Standard Visitor Visa (Tourism & Visits)

The Standard Visitor Visa allows you to visit the UK for tourism, business meetings, short courses, or to see family and friends for up to 6 months. You cannot work in the UK and any study must be incidental to your visit, not the main purpose.

Who can apply

• Visitors coming for holiday, tourism or to see friends and family.
• Individuals attending business meetings, conferences, or short unpaid placements.
• People coming for short recreational or educational courses lasting up to 30 days.

Document checklist

• Valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page.
• Proof of funds to cover travel, accommodation and living costs (bank statements, payslips).
• Travel and accommodation details (flight reservations, hotel booking or host address).
• Evidence of ties to your home country (employment or study letters, property documents, family evidence).
• Invitation letter and copy of passport/immigration status of the person you are visiting, if applicable.

Key conditions

• Usually granted for visits up to 6 months at a time.
• No access to work, paid or unpaid, other than very limited business activities allowed by the rules.
• You must intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit