Standard Visitor

have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa or an ETA

All academic visits lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

All visits for medical treatment lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

The rules on what you’ll need to enter the UK may be different if you’re travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation to see your family or friends to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’) for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession, for example to give lectures or perform to take part in a school exchange programme to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course to study, do a placement or take an exam as an academic, senior doctor or dentist for medical reasons

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.

do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event claim public funds (benefits) live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits marry or register a civil partnership

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

You can choose to 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.

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18.

apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK that lasts for up to 12 months and costs £234

you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit you’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you) you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)

where you’ll be staying during your visit how much you think your trip will cost

details of your travel history for the past 10 years

the name and address of anyone paying for your trip

have a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client for a pre-arranged event or other permitted engagement

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

You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and:

You’ll need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements.

If you do not need a visa, you must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK. You may be asked questions at the UK border about your eligibility and the activities you plan to do.

You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.

A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to 6 months.

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 £1,172 fee regardless of your nationality.

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

If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to stay for a further 6 months if you:

There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs £1,172 each time you extend.