Standard Visitor Visa (Short & Long Term)

What is a UK visitor visa?

A UK visitor visa (Standard Visitor) may allow you to enter the UK for a temporary stay for permitted purposes. It is not a work or settlement route. Fees, permitted activities, and entry conditions are set in the Immigration Rules and may change.

Who may qualify

Applicants who can show they are genuine visitors, will leave at the end of their stay, can fund the trip without working, and will only carry out activities allowed under Appendix Visitor may qualify. Assessment is case-specific.

Short-term vs long-term visit visas

You may apply for leave covering a single stay of up to six months, or for a long-term multiple-entry visa (often 2, 5, or 10 years). Each entry is still normally limited to six months unless the Rules say otherwise.

Genuine visitor and home ties

Decision makers look at employment, family, property, travel history, and the purpose of the trip. Weak or inconsistent evidence of reason to return home is a frequent concern.

Funds and bank statements

There is no single fixed balance published for every case. You should show enough money for travel, accommodation, and living costs for the planned stay. Statement periods and source of funds should be clear and consistent with your story.

Invitation letters and itineraries

If visiting family or attending meetings, an invitation letter, accommodation details, and a realistic itinerary help. Letters alone rarely fix weak finances or unclear ties.

How to apply

Most applicants apply online from outside the UK, pay the fee, upload documents, and give biometrics. Exact steps depend on your nationality and local visa centre.

Costs & processing time

Home Office fees for visitor visas and any priority services change over time. Confirm the current total before submitting. Standard processing is often a few weeks; times vary by post.

Common reasons applications are refused

• Insufficient or unclear funds for the trip

• Weak evidence of ties to the home country

• Purpose of visit that looks like work or settlement

• Inconsistent travel history or unexplained refusals

• Incomplete or poorly organised supporting documents

Related guidance: Standard Visitor Visa, Medical Treatment Visit, Marriage Visit, Sports / Creative / Religious Visit, Parent of Child at School, Settlement & ILR, and British Citizenship.