Standard Visitor Visa
Tourism, business, short study (up to 6 months) or medical treatment.
Sourced from GOV.UK · Updated April 2026For short stays up to 6 months. From 2024–2025 the ETA scheme was rolled out globally for visa-exempt nationals — check whether you need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) instead.
Who can apply
- Genuine intention to leave at the end of your visit
- Adequate funds for travel, accommodation and living costs without working
- Not making the UK your main home through frequent or long visits
- No paid employment, public funds, or marriage/civil partnership intent
- Not enrolling on a course longer than 6 months
How to apply
- Check if you need a visaVisa-exempt nationals may only need an ETA (£20) — applied for online in minutes.
- Plan your tripConfirm dates, purpose, accommodation, and return travel.
- Gather evidenceAssemble financial, employment and ties-to-home documents.
- Apply onlineSubmit up to 3 months before travel on GOV.UK.
- Biometrics & travelAttend a Visa Application Centre; travel once the decision is issued.
Documents you’ll need
- Valid passport
- Bank statements for the last 6 months
- Travel itinerary and confirmed accommodation bookings
- Invitation letter from UK host (family, friends, business) if applicable
- Proof of employment or study ties to home country (payslips, enrolment letter)
- Return flight booking
Good to know
Sub-routes
Standard Visitor (6 months)
£135 · single visit up to 6 months
ViewElectronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
£20 · visa-free nationals · multiple visits
ViewLong-term Visitor — 2 years
£475 · multiple visits over 2 years
ViewLong-term Visitor — 5 years
£848 · multiple visits over 5 years
ViewLong-term Visitor — 10 years
£1,059 · multiple visits over 10 years
ViewMarriage Visitor visa
£135 · marry in UK, then leave
ViewCommon questions
Frequently asked questions
Standard Visit visas allow up to 6 months per visit. Long-term Visit visas (2, 5 or 10 years) allow multiple visits of up to 6 months each within the validity period, but no more than 6 months in any 12-month period as a general rule.
No. You cannot take employment, do paid or unpaid work for a UK business, or run a business in the UK on a Visit visa. You can attend meetings, conferences, training, interviews and short-term business activities under permitted activity rules.
Nationals of the EU/EEA, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Gulf states and many other non-visa countries need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — a £10 digital pre-authorisation valid 2 years. Visa nationals (India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, etc.) still need a full Visit visa (£127, 3-week processing).
The most common reasons are: insufficient ties to home country (the Home Office doubts you'll leave), inconsistent or insufficient bank statements, weak sponsor documents, thin travel history, and not addressing a previous refusal. Refusal letters cite the specific Immigration Rules paragraph — see our guide on visit visa refusals.
Standard Visitor visas cannot be extended beyond 6 months from inside the UK in most cases. Exceptions: medical treatment extensions, academic visitor extensions, and certain compassionate grounds. Most applicants must leave and reapply.
Written & verified by
UKDesk Editorial — Editor & Researcher
Reads gov.uk, HMRC and ONS source pages, verifies every figure, and writes the plain-English explainers on UKDesk.