Standard Visitor Visa

The Standard Visitor route covers short visits to the UK for tourism, to see family and friends, and for a range of other permitted activities. Nationals of countries that need a visa to visit the UK must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling. Nationals of other countries do not need a visa for most visits but now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

What you can and cannot do

Permitted activities include:

• Tourism and holidays.
• Visiting family or friends.
• Volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity.
• Certain business activities, such as meetings and conferences (see our Business Visitor Visa page).
• Permitted paid engagements and school exchanges.
• Recreational courses of up to 30 days, and study of up to 6 months.
• Private medical treatment.

You cannot:

• Do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless it is a permitted paid engagement.
• Claim public funds.
• Live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
• Marry or give notice of marriage (you need a Marriage Visitor visa, or the fiancé(e) visa if you plan to stay).

How long you can stay

You can usually stay for up to 6 months on each visit. Long-term visit visas valid for 2, 5 or 10 years are available for frequent visitors, but each visit is still limited to 6 months. Longer stays are possible for private medical treatment (up to 11 months) and for some academics (up to 12 months).

Key requirements: the genuine visitor test

The Home Office must be satisfied that you:

• Are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• Will only carry out permitted activities.
• Have enough money for your trip, including travel, accommodation and living costs, without working or using public funds.
• Are not trying to live in the UK through repeated visits.

Evidence of your ties at home, such as employment, business, studies, family or property, together with a clear travel plan and history of complying with visa conditions, usually carries a lot of weight.

Documents and evidence commonly needed

• A valid passport and previous travel history.
• Bank statements and evidence of income.
• A letter from your employer or evidence of your business or studies.
• An invitation letter and details of your host, if you are visiting family or friends.
• Accommodation and travel details.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

If you are a national of a country that does not need a visa to visit the UK (for example from Europe, the USA, Canada or Australia), you need an ETA for visits of up to 6 months. Since 25 February 2026, the ETA requirement has been enforced: carriers can deny boarding to anyone without one. An ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and allows multiple journeys. British and Irish citizens, and people who already hold UK permission, do not need one. Nicaragua and St Lucia moved from the ETA scheme to visa nationals in March 2026.

Fees

At the time of writing, the Home Office fee is currently £135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months, and £20 for an ETA (since 8 April 2026). Long-term visit visas cost more, depending on their length.

Recent and upcoming changes

From 8 October 2026: changes to the visitor rules are set to take effect, including allowing artists, entertainers and musicians to attend rehearsals, adding certain Erasmus+ activities, and removing the requirement for business visitors to show that work-related training is not available in their home country. Until then, the current rules apply.

Common problems we help with

• Previous visitor refusals, especially on the genuine visitor test.
• Explaining irregular income or sponsorship by a family member.
• Frequent visitors whose pattern of travel raises questions.
• Checking whether a planned activity is permitted.

How Stonebridge can help

We review your circumstances and evidence, advise whether a visa or an ETA is needed, prepare the application with a clear covering letter where helpful, and advise on the best approach after a previous refusal.

To discuss your visit, book a consultation.