The UK Visitor visa is required for foreign nationals who intend to visit the United Kingdom for various purposes such as tourism, business, or to visit family and friends. This visa allows visitors to stay in the UK for a maximum duration of six months. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to visit the UK for these purposes without a visa; you should check your eligibility on the Home Office website.

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must provide evidence of the purpose of their visit, sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the UK, and demonstrate strong ties to their home country, ensuring that they will return after their visit.

Applying for the UK Visitor visa can be done online, and applicants are required to submit supporting documents, including bank statements, travel itinerary, and a valid passport. It’s essential to note that this visa does not grant the right to work or settle in the UK. Visitors must obtain this visa before traveling and should adhere to the specific conditions of their visit as stated in their visa approval.

The Home Office has stringent requirements for applicants seeking to gain a UK Visitor visa. While each applicant’s situation may differ slightly, the requirements can be summarised as follows:

• You will need to meet the suitability requirements, which relate to having a good immigration history and acceptable criminal record.

You will also need to meet the ‘genuine visitor requirement’ by demonstrating that:

• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
• You will not keep returning as a visitor and thereby make the UK your home;
• You will not undertake any prohibited activities while in the UK, e.g. taking on a new job for a British company;
• You can afford to pay for all costs related to your trip, including your return journey home.

At a minimum you will need to provide the following evidence as part of your application. Your lawyer will advise of any further documents you need to supply to enhance the quality of your application.

• Your passport
• A statement outlining travel and accommodation plans, and an itinerary of activities, with anticipated costs
• 6 months’ of bank statements
• Evidence of employment, property ownership, etc. in your home country
• The details of, and a statement from, anyone sponsoring your trip, e.g. relatives you are staying with.

No, each person who wishes to travel to the UK needs to apply separately for a Visitor visa. If there are multiple members of your family or party who wish to use our visa application services, we can offer a discounted rate of £250 per additional applicant. 

The application fee for a UK Visitor visa is £100. 

The processing time for a UK Visitor visa can vary. However, it typically takes around 3 weeks (15 working days) from the date you submit your application. Please note that processing times can be longer during peak periods or if additional documentation is required.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to assist with your UK Visitor application. This includes a free initial consultation, detailed advice for your personal immigration lawyer, evidence checklist and document collection, application preparation and submission, handling interactions with immigration authorities, and guidance on visa decision and next steps. We aim to make the visa application process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

If your UK Visitor visa is refused, it could be due to various reasons, such as errors in the application form, misunderstanding Home Office guidelines, not providing enough detail about your itinerary, or insufficient evidence of your intention to leave the UK at the end of your stay.

If your application is refused, review the Refusal Notice from the Home Office which describes the reasons your application has been denied. Most importantly, seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer to understand your options and increase your chances of success.