UK Visitor Visa

The UK’s visa policy grants citizens of the EU and over 60 other countries the ability to enter the UK visa-free for up to six months. However, all non-UK citizens must apply for a visa if they intend to stay longer.

For example, if you are a US citizen, you can visit the UK without a visa for up to six months. But if you plan to work, study or move to the UK, you need to apply for the appropriate visa regime.

What is a tourist visa?

The Standard Visitor Visa replaced several types of visitor visas and merged them into one.

It allows its holders to come to the UK for a short period of time. The reasons for traveling to the UK are of huge importance in this visa category.

An individual can only enter the UK on a tourist visa for a deemed permissible reason. Such reasons include:

• To take part in business-related activities or sporting/artistic activities
• To take part in recreational activities such as tourism or visiting friends and family
• To receive private medical treatment
• Transforming the civil union into marriage

What documents will I need to apply successfully?

To apply for this form of residence permit, you must be able to provide a series of documents to the Ministry of the Interior.

You will need to provide a valid passport or other permitted travel identification document when applying. You will need a blank page inside your passport for the visa. It is essential that the passport provided is valid for the duration of your stay in the UK. For documents that are not in English or Welsh, you will need to provide a certified translation. This is the bare minimum you will need to apply. The exact documentation required will depend on your specific circumstances. However, you will also need to provide:

• The dates of your planned trip to the UK and details of where you will be staying during your time in the country
• The estimated cost of the trip
• Your current home address and the time you have spent there
• Personal information such as your parents’ names and dates of birth
• Contact information of people you will visit in the UK
• Prove that you have a genuine relationship with those you visit
• Details of any previous criminal convictions
• Evidence that you intend to leave the UK before or after the allotted time has finished. This can take the form of proof of undertaking educational commitments in your home country or proof that you have a family.
• Proof that you are able to support yourself financially for the duration of your trip. This can take the form of recent pay stubs and bank statements.

How long will it take for my request to be processed?

You can apply for this visa at the earliest 3 months before your trip to the UK.

You should receive a decision on your application within three weeks.

• Expedited processing is available in some visa application centers, which aims to process your application within 5 working days.
• However, there is a premium fee for this service.

How long will I be able to stay in the UK?

You will normally be able to stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months. There are some circumstances where you may stay longer:

• If you are traveling to the UK for private medical treatment, you can stay for up to 11 months
• If you are an academic traveling to the UK for research purposes, you and your partner could stay for up to 12 months

In both of these circumstances, there is an increased fee (£200). Furthermore, in these circumstances you will need to apply for a biometric residence permit.

How much does it cost to get a standard tourist visa?

As it stands, a UK tourist visa costs £100.

This is the price for a standard six-month version.

As mentioned above, it is possible to apply for a long-term visitor visa, however the associated costs are higher.

Prices for long-term visitor visas are as follows:

• £376 for a 2 year stay
• £670 for a 5 year stay
• £837 for a 10 year stay

Which visa types have been replaced by the standard tourist visa?

As mentioned above, different types of visitor visas have now been consolidated into the standard visitor visa. These are:

• Family
• Child
• Business (including visas for academics and medical professionals)
• General
• Sports
• Entertainer
• Potential entrepreneur
• Private medical treatment
• Approved Destination Status (ADS)

Will I be eligible?

There are a number of requirements that must be met to demonstrate eligibility.

• You must demonstrate that you intend to leave the UK on or before the expiry date of your visa.
• You must demonstrate that you are able to financially support yourself (and any dependents you intend to bring with you) during your stay in the UK.
• You must demonstrate that you are able to pay for your onward travel once your stay in the UK ends.
• You must have evidence of the businesses or other activities you intend to participate in during your stay in the UK.

It is extremely important that you understand what activities are permitted under the terms of your visa. Engaging in prohibited activities will violate these terms.

Will I be able to request an extension?

The only circumstance in which you can request an extension is if the visa was initially granted for less than six months. In this case it is possible to request an extension for the full six months. In all other circumstances, it will not be possible to request an extension in the country.

Six months is the maximum length of time a tourist visa allows you to stay in the UK. While it is possible to obtain tourist visas lasting up to ten years, if your circumstances are such that you need to make repeat visits, any single visit must not exceed the maximum limit of six months.

Will I be able to request an extension?

The only circumstance in which you can request an extension is if the visa was initially granted for less than six months. In this case it is possible to request an extension for the full six months. In all other circumstances, it will not be possible to request an extension in the country.

Six months is the maximum length of time a tourist visa allows you to stay in the UK. While it is possible to obtain tourist visas lasting up to ten years, if your circumstances are such that you need to make repeat visits, any single visit must not exceed the maximum limit of six months.