Our Visa Processes
UK Standard Visitor visa
If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities.
Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. If you do not need a visa, you’ll either:
have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months
be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa or an ETA
You can check if you need a visa before you apply.
Visa fees
You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.
Fee Maximum length of stay
Standard Visitor visa £135 6 months
Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons £234 11 months
Standard Visitor visa for academics £234 12 months
2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa £506 6 months per visit
5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa £903 6 months per visit
10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa £1,128 6 months per visit
Apply online
Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.
You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.
Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.
Continue your application
You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.
Find out how to sign in to your account.
Long-term Standard Visitor visas
You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.
If you’re under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.
You may be given a shorter visa than requested if UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) believe you cannot meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the visa you applied for.
You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or if your application is refused.
Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.
Documents and information you’ll need to apply
You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.
You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:
the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
where you’ll be staying during your visit
how much you think your trip will cost
your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed
Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:
details of your travel history for the past 10 years
your employer’s address and telephone number
your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
a certificate proving that you’ve had a tuberculosis (TB) test if you’re visiting for more than 6 months