Personal Immigration
Visitor Visa
A visit visa, often referred to as a visitor/tourist visa, allows you to enter the United Kingdom for a temporary period for various purposes.
You can apply for a visit visa for a term of 6 months, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years. However, you must not remain in the UK for more than 6 months during any one visit.
The Home Office supplies information on who needs a visa. Check to see if you require a visa to visit the United Kingdom:
The specific details of a visit visa, including its requirements and application process, can vary depending on the purpose of your visit.
What are the requirements for a standard visit visa?
To apply for a standard visit visa for the UK, you need to meet the following requirements which will be assessed by an Entry Clearance officer on behalf of the Home Office.
- Valid Passport - You will need a valid passport with at least one blank page for your visa and your passport must have more than 6 months before it expires.
- Travel Details – You must supply your travel dates to and from the UK and a travel itinerary that outlines your plans while in the UK, including the purpose of your visit and places you intend to visit.
- Intention to return – You must show you will leave the UK at the end of your visit. Often, having a return flight will not be enough.
- Proof of Financial Means - You must show that you have enough money to cover your living costs for the entire period you are in the UK. If you are being supported by a sponsor such as a family member or a friend, the sponsor must show they have sufficient funds to support your living cost for the duration of your visit.
- Accommodation – You must supply the address you will be staying at while you are in the UK. This can be done with a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your UK sponsor.
- Additional Documentation - You may need to meet other requirements depending on your specific circumstances and your reason for wanting to visit the UK.
What can I do whilst I am in the UK?
With a Visit Visa for the UK, you are allowed to engage in various activities during your stay such as:
- Visit Friends and Family
- Tourism: Visitors can come to the UK for a holiday. You can use your visitor visa to explore the country, enjoy tourist attractions, and have a vacation.
- Educational Exchanges: Visitor visa holders are allowed to take part in educational exchanges or visits, especially if they are related to state-funded educational institutions.
- Recreational Study: It is possible to undertake recreational study for up to 30 days on a visitor visa, as long as the course does not lead to a formal qualification.
- Medical Reasons: You can seek medical treatment or consultations in the UK.
- Business Activities: Explore a diverse range of business activities in the UK, including, job seeking, remote working, intra-corporate activities, participating in manufacturing and the supply of goods, overseas roles requiring specific activities in the UK, work-related training, graduate of medical, dental or nursing schools as well as professionals engaged in science research and academia. Additionally, athletes, coaches, sports professionals, Artist, performers, individuals involved in religious activities or missions, Legal professionals visiting the UK for specific legal activities can engage in activities in the UK.
What am I not allowed to do as a visitor?
You must not engage in the following activities in the UK as a visitor:
- Paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
- Claim benefits (public funds).
- Live in the UK for long periods by regular visits.
- Marry or register a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership. There is a separate Marriage Visitor visa that will allow you to do this.
Visit visas do not lead to settlement in the UK nor does your residence in the UK as a visitor count towards permanent residence.
Why choose us?
Our highly trained immigration experts have a thorough understanding of the visit visa requirements and application process. We can help you with your tailored visitor visa application by providing you with:
- An honest opinion on the positives and negatives of your case.
- Advice on the visitor visa requirements specific to your circumstances.
- A customised evidence checklist.
- Help with preparing and sending your application form and evidence.
- Challenging a visitor visa refusal decision.
We are dedicated to providing you with the most relevant and accurate advice by staying updated with the latest changes and industry trends. Our unwavering commitment lies in delivering individualised care to you and your application.
Our team of immigration experts invest their time in understanding your circumstances and needs. This tailored approach empowers us to help you to create a robust visa application for submission to the Visa Application Centre.
With our proven track record of successful outcomes, you can have complete confidence in Compass Immigration Law Ltd.
