Visit UK

Apply for Standard Visitor Visa you want to visit the UK on holiday or to see your family and friends, do business, take part in sports or creative events, or receive private medical treatment.

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK:

for leisure, for example on holiday or to see your family and friends
for business, or to take part in sports or creative events
for another reason, for example to receive private medical treatment

Eligibility

You must always show that:

you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
you’re able to support yourself and any dependents for the duration of your trip
you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other costs relating to your visit
you have proof of any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules

If you’re applying for a long-term Standard Visitor visa

You must prove that:

you’ll only ever need to come to the UK to visit, for example to go on holiday, see family or attend a meeting
you plan to leave the UK at the end of each visit

You may be given a visa for a shorter period than requested if you do not do this. You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or your application is refused.

Visa Requirement

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide a current passport or other valid travel identification.

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.

You’ll also need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

You’ll be told how to provide your documents when you apply.

Read the full list of supporting documents you can provide.

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

for private medical treatment
to apply as an organ donor
as an academic on sabbatical and want to stay for 12 months
as a prospective entrepreneur
to take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or sit the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
in transit to a country outside the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands

How to Apply

Apply from outside the UK online

You must apply online. As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment.

Find out how to get your visa decision faster – this depends on what country you’re in. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

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