Visit visas for the UK

Find out about Visitor visas for your UK trip

If you’re planning to visit the UK, you should check the entry requirements for your nationality to see if you’ll need a visa.

Who needs a visit visa for the United Kingdom?

Citizens of commonwealth or EU countries, as well as US and Japanese nationals, can visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months with a valid passport. If you’re travelling from another country, you’ll likely need a Visitor visa.

Passport holders from Gulf Cooperation Council countries no longer need a visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. However, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required. This has replaced the EVW, or Electronic Visa Waiver.

UK Visitor visa: key details

  • passport
    Stay for up to 6 months

    Standard Visitor visas allow you to visit more than once during the validity period of your visa.
    You can stay for up to 180 days at a time.

  • calendar
    Apply up to 3 months in advance

    You cannot get a Visitor visa on arrival in the UK. Make your application and wait for visa approval before you travel.

  • online
    Get your Visitor visa online

    Submit your application on the UK government website. You’ll need to complete a form and upload some documents.

You can apply for a Visitor visa that allows you to stay longer than 6 months in certain circumstances. These include:

  • Travel for medical procedures — up to 11 months of treatment
  • Visiting academics — apply for stays of up to 12 months

Visas for tourism, medical visits and business

If you’re travelling to the UK for medical treatment, business networking, or tourism, the visa you’ll need is the Standard Visitor visa. The UK doesn’t offer specific medical, tourist, or business visas.

Later in this page, you can see the types of activities you’re allowed to take part in while in the UK with a Visitor visa.

If you’ve been offered a job in the UK, you’ll need to apply for a work visa.

For long term study in the UK, such as degree courses, or programmes which last more than 1 month, you cannot use a Visitor visa. You must apply for a study visa.

Types of Visitor visa for travel to the UK

All types of UK Standard Visitor visa are multiple entry, meaning you can enter and leave the country as long as your visa is valid. There’s no limit to the number of times you can leave or come back into the UK during this period.

You can apply for a Visitor visa with a validity period that best suits your needs.

  1. Standard Visitor visa

    • Valid for 6 months
    • Stay for a period of up to 6 months

  2. 2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa

    • Valid for 24 months
    • Stay for periods of up to 6 months

  3. 5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa

    • Valid for 60 months
    • Stay for periods of up to 6 months

  4. 10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa

    • Valid for 120 months
    • Stay for periods of up to 6 months

Entry requirements for the Visitor visa

All applicants need to show a valid travel document to get a Visitor visa. You’ll also need to share information about your travel plans in the UK and when you’ll return to your country of residence.

  • Valid passport: Your passport must not expire before the end of your planned visit to the UK.
  • Onward travel bookings: Return travel tickets, or proof of funds to buy them, are required.
  • Intent to return home: You’ll need to show that you plan to go back to your home country for work, or other obligations.

uk

Reasons for travel: permitted activities for visitors

The Visitor visa is suitable for many travellers coming to the United Kingdom for a short trip. Before applying, check that your reasons for visiting the UK are allowed with this type of visa.

  • Tourism

    You can visit any part of the United Kingdom as a tourist with a Visitor visa.

  • Visiting family and friends

    The Visitor visa allows trips to see friends or relatives who live in the UK.

  • Volunteering

    You can do unpaid voluntary work with a registered UK charity for up to 30 days.

  • Business trips

    With a Visitor visa, you can attend business meetings, interviews, or conferences.

  • Paid engagements

    You do some types of paid work, such as giving a lecture or performance.

  • School exchange trips

    Students taking part in a foreign exchange program can use the Visitor visa.

  • Studies and courses

    You can participate in courses, take an exam, or do a placement.

  • Medical treatment

    You can travel with a Visitor visa for medical treatment at an NHS or private facility.

You’re not allowed to start a permanent job with a UK company while holding a Visitor visa. If you’re travelling to the UK for work, you should apply for a work visa that suits your individual circumstances.

Reminder: not everybody needs a visa to visit the UK. If you come from a visa-exempt country, you can stay for up to 6 months and take part in any of the activities listed above without completing a visa application.

You’ll just need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the country.

How to apply for your UK Visitor visa

To start the process, visit the UK government online visa portal and follow these steps:

  • Article

    1 - Fill in the Visitor visa form

    Complete the Visitor visa application form on the official government website. You’ll need to pay a fee, and provide details about your trip, as well as personal information, like passport data, and evidence of your financial means.

  • Today

    2- Visit a visa application centre

    When filling in your online form, you’ll be asked to schedule an appointment at your nearest visa centre. On your visit, your fingerprints and photograph will be taken, and you’ll need to show some key documents, including your passport.

  • email

    3- Wait for a decision on your visa request

    Once processed, you’ll receive a decision on your application by email. If approved, your visa will be added to a page in your passport. Some centres offer a courier service but at other locations, you may have to collect your passport in person.

If you’re applying as a family, each person needs to complete an individual application form.

How much does the Visitor visa cost?

Standard Visitor visas for the UK vary in price, depending on the validity period. You can apply for the length of visa which best suits your plans. All types of Visitor visa are multiple entry, but allow a maximum of 6 months stay in the country on each trip.

Validity period 6 months Medical or academic Visitor visa (11 or 12 months) 2 years 5 years 10 years
Price £115 £200 £432 £771 £963



If you want to stay more permanently in the UK, find out if you’re eligible for a residency visa.

FAQs about UK visit visas

Can I stay in the UK for 6 months and then come back? Toggle faqs

Yes, you can return to the UK as long as you have a valid visa. If your Visitor visa has expired, you can apply for a new one.

You cannot renew or extend your Visitor visa from the UK. You’ll need to leave the country and then reapply.

If you’re eligible for the ETA, you can spend periods of up to 6 months in the UK visa-free. Your ETA is valid for 2 years, so you can use it to revisit the UK as often as you like during this period.

How long can I stay in the UK with a Visitor visa? Toggle faqs

All Visitor visas for the UK allow for trips of up to 6 months. Validity periods of Visitor visas vary. You can apply for a visa that’s valid for just 6 months, or get one that lasts for 10 years.

No matter the validity period of your Visitor visa, you cannot spend more than 6 months in the UK at a time.

Is the UK 180-day rule calculated per visit or per year? Toggle faqs

There is no 180-day rule imposed by British border forces. The 180-day rule applies to British nationals visiting the EU, restricting them to stays of no more than 90 days in the Schengen area in any given 180-day period.

As the UK is no longer part of the EU, it does not maintain this Schengen visa-waiver restriction for visitors. The length of time you’re allowed to spend in the UK will depend on your visa or ETA.

Who is eligible for the UK Visitor visa? Toggle faqs

Citizens of all countries can apply for the UK Visitor visa. Not all travellers need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Check the requirements for your nationality when making your travel plans.

If you need a Visitor visa, make your application online with the UK government visa portal.

You’ll need to show that you have plans to return to your country of residence at the end of your visit, and that you have financial means to cover your trip.

How many times can you enter the UK as a tourist? Toggle faqs

The ETA and all types of Visitor visa are multiple-entry, meaning you can leave and re-enter the UK as often as you wish while your entry permit is valid.

If you visit the UK frequently, you might want to consider applying for a visitor visa with a long validity period. There are options with 2 year, 5 year, and 10 year validity.

What are the restrictions on the UK Visitor visa? Toggle faqs

The Visitor visa only allows you to stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. It’s not possible to extend or renew your visa from the UK once it’s expired. You’ll need to leave the country and apply for a new visa.

You’re not allowed to start a job in the UK if you hold a Visitor visa, though some types of paid engagements are permitted, such as performances, or lectures. You can also travel to attend business meetings, interviews, and conferences with your Visitor visa.

What is the 28-day rule for UK visas? Toggle faqs

The 28-day rule does not apply to the UK Visitor visa.

It’s used in some other types of visa processes, including student visas, to specify required dates for financial evidence that’s submitted as part of your application.