Visiting the UK

Do You Need a Visa to Visit the UK?

Not everyone needs a visa to visit the UK. Whether you need one depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.

Visa-Free Visitors

Citizens of the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many other countries can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. However, many of these visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The ETA costs £20, covers travel of up to 6 months per visit, and is valid for 2 years.

Check our do I need a visa to visit the UK guide or the GOV.UK visa checker to confirm whether you need a visa, an ETA, or can enter freely.

Standard Visitor Visa

If your nationality requires a visa for short visits, you must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before you travel. You cannot arrive at the UK border and apply on entry. The application must be submitted online and you must attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your country.

What Can You Do on a Visitor Visa?

The Visitor Visa allows a wide range of activities, but there are strict rules about what you cannot do.

Permitted Activities

• Tourism and sightseeing
• Visiting family and friends
• Attending business meetings, conferences, and interviews
• Courses of study up to 6 months (a recreational course, up to 30 days)
• Receiving private medical treatment
• Amateur sports competitions and events
• Volunteering for a registered charity (up to 30 days)
• Transit through the UK

Activities NOT Allowed

• Paid or unpaid work for a UK employer
• Self-employment or providing services
• Study lasting more than 6 months (this needs a Student Visa)
• Living in the UK by making frequent or successive visits
• Claiming public funds or benefits
• Getting married or giving notice of marriage (you need a Marriage Visitor Visa for this)

Requirements

The full requirements for a UK Visitor Visa are designed to prove that you are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of your trip.

Genuine Visitor Test

The Home Office must be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor. This means you:

• Will leave the UK at the end of your visit
• Can financially support yourself during your stay (or will be supported by someone in the UK)
• Will not live in the UK through repeated or extended visits
• Have adequate accommodation for the duration of your trip

Financial Evidence

You must show you have enough money to cover your trip. Our financial evidence guide explains exactly what to submit. Generally, you need:

• Bank statements for the last 3–6 months
• Payslips or proof of income
• Evidence of accommodation (hotel bookings or an invitation letter from your host)
• Return flight bookings (recommended but not mandatory)

Ties to Your Home Country

The Home Office wants to see evidence that you have reasons to return home. Strong ties include:

• Employment (a letter from your employer confirming your role and approved leave)
• Property ownership
• Family members remaining in your home country
• Ongoing studies or business commitments

Costs and Fees

The cost of a UK Visitor Visa depends on how long you want the visa to be valid. For a full breakdown of all UK visa fees, see our complete UK visa fees guide.

• Standard Visitor Visa (6 months): £135
• Long-term Visitor Visa (2 years): £506
• Long-term Visitor Visa (5 years): £903
• Long-term Visitor Visa (10 years): £1,128

Long-term Visitor Visas allow multiple entries over the validity period, but each stay must not exceed 6 months. They are useful if you visit the UK regularly.

You do not need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for a Visitor Visa. However, you will not be entitled to free NHS treatment (except for emergency care). Private medical insurance is recommended.

How to Apply

The application process is straightforward but requires careful preparation of documents.

1. Check if you need a visa. Use the GOV.UK visa checker or our guide.
2. Complete the online application. Go to GOV.UK and fill in the application form. You will answer questions about your travel plans, finances, and background.
3. Pay the fee. Pay the £135 application fee (or the relevant fee for a long-term visa) online.
4. Book a biometric appointment. Attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in your country to provide your fingerprints and photograph.
5. Submit your documents. Upload or submit your supporting documents at the VAC or through the online portal.
6. Wait for a decision. See the processing times section below.

Processing Times

Processing times for the UK Visitor Visa are generally faster than other visa types.

• Standard processing: up to 3 weeks from the biometric appointment
• Priority processing: 5 working days (available in most countries for an additional fee)
• Super priority processing: next working day (available in some countries)

During peak travel seasons (summer, Christmas, Eid), processing times may be longer. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Common Reasons for Refusal

The UK Visitor Visa has one of the highest refusal rates of any UK visa. Understanding the common refusal reasons is essential.

• Not a genuine visitor. The Home Office was not convinced you will leave at the end of your trip. This is the number one reason. Show strong ties to your home country.
• Insufficient funds. Your bank statements do not show enough money to support your trip, or they show unexplained large deposits (which raise suspicions about fund "parking").
• Inconsistent information. The details in your application do not match your documents. For example, your stated purpose of visit does not match your accommodation arrangements.
• Previous immigration history. Overstaying a previous visa, being refused entry, or having a visa refusal in the UK or another country.
• Weak invitation letter. If someone in the UK is sponsoring your visit, a vague or incomplete invitation letter can weaken your application.

If your Visitor Visa is refused, there is generally no right of appeal. You can submit a fresh application with stronger evidence. Read our refusal reasons guide for what to do next.

The UK ETA: A New Requirement in 2026

The UK has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors who do not need a visa. The ETA is a digital permission linked to your passport. It costs £20 and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers travel of up to 6 months per visit.

The requirement applies to 83 nationalities and territories, including the Gulf states, all EU and European Economic Area countries, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. The rollout finished in April 2025. Check our ETA guide for the full list and how to apply.

If you need a Standard Visitor Visa, you do not need an ETA. The ETA only applies to people who can visit the UK without a visa.

You must have an approved ETA before you travel. Airlines will check your ETA status at check-in. You can apply through the UK ETA app available on iOS and Android.

Questions and answers