Why apply for a UK Tourist Visa?

• Over 40 million tourists visit the UK every year
• Stay up to 6 months on a single visit visa
• Get a 2, 5, or 10-year multiple-entry visa
• Visa processed in just 15 working days
• Visit England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland with one visa

UK Visitor Visa

A UK Visitor Visa, also known as the Standard Visitor Visa, allows individuals from outside the UK to visit for tourism, family visits, business meetings, short-term study, or medical treatment. It is typically valid for up to 6 months, with options for longer validity (2, 5, or 10 years) for frequent travellers. However, each visit must not exceed 180 days. Applicants must prove they’ll leave the UK at the end of their visit and have sufficient funds to support themselves. This visa does not permit work or long-term stay.

*Planning to visit the UK? Sign up with Y-Axis to help you with the process.

UK Visit Visa Rules 2025

In 2025, the UK made important updates to its visit visa process to make travel smoother and more secure for international visitors. These changes are designed to reduce paperwork, strengthen border controls, and shift toward a fully digital travel experience.

Here are the key updates to the UK visit visa rules in 2025:

• Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): From January 2025, most visa-exempt nationals (including travellers from the EU, US, Canada, and others) must apply for an ETA before entering the UK. This authorisation is required for short visits of up to 6 months for tourism, business, or transit.
• ETA Rollout Timeline: The ETA requirement took effect on 8 January 2025 for non-European countries and on 2 April 2025 for European travellers. British and Irish citizens are exempt.
• ETA Validity and Cost: The ETA is valid for 2 years or until the traveller’s passport expires (whichever comes first). It costs £10 and allows multiple short visits to the UK within the validity period.
• Digital Application and Approval: Travellers must apply for the ETA online via the UK ETA app or the official website. Most decisions are issued within 3 working days, making the process faster and more accessible.
• Transition to eVisas: Beginning January 2025, the UK began transitioning to a fully digital visa system (eVisa). By June 2025, physical visa stickers (vignettes) and Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) will be completely replaced by eVisas.
• UKVI Account Requirement: All visa holders, including visitors, will need to create a UKVI online account to access and manage their visa details digitally. This account will serve as official proof of immigration status in the UK.

Types of UK Tourist Visitor Visas

The UK offers several types of visitor visas under its Standard Visitor route, each designed for a specific purpose. These visas typically allow a stay of up to 6 months and do not permit work or long-term residence.

Below are the list of most common UK Visit visa types:

• Standard Visitor Visa: This is the most common visa type, allowing travel for tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings, attending events, short-term study (up to 6 months), medical treatment, and certain unpaid activities like volunteering.
• Marriage or Civil Partnership Visitor Visa: For individuals visiting the UK to give notice of marriage or to get married or enter a civil partnership within 6 months. It does not permit switching to another visa after entry.
• Transit Visa: For travellers who are passing through the UK en route to another country and will leave within 48 hours. This is required if you are not from a visa-exempt country.
• Diplomatic/Official Visitor Visa (DVA): For individuals with diplomatic, service, or official passports who are travelling to the UK in an official or government capacity.

Benefits of applying for a UK Visit Visa

A UK Visit Visa offers great flexibility for international travelers, whether you are visiting for leisure, family, business, or medical reasons.

Here are some key benefits:

• Stay up to 6 months for tourism, family visits, or short-term purposes
• Multiple-entry options available for 2, 5, or 10 years
• One visa covers all four nations – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Fast processing times, typically within 15 working days
• Access to world-class events, landmarks, museums, and cultural experiences
• Option to attend short courses or conferences without needing a study or work visa
• Medical treatment access at private healthcare institutions (with supporting documents)

Eligibility for a UK Tourist Visa

To be eligible for a UK Tourist (Standard Visitor) Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit
• Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
• Be able to pay for their return or onward travel
• Do not plan to live in the UK through frequent or extended visits
• Do not intend to work, study long-term, or access public funds or free healthcare services

UK Visit Visa Requirements

The list of requirements for a UK visit visa is as follows:

• A valid passport (with at least one blank page and valid for the duration of your stay)
• Completed visa application form submitted online via the official UKVI portal
• Proof of financial means (such as bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months)
• Details of your travel itinerary (including planned dates and places to visit)
• Accommodation details (hotel bookings or an invitation from your UK host)
• Evidence of ties to your home country (employment, family, property, or commitments)
• Proof of return travel (such as a booked flight or travel reservation)
• Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph, submitted at a visa application centre)

Steps to Apply for a UK Tourist Visa

You can follow the below steps to apply for a UK visit visa:

Step 1: Visit the official website and review the eligibility and requirements.
Step 2: Create an account and complete the online visa application form (via the UK Visas and Immigration portal).
Step 3: Pay the visa application fee online (Standard Visitor Visa fee is £115 as of 2025 for a 6-month visa).
Step 4: Book an appointment at a nearby Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).
Step 5: Attend your appointment and submit all required documents, either digitally or in person depending on the VAC's process.
Step 6: Wait for a decision, which typically takes 15 working days (faster if you opt for priority processing).

UK Visit Visa Fees

The table below has a complete list of fees for the UK visit visa:

Visa Type	Fee
Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months)	£127
Long‑term Visitor Visa (up to 2 years)	£475
Long‑term Visitor Visa (up to 5 years)	£848
Long‑term Visitor Visa (up to 10 years)	£1,059
Permitted Paid Engagement Visa	£127
Transit Visa	£64 (average)*

UK Visit Visa Processing Time

The table below has the list of average processing time for different types of UK visit visas:

Visa Type	Standard Processing Time (Outside UK)
Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months)	3 weeks
Marriage / Civil Partnership Visitor Visa	3 weeks
Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor Visa	3 weeks
Transit Visitor Visa	3 weeks

UK Visit Visa Validity & Extension

A UK Visit Visa typically allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months at a time. If you apply for a long-term visit visa (valid for 2, 5, or 10 years), you can enter the UK multiple times, but each individual visit must not exceed 6 months. In general, you cannot extend a standard visit visa from within the UK. However, exceptions apply for visitors receiving private medical treatment or certain academic visitors, who may be eligible for an extension under specific conditions.

Below is a breakdown of visit visa types, how long they are valid, and whether extensions are possible:

Visa Type / Purpose	Standard Validity	Extension Possible?	Extension Fee
Standard Visitor (tourism/business)	Up to 6 months	Not allowed	N/A
Visitor for Private Medical Treatment	Up to 11 months	Yes, if treatment is ongoing and self-funded	£1,100 per extension
Academic Visitor (e.g., research)	Up to 12 months	Yes, if eligible and purpose continues	£1,100 per extension

How can Y-Axis help you?

As the leading overseas immigration consultancy in the UK, Y-Axis has been providing dedicated immigration assistance to its customers for more than 25 years. Our team of visa and immigration experts will give end-to-end guidance for all your immigration needs:

• Analysing your profile and suggesting the best-suited visa options for you
• Gathering the correct set of documents required for a successful visa application
• Advising on your overseas immigration
• Get you updates and follow-ups on your visa application process
• Advising you on getting permanent residency in the country in you desired country