How to apply for a UK visitor visa?

Citizens from some countries need to apply for a travel visa to visit the United Kingdom. A visa is an authorised travel document that gives a foreign national the right to enter or stay in a foreign country. The United Kingdom issues different types of visas, depending on the motives of travelling. To travel to the UK for holidays, you need a visitor visa.  

A UK standard visitor visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months. A holder of a standard visitor visa might be able to apply for a longer stay in some circumstances like medical treatment. You can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. 

Who Needs a Standard Visitor Visa? 

As previously stated, citizens from some countries need a valid visa before visiting the UK while others are exempt from visas. Exempted countries include citizens from the European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, and others.  

With a standard visitor visa, you can visit for the following reasons: 

• for tourism, 
• to see your family and friends, 
• to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity 
• to pass through the UK to another country
• for certain business activities
• to take part in a school exchange programme
• to study (short course)
• as an academic
• for medical reasons. 

A standard visitor visa does not allow you to: 

• Do pay or unpaid work for a UK company or as self-employed.
• Claim public funds.
• Live in the UK for long periods through frequent or successive visits
• Marry or register a civil partnership. 

What are the requirements to apply for a standard visitor visa? 

The UK has a point-based immigration system. Every requirement fulfilled is point attributed. In other words, each visa requirement has its points and there are several points an applicant should gather to get a visa. The applicant for a UK visitor visa must have: 

• A valid Passport or travel document to enter the country. 
• The applicant must leave the UK at the end of their visit (the applicant must prove that he/she will leave the UK at the end of their stay)
• The applicant must prove that he/she has sufficient funding to support himself/herself during the visit. Without sufficient funding, your application will be declined. Bank statements from the past 3 to 6 months can help demonstrate this point.
• The applicant must be able to pay for his/her return journey (return ticket)
• The applicant must show that he/she will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits. 

The Standard Visitor Visa is £105 for up to 6 months. The visa applicant should note that there is an immigration health surcharge cost to consider when applying.  

Application for a Standard Visitor visa must be made online, and the applicant must attend an appointment at a visa application centre. The earliest to apply is 3 months before your travel. 

Documents to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa 

As previously stated, the applicant must have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in the passport for a Standard Visitor visa. 

The applicant needs to provide the following information in their online application: 

• The dates you’re planning to travel to the UK.
• Where they will be staying during your visit
• How much do they think their trip will cost?
• Current home address and how long you’ve lived there.
• Parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
• How much the applicant earns in a year (if you have an income)
• Details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed. 

Depending on their circumstances, applicants might also need to provide: 

• Details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• Employer’s address and telephone number
• Partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
• The name and address of anyone paying for their trip.
• The name, address, and passport number of any family members you have in the UK. 

A certificate proving that you’ve had a tuberculosis (TB) test if you’re visiting for more than 6 months. 

Once you’ve applied online, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.

You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you’re:

• a patient receiving medical treatment
• an academic and you still meet the eligibility requirements
• a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment

You must apply to extend your stay and pay the £1,000 fee regardless of your nationality.

You need to apply while you’re still in the UK and before your current visa or permission expires.

Fees

It costs:

• £1,000 to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor
• an extra £1,000 if you use the super priority service