The UK Standard Visitor Visa made simple: Fees, rules, and more
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Here's a complete lowdown on how to apply, what it costs, and what documents you'll need. For more clarity and details, visit:
Do you even need a visa?
Before you do anything, check if you actually need a visa. Depending on your nationality, you might be able to:
Visit the UK without a visa or ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for up to 6 months.
Visit the UK with an ETA, which you apply for online.
Apply for a Standard Visitor visa, if your country isn't on the visa-exempt or ETA-eligible list.
You can easily check your visa status
.
When and how to apply
If you do need a visa, apply online at least 3 months before your intended travel date. After submitting your application, you'll need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to verify your documents and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph).
Good news: you can save your application and return to it later if you need more time.
Read more:
Fees and validity: What's it going to cost?
Type of visa
Fee
Validity
Standard Visitor visa
£127
6 months
Medical treatment visa (Standard Visitor route)
£220
11 months
Academic visitor visa (for academics)
£220
12 months
Long-term Standard Visitor visa (2 years)
£475
6 months per visit
Long-term visa (5 years)
£848
6 months per visit
Long-term visa (10 years)
£1,059
6 months per visit
Note: Even on a long-term visa, each visit is capped at 6 months.
What documents will you need?
You must have a valid passport (with at least one blank page) and provide the following in your online form:
Travel dates
Accommodation details
Estimated cost of your trip
Your current address and how long you've lived there
Your income details (if any)
Parent's names and birthdates (if known)
Details of any criminal, civil, or immigration offences
You may also be asked for:
Travel history from the last 10 years
Employer's details
Details of your partner or family in the UK
TB test certificate (if visiting more than 6 months)
Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh
Read more:
Biometric appointment and processing time
As part of your application, you'll need to attend an in-person appointment at a visa application centre, which may be in another city or even another country. There, you will:
Verify your identity using your passport
Provide biometric data (fingerprints + photo)
Submit supporting documents
After the appointment, it typically takes up to 3 weeks to get a decision.
Changes, cancellations, and refunds
Changed your mind or made a mistake?
You can cancel your application, but you'll only get a refund if it hasn't been processed yet.
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If your application is refused or you're granted a shorter visa than requested, there's no refund.
Be cautious: if your travel history suggests you're living in the UK too frequently, your visa can be shortened or cancelled.
Ready to go?
Applying for a Standard Visitor visa is a straightforward process—as long as you follow the steps and have your documents ready. Whether you're there for castles or conferences, family reunions or fish and chips, a bit of planning can go a long way toward a smooth UK entry.
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