The UK Standard Visitor Visa is a popular option for travellers seeking to visit the United Kingdom for a variety of reasons. It allows individuals to travel and stay in the UK for up to six months.
The scope of the UK Visit Visa is comprehensive, catering to travellers who wish to visit the UK for short-term purposes. Reasons for visiting can range from tourism to business activities such as attending meetings or conferences.
The Standard Visitor Visa has replaced nine previous visa categories:
- Family Visitors
- General Visitor Visa
- Child Visitor Visa
- Sports Visitors
- Business Visitor Visa, including visas for academics, doctors and dentists
- Entertainer Visitor Visa
- Prospective Entrepreneur Visa
- Private Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
- Approved Destination Status (ADS) Visa
Eligibility Criteria
The basic eligibility criteria for the UK Standard Visitor Visa are:
- The applicant must leave the UK at the end of their visit.
- The applicant must be able to support themselves without using public funds throughout their visit.
- The applicant must demonstrate that they will be engaging in a permitted activity according to the Visitor's Rules.
Visa Options and Specific Purposes
- Child Visitors: Those under 18 visiting the UK for no more than 6 months (or 12 months if travelling with an academic visitor) must have suitable travel and stay arrangements, consent from a parent or guardian, and sufficient funds for their journey and stay without working or relying on public funds.