UK Visitor Visa: Standard Visitor Application Guide
Complete guide to applying for a UK Standard Visitor visa. Covers the online application, biometrics appointment, required documents, processing times, and the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Citizens of EU/EEA countries, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and about 50 other countries can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. Some visa-exempt nationals now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing 10 GBP. Check gov.uk/check-uk-visa for your nationality.
Use the gov.uk visa checker tool with your nationality
Check if you need an ETA instead of a visa
Understand what a Standard Visitor visa covers
The Standard Visitor visa allows tourism, visiting family, attending business meetings or conferences, and receiving private medical treatment. It does not allow working, studying courses longer than 30 days, or getting married (these require different visas).
Confirm your visit purpose qualifies under Standard Visitor rules
Apply for a different visa type if visiting for work or long-term study
Check your passport validity
The UK does not have a strict minimum passport validity rule, but your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. In practice, apply with at least 6 months remaining to avoid issues at the border or with airlines.
Review current processing times
Standard processing takes 3 weeks (15 working days) for most countries. Priority service (5 working days) costs 500 GBP extra. Super priority (next working day) costs 1,000 GBP extra and is only available at select visa application centers. During summer (June-August), processing can take 6+ weeks.
Complete the Online Application
Create an account on gov.uk
All UK visa applications start online at gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply. You need an email address to create an account. The application can be saved and resumed — your progress is stored for 30 days.
Go to gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply
Create an account with your email address
Fill in personal details
Full name exactly as shown on passport
Date of birth, nationality, and country of residence
Current address and contact details
Details of any dependents
Fill in travel and accommodation details
Specify your planned arrival date, departure date, and where you will stay. If visiting multiple locations, list the primary address. Having confirmed accommodation details (even refundable bookings) strengthens the application.
Enter planned UK arrival and departure dates
Provide UK accommodation address
Specify cost of trip and who is paying
Declare travel history and immigration details
List all countries visited in the last 10 years. Declare any previous visa refusals, deportations, or criminal convictions from any country. Failing to disclose these can result in a 10-year ban from the UK for deception.
List countries visited in the last 10 years
Declare previous UK visa applications and their outcomes
Declare any criminal convictions or immigration violations
Fill in employment and financial details
Current occupation, employer name, and annual income
Monthly savings and total available funds for the trip
Gather Supporting Documents
Prepare financial evidence
The UK does not set a minimum fund requirement, but you need to demonstrate you can cover all costs of your trip without working. Bank statements from the last 6 months showing regular income and a healthy balance are the standard. Highlight your salary credits.
Bank statements from the last 6 months
Payslips from the last 3 months
Employment letter confirming position, salary, and approved leave
Sponsor's bank statements and sponsorship letter (if someone else is funding)
Prepare accommodation and travel evidence
Hotel or accommodation booking confirmation
Flight booking (return or onward travel)
Invitation letter from UK host with their address and contact details
Prepare proof of ties to home country
The entry clearance officer must be satisfied you will leave the UK at the end of your visit. Strong ties include: current employment with a return date, property ownership, dependent family members, and ongoing business or education. Consult an immigration solicitor if you have weak ties or previous refusals.
Employment contract or letter confirming your return
Property deed or tenancy agreement
Evidence of family ties (marriage and birth certificates)
Prepare identity documents
Current passport (all pages with stamps or visas)
Old passports showing travel history
National ID card (if applicable)
Translate documents not in English or Welsh
Every document not in English or Welsh needs a certified translation. The translation must include the translator's name, signature, contact details, confirmation of accuracy, and the date of translation. Use a professional translation service recognized by the visa application center.
Pay Fees and Book Biometrics Appointment
Pay the visa application fee online
The Standard Visitor visa fee is 115 GBP for visits up to 6 months. Longer validity visas: 2-year (432 GBP), 5-year (771 GBP), 10-year (963 GBP). Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
Pay 115 GBP for a 6-month Standard Visitor visa
Consider a 2-year or longer visa if you plan to visit the UK regularly
Book a biometrics appointment at a visa application center
After paying online, you are directed to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) operated by VFS Global or TLScontact. Appointments are typically available within 1-2 weeks. Some VACs offer walk-in slots during off-peak periods.
Book appointment through the link provided after payment
Print the appointment confirmation
Attend the biometrics appointment
Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, and printed copies of all supporting documents. The appointment takes 15-30 minutes: you will provide fingerprints, have a digital photo taken, and submit your documents and passport. You can also choose to upload documents online before the appointment.
Arrive 15 minutes before appointment time
Submit passport and supporting documents
Provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
Keep the receipt for passport collection
Processing and Decision
Track your application status
Track via the VFS Global or TLScontact website using your reference number. You can also opt into email or SMS notifications. Standard processing: 15 working days. Do not contact UKVI for status updates before the standard processing time has passed.
Check status online using your application reference number
Respond promptly if UKVI requests additional documents
Collect your passport with the decision
Collect passport from the VAC or receive by courier
Check the visa vignette (sticker) for correct dates and details
Handle a visa refusal (if applicable)
UKVI provides a written reason for refusal referencing specific immigration rules (usually paragraphs V 4.2-4.6 of the Immigration Rules). You can apply for an Administrative Review (80 GBP, processed within 28 days) if you believe a casework error was made. For most visitor visa refusals, there is no right of appeal — reapply with stronger evidence. Consult an immigration solicitor for complex refusals.
Read the refusal notice and identify the specific grounds cited
Request an Administrative Review if a casework error occurred
Reapply with additional evidence addressing the refusal reason
Arriving in the UK
Pass through UK Border Force at the airport
Even with a valid visa, the Border Force officer makes the final entry decision. They may ask your visit purpose, accommodation details, return travel plans, and available funds. Have printed copies of your accommodation booking, return ticket, and financial evidence accessible — do not pack them in checked luggage.
Use the non-EU queue at passport control
Present passport with visa vignette and supporting documents
Note your permitted stay duration
Standard Visitor visas allow stays of up to 6 months per visit. There is no automatic right to stay the full 6 months — the border officer may grant a shorter stay. You cannot extend a Standard Visitor visa from within the UK in most cases. Overstaying results in a ban of 1-10 years.
Register with the police (if required)
Citizens of 14 countries (including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, and others) must register with the police within 7 days of arrival if staying longer than 6 months. The border officer will stamp your passport with this requirement if it applies to you. Registration costs 34 GBP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK Standard Visitor Visa cost?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa costs GBP 115 for a 6-month visa as of 2026. Longer-validity visas are available: 2-year (GBP 400), 5-year (GBP 771), and 10-year (GBP 963). The long-validity options still limit each visit to 6 months maximum but save time on repeat applications. An additional fee applies if you use the priority or super-priority processing service.
How long does UK visitor visa processing take?
Standard processing takes approximately 3 weeks (15 working days) from your biometrics appointment. Priority processing (5 working days) costs an additional GBP 500, and super-priority (next working day) costs GBP 1,000, though these services are not available at all visa application centers. During peak travel seasons (summer and December), standard processing may take up to 6 weeks. Apply at least 6 weeks before your planned travel date.
Can I study or get medical treatment on a UK visitor visa?
Yes, with limitations. You can take a short course of study up to 6 months (or up to 11 months with a Short-term Study Visa at GBP 200). Private medical treatment is permitted on a Standard Visitor Visa, including elective procedures, but you must declare this on your application. You cannot access NHS services for free as a visitor, and you must show you can pay for any planned treatment.
Do I need a UK visa if I have a US or Schengen visa?
Holding a US or Schengen visa does not exempt you from UK visa requirements. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area and has its own immigration system. Citizens of some countries (like the US, Canada, Australia, and EU nations) do not need a visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. Check the UK government's website for your nationality's specific requirements, as visa exemptions change periodically.