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.
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:
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:
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:
To be eligible for a UK Tourist (Standard Visitor) Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The list of requirements for a UK visit visa is as follows:
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).
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)* |
| Visa Validity | Fee | Stay Per Visit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Months | £127 | Up to 180 days | First-time visitors |
| 2 Years | £475 | 6 months per visit | Frequent travellers |
| 5 Years | £848 | 6 months per visit | Business/family visits |
| 10 Years | £1,059 | 6 months per visit | Long-term frequent travel |
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 |
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 |
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:
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No, you cannot convert a UK Standard Visitor Visa into a work permit. The visitor visa is strictly for tourism, visiting family, business meetings, short-term study (up to 6 months), or medical treatment. If you wish to work, you must apply separately for a work visa, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, even if already in the UK. It’s important to switch to the correct visa category before starting any employment to remain compliant.
A valid UK Standard Visitor Visa allows travel throughout the entire United Kingdom—covering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Internal travel across the UK is unrestricted, with no internal border controls, regardless of where your visa was issued. Whether you are in London today and Edinburgh, you are free to explore all UK nations on one visa, provided your stay remains within your visa duration.
Yes, parents can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to visit their children in the UK, provided they meet the usual eligibility requirements. They must demonstrate intent to leave after their visit, sufficient funds, travel details, and other standard documentation. The country does not offer a special "parent" category—parents apply under the same conditions as other visitors. A clear and credible application will support this purpose.
Yes, submitting proof of financial means is mandatory. This is usually demonstrated through bank statements covering the last 6 months, along with payslips, sponsorship letters, or investment documents. Applicants must convincingly show they can support themselves during the trip and afford their return travel. The UKVI explicitly states financial evidence is essential to assess whether your visit is genuine and self-funded.
Citizens of certain countries—such as the USA, Canada, and EU states—are visa-exempt and can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. However, from April 2025, most visa-exempt travellers must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. Whether you need a visa or ETA depends on your nationality and your intended travel purpose.
You can follow the steps given below to submit the UK visit visa application:
Step 1: Complete the online application via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal
Step 2: Pay the visa fee online
Step 3: Book a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre
Step 4: Attend and submit required documents and biometrics
Step 5: Await decision, typically within 15 working days, and collect your passport with visa.
As of 9 April 2025, the fee for a Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months) is £127. Long-term options include: £475 for a 2-year visa, £848 for 5 years, and £1,059 for 10 years. These official fees apply uniformly worldwide and are accurately listed on the UK government fee schedule.
The documents required for a UK visit visa is as follows:
To apply for a UK Visit Visa, you must submit a set of supporting documents to prove the purpose of your visit, financial ability, and intent to return. Below is a list of commonly required documents:
The Standard Visitor Visa allows stays of up to 6 months per visit. There are long-term visa options valid for 2, 5, or 10 years, each permitting multiple entries—but each separate visit must still not exceed 6 months. The visa duration and stay limits are stamped clearly in your travel documents.
Extensions are generally not permitted for Standard Visitor Visas. Exceptions apply for private medical treatment (up to 11 months) or academic visits (up to 12 months), but each requires a separate application and a £1,100 fee. Extensions must be submitted before your current visa expires, and approval is at the discretion of UKVI.
From January to April 2025, the UK introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for visa-exempt travellers (e.g., US, Canada) to visit the UK for up to 6 months. The ETA costs £10 (rising to £16 from April 2025), valid for 2 years, and streamlines pre-travel screening.
Note: Entry remains at the discretion of Border Control.
No, an invitation letter is not mandatory, but it can strengthen your application if visiting friends or family. It should clearly outline the invitation reason, your host’s UK status, and details about your accommodation and travel plans. Including one shows clearer purpose of visit and supports a genuine visitor application.
The UK offers long-term Standard Visitor Visas for frequent travellers. A 2-year UK tourist visa is suitable if you plan occasional visits, while a 5-year UK tourist visa offers better value for regular travel to the UK.
2-year visa: Lower upfront cost, ideal for short-term planning
5-year visa: Higher fee but more cost-effective for repeat visitors
Both visas allow multiple entries, with each stay limited to up to 6 months per visit.
The UK Standard Visitor Visa fees (payable online in GBP) are currently:
6-month visa: £115
2-year visa: £432
5-year visa: £771
10-year visa: £963
Additional charges may apply for priority processing, biometrics, or optional services at visa application centres.
To qualify for a UK Visit Visa, applicants must:
Intend to visit the UK for tourism, family visits, or short business
Prove they will leave the UK after their visit
Show sufficient funds to cover travel and stay
Have no intention to work or settle in the UK
Meet immigration history and character requirements
Eligibility is assessed on personal circumstances, not nationality alone.
Typical UK visit visa documents include:
Valid passport
Online application confirmation
Proof of funds (bank statements)
Travel plan or itinerary
Accommodation details
Employment or income proof
Invitation letter (if visiting family/friends)
Documents may vary depending on employment status and travel purpose.
You can apply for a UK tourist visa up to 3 months before your travel date. It is recommended to apply at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
Early application helps avoid delays due to:
Additional document requests
Biometric appointment availability
Processing backlogs
In most cases, UK tourist visas cannot be extended. Extensions are allowed only in exceptional circumstances, such as:
Medical treatment
Academic research
Serious humanitarian reasons
You cannot switch from a UK visit visa to a work or settlement visa while inside the UK.
