Visitor Visas from 6 M
visit the uk as a standard visitor
The UK Standard Visitor Visa is designed for short-term visits to the United Kingdom, usually lasting up to 6 months. It is the most common UK visa route for tourism, visiting family or friends, short study courses, business meetings, and private medical treatment.
For those who need to travel frequently, long-term Visitor Visas are available for 2, 5, or 10 years, though each individual stay cannot exceed 6 months.
At LawSentis, we provide expert support to ensure your application is compliant, carefully prepared, and has the best chance of success.
who needs a visitor visa?
You may need a Visitor Visa depending on your nationality and purpose of travel.
The Visitor Visa is suitable for:
leisure and tourism
- Holidays, sightseeing, cultural visits
- Visiting friends or family
business visits
- Attending conferences, meetings, or interviews
- Signing contracts or negotiating deals
- Attending trade fairs (as long as you are not directly selling goods)
other permitted purposes
- Private medical treatment in the UK
- Academic visitors on sabbatical or research projects
- Short-term study courses, placements, or exams (up to 6 months)
- Recreational courses (up to 30 days, e.g. art or language workshops)
- Volunteering with a UK-registered charity (capped at 30 days)
- Volunteering with a UK-registered charity (capped at 30 days)
- Permitted Paid Engagements (PPEs), such as invited lecturers, artists, or lawyers — these must take place within the first 30 days of arrival, even if the visa is valid longer.
what you can and cannot do
You can:
- Visit family and friends
- Travel as a tourist
- Attend meetings, conferences, or job interviews
- Study or take a course of up to 6 months
- Volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
- Receive private medical treatment
- Transit through the UK on your way to another country
You cannot:
- Claim public funds or benefits
- Take paid or unpaid employment in the UK
- Switch into another visa route from inside the UK
- Live in the UK through frequent or consecutive visits
- Marry or register a civil partnership (unless you apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa)
marriage visitor visa
If your reason for travel is to marry, enter a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage in the UK, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa instead of the Standard Visitor Visa. LawSentis can guide you through this process.
If your sponsor certifies maintenance, the personal funds requirement may be waived for your first month.
eligibility requirements
To qualify, you must show that:
- You can pay for your return or onward journey
- You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
- You will only carry out activities permitted under the Visitor Visa rules
- You can support yourself and any dependants during your stay without public funds
supporting documents may include:
- Bank statements showing proof of funds
- Travel bookings and itinerary
- Employment letters or business invitations (if relevant)
- Medical documents (if seeking treatment)
- Evidence of previous travel/immigration history
All documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation.
need to apply?
- Visa nationals must apply online for a Visitor Visa before travelling.
- Non-visa nationals (visa-exempt travellers) can visit for up to 6 months without applying in advance but must still meet eligibility rules and may be questioned at the border.
- From 2024–25, most visa-exempt nationals now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The ETA currently costs £16 and is valid for multiple trips over 2 years.
costs and processing times
- Standard Visitor Visa – £127 (valid for 6 months, stay up to 6 months)
- Visitor in Transit Visa – £70 (valid for short transit, up to 48 hours)
- Long-term Visitor Visa (2 years) – £475 (stay up to 6 months per visit)
- Long-term Visitor Visa (5 years) – £848 (stay up to 6 months per visit)
- Long-term Visitor Visa (10 years) – £1,059 (stay up to 6 months per visit)
Processing time: around 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK.
Priority services: available in some countries for an additional fee.
staying longer than six months
- Most Visitor Visas are limited to 6 months.
- Academics may apply for a visa valid up to 12 months.
- Visitors cannot switch to another visa category from inside the UK.
- Medical treatment visitors may also apply for longer stays with strong evidence of need and funding.
refusals and appeals
If your application is refused, options include:
- Submitting a fresh application with stronger documentation
- Requesting an administrative review (only available if human rights are engaged)
At LawSentis, we carefully analyse refusal reasons and prepare a robust strategy for re-application or challenge.
how lawSentis helps you
At LawSentis, we provide comprehensive support for individuals and families applying for Visitor Visas.
We:
- Assess your eligibility and advise on the correct visa route
- Prepare a tailored document checklist and review your evidence
- Complete and submit your application forms
- Guide you through biometric appointments and ETA requirements
- Keep you updated throughout the process
- Provide expert support if your application is refused or delayed
With our regulated expertise, we ensure your application is accurate, compliant, and has the best chance of success.
Book your consultation with LawSentis today and begin your UK visit with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
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