UK Standard Visit Visa

The Standard Visitor visa permits you to visit the UK for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and the following permitted activities:-

You can:

  • Travel to the UK for a holiday or vacation to visit friends and family
  • Perform voluntary work for up to 30 days with a registered charity
  • Transit to another country via the UK
  • Attend certain business activities for up to 6 months such as:
  1. Attending conferences, meetings, trainings, seminars, and interviews
  2. Negotiating and signing deals and contracts
  3. Attending trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell things)
  4. Receive work related training if you are employed overseas and the training is not available in your country of residence
  5. Present a one off or short series of talks provided it is not for profit or commercially driven (you must not be paid)
  6. Conduct site visits and inspections 
  7. Supervising the delivery of good and services by a UK company to your overseas company
  8. Deliver training or share knowledge on in-house initiatives with UK employees of the company you work for overseas
  9. Install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on equipment, computer software and hardware if your company abroad has a contract with a UK company
  • Take part in a school exchange programme 
  • Undertake a recreational course for up to 30 days (for example, a dance course)
  • Study, do a placement or take an exam for up to 6 months (for example, English language courses at an accredited institution, do an ‘elective’ – an optional additional placement in medicine, nursing, dentistry etc, take exams such as Objective Structured Clinical Examination [OSCE], Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board [PLAB] for qualified foreign doctors and nurses, and Bar Transfer Test [BTT] and Qualifying Law Transfer Scheme [QLTS] for qualified foreign lawyers aspiring to become a barrister or solicitor
  • As an academic, a senior doctor or dentist take unpaid non-permanent clinical position for either 6 or 12 months subject to meeting the requirements
  • Enter the UK for private medical treatment at a private hospital or at an NHS hospital provided the treatment is paid for either personally or under healthcare agreement, or an arrangement to make an organ donation to a family member or friend if there is a match.

 You cannot:

  • Work (paid or unpaid) for a UK company or as a self employed person
  • Claim benefits (public funds)
  • Live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits
  • Give notice of marriage or civil partnership or marry or register a civil partnership – you will have to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if your intention is purely to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK.

 

Key Contact:

Steph Revelle

Director

Steph Revelle

Hi everyone, and welcome. I’m the Founder and Director of Your Immigration Solutions. Whether you’re an individual or a corporate company, I’m here to help you with your entire visa application process.

Connect with Steph Revelle

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Requirements of Applying for a UK Standard Visit visa to the UK? Cross Icon

To apply for a UK Standard Visit visa, you need to demonstrate the following:-

  • Your reasons for visiting the UK, which vary depending on your circumstances such as for tourism or business purposes or visiting friends and family
  • Your full intention of leaving the UK after this time, which should not be longer than 6 months
  • You have sufficient money to support and accommodate yourself and any dependents without relying on public funds
  • You have the funds to pay for your return and onward journey 
  • If you are visiting for business purposes, you must ensure that you are only overseeing permitted business activities
  • If you are applying for long-term UK Standard Visitor visa, you will have to provide reasons for your successive visits to the UK for permitted business activities

What Documents do I Need to Provide to Obtain a UK Standard Visitor visa? Cross Icon

The most common reason for UK Visit Visa refusal is failure to provide correct documentation and consistent information on the application. Here at YI Solutions, we can support you in gathering the required documents which include (the list is not exhaustive):

  • A valid passport or travel document 
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself such as bank statements and an estimate of the cost of your visit
  • Evidence of your purpose of visit
  • Evidence that you will leave the UK at the end of the planned visit

How much do I have to pay for a UK Standard Visit visa? Cross Icon

Below are the current application fees for UK Standard Visit visa and these fees are subject to change. 

  • Standard Visitor visa – £115 for stay up to 6 months or less
  • Standard Visitor visa (visiting academic) – £200 for stay more than 6 months but less than 12 months
  • Standard Visitor visa (medical treatment) – £200 for stay more than 6 months but less than 11 months
  • Standard Visitor visa (up to 2 years) – £400
  • Standard Visitor visa (up to 5 years) – £771

Standard Visitor visa (up to 10 years) – £963

Can I extend my UK Standard Visit visa? Cross Icon

This is only possible if there are compelling and compassionate grounds for which you are unable to travel back to your home country before the expiry of your Visitor Visa. 

Can I appeal a UK Visit Visa? Cross Icon

Every immigration case is different and so there are various options when it comes to appealing a Visit Visa. The options are outlined below:

 

  • Re-apply for your visa with a fresh application. This will allow you to remedy any errors such as failure to submit the correct documentation. There is an extra cost for a new application.
  • Submit a request for an appeal. This is only possible on human rights grounds where the judge makes factual findings and decision about the case and may allow for submission of new evidence. 
  • Judicial review. A lengthy expensive process and no new evidence can be submitted.