You can come to the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, for example on a holiday or to see your family and friends, for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting, to do a short course of study, to take part in research or an exchange programme as an academic or for medical reasons, for example, to receive private medical treatment.
You must show that you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit and that you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home, you’re able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you), you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey), you have proof of any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules.
You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to stay for longer if you’re coming to the UK for private medical treatment for up to 11 months or you’re an academic and meet the eligibility requirements in which case you, your spouse or partner and your children may be able to stay for up to 12 months.
If you’re staying in the UK for longer than 6 months, you must collect your biometric residence permit when you arrive. You may also have to take a tuberculosis test as part of your application depending on where you come from. If you need to visit the UK regularly you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that lasts 2, 5, or 10 years if you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period. 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. The Home Office fee for a standard visitor visa is currently £95.00, £361 for 2 years, £655 for 5 years, and £822 for 10 years, which is subject to change.
We will advise you on the specified documents required, check that they are in accordance with the Immigration Rules, prepare and submit the application on your behalf and obtain the biometric appointment for you.