidance should always be checked before applying, as rules and fees can change.

What Is The UK Standard Visitor Visa, And Who Is It For?

A Standard Visitor Visa UK is the main route for short stays in the UK for holidays, visiting family or friends, business meetings, short study of up to six months, or private medical treatment. You are not permitted to make the UK your main home on this visa. If you plan repeated travel, there is an option to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa, which lasts two, five, or ten years, but still restricts each visit to six months.

This visa is for people who are travelling to the UK temporarily. If you want to work, study long-term, or settle, you will need a different visa.

Standard Visitor Visa Category: Types of UK Visit Visas

The Standard Visitor visa umbrella covers several short stay categories, including:

• Tourist and family visits (the usual Standard Visitor)
• Business visits, such as attending conferences, meetings, or short assignments
• Marriage visitor visa for those coming to marry or register a civil partnership
• Private medical treatment visitors for care in the UK for up to 11 months
• Transit visas for certain travellers passing through the UK on their way to another country

Check the correct category before you apply to ensure you meet the UK visit visa requirements for your purpose.

UK Visit Visa Requirements and Eligibility

Here is a step-by-step overview of how to apply for a Dependent  visa in the UK:

To be granted a UK visitor visa, you must show:

• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• You can support yourself and any dependents during the trip, or you have funds or sponsorship to cover costs.
• You can pay for your return or onward travel.
• You can prove the purpose of your visit, for example, with invitation letters, travel itinerary, or conference booking.
• You do not intend to work or claim public funds while in the UK unless the visitor rules permit that activity.

Decisions are based on an overall assessment of your circumstances and the evidence you provide.

What Documentation Do I Need To Prove My Eligibility For a UK Visitor Visa?

While documents vary by individual circumstances, the common checklist includes:

• Valid passport or travel document.
• Completed online application confirmation and reference.
• Evidence of funds, such as recent bank statements or pay slips.
• Travel itinerary and proof of accommodation bookings.
• Letter of invitation from family or conference organiser, if relevant.
• Proof of ties to your home country to show you will return, such as an employment letter, property deeds, or school enrolment.
• A tuberculosis test certificate is required for your country & only if you are travelling to the UK through specific routes that allow an extended stay for more than the standard 6 months.
• For transit, documents showing your onward ticket and entry rights for your final destination.
• Any translation of documents not in English or Welsh.

Providing a clear and organised document pack improves your chances and reduces delays in the UK visitor visa process.

How to Apply for a Standard Visitor Visa UK?

1. Check whether you need a visa to enter the UK.
2. Complete the online UK tourist visa application on the official GOV.UK portal.
3. Pay the UK visa fees and, where applicable, immigration health surcharge for longer routes.
4. Book and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
5. Submit your supporting documents as requested. Some applicants upload documents online; others bring originals to the appointment.
6. Wait for a decision based on the submitted evidence.

Apply well in advance of your travel date. Processing times vary by country and season.

Official GOV.UK apply page: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa. (GOV.UK)

How Long Does a UK Visitor Visa Take to Process?

Processing times depend on where you apply from:

• If the application has been made from outside of the UK, you usually receive an answer within three weeks, barring exceptional cases in the case of some nationalities or local centers you have applied from. (GOV.UK)
• If applying from inside the UK, processing can take up to eight weeks. (GOV.UK)

Always check local visa centre guidance and plan for potential delays during peak travel seasons.

How Much Does A UK Visitor Visa Cost?

As of July 2025, the typical UK visa fees published by the Home Office show:

• Standard visit visa up to 6 months: £127.
• Long-term visit visas: 2 years £475; 5 years £848; 10 years £1,059.
• Transit visas and specific visitor categories have distinct fees that vary by country and local exchange rates. (GOV.UK)

Use the Home Office fees tool for the exact amount in local currency before you pay. (GOV.UK)

Can I Visit the UK If I’m Under 18?

Yes. Under-18s can apply for the UK visit visa. If a child is travelling alone or with someone who is not their parent, additional consent and guardianship documentation is often required. Long-term visitor visas have restrictions when issued to applicants who are under 18 at the time of application.

Reasons for UK Visitor Visa Rejection

Common reasons for refusal include:

• Lack of clear evidence, you will return home.
• Insufficient funds or unclear source of funds.
• Incomplete or missing documentation.
• An incorrect visa category was chosen for your purpose.
• Previous immigration or criminal concerns.

Refusal letters explain the reason and whether you can apply again or ask for an administrative review.

Appealing UK Visitor Visa refusal

Appealing a refusal visa is not available in general. In some specific cases, you may be able to request an administrative review if you believe the decision has been erroneous, or you can submit a fresh application that addresses the previous reasons of approval. Immigration professionals can advise you in deciding the best route. GOV.UK guidance clarifies options after refusal.

How to Avoid Visitor Visa Refusals?

• Provide honest, full, and well-organised documentation.
• Demonstrate clear ties to your home country.
• Choose the correct visa type and be prepared to explain your trip purpose.
• Check whether a tuberculosis test is required and submit the certificate when needed.
• Apply in good time and follow the guidance on financial and accommodation evidence.

Can I Extend My Visitor Visa in the UK?

Extensions are limited and only given in exceptional circumstances, such as unexpected serious illness. In general, a visitor cannot extend beyond the maximum permitted time, and if you need to stay longer and have compelling reasons to do so, you need to speak to the Home Office or get professional advice before your current visa expires to make sure you don’t breach the visa conditions. The processing time inside the UK is up to eight weeks, so consider that while you’re applying. (GOV.UK)

Can I Switch My Visitor Visa to Other Visas in the UK?

Most visitors cannot switch into work, student, or family visas from within the UK. You will usually need to return to your home country and apply from there for a different visa category, unless a specific exception applies.

How Can WESolutions Help With a UK Visitor Visa Application?

WESolutions supports visitors and clients at every stage of the UK visitor visa process. Our services include:

• Eligibility checks and guidance on the correct visitor visa type.
• Document review and application completion.
• Help to prepare clear evidence for ties to your home country and financial capacity.
• Booking and guidance for biometric appointments.
• Advice about transit visas and the UK transit visa requirements if you are passing through.
• Practical support if you receive a refusal and need to reapply.

We provide step-by-step help so your UK tourist visa application is as robust as possible.

Benefits of Choosing WESolutions For Your Visitor Visa Application

• Specialist UK visa experience with up-to-date rule knowledge.
• Practical, human guidance rather than generic checklists.
• Help to reduce common errors that lead to refusals and delays.
• End-to-end support so you can focus on travel plans while we take care of the paperwork.