UK Visit Visa

A UK Visit Visa (commonly called a Standard Visitor visa) is a short-term visa that allows non-UK nationals to enter the United Kingdom for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings or conferences, short-term study, medical treatment and other approved activities. Applicants must demonstrate that they will leave the UK at the end of their visit, have enough funds to support themselves, and only undertake permitted activities during their stay.

There are several visitor visa categories under UK immigration rules. The main types are:

• Standard Visitor visa – covers tourism, visiting relatives, short study (≤6 months), business (meetings, conferences), voluntary work (up to 30 days with a charity) and similar activities.
• Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor visa – for experts invited to the UK for a specific paid engagement (up to 6 months).
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitor visa – for those coming to give notice of or enter into a marriage/civil partnership in the UK
• Parent of a Child Student visa – for one parent accompanying a child (aged 4–11) attending an independent school in the UK.
• Transit Visitor visas – for travellers passing through the UK en route to another country.

In summary, “visitor visa” routes include the general Standard Visitor (and its subcategories) plus specialized visas for paid engagements, marriage/civil partnership, academic visits and parental accompaniment. The UK Home Office notes “four types of visitors: standard visitor, marriage/civil partnership visitor, permitted paid engagement visitor and transit visitor”, each with its own rules.

In most cases, a UK visit visa permits a stay of up to 6 months per visit. This means from the date of entry up to six months’ stay in the UK. In limited circumstances, longer stays can be granted: for example, a Standard Visitor visa can be issued for up to 12 months for academics or senior doctors on short research placements, or up to 11 months for those receiving private medical treatment. However, these are exceptional cases; typically, the maximum stay on a visit visa is 6 months.

A standard Visitor visa is usually single-entry and valid for the period you intend to visit (usually up to 6 months from entry). In practice, you must enter the UK and complete your visit within that validity. For frequent travelers, the Home Office offers long-term visitor visas lasting 2, 5 or 10 years. These long-term visas allow multiple entries over the validity period, but each individual stay remains limited to 6 months. (For example, a 5-year visa permits many 6‑month visits over five years, but you cannot stay longer than 6 months at a time.)

The standard application fee for a 6-month Standard Visitor visa is currently £127. If you apply for a longer-term multiple-entry visitor visa, the fees are higher: £475 for a 2-year visa, £848 for a 5-year visa, and £1,059 for a 10-year visa. Additional expedited services (e.g. 5-day or 24-hour processing) may be available at extra cost. All fees are subject to periodic adjustment; applicants should confirm current rates on GOV.UK.

Applicants must submit a valid passport or travel document (with at least one blank page) and any necessary supporting documents. Key documents typically include:

• Evidence of purpose and accommodation: travel itinerary, hotel or stay arrangements, letters of invitation (from relatives, friends or hosts), and itinerary details to show planned activities in the UK.
• Proof of funds:bank statements, payslips or other financial documents showing you have sufficient resources to cover the trip and leave the UK.
• Proof of ties to home country: employment letters, business ownership documents, property deeds or family commitments demonstrating you will return home.
• Travel history: copies of prior visas and entry stamps (in old passports) if available, showing previous travel.
• Additional evidence: Depending on circumstances, you may need letters of invitation from UK contacts, evidence of sponsorship (if someone in the UK is supporting your trip), or documents for minors (e.g. parental consent forms).

Each document not in English or Welsh should be translated and certified. The Home Office guidance emphasizes that applications must show the applicant is a “genuine visitor” who will leave the UK after their visit.

A Standard Visitor visa allows numerous permitted activities. These include:

• Tourism and visiting family or friends: Holidaying or private visits.
• Business activities: Attending meetings, conferences or seminars; negotiating contracts; taking orders at trade fairs (without selling directly).
• Education and research: Undertaking a short course (up to 6 months), taking examinations or an elective, or doing limited research as an academic or doctor.
• Professional engagements: Volunteering with a registered charity (up to 30 days), or performing permitted paid engagements (for example, an artist or lecturer invited to an event).
• Transit: Passing through the UK on the way to another country.

Each document not in English or Welsh should be translated and certified. The Home Office guidance emphasizes that applications must show the applicant is a “genuine visitor” who will leave the UK after their visit.

There are strict prohibitions on what you may not do under a Visit visa. In general, you may not:

• Work or run a business: No paid or unpaid employment in the UK, and you cannot set up or operate a business.
• Receive public funds: You cannot claim benefits or other public assistance.
• Live in the UK or settle: The visa forbids using repeated visits to make the UK your home, or working towards settlement. You must maintain your permanent home abroad.
• Marry or give notice (on a Standard Visitor visa): If you intend to marry or civil-partner in the UK, you must have the specific Marriage Visitor visa. The Standard Visitor route explicitly prohibits marrying on that visa.
• Study long-term: Apart from short courses (≤6 months), you may not enroll in full-time study or extend your visa for study.
• Extend or switch visas: You cannot extend a visitor visa (beyond the allowed stay) nor switch to another immigration category from within the UK.

Additionally, dependants generally cannot accompany you on a visitor visa (they must each apply separately). Any violation (such as unauthorised work or overstaying) can lead to visa revocation and future bans.

If your visit visa application is refused, carefully review the decision letter. It will explain the reasons for refusal and whether you have any rights of review. Unlike some immigration decisions, there is no general right of appeal to a tribunal for a visitor visa refusal. However, if the refusal notice indicates that an administrative review is available, you may request one within the specified deadline (usually 14 or 28 days, depending on where you applied). An administrative review can only be used to correct clear factual or legal errors in the decision. Often, the more practical approach is to address the shortcomings noted and submit a new application. In either case, we strongly recommend seeking legal advice.

At Conroy Baker Ltd, our immigration solicitors can help analyze the refusal reasons and advise on the best course (administrative review or fresh application). We will ensure that any reapplication is supported by strengthened documentation and legal argument to address prior issues.

Conroy Baker Ltd has extensive experience handling UK visitor visa cases. We can:

• Advise on eligibility: Assess your situation and the correct visa route.
• Prepare the application: Help you gather the required documents, draft supporting letters (explaining your ties, finances and visit purpose) and check that forms are completed correctly.
• Review applications: Provide expert review of your submission before it goes to the Home Office.
• Handle complications: If issues arise (e.g. document queries or refusen), we can liaise with immigration officials or prepare further submissions.
• Appeals and reviews: Although direct appeals are rare for visit visas, we can guide you through any administrative review process or judicial remedies if warranted.

Our aim is to present your case in the strongest possible light, minimizing the risk of refusal and giving you confidence in the process.

Get in Touch

• Phone: +44 203 773 2948
• Email: [email protected]
• Book a consultation: https://conroybaker.com/contact-us/

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