How to Apply for a UK Visit Visa
To apply for a UK Visit Visa, first check whether your nationality and travel purpose require a Standard Visitor visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or neither. If you need a visa, apply online before travelling, pay the fee, provide supporting documents and attend a biometrics appointment.
You must explain your temporary visit, how it will be funded and why you will leave afterwards. A large bank balance or an invitation letter alone does not establish eligibility. This guide covers requirements, documents, fees, the application process and what to consider after a refusal.
What is a UK Visit Visa?
The Standard Visitor visa normally allows visits of up to six months for tourism, family visits, business meetings and other permitted activities. It does not give permission to live permanently in the UK.
Tourist Visa, Family Visit Visa and Business Visitor Visa are common descriptions of visit purposes, rather than separate Standard Visitor routes. The evidence should explain your particular purpose.
| Visit purpose | What needs checking |
|---|---|
| Tourism or visiting family and friends | Your plans, accommodation, funding and reasons for leaving. |
| Business meetings or conferences | Whether every planned activity is permitted. |
| Short study | Course length, acceptance and the institution’s accreditation. |
| Private medical treatment | Treatment arrangements, costs, duration and additional requirements. |
Study at an accredited institution can normally cover a course lasting up to six months. The separate Short-term study visa is for English language courses lasting more than six months and up to eleven months.
Some qualifying medical visitors can apply for eleven months, and qualifying academics for twelve months. Additional conditions apply.
Who needs a UK Visit Visa in 2026?
Nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria normally need a visa before travelling for a standard visit. Passport type and specific exceptions can affect the answer.
Visitors from the EU, USA, Canada and Australia generally need an ETA unless exempt. British and Irish citizens, and people with relevant existing UK permission, are among those exempt. An ETA costs £20 and does not guarantee entry.
Use the official visa and ETA checker for your circumstances. The ETA guidance explains travel authorisation separately from the visa application process below.
Eligibility requirements: being a genuine visitor
Under Appendix V: Visitor, you must satisfy the Home Office that you:
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
- Have a genuine purpose permitted under the Visitor route.
- Will not make the UK your main home through frequent or successive visits.
- Have sufficient accessible funds for reasonable costs, including return travel or an onward journey.
- Will not undertake prohibited activities or access public funds.
Your circumstances matter. Employment, studies, family responsibilities and established residence can help explain your plans. Owning property or having a job is not a universal requirement. Explain your actual situation rather than relying on a standard phrase about strong ties.
What can you do during your visit?
Visitors cannot take ordinary employment in the UK. Unpaid work can also be prohibited. Business meetings do not authorise filling a job, providing general services or running a UK business.
Specific exceptions include qualifying permitted paid engagements and other expressly permitted activities. Remote tasks for an overseas employer can be allowed where they are not the primary purpose of your visit. Check the permitted activities Rules against the actual work planned.
If you intend to marry or give notice, check the Marriage Visitor requirements instead of assuming a Standard Visitor visa covers your plans.
How much money do you need?
There is no fixed minimum bank balance for a UK Visit Visa. Your available funds must reasonably cover your planned trip and relevant dependants without working or claiming public funds.
Prepare a realistic budget for travel, accommodation, daily costs and planned activities. Explain who pays each cost and consider your continuing commitments at home.
Bank statements should support your declared income and show where the money comes from. Explain significant deposits with relevant evidence. Temporarily moving money into an account does not explain its source or establish that it is available for your visit.
Can someone in the UK sponsor you?
Yes. A relative, friend or another qualifying third party can provide travel costs, accommodation or financial support. They must have a genuine personal or professional relationship with you, be able and willing to support the intended stay, and must not be in breach of immigration laws at the decision date or your entry.
Sponsor documents should explain the relationship, support offered, available resources and lawful UK status where applicable. An invitation letter can describe the visit dates and accommodation arrangements.
Your sponsor’s finances do not replace evidence about your own circumstances or intention to leave. Keep your application and the sponsor’s account consistent.
Documents you will need
Start with a valid passport or travel document covering your stay. The remaining evidence depends on your circumstances and activities. There is no universal requirement to provide exactly six months of bank statements.
| Evidence | What it helps explain |
|---|---|
| Bank statements and proof of earnings | Accessible funds, income and the origin of money. |
| Employer letter, payslips or business records | Employment, income and ongoing responsibilities. |
| Travel plans and accommodation details | Your purpose, duration, destination and expected costs. |
| Invitation letter and proof of relationship | Who you are visiting and arrangements agreed. |
| Sponsor documents | The support promised and ability to provide it. |
| Previous passports or decision letters | Relevant travel history and earlier immigration decisions. |
Medical treatment and certain other activities require additional evidence. Read the supporting documents guidance.
Do not buy flights merely to strengthen an application. Flight and hotel bookings are generally not useful supporting evidence for an ordinary visit application, although you must explain your travel plans.
Translations and children travelling
Documents outside English or Welsh need a full, independently verifiable translation. Include the translator’s confirmation of accuracy, date, full name, signature and contact details.
Children need suitable travel, reception and care arrangements. Where a child travels without the responsible parent or legal guardian, consent is required. Organise relationship evidence and the accompanying adult’s details where relevant. Each family member applying for a visa needs their own application and fee.
Step-by-step application process
Step 1: Apply online
Start through the government application guidance. You can apply up to three months before travel.
Complete the application form carefully. Check passport details, dates, income, travel history and answers about previous refusals. Explain relevant circumstances honestly, including difficulties in earlier applications.
Step 2: Pay the fee
Choose the appropriate visa duration and pay the fee shown. Keep the submission record and payment confirmation. Government charges are separate from professional fees and optional application centre services.
Step 3: Book a biometrics appointment
Follow the instructions to attend a Visa Application Centre for fingerprints and a photograph. The nearest centre may be in another country, so allow for appointment availability and travel.
Step 4: Upload your documents
Follow your application’s upload or scanning instructions. Check that documents are legible, complete and linked to the points you need to demonstrate. Keep copies of the form and submitted evidence.
Step 5: Wait for a decision
Standard applications usually receive a decision within three weeks after identity verification and documents have been provided. Additional checks can take longer. Respond to requests and follow the decision instructions before travelling.
UK Visit Visa fees in 2026
The following government fees apply from 8 April 2026:
| Visa duration | Application fee | Usual maximum stay |
|---|---|---|
| Six months | £135 | Six months |
| Two years | £506 | Six months per visit |
| Five years | £903 | Six months per visit |
| Ten years | £1,128 | Six months per visit |
An eleven-month medical visa or twelve-month academic visa costs £234, subject to eligibility. Visitor applications do not attract the Immigration Health Surcharge, but healthcare charges can still apply.
Where offered, priority costs an additional £500 and super priority £1,000. Availability and timing depend on the service. Paying extra does not change the eligibility requirements or guarantee approval.
Budget separately for translations, application centre extras, travel and any agreed adviser fees. Check current charges before payment.
Common reasons for Visit Visa refusals
Concerns can include an unclear purpose, unexplained money, inconsistent information, insufficient support or doubts that the applicant will leave. Previous immigration problems and suitability requirements can also affect a decision.
Check whether your documents support what the application says. For example, if you describe regular salary payments but your bank statements show different amounts, explain the difference with evidence. Adding unrelated documents will not resolve that discrepancy.
Tips for a successful application
Be honest and consistent across the form, supporting evidence and invitation letter. Explain changes in income, employment or travel plans. Make your planned stay realistic for your circumstances.
Allow time for documents, translations, appointments and potential delays. Preparing six to eight weeks before travel can be sensible, but it is not a legal deadline or a guarantee of a decision before departure.
Can you extend a Visit Visa?
If granted less than six months, you may qualify to extend to six months in total. Longer extensions are limited to qualifying medical treatment, academic and specified medical graduate circumstances. Apply before your permission expires.
Compassionate circumstances are not a general extension entitlement. Seek appropriate advice if an unexpected problem prevents departure.
Visitors cannot switch inside the UK to Skilled Worker or Student permission under those routes’ ordinary switching rules. Plan the correct overseas application instead.
What if your visa is refused?
Read the refusal notice against the form and evidence submitted. Standard Visitor application refusals normally carry neither an appeal right nor administrative review. A qualifying human rights decision can carry an appeal right, so check the notice.
A fresh application may be appropriate if you can address the reasons with accurate explanations and evidence. Repeating the same application rarely resolves the underlying concern. Obtain suitably authorised advice about challenging a decision or a serious suitability finding.
How AHJ Immigration can help
AHJ offers visitor visa application help, including assessment, evidence guidance and agreed preparation support within its permitted scope.
Tell us your nationality, country of residence, visit purpose, proposed dates, funding arrangements and any previous refusal. You can enquire before your documents are complete.
The free 15-minute consultation provides initial direction and discussion of suitable next steps. It does not include document review. Where paid assessment or preparation is suitable, we explain the work, output, responsibilities and fee before instruction. S
For a review, confirm which documents and questions are included. Preparation or submission is included only where agreed. You provide accurate information and requested records; the Home Office decides the application. Matters outside our permitted scope need an appropriately authorised adviser.
UK Visit Visa FAQs
How long does it take?
Usually three weeks after identity and document steps, although further checks can delay a decision.
Can I visit family in the UK?
Yes, provided you meet the Standard Visitor requirements. Family connections do not guarantee approval.
How much money do I need for a UK Visit Visa?
No fixed amount applies. Show accessible funds covering your reasonable costs, with evidence explaining the source and any sponsor’s contribution.
Can someone in the UK sponsor me?
Yes, where the third-party support requirements are met. Explain their relationship to you, resources and specific support, alongside your own circumstances.
What if my visit visa is refused?
Check the stated reasons before deciding whether to reapply. A new application needs to address the concerns; a stronger-looking bundle alone is insufficient.
Do I need previous overseas travel?
There is no universal requirement for previous travel. Explain your current circumstances and proposed visit clearly.
Can I stay continuously on a ten-year visa?
No. Each visit normally permits up to six months. Frequent visits must not make the UK your main home.
There is no fixed six-month allowance per calendar year; the overall pattern still matters.
What should I send AHJ first?
Send a short account of your plans and any refusal through our contact page, call 0121 828 2224, or email hello@ahjimmigration.co.uk.
