UK Standard Visitor Visa: Requirements, Documents, Fees and Application Steps

The UK Standard Visitor route covers tourism, visiting family or friends, certain business activities, short study and other permitted purposes. Many visitors can stay for up to six months, but the document needed before travel depends on nationality: a Standard Visitor visa, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or neither.

Quick answer: First use the official UK checker to learn whether you need a visa or ETA. If a visa is required, apply online no earlier than three months before travel and attend a visa application centre appointment.

Who needs a UK Standard Visitor visa?

Visa nationals must obtain a Standard Visitor visa before travelling. Some non-visa nationals need an ETA, while others may travel without a visa or ETA but must still satisfy the visitor rules at the border. Your country of residence does not replace the rule attached to the passport you use.

A previous immigration refusal, criminal record or complex travel purpose may require additional care. The official checker gives the starting route, but it does not assess your full personal eligibility.

What can a Standard Visitor do?

• take a holiday or visit family and friends;
• attend certain meetings, conferences or interviews;
• take a qualifying short course or sit an exam;
• transit through the UK where the visitor route is appropriate;
• receive private medical treatment under the relevant conditions; and
• carry out other activities specifically permitted by the visitor rules.

The route does not generally allow ordinary paid or unpaid work for a UK company, self-employment, access to public funds or using repeated visits to make the UK your main home. Marriage or civil-partnership plans may require a different visa.

Eligibility the applicant must show

You should be able to demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor, will leave at the end of the trip, can support yourself and any dependants, and can pay for the return or onward journey. Your evidence should also show that your planned activities are permitted.

There is no universal bank-balance figure for every visitor. The funds should be credible for your trip length, accommodation, dependants and normal financial circumstances. If another person is sponsoring the trip, explain the relationship, what they will pay and whether they can afford it.

UK visitor visa fees and timing

Visa type	Current application fee	Maximum stay per visit
Standard Visitor	£135	Usually up to 6 months
2-year long-term visitor	£506	Up to 6 months per visit
5-year long-term visitor	£903	Up to 6 months per visit
10-year long-term visitor	£1,128	Up to 6 months per visit

Fees can change, so confirm them on GOV.UK before payment. A long-term visa does not permit a continuous multi-year stay and can be issued for a shorter period than requested.

Documents to prepare

• a passport or travel document valid for the entire stay;
• travel dates, intended address and estimated trip cost;
• employment, self-employment, study or retirement evidence;
• bank statements and evidence explaining the source of funds;
• sponsor evidence where another person is paying;
• family or host details and an invitation when relevant;
• evidence supporting business, study, medical or other permitted activities;
• travel history and previous immigration details requested by the form; and
• certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.

GOV.UK warns that hotel and flight bookings are not, by themselves, strong evidence of eligibility. Avoid non-refundable travel arrangements before a decision unless you accept the financial risk.

Application process

1. Check whether you need a visa, ETA or neither.
2. Confirm that every planned activity is permitted.
3. Complete the online application accurately.
4. Pay the fee and book a visa application centre appointment.
5. Upload or submit the requested supporting documents.
6. Provide biometrics and attend any required interview.
7. Check the decision and visa details before travel.

How to avoid an inconsistent application

The form, cover explanation and evidence should tell the same story. Travel dates should match leave approval, accommodation and funds. Declared income should make sense alongside the bank statements. A sponsor’s offer does not remove the need to establish that you are a genuine visitor who will leave.

Never hide a refusal or use altered bank statements. If a document contains an unusual transaction, a factual explanation and supporting evidence are safer than leaving the decision-maker to guess.

At the UK border

A visa or ETA allows travel but does not guarantee admission. Border Force can ask about your purpose, accommodation, funds, return plans and permitted activities. Keep key evidence accessible and answer consistently with the application.

For comparison with other popular destinations, see our Schengen tourist visa guide and U.S. B-1/B-2 visitor visa guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can a visitor stay for six months on every trip?

Six months is a common maximum, not an entitlement in every case. Frequent or successive visits that appear to make the UK your main home can cause problems.

Can I work remotely while visiting?

The visitor rules distinguish permitted incidental activity from coming to the UK mainly to work. Check the current permitted-activities guidance for your exact circumstances.

Does an invitation letter guarantee approval?

No. It can support the purpose and accommodation arrangements, but the decision considers the entire application.

Official sources

• GOV.UK — Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
• GOV.UK — Apply for a Standard Visitor visa
• GOV.UK — Check if you need a UK visa
• GOV.UK — Guide to supporting documents

GlobalVisora is independent and is not affiliated with UK Visas and Immigration, a visa application centre or the UK government. This is general information, not legal advice or a guarantee of entry.