Eligibility and Requirements
Essential Requirements for a UK Visit Visa
For your UK Visit Visa application to be successful, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Evidence for these requirements is needed for the Home Office to review your application.
Purpose of the visit – You must demonstrate that the activities you undertake in the UK are permitted under the Standard Visit Visa. Permitted activities include visiting family, tourism, medical treatment and attending business meetings or events.
Genuine visitor – You must prove that you are genuine visitors and intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit. You must have sufficient funds available to support yourself during your stay.
Duration of stay – You must prove the duration of your stay will not exceed the permitted time granted under the Standard Visit Visa which is normally six months.
Advice: Check your activities are permitted on your visit visa before you travel.
Documents Required for UK Visit Visa
We view every Visit Visa application as unique, and we’ll send you a fully bespoke list of all the documents you need. However a typical visa application will require the following documents as evidence:
Valid and previous passports
Financial evidence
Documentation to demonstrate purpose/duration of visit
Letter of invitation
Evidence of ties to home country
Previous travel history
Tip: Showing strong ties to your home country improves your chances of approval.
How much does a Standard Visit Visa cost?
The Standard UK Visit Visa application Home Office fee is £127 per applicant for a 6 month visa. Longer-term visas can be applied for, but remember each entry to the UK must not exceed 6 months.
It typically takes 15 working days to get a decision, and fast track services are available, meaning a decision can be made in as little as one working day.
Step 1
Eligibility check and tailored advice
Step 2
Document preparation
Step 3
Application submission
Step 4
Communication with the Home Office
Step 5
Outcome and next steps
How the Application Process Works
How UK Immigration Pathways Can Help You
At UK Immigration Pathways, we provide professional guidance and support to help you prepare a strong UK visit visa application. We’ll assess your individual circumstances, advise and ensure all documentation meets Home Office standards, whilst clearly explaining the purpose of your visit to avoid common pitfalls that lead to refusals.
By handling your application with care and attention to detail, we aim to make the process smooth, stress-free, and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Standard Visit Visa allows you to visit the UK for a short period of time, typically 6 months. During your visit you can engage in specific activities, such as:
tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
seeing your family or friends
volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity
passing through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession, for example to give lectures or perform
taking part in a school exchange programme
doing a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
studying, doing a placement or taking an exam
an academic, senior doctor or dentist
medical reasons
You’ll need to include evidence of the purpose of your visit as part of your application.
What can I do on a Standard Visit Visa?
When you come to the UK on a Standard Visit Visa, there are some activities you can’t do, including:
paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event
claim public funds (benefits)
live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership
Other short-term visas will allow these activities, please get in touch with us to discuss these options.
What can I not do on a Standard Visit Visa?
If you find that you can’t leave the UK before your visa expires you can apply for an extension for exceptional circumstances. But the application for an extension must be made before the current visa expires.
A Standard Visit Visa can be extended in exceptional circumstances such as, ongoing medical treatment, academic research or on compassionate or unforeseen circumstances.
What happens if I cannot leave before my visa expires?
If your visit visa application is refused, you will receive a refusal notice outlining the reasons for the decision and indicating whether you have the right to challenge it. In most situations, you may choose to reapply for your visit visa after addressing the issues that led to the refusal, or request a reconsideration if you believe an error has been made in assessing your application.
We can help if your application has been refused, get in touch with our team.
What happens if my Visit Visa application is refused?
Striving to be better for all...
My vision for UK Immigration Pathways has always been to build a practice grounded in integrity, professionalism, and genuine client care.
Oliver Parker
Director, UK Immigration Pathways
What is a Visit Visa?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa is a short-term visa designed for individuals travelling to the United Kingdom for temporary purposes. The Visit Visa is typically valid for up to six months. However, your visit visa may be extended in certain circumstances, for example, for medical treatment or specific academic activities.
Holders of a Standard Visitor Visa can take part in activities such as tourism, attending business meetings or conferences, undertaking short-term study (up to six months) at an accredited institution, or receiving private medical care.
However, they are not permitted to work (beyond limited activities permitted to visitors), study for longer than six months, marry or form a civil partnership, or access public funds.
