Visit visas for family and tourism: Secure your Visa

Visit Visa

A UK Visiting Visa allows individuals to come to the UK for short-term stays, including tourism, family visits, and certain business activities. It is designed for visitors who intend to stay temporarily and return home after their visit.

What Is a UK Visit Visa?

The UK Standard Visitor Visa allows you to visit the UK for a short period—typically up to 6 months—for a wide range of permitted activities. These include tourism and leisure, visiting friends or family, attending business meetings, participating in events, receiving private medical treatment, or undertaking short courses.

If you plan to join family members such as a partner living in the UK, you can do so under UK Partner visa. However, visitors cannot switch into long-term UK routes (such as a Student Visa or settlement routes like ILR) from within the UK, so it is important to apply under the correct category before travelling.

Who Can Apply for a UK Visit Visa?

You may be eligible for a UK Visiting Visa if you meet the following key requirements:

• You have a genuine purpose for your visit—such as tourism, family visits, or limited business activities.
• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay and can demonstrate strong ties to your home country.
• You have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your trip without working or accessing public funds.
• You can show accommodation arrangements and travel plans that support the purpose of your visit.

You must not attempt to stay long-term or switch into another UK immigration route, including routes like the UK Partner.

Please note time spent in the UK as a visitor does not count towards ILR.

If your intention is to work or study in the UK, you may need to apply under a different visa category, such as a Student Visa.

Visitors must show that they genuinely intend to visit temporarily, will not work illegally, and can support themselves throughout their stay.

Documents You’ll Need

When applying for a UK Visiting Visa, you must provide evidence that clearly demonstrates the purpose of your trip, your ability to support yourself financially, and your intention to return home after your visit. The following documents are commonly required:

• Proof of funds, such as recent bank statements or evidence of regular income, showing you can cover your travel and living costs without working in the UK.
• Employment evidence, such as recent payslips or a letter from your employer confirming your job role, salary, and approved annual leave.
• Accommodation details, including hotel reservations or, if staying with someone in the UK, a letter of invitation from your host.
• Travel itinerary, such as return flight bookings or proof of onward travel demonstrating your plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• Evidence of strong ties to your home country, for example documents showing family commitments, employment, property ownership, or studies.
• If you are visiting a family member or partner, you may need additional supporting evidence, such as marriage or birth certificates or other documents listed under the UK Partner category.

Providing clear and complete documentation helps the Home Office understand the purpose of your visit and reduces the risk of delays or refusal.

How to Apply for a UK Visiting Visa

Applying for a UK visit visa may appear straightforward, but the Home Office refuses a significant number of applications each year—often due to insufficient evidence, unclear travel intentions, or misunderstanding of visitor rules.

Step 1 – Confirm Eligibility

Around 18% of visit visa applications are refused, often because applicants do not fully understand eligibility requirements or fail to provide adequate supporting documents. Re-applications after refusal are reviewed even more closely, increasing the risk of repeated refusal—especially if earlier concerns have not been addressed.

Migrate UK ensures your eligibility is clearly established from the outset. Whether you are visiting friends, family, or a partner (see UK Partner), or planning a short business trip, we assess your circumstances and identify any issues before you apply.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Documents

Preparing the right documents is essential to demonstrating your intention to visit temporarily and return home afterward. Migrate UK provides tailored document checklists and conducts thorough reviews of all evidence to ensure it meets Home Office standards.

Our support includes ensuring:

• Your financial evidence is clear and credible.
• Your itinerary and accommodation details support the purpose of your visit.
• Letters from employers, hosts, or organisations are correctly formatted.
• Evidence of ties to your home country is strong and consistent.

We identify gaps, resolve inconsistencies, and help present your circumstances in a way that is accurate, persuasive, and compliant.

Step 3 – Submit Your Application

Migrate UK manages the online application process on your behalf, ensuring every detail is completed correctly and consistently. We help you choose the right visa type, upload documents in the correct format, and advise on your supporting statements so that your intentions are clearly communicated to the Home Office.

We also advise on the best timing for submission—particularly important if you are travelling for a specific event or family commitment.

Step 4 – Biometrics & Decision

Once your application is submitted, you will need to attend a biometric appointment for your fingerprints and photograph to be taken. Migrate UK helps you book the most suitable visa centre location, prepare for the appointment, and understand what to expect.

During the decision period, we advise you on:

• Travel limitations (you cannot travel to the UK until a visa is granted).
• What to do if further evidence is requested.
• How to prepare for re-application or review if a refusal occurs.

Our team stays with you throughout the process, ensuring you receive clear updates and expert guidance until the final outcome. 

Fees and Processing Times

Understanding the costs and expected processing times is an important part of planning your visit to the UK. Below is an overview of the typical fees and timelines for a UK Standard Visitor Visa, based on current Home Office guidance.

Fees are accurate at the time of writing but may change, so applicants should always check the latest government figures when applying.

Standard Fees

• Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months): £127
• 2-year long-term standard visit visa: £475
• 5-year long-term standard visit visa: £848
• 10-year long-term standard visit visa: £1,059
• Standard visit for medical reasons (maximum length of stay 11 months): £220
• Standard visit for academics (maximum length of stay: 12 months): £220

Priority Services

Depending on the visa application centre in your country, you may be able to pay an additional £500 for a faster decision:

• Priority Service: Usually returns a decision within 5 working days, subject to availability.

Processing Times

• Standard processing time: Most applications are decided within 3 weeks after attending the biometric appointment.
• Processing may take longer during busy periods if the Home Office requests additional information.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many UK Visit Visa refusals occur because applicants provide weak financial evidence, fail to clearly explain the purpose of their trip, or submit incomplete documents. Misunderstanding the rules—such as believing you can switch into routes like the UK Partner or Student Visa while in the UK—also leads to refusals. Past overstays or signs of long-term intent can further raise concerns for the Home Office.

Migrate UK helps you avoid these issues by reviewing your documents, clarifying your purpose of travel, addressing any immigration history concerns, and ensuring your application is clear, consistent, and fully compliant.

After You’re Approved

Once your application has been decided, you will receive a decision email or letter from UKVI confirming the outcome of your application.

From early 2026, most successful applicants will receive both an eVisa and a visa vignette sticker in their passport.
Later in 2026, the Home Office will phase out vignette stickers entirely, and all visitors will receive eVisas only.

A Standard Visitor Visa normally allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months, or until the visa expiry date—whichever comes first.
Time spent in the UK as a visitor does not count towards long-term residence or future settlement routes such as ILR.

What You Cannot Do as a Visitor

A Visitor Visa is strictly for short-term, non-settlement activities. You cannot:

• Undertake paid or unpaid work
• Participate in work placements or internships
• Enrol in long-term study (for longer programmes, see the Student Visa route)
• Live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or back-to-back visits
• Access public funds
• Marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice, unless you have the correct marriage visit visa category

Long-Term or Frequent Visits

If you hold a long-term Standard Visitor Visa and make repeated or extended trips to the UK, UKVI may question whether you are effectively living in the UK without the correct immigration route.
In such cases, you may receive a warning, be refused entry, or have your visa cancelled.

Why Choose Migrate UK

Applying for a UK Visit Visa may seem straightforward, but even minor mistakes can lead to refusals or delays. At Migrate UK, we specialise in visit visa applications and understand exactly what the Home Office looks for.

Our team provides personalised guidance, meticulously reviews all supporting documents, and ensures your application clearly demonstrates your purpose of visit, financial standing, and intention to return home. We also help you avoid common pitfalls, such as incomplete evidence, unclear travel plans, or misunderstandings about visitor rules.

With Migrate UK, you gain expert support that maximises your chances of approval, making your short-term visit to the UK smooth, stress-free, and fully compliant.