UK Visitor Visa from the Philippines: Fee and Documents
Filipino citizens are visa nationals and must get a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel. This guide covers the £135 fee, financial evidence, ties to the Philippines, VFS biometrics in Manila and Cebu, and why applications are refused.
- Section
- Visitor Visa
- Reading time
- 9 min
- Last checked
- 9 June 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Filipino citizens are visa nationals and must apply before travelling.
- The Standard Visitor visa is £135 for up to 6 months in 2026.
- No TB (tuberculosis) test is needed for a short visit under 6 months.
- Give biometrics at a VFS centre in Manila or Cebu.
- Show strong financial evidence and clear ties to the Philippines.
Filipino passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK. The visa costs £135 for up to 6 months in 2026. This guide explains who needs the visa, the documents and financial evidence you need, how to apply through VFS in Manila or Cebu, and how to avoid the most common refusal reasons.
Do Filipino Citizens Need a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes. The Philippines is a visa national country. This means Filipino passport holders must apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel. You cannot enter the UK as a visitor without one. This is different from countries like the United States, whose citizens do not need a visitor visa and get a £20 electronic travel authorisation (ETA) instead.
You apply for the visa online and then give your biometrics in person. You should be granted the visa before you book final travel. For the full overview of this route, see our UK Visitor visa guide.
What You Can and Cannot Do as a Visitor
A Standard Visitor visa lets you do many things. You can:
- Visit family and friends
- Come as a tourist
- Attend a business meeting or conference
- Take a short course of up to 6 months
There are firm limits. You cannot work for a UK employer, do paid or unpaid work, or claim public funds. You also cannot live in the UK through frequent or back-to-back visits. See our work restrictions guide for full detail.
The £135 Fee in 2026
The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for a stay of up to 6 months in 2026. You pay this when you apply online. Long-term visitor visas, valid for 2, 5 or 10 years, cost more, but each visit is still limited to 6 months.
Fees can change. Always check the current price on GOV.UK before you apply. See our visitor visa cost guide for a full breakdown.
Financial Evidence
Financial evidence is one of the most important parts of your application. You must show you can pay for your trip and that you have a settled financial life in the Philippines. Provide:
- Bank statements: the last 6 months, showing regular income and a steady balance
- Payslips: recent payslips that match your bank deposits
- Employment letter: confirming your job, salary, and approved leave dates
- Business papers: registration documents if you are self-employed
Avoid large deposits that you cannot explain. The Home Office wants to see a steady pattern, not a one-off balance. See our financial evidence guide for more.
Showing Ties to the Philippines
The Home Office must believe your visit is genuine and that you will leave at the end. Strong ties to the Philippines help prove this. Useful evidence includes:
- A stable job and an employment letter
- Property or land that you own
- Close family who depend on you at home
- Enrolment at a school or university
The more reasons you have to return, the stronger your application.
Documents You Need
Along with financial evidence, prepare these documents:
- A current passport with a blank page
- Your travel dates and a simple itinerary
- Proof of where you will stay
- Return or onward travel plans
If you are visiting family or friends, ask them for an invitation letter. See our documents guide and our invitation letter guide.
How to Apply and Give Biometrics
You apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee. After that, you book an appointment at a VFS Global visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photo. In the Philippines, VFS centres are in Manila and Cebu.
Processing Times
- Standard: about 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment
- Priority: faster service where available, for an extra £500 (decision usually within 5 working days)
Book your appointment early during busy travel seasons. See our processing time guide.
Do You Need a TB Test?
No. A TB (tuberculosis) test is not needed for a short visit of less than 6 months. The Philippines is on the TB test country list, but you only need a TB test if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, such as some study or family routes. See our TB test guide for more.
Common Refusal Reasons
Applications are most often refused when:
- Financial evidence is weak or hard to verify
- Your reasons to return to the Philippines look weak
- Your travel plans are vague or do not add up
- The application has gaps or mistakes
Prepare carefully to avoid these. See our refusal reasons guide and the full requirements guide.
Next Steps
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Do Filipino citizens need a visa to visit the UK?
Yes. The Philippines is a visa national country, so Filipino passport holders must apply for and be granted a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel. You cannot enter the UK as a visitor without it.
How much does the UK Visitor visa cost for Filipinos in 2026?
The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for a stay of up to 6 months in 2026. You pay this when you apply online. Always check the current fee on GOV.UK before you apply, as fees can change.
Do Filipino visitors need a TB (tuberculosis) test?
No. A TB (tuberculosis) test is not needed for a short visit of less than 6 months. The Philippines is on the TB test country list, but GOV.UK says the test applies only if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more.
Where do Filipinos give their biometrics?
You book an appointment at a VFS Global visa application centre in Manila or Cebu. There you give your fingerprints and a photo. You apply online first, then attend the centre.
Why are UK Visitor visas refused for Filipino applicants?
Common reasons are weak financial evidence, unclear travel plans, and not showing strong reasons to return to the Philippines. The Home Office must believe your visit is genuine and that you will leave at the end.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.