Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), medical treatment and other activities. Find out whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, or can visit without a visa.
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.
You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.
Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. You should check if you need a visa before you apply.
Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor.
Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
Check if you need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.
Apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one.
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:
You cannot:
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to show that:
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK:
The rules on what you’ll need to enter the UK may be different if you’re travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
Depending on your nationality, you’ll either:
You can check if you need a visa before you apply.
If you do not need a visa, you must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK. You may be asked questions at the UK border about your eligibility and the activities you plan to do.
If you’ve previously been refused entry to the UK or have a criminal record, you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa (even if you do not need one).
You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.
A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.
You can pass through the UK to another country on a Standard Visitor visa. If transiting is your only reason for coming to the UK, you can apply for a Visitor in Transit visa instead for £74.50.
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months:
You’ll need to apply for a work visa if you want to do any other paid or unpaid work in the UK.
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor to do the following business activities if you’re not paid by a UK-based organisation or client:
You should:
You can do certain additional activities in the UK as a Standard Visitor, if you’re employed overseas as:
Check the Visitor Rules for details of what you can do as a Standard Visitor in these job roles.
You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:
You should:
To study or research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your course or research.
You must prove that:
The accredited UK institution cannot be an academy or state-funded school, unless you’re on an Erasmus+ placement.
If you’re doing a distance learning course, your course can last longer than 6 months. This is because most of your study will happen outside of the UK.
You can visit the UK to do certain activities as part of your course, for example:
You’ll need to apply for either a:
You must prove that:
You can visit for up to 6 months to do your research.
You’ll need to provide confirmation from your overseas course provider that the research or research tuition is part of, or relevant to, the course you’re doing overseas.
You must prove that you’re:
You can visit for up to 6 months to do your elective.
Your UK higher education provider will need to give written confirmation that you will not be treating patients or being paid for the elective.
If you’re an overseas graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school you can do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post for up to 6 months.
If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you will need to pass the PLAB test and apply to stay in the UK.
You must not treat patients.
You must provide written confirmation:
You can visit for up to 6 months to take the OSCE or PLAB test.
If you do not pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK for a further 6 months to retake the test.
If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post. You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.
You must provide a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirming your OSCE test registration.
You’ll need a letter from the General Medical Council confirming your PLAB test registration.
If you’re a scientist, researcher or academic you can:
If you’re a senior doctor or dentist you can also:
You can also do these activities if you’re on an Erasmus+ placement.
To research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your research.
You can also visit if you’re invited for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) - for example, to give a lecture or be an academic assessor. You’ll need to show you’re an expert in your profession.
You should:
All academic visits lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.
You can:
You must meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and the additional eligibility requirements for academics. You must provide any required documents that show your eligibility.
Your partner and children can apply to stay with you for up to 12 months. They can apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance or visit for 6 months and extend their stay once in the UK.
You must prove you’re:
If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.
If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.
You need to show you meet the eligibility requirements, for example by providing a letter from:
Depending on where you come from, you may need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.
You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do an Erasmus+ placement.
You may be able to get an ETA instead of a visa – it depends on your nationality.
You can:
Check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor.
You might need to meet extra requirements if you’re under 18.
You must meet the visitor requirements for studying in the UK.
You must be one of the following:
You must be under 18 when your traineeship starts.
Your traineeship must:
You’re allowed to do:
However, you cannot fill an existing role in the organisation.
You’ll need evidence that you’re doing an Erasmus+ placement in the UK.
This evidence must include details of your placement, such as:
You can use:
You’ll need additional documents if you’re under 18.
If your placement is longer than 6 months or involves work or training that you’re not allowed to do on a Standard Visitor visa, you may need a different visa. Depending on what you plan to do, this could be a:
You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) if you:
The engagement must be relevant to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country.
You can come to the UK for up to 6 months, but you must do the engagement in the first month.
You can be invited:
You should:
Who can invite you and what you can use to show you’re an expert depends on your profession.
You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your profession including:
A ‘professional artist’ can be anyone working in the performing or creative arts. For example, poets, make-up artists, stylists, set designers, photographers and fashion models.
You must have an invitation from a UK-based:
The event or engagement must relate directly to your full-time profession.
You must be able to show you’re an established artist, entertainer or musician in your home country, for example:
You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your sporting profession. For example, taking part in a sporting event.
You must have an invitation from a UK-based:
The event or engagement must relate directly to your full-time profession.
You must be able to show you’re an established sportsperson in your home country, for example:
You can be paid by a client to represent them in the UK at a court or tribunal hearing, arbitration or other form of legal dispute resolution.
You can also be paid to visit the UK to prepare for the hearing.
You must have an invitation from your client, showing you’ve been asked to represent them in the UK.
You must provide confirmation of your right of audience or ‘temporary call’.
You may need to show that you’re a qualified lawyer, such as a practising certificate or certificate of good standing.
You can be paid to give a lecture or series of lectures about your area of expertise.
You cannot take a full-time or part-time teaching post for your host organisation.
You must have an invitation from a UK-based:
Your work overseas must be relevant to the lecture or lectures that you’re giving.
You must be able to show you’re highly qualified in your area of expertise. For example, you can provide:
If you want to give a lecture on a subject not relevant to your current role, you may need to provide evidence of:
You can visit for a permitted paid event or engagement, if you’re semi-retired and earning an income from giving regular lectures. You cannot do this if you’re retired.
You can be paid to speak at a conference or seminar.
You must have an invitation to speak from the organiser of a conference or seminar in the UK.
You must be able to show that the conference or seminar is relevant to your area of expertise and profession in your home country.
You can be paid to:
You must have an invitation from a UK higher education institution or a UK-based research or arts organisation.
Your work overseas must be relevant to the role you’ve been invited to do.
You must be able to show you’re highly qualified in your area of expertise. For example, you can provide:
You can visit for a permitted paid event or engagement if you’re semi-retired and earning an income from regular examination work. You cannot do this if you’re retired.
You can be paid to examine UK-based air pilots, so they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of your country.
You must have an invitation from a UK-based approved training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
You must be able to show that you’re in full-time employment overseas with your country’s national aviation authority.
You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:
You should:
You must prove that you:
You’ll need a letter written by a doctor or consultant, that confirms:
You can visit the UK for treatment at an NHS hospital. Your treatment must be paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.
You must provide an authorisation form, issued by the government of your country, saying they will pay for your treatment.
You can only visit the UK to donate organs to:
You must prove that the person you’re donating an organ to is legally allowed to be in the UK.
You’ll need a letter from the lead nurse of the transplant team, a General Medical Council registered specialist or a registered NHS consultant that confirms:
The letter should be dated no more than 3 months before you intend to arrive in the UK.
If the recipient is not legally resident in the UK, you must provide their name, nationality and date of birth in your application.
The recipient should check if they need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa and that they meet the eligibility requirements for medical treatment.
All visits for medical treatment lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.
You can:
There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs £1,172 each time you do.
Depending on where you come from, you may also need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.
You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and:
You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone over the age of 18).
Your parent or guardian will need to provide their:
They’ll also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:
Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if you’re both of the following:
You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.
The same rules apply to education exchange visits that last for more than 28 days, unless:
There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Read the guidance for more information.
You’ll need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements. If you do not need a visa to travel, you’ll need to prove this at the border.
If you do have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, you’ll need to identify the adult travelling with you in your visa application.
If the person you’re travelling with is not your parent, you’ll need to provide specific information about them in your application.
You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application. Their names will appear on your visa. The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.
You must also give proof that you have permission to do the Erasmus+ placement from both:
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:
You can check if you need a visa before you apply.
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 |
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.
You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.
Find out how to sign in to continue your visa application.
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.
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:
Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:
You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:
You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.
At your appointment, you’ll need to:
You’ll get your passport or travel document back on the same day. The visa application centre may keep some of your other documents while processing your application. You’ll be told what they’ll need when you apply.
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You can check to see if you can get your visa decision faster.
You’ll get an email when the Home Office has made a decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
You’ll get an eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status).
To access your eVisa, you’ll need to:
You’ll usually be able to access your eVisa straight away if it has been linked to your UKVI account, but it can take up to 24 hours.
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, contact UKVI.
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.
You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.
You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you’re:
You must apply to extend your stay and pay the £1,172 fee regardless of your nationality.
You need to apply while you’re still in the UK and before your current visa or permission expires.
It costs:
You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.
You may be able to extend your stay as long as the total time you spend in the UK is no more than 6 months. You must meet the eligibility requirements and pay the £1,172 fee.
For example, if you have been in the UK for 3 months, you can apply to extend your stay for 3 more months. This applies if you needed a visa to visit the UK and also if you did not need one.
If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to stay for a further 6 months if you:
There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs £1,172 each time you extend.
You must get a medical practitioner or NHS consultant who’s registered in the UK to provide details of your medical condition that needs further treatment.
If you’re having treatment at an NHS hospital under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, you will need to provide another authorisation form from your country’s government saying they will pay for your treatment.
If you’re already in the UK and have permission to visit for less than 12 months, you can apply to stay for up to 12 months in total.
Your partner and children can apply to stay for up to 12 months too. They must have their own application and each pay the £1,172 fee.
You must prove you:
If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.
If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.
Before you extend your stay, check if you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. You may need one if you’re researching certain subjects at postgraduate level or above.
If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to extend your stay for up to 6 months to retake the PLAB test.
You must provide written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you’re retaking the test.
If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay longer to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post.
You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.
You must provide written confirmation:
You must not treat patients.
When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).
You’ll also need to submit the supporting documents that prove your eligibility. You can:
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.
Find out how to sign in to your account.
You can get help with completing the online form if you:
You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your stay in the UK.
You cannot get immigration advice through this service.
If you use the standard service, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing your supporting documents and proving your identity.
If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:
Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.
You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:
Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your permission to be in the UK ended.
You’ll get an eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status).
Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You’ll need to create a UKVI account.