UK Visitor Visa Rules

The UK Home Office has made a number of changes to the UK visitor visa rules since the visitor routes were simplified in 2015. The current rules are set out in Appendix V of the UK Immigration Rules.

The Standard Visitor visa is now the main route for most people who want to visit the UK for tourism, to see family or friends, for certain business activities, short-term study and other permitted purposes.

If you are planning to visit the UK, it is important to make sure you apply under the correct visitor route and meet the requirements before submitting your application.

What are the UK Visitor Visa routes?

The UK Visitor rules cover a number of different circumstances, with the Standard Visitor route being the most commonly used.

The Standard Visitor route can be used for activities including:

• Tourism and holidays
• Visiting family and friends
• Attending meetings and certain business activities
• Taking part in certain permitted events or engagements
• Studying a course for up to six months
• Receiving certain medical treatment
• Other activities permitted under the Visitor Rules

There are also specific visitor provisions for activities such as transit and permitted paid engagements.

The correct route will depend on the purpose of your visit and your individual circumstances.

Standard Visitor Visa requirements

To qualify as a Standard Visitor, you must satisfy UKVI that you are a genuine visitor.

This means you must demonstrate that you:

• Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
• Are coming to the UK for a permitted purpose
• Have sufficient funds to cover the reasonable costs of your visit
• Will not undertake prohibited activities
• Will not use public funds
• Will not attempt to make the UK your main home through frequent or successive visits

There is no fixed minimum amount of money that you must have in your bank account.

Instead, UKVI will consider your financial circumstances in the context of your proposed visit, including the cost and length of your trip and your wider circumstances.

Supporting documents

The evidence required for a UK Visitor Visa application will depend on your circumstances.

This may include evidence of:

• Your finances and income
• Your employment or business
• Your accommodation and travel arrangements
• Your relationship with family or friends in the UK
• Your personal and financial ties to your home country
• Any financial support being provided by another person

It is important that the information in your application is consistent with your supporting documents.

For example, unexplained transactions or deposits in your bank account can raise questions about your financial circumstances.

How long can you stay in the UK?

A Standard Visitor can generally stay in the UK for up to six months.

Long-term Standard Visitor visas are also available for frequent visitors and can be issued for two, five or ten years.

However, a long-term visitor visa does not allow you to live in the UK. Each individual visit is normally limited to six months.

Can I visit family or friends in the UK?

Yes. Visiting family and friends is one of the permitted purposes of a Standard Visitor visa.

If someone in the UK is paying for your trip or providing accommodation, you should provide appropriate evidence of the arrangements and their ability to provide the support.

Having family or friends in the UK does not, by itself, guarantee that a visitor visa application will be successful.

UKVI must still be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor and intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.

What can I do on a Visitor Visa?

The Visitor Rules allow a range of activities, but there are also important restrictions.

A Standard Visitor cannot generally use the route to work in the UK, establish or run a business as a self-employed person, or provide goods or services except where specifically permitted under the Immigration Rules.

If you are unsure whether your proposed activities are permitted, it is important to establish this before making your application.

Need help with a UK Visitor Visa?

The UK Visitor Visa rules can be complicated, particularly where an applicant has unusual financial circumstances, is being sponsored by someone in the UK, has previously been refused a visa or has concerns about demonstrating their intention to return home.

At Visa Positive, we can assess your circumstances and help you prepare your UK Visitor Visa application.

Find out more about our UK Visitor Visa service →

Alternatively, call us on +44 203 617 1111 to discuss your circumstances.

The UK Immigration Rules are subject to change. The information in this article is intended as general guidance and should not be treated as legal advice.