About

The UK Visitor Visa, officially called the Standard Visitor Visa, allows people to travel to the United Kingdom for short stays, usually up to 6 months. It is mainly for tourism, visiting family and friends, attending business meetings, or taking short courses.

This visa does not allow long-term work or permanent settlement, but it is one of the most common ways people visit the UK.

Who can apply

You may need a visitor visa if you are from a country that is not visa-exempt. To qualify, you must:

• Have a valid passport.
  
  
• Show proof that you plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
  
  
• Prove you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
  
  
• Show your visit is for an allowed purpose, such as:
  
  
• Tourism or visiting family/friends,
  
  
• Business meetings, conferences, or signing contracts,
  
  
• Short study programs (up to 6 months),
  
  
• Medical treatment.
  
  

Some visitors (for example, those needing private medical treatment) may be allowed to stay longer, up to 11 months. Academic visitors may stay up to 12 months.

Benefits

• Tourism: Visit famous cities like London, Edinburgh, or Manchester.
  
  

• Family visits: Spend time with relatives living in the UK.
  
  

• Business purposes: Attend meetings, training, or negotiate contracts.
  
  

• Study: Join short courses or training programs.
  
  

• Healthcare: Receive private medical treatment if approved.

Real-Life Examples

• Fatima, from Pakistan, gets a UK visitor visa to attend her cousin’s wedding in Birmingham. She stays for 4 weeks and then returns home.
  
  

• Carlos, from Brazil, attends a three-month English language course in London on a visitor visa.
  
  

• Dr. Lin, from China, is invited as a visiting scholar for a 10-month research stay at a UK university and applies as an academic visitor under the visitor visa.

Frequently Asked Questions