Visitor Visa
for temporary travel to the United Kingdom
Review the purpose and length of the trip, permitted activities, funding, accommodation, travel history and the reasons the applicant will leave the UK before preparing a UK Standard Visitor visa application.
Travel dates, planned activities, funding, accommodation and return arrangements should form one consistent account.
Route Overview
How the UK Standard Visitor route works
for genuine temporary visits
The UK Standard Visitor route can cover tourism, visits to family or friends, certain business activities, short study of up to 6 months, permitted paid engagements and other activities allowed by the Visitor Rules.
Depending on nationality, immigration status and individual circumstances, a traveller may need a Standard Visitor visa, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or may be exempt from those advance-permission requirements. The Standard Visitor eligibility requirements still apply.
A Standard Visitor can usually stay for up to 6 months. The application or border account should explain the purpose and duration of the trip, how the visit will be funded, where the applicant will stay, why they will leave at the end of the visit and why frequent or successive visits will not make the UK their main home.
Check whether a visa, ETA or other permission is required
Confirm that every planned activity is permitted as a visitor
Prepare a clear account of funding, accommodation and return plans
The purpose, dates, available funds, accommodation and onward travel should work together.
Route Snapshot
Core areas to establish
These areas provide an initial overview. The detailed requirements and evidence depend on the applicant’s nationality, visit purpose, personal circumstances and travel history.
01
Valid travel document
The applicant must hold a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of the proposed stay.
02
Permitted purpose
The intended activities should fall within the Visitor Rules, such as tourism, visiting family or friends, permitted business, short study or another expressly permitted activity.
03
Funding and arrangements
The applicant must be able to support the visit and pay for the return or onward journey, personally or through permitted third-party support.
04
Temporary intention
The applicant should intend to leave at the end of the visit and not use frequent or successive visits to make the UK their main home.
Important Permission Check
Visitor visa, ETA or another immigration route?
Nationality, travel document, purpose and intended length of stay determine whether the traveller must obtain a Standard Visitor visa, an ETA or another form of permission before travel.
The Standard Visitor route is not appropriate where the main intention is to take employment, undertake longer-term study, marry or form a civil partnership or give notice, or make the United Kingdom the applicant’s main home. A different immigration route may be required.
Standard Visitor visa eligibility depends on the purpose and duration of the trip, the applicant’s funding and personal circumstances, their intention to leave the UK and whether every planned activity is permitted under the Visitor Rules.
01
Identity and travel document
The applicant should provide consistent identity details and a passport or travel document that remains valid for the whole proposed stay.
Review identity, nationality and travel records
02
Purpose and permitted activities
The application should explain why the applicant is visiting and confirm that each planned activity is allowed under the visitor rules.
Match the itinerary to the permitted activities
03
Funding and practical arrangements
The applicant should show that the visit, living costs and return or onward journey can be funded without working in the UK or accessing public funds. Genuine third-party support can be relied on where the relationship and available support are properly evidenced.
Explain funds, sponsorship and accommodation
04
Intention to leave and travel pattern
Employment, study, family responsibilities, financial circumstances and previous travel may help explain why the applicant will leave at the end of the visit and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.
Review personal circumstances and previous visits
Main Requirements
UK Standard Visitor visa requirements
to consider together
The application should present a complete and credible account of a temporary visit.
The precise evidence will depend on the purpose of the trip, who is paying, the applicant’s circumstances and any previous immigration or travel history.
01
Purpose and permitted activities
The reason for travel should be specific, credible and consistent with activities permitted under the Visitor Rules. Visitors cannot generally take employment or work as a self-employed person unless the activity is expressly permitted.
Review
Tourism, family visit, business, short study or another permitted purpose
02
Temporary intention and travel pattern
The applicant should intend to leave at the end of the visit and should not use frequent or successive visits to make the UK their main home.
Review
Length of stay, previous visits and reasons to return
03
Funding and journey costs
The applicant must be able to support the trip and pay for the return or onward journey, using personal funds or genuine third-party support. The available funds should be credible when compared with the planned trip costs and the applicant’s wider financial circumstances.
Review
Income, savings, sponsor support and realistic trip costs
04
Accommodation and personal circumstances
The proposed place of stay, itinerary and the applicant’s employment, study, family or other commitments should be explained where relevant.
Review
Where the applicant will stay and their position outside the UK
Additional requirements can apply to particular visits
Applicants under 18 and people visiting for study, medical treatment, academic activities, permitted paid engagements or other specific purposes may need to address additional eligibility and evidence requirements.
Supporting Evidence
UK Visitor visa supporting evidence
for one credible temporary visit
Documents should confirm the applicant’s identity, explain the purpose and arrangements for the trip, and support the funding and personal circumstances relied on in the application.
Check consistency before submission
Names, dates, addresses and financial information
should agree across the evidence.
Evidence Groups
Organise documents by purpose
The documents required depend on the applicant and the intended visit. Review the current GOV.UK visitor supporting-document guidance before deciding what evidence to submit.
01
Identity and travel history
Confirm the applicant’s identity, nationality and relevant immigration or travel history.
Current passport or valid travel document
Previous passports or relevant travel records where available
Details of earlier UK applications, refusals or immigration decisions
02
Purpose, itinerary and invitations
Explain what the applicant plans to do, when the trip will take place and who they intend to visit or meet.
Proposed travel dates and a realistic itinerary
Invitation or event information where relevant
Evidence connected to permitted business, study or other planned activities
03
Funding and third-party support
Show how travel, accommodation, daily expenses and the return or onward journey will be paid.
Bank, income or savings evidence relevant to the applicant
Evidence from a person funding the visit where applicable
Information explaining the relationship with any financial supporter
04
Personal circumstances and accommodation
Explain the applicant’s position outside the UK and where they will stay during the visit.
Employment, study, business, family or other commitments where relevant
Accommodation details and the person providing it, if applicable
Evidence that helps explain the intention to leave after the visit
Review translations and document quality
Evidence should be complete and readable. Where possible, digital images should be taken from original documents rather than copies. Any document not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office.
Application Process
UK Visitor visa application process
from permission check to travel
A structured process helps confirm the required permission and keeps the purpose, application form, supporting evidence and travel arrangements consistent.
Check whether a Standard Visitor visa or ETA is required
Check the applicant’s nationality, travel document, visit purpose and intended duration to determine whether a Standard Visitor visa, ETA or another route is required.
02
Visit Planning
Define the purpose, dates and practical arrangements
Prepare a realistic itinerary and review the planned activities, trip costs, accommodation, funding and return or onward travel arrangements.
03
Online Application
Complete and submit the visa application where required
A Standard Visitor visa application must be made online from outside the UK and can normally be submitted from 3 months before the intended travel date. Use information that agrees with the passport, travel history, purpose, finances and supporting documents.
04
Identity Stage
Provide documents and complete identity checks
Follow the instructions issued after submission, including uploading supporting evidence and attending a visa application centre appointment where required.
05
Decision and Travel
Review the outcome and carry supporting information
Keep the application record and review the visa conditions. Travel plans should remain consistent, and relevant information may be requested at the UK border.
Follow the instructions issued for the individual application
Document-upload arrangements, identity checks and entry requirements can depend on nationality, location and how permission to travel is obtained.
Common Questions
Visitor visa
frequently asked questions
These answers provide a general introduction. The correct position will depend on nationality, the purpose of travel, personal circumstances, funding and immigration history.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a short summary of the proposed travel dates, visit purpose, funding, accommodation, travel history and any previous UK immigration decisions.
That depends on nationality, immigration status, travel document and individual circumstances. A traveller may need a Standard Visitor visa, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or may be exempt from those advance-permission requirements. In every case, the relevant Visitor Rules still apply. Check the current UK entry-permission requirement on GOV.UK.
A Standard Visitor can usually stay for up to 6 months. Long-term Standard Visitor visas can be issued for 2, 5 or 10 years for people who visit regularly, but each individual stay is normally limited to a maximum of 6 months. Longer individual stays are available only in limited circumstances. Review the current Standard Visitor rules.
Visitors cannot generally take employment with a UK company or work as a self-employed person. Only activities expressly permitted by the Visitor Rules may be undertaken, including specified business activities and permitted paid engagements where the relevant conditions are met. Review permitted business activities on GOV.UK.
Third-party support may be relied on where it is genuine and the person can and will provide the stated support. Evidence should explain what support is being provided, how it will be provided, the relationship with the applicant and whether the supporter can meet their own commitments as well as the promised visit costs.
A previous refusal or immigration issue should be disclosed and reviewed carefully. A later application should address the reasons previously given and explain any change in evidence or circumstances.
No. A long-term visa can allow repeated visits while it remains valid, but each visit must remain temporary. It must not be used through frequent or successive stays to make the United Kingdom the applicant’s main home.
Review Your Circumstances
Prepare your visitor visa application with
a clearer understanding of the temporary route
Provide a brief summary of the travel purpose, planned activities, nationality and permission requirements, funding, accommodation, personal circumstances, travel history and intended application process when sending your enquiry.
