If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

Standard Visitor visa Fee     £115

Maximum length of stay   6 months

If you have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa

You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.

A Standard Visitor visa costs £115 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.

You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

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Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term (2years, 5 years or 10 years) Standard Visitor visa instead.

You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.

You may be given a shorter visa than requested if UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) believe you cannot meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the visa you applied for.

You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or if your application is refused.

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:

• for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation

• to see your family or friends

• to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity

• to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)

• for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview

• to take part in a school exchange programme

• to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course

• to study, do a placement or take an exam

• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist

• for medical reasons

You cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person

• 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 - you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa

You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in your passport for your Standard Visitor visa.

You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:

• the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK

• where you’ll be staying during your visit

• how much you think your trip will cost

• your current home address and how long you’ve lived there

• your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)

• how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)

• details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

• details of your travel history for the past 10 years

• your employer’s address and telephone number

• your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number

• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip

• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK

• a certificate proving that you’ve had a tuberculosis (TB) test if you’re visiting for more than 6 months

You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:

• to study

• as an academic

• for medical reasons

You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Proving your identity and providing your documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

At your appointment, you’ll need to:

• prove your identity with your passport or travel document

• have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken

• provide the required documents that show you’re eligible for a Standard Visitor visa

The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You can check to see if you can get your visa decision faster.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

If you need to change or cancel your application

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, contact UKVI.

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.