United Kingdom/Standard Visitor Visa

UK Standard Visitor Visa Requirements

Complete guide to UK Standard Visitor Visa requirements for tourism, family visits, and business trips up to 6 months.

Processing: 3 weeks for standard processing (expedited options available)

Fee: £115

Updated: Jan 2026

Overview

The UK Standard Visitor Visa is the most common visa for tourists, family visitors, and business travelers. It allows stays of up to 6 months and can be used for various purposes including tourism, visiting family, attending business meetings or conferences, and receiving private medical treatment.

This visa does NOT permit work or study longer than 30 days. If you're planning to work or study in the UK, you'll need a different visa category.

Eligibility Requirements

Valid passport for the duration of your stay
Genuine intention to visit for permitted purpose
Sufficient funds to support yourself without working
Accommodation arranged for your stay
Able to pay for return journey
Will leave UK at end of visit
Strong ties to home country

Required Documents

Valid Passport

Required

Must be valid for your entire stay in the UK

Should have at least one blank page

Passport Photo

Required

Recent passport-sized photograph

Flight Itinerary

Required

Evidence of travel arrangements to and from UK

Use our Flight Itinerary Generator

Accommodation Proof

Required

Hotel bookings or invitation letter from host

Use our Hotel Booking or Sponsor Letter Generator

Financial Evidence

Required

Bank statements showing sufficient funds (last 6 months)

Show regular income and stable balance

Employment Evidence

Required

Employment letter, payslips, or business documents

Cover Letter

Optional

Letter explaining purpose and plans for visit

Highly recommended - use our Cover Letter Generator

Invitation Letter (if applicable)

Optional

If visiting family/friends, letter from UK host

Use our Sponsor Letter Generator

Previous Travel History

Optional

Old passports showing travel history

Helps demonstrate you return to home country

Application Steps

Complete Online Application

Fill out the visa application form on gov.uk

Pay Visa Fee

Pay the visa application fee online

Book Biometrics Appointment

Schedule appointment at a visa application center

Attend Appointment

Submit documents and provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo)

Wait for Decision

Track application status online

Receive Passport

Collect passport with visa or receive by courier

Visa Fees

Type	Amount	Note
Standard Visitor Visa (6 months)	£115	-
Long-term (2 years)	£432	-
Long-term (5 years)	£771	-
Long-term (10 years)	£963	-
Priority Service	£250	Decision within 5 working days
Super Priority Service	£956	Decision by next working day

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in the UK with a Standard Visitor Visa?

You can stay for up to 6 months on each visit. However, you should not live in the UK through frequent or successive visits. Immigration officers may question your intentions if you spend more time in the UK than your home country.

Can I extend my UK visitor visa?

Generally, you cannot extend a Standard Visitor Visa. You must leave the UK before your visa expires. Extensions are only possible in exceptional circumstances.

Do I need confirmed flight tickets for UK visa?

You need to show evidence of your travel plans, but confirmed tickets are not mandatory. A flight itinerary or reservation is typically sufficient. Use our Flight Itinerary Generator to create this document.

How much money do I need to show for UK visa?

There is no fixed amount, but you should demonstrate sufficient funds to cover accommodation, living costs, and return travel. Generally, £100-150 per day plus accommodation costs is a good guideline.

Can I work or study on a UK visitor visa?

You cannot work on a visitor visa. You can study for up to 30 days as an additional activity (not the main purpose of your visit) at an accredited institution.

Generate Your Documents

Create all required documents for your Standard Visitor Visa application

Flight Itinerary Generator Hotel Booking Generator Visa Cover Letter Generator

View all tools

Processing Time

3 weeks for standard processing (expedited options available)

Standard processing

Important

Requirements may change. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or consulate website before applying.

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