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Uk Standard Visitor Visa

Overview

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.
You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

What you need to do
  1. Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor
  2. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
  3. Check if you need to apply for a visa to visit the UK. 
  4.  Apply for a Standard Visitor visa online – if you need one.
 
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:
  • do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
  • claim public funds (benefits)
  • live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
  • marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil
    partnership – you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You must be able to show that:

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

You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK:

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.

Depending on your nationality, you’ll either:
  • have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK
  • be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa.

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do the following business activities:

attend interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars
negotiate and sign deals and contracts
attend trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell things)
get work-related training if you’re employed overseas and the training is not available in your home country
give a one-off or short series of talks as long as they’re not for profit or a commercial event (you must not be paid)
carry out site visits and inspections
oversee the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to your overseas company or organisation
deliver training or share knowledge on internal projects with UK employees of the company you work for overseas
install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on equipment, computer software and hardware, if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company or organisation.

You can do certain additional activities in the UK as a Standard Visitor, if you’re employed overseas as:

  • an archaeologist
  • an artist, entertainer or musician
  • a bodyguard
  • a camera operator
  • a driver
  • an internal auditor
  • a journalist or correspondent
  • a lawyer or expert witness
  • a market researcher or analyst
  • a personal assistant
  • a professor from an overseas academic institution
  • a religious worker
  • a scientist or researcher
  • a seafarer (someone whose normal place of work is on board a ship)
  • a sports person or sports official
  • a tour group courier
  • a translator or interpreter
  • a member of a film crew, including actors, producers, directors or technicians
  • a member of the production team supporting an artist, entertainer or musician
  • a member of technical staff supporting an artist, entertainer, musician or sports person.

You cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person as a visitor. You’ll need to apply for a work visa.
If you’re being paid by a UK organisation as an expert in your profession, you may get permission to visit the UK for a Permitted Paid Engagement.

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

  • study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses)
  • do a short piece of research that’s relevant to your course overseas
  • do an ‘elective’ – an optional additional placement, if you’re studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery or dentistry
  • sit an entrance exam, retake an exam or course module, or do a PhD oral exam (a viva)
  • do an unpaid clinical attachment if you’re a graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school
  • take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) test or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test.

To study or research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your course or research.

You must prove that:

you’ve been accepted onto a course provided by anaccredited UK institution
the course is no more than 6 months long (unless it’s a distance learning course)

The accredited UK institution cannot be an academy or state-funded school.

If you’re doing a distance learning course, your course can last longer than 6 months. This is because most of your study will happen outside of the UK.
You can visit the UK to do certain activities as part of your course, for example:

attend induction weeks
do face-to-face intensive learning
have progress checks
sit exams or assessments

You’ll need to apply for either a:

You must prove that:

  • you’re at least 16 years old
  • you’re already enrolled on a course overseas that is the equivalent of a UK degree
  • you’ve been accepted by a UK higher education institution to take part in research that’s relevant to the course you’re studying overseas

You can visit for up to 6 months to do your research.
Documents you must provide, You’ll need to provide confirmation from your overseas course provider that the research or research tuition is part of, or relevant to, the course you’re doing overseas.

You must prove that you’re:

  • at least 16 years old
  • already enrolled on a course overseas that is the equivalent of a UK degree – the course must be in medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery or dentistry

You can visit for up to 6 months to do your elective.
Documents you must provide
Your UK higher education provider will need to give written confirmation that you will not be treating patients or being paid for the elective.

If you’re an overseas graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school you can do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post for up to 6 months.

If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you will need to pass the PLAB test and apply to stay in the UK.

You must not treat patients.
Documents you must provide
You must provide written confirmation:

  • of your clinical attachment or dental observer post offer
  • that you’ve not done a clinical attachment or dental observer post in the UK before.

You can visit for up to 6 months to take the OSCE or PLAB test.
If you do not pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK for a further 6 months to retake the test.
If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post. You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.

Documents you must provide
You must provide a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirming your OSCE test registration.
You’ll need a letter from the General Medical Council confirming your PLABtest registration.

  1. You’ll usually have to advertise any job you offer to someone with a Religious Worker visa, unless it’s a non-essential position or involves living within a religious order (such as a monk or nun).

    You must keep records of when you do not have to advertise the job. You need to prove that there is not a suitable person to take the role, who does not require sponsorship.

    There are rules you must follow about how to advertise jobs for religious workers.

  1. Creative jobs done by someone on a Creative Worker visa include:

    • ballet dancers and other dancers
    • film and TV performers
    • theatre and opera performers
    • film and TV workers
    • models

    For creative jobs, you must make sure that either:

    If the job is not on the shortage occupation list, and there is no code of practice, you need to check that the job cannot be done by a worker who does not need sponsoring.

    If you are sponsoring a creative worker under 16

    You may need to get a child performance licence if the worker is taking part in:

    • films, plays, concerts or other public performances that the audience pays to see, or that take place on licensed premises
    • paid modelling assignments

    You must make sure that the person running the event applies at least 21 days before the event.

For sporting jobs that will be done by someone on the International Sportsperson visa, you must get an endorsement letter from the relevant governing body.

You can only sponsor a foreign worker under 18 on:

  • an International Sportsperson visa – they must be 16 or over
  • a Creative Worker visa – there’s no minimum age
  • a Government Authorised Exchange visa – there’s no minimum age

You cannot sponsor a foreign worker under 18 on any other visa.

Read more about your responsibilities if you sponsor a worker under 18.

You can only sponsor a foreign worker under 18 on:

  • an International Sportsperson visa – they must be 16 or over
  • a Creative Worker visa – there’s no minimum age
  • a Government Authorised Exchange visa – there’s no minimum age

You cannot sponsor a foreign worker under 18 on any other visa.

Read more about your responsibilities if you sponsor a worker under 18.

If you’re from an academic institution overseas, you can:

  • take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
  • carry out your own research during a sabbatical

If you’re a senior doctor or dentist you can also:

  • take part in research
  • teach (as long as it’s not a permanent teaching post)
  • undertake clinical practice (as long as it’s not a permanent position)

To research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your research.

You should:

You must prove you’re:

  • highly qualified in your field of expertise – this will usually mean you have a PhD or higher
  • currently working in that field of expertise at an academic institution overseas
  • not filling a permanent teaching post

If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.
If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.

You need to show you meet the eligibility requirements, for example by providing a letter from:

  • your employer outlining the dates of your sabbatical or exchange
  • your employer outlining the research to be undertaken
  • the UK host organisation confirming the arrangements for your research, exchange or clinical practice

Depending on where you come from, you may need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

  • have private medical treatment at a hospital or other medical facility
  • have treatment at an NHS hospital, as long as the care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement
  • donate an organ to a family member or close friend – this includes being assessed for suitability as a donor match

You should:

You must prove that you:

  • have a medical condition that needs private consultation or treatment in the UK
  • have made arrangements for consultations or treatment
  • have enough money or funding to pay for your treatment
  • will leave the UK once your treatment is completed, or when your visa expires
  • are not a danger to public health if you have an infectious disease, such as leprosy

You can visit the UK for treatment at an NHS hospital. Your treatment must be paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.
Documents you must provide
You must provide an authorisation form, issued by the government of your country, saying they will pay for your treatment.

  • a family member who you’re genetically related to (for example your sibling or parent)
  • someone you have a close personal relationship with (for example your partner or friend)

You must prove that the person you’re donating an organ to is legally allowed to be in the UK.

  • You’ll need a letter from the lead nurse of the transplant team, a General Medical Council registered specialist or a registered NHS consultant that confirms:

    • you’re a donor match to the recipient, or you’re being tested to see if you’re a potential donor
    • the recipient is genetically related to you, or in a close personal relationship with you
    • when and where the transplant or tests will take place

    The letter should be dated no more than 3 months before you intend to arrive in the UK.
    If the recipient is not legally resident in the UK, you must provide their name, nationality and date of birth in your application.
    The recipient should check if they need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa and that they meet the eligibility requirements for medical treatment.

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

    • you’ve made suitable arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK
    • you have written consent from your parent or guardian to travel to the UK (if travelling alone)
    • you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey
    • you have enough money to support yourself without working or getting help from public funds, or you have family and friends that can support you

  • You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone over the age of 18).
    Your parent or guardian will need to provide their:

    • written consent for you to travel to the UK
    • full contact details

    They’ll also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:

    • the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with
    • an address where you will be living
    • details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you
    • their written consent for you to stay with that person while you’re in the UK

  • Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if you’re both of the following:

    • under 16 (or under 18 if you have a disability)
    • going to be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called ‘private foster care’)

    You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.
    The same rules apply to education exchange visits that last for more than 28 days, unless:

    • you’re part of a group that is travelling and staying together, for example a school group
    • you’re accompanied by an adult, for example a teacher

    There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Read the guidance for more information.

  • You’ll need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements. If you do not need a visa to travel, you’ll need to prove this at the border.
    If you do have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, you’ll need to identify the adult travelling with you in your visa application.
    If the person you’re travelling with is not your parent, you’ll need to provide specific information about them in your application.
    You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application. Their names will appear on your visa. The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.
    If you arrive in the UK without the person named in your visa, you’ll need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements.

  • You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

     

    Fee

    Maximum length of stay

    Standard Visitor visa

    £100

    6 months

    Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons

    £200

    11 months

    Standard Visitor visa for academics

    £200

    12 months

    2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa

    £376

    6 months per visit

    5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa

    £670

    6 months per visit

    10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa

    £837

    6 months per visit

  • Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
    If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.
    You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.
    Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

  • You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in your passport for your Standard Visitor visa.

    You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:

    • the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
    • where you’ll be staying during your visit
    • how much you think your trip will cost
    • your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
    • your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
    • how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
    • details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

    Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

    • details of your travel history for the past 10 years
    • your employer’s address and telephone number
    • your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
    • the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
    • the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
    • a certificate proving that you’ve had atuberculosis (TB) test if you’re visiting for more than 6 months

    You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:

    You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

  • As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.
    At your appointment, you’ll need to:

    • prove your identity with your passport or travel document
    • have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken
    • provide the required documents that show you’re eligible for a Standard Visitor visa

    The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

  • If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, contact UKVI.
    You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.

  • 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 £1000 fee regardless of your nationality.
    You need to apply while you’re still in the UK and before your current visa or permission expires.

  • It costs:

    • £1000 to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor
    • an extra £800 if you use the super priority service

    You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

  • You may be able to extend your stay as long as the total time you spend in the UK is no more than 6 months. You must meet the eligibility requirements and pay the £1000 fee.

    For example, if you have been in the UK for 3 months, you can apply to extend your stay for 3 more months. This applies if you needed a visa to visit the UK and also if you did not need one.

  • 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 £1000 each time you extend.

  • You must get a medical practitioner or NHS consultant who’s registered in the UK to provide details of your medical condition that needs further treatment.
    If you’re having treatment at an NHS hospital under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, you will need to provide another authorisation form from your country’s government saying they will pay for your treatment.

  • If you’re already in the UK and have permission to visit for less than 12 months, you can apply to stay for up to 12 months in total.
    Your partner and children can apply to stay for up to 12 months too. They must have their own application and each pay the £1000 fee.
    You must prove you:

    • are highly qualified in your field of expertise, for example you have a PhD or higher
    • were working in that field of expertise at an academic institution overseas prior to your arrival in the UK
    • are not filling a permanent teaching post

    If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.

    If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.

    Before you extend your stay, check if you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. You may need one if you’re researching certain subjects at postgraduate level or above.

  • If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to extend your stay for up to 6 months to retake the PLAB test.
    You must provide written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you’re retaking the test.

  • If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay longer to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post.
    You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.
    You must provide written confirmation:

    • of your clinical attachment offer
    • that you’ve not done a clinical attachment in the UK before

    You must not treat patients.

  • If you use the standard service, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing your supporting documents and proving your identity.
    If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

    • by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday
    • 2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

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