UK Visitor Visa Requirements: The Ultimate Guide
by Dos team
by Dos team
Fancy a trip to the UK? Whether you're dropping in on relatives, watching your mate get hitched, or just want to see if the London Eye is worth the hype, sorting out your visitor visa can be a proper headache. Brexit threw a spanner in the works, and now even seasoned travelers are scratching their heads about what paperwork they actually need. Let's cut the waffle and get down to brass tacks – here's what you really need to know about UK visitor visas.
Think of a UK visitor visa as your temporary hall pass to Britain. It lets you in for a short stint – usually up to 6 months – with the understanding that you'll clear off home afterward. It's not your ticket to working, studying for ages, or putting down roots.
The Home Office essentially wants reassurance that you'll pop in, do your thing, then leave without overstaying your welcome. Break these rules, and you might find yourself on the naughty list for future UK travel plans.
Your passport determines whether you need to faff about with visa applications before booking your flight.
As of April 2025, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – a lighter-touch permission slip that allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months, and remains valid for two years. This takes about 10 minutes to fill out online, and is usually approved in a few days.
Americans, Canadians, and Aussies can show up for up to six months without pre-approval. But don't get too comfortable – immigration officers can still give you the third degree at the border and send you packing if your story sounds dodgy.
Everyone else – roughly two-thirds of the world – needs to sort a proper visitor visa before even thinking about boarding that plane. And yes, the rules change more often than British weather, so double-check your status before splashing out on flights.
This is your garden-variety visitor visa. It covers holidays, family visits, certain business activities (you’ll need to double-check), short courses, and standard tourism. Most visitors go for this option.
You'll typically get up to 6 months, though border guards often stamp you in for less time, especially if it's your first visit or something about your story raises eyebrows.
Here's a curveball – there's technically no separate "family visitor visa" anymore, despite what everyone still calls it. It's now lumped in with the standard visitor visa. But visiting family does need specific paperwork to prove you're actually related to the people you claim to be visiting.
You'll need evidence of your family connection and usually a letter from your UK relatives saying they're happy to put you up – or proof you've got enough cash to avoid sleeping rough.
Got plans to get hitched in the UK but not stick around? The marriage visitor visa is for people coming over to say "I do" before heading back home.
The bar is higher for these applications. You'll need to convince officials your relationship isn't a sham, show actual wedding plans, and make it crystal clear you're not planning to set up home together in the UK afterward. This isn't your route if you're planning to settle down in Britain post-wedding – that's a whole different kettle of fish.
There are a few niche visitor visas for specific situations:
Each has its own quirks, but they all fall under the broader visitor visa umbrella.
To bag any UK visitor visa, you need to convince the Home Office that:
The first point is the biggie. UK immigration is paranoid about visitors who secretly plan to stay. Your entire application hinges on proving you've got enough ties back home to drag you back when your visit's done.
Different visitor visas have their own hoops to jump through:
For business visitors, you need to prove you're just attending meetings or scoping things out – not actually working for a UK company.
For marriage visitors, you need evidence you're genuinely loved up and have actual wedding plans in place.
For medical visitors, you need details of your treatment and proof you can foot the bill.
The Home Office loves paperwork – the more evidence you can chuck at them, the better your chances.
Gathering paperwork for your visitor visa is like preparing for an audit by your most suspicious ex. You'll need:
The exact paperwork depends on your situation. Someone visiting their nan needs different evidence than a tourist or business visitor. When in doubt, bombard them with documents rather than leaving gaps.
Start early – at least 3-4 weeks before you want to travel, though processing times are about as predictable as British summer weather.
If the whole process gives you a migraine, getting legal help with UK visitor visa applications might save your sanity and boost your chances of getting approved.
A standard 6-month visitor visa will set you back £100, although these figures can change at any time.
They claim processing takes about 3 weeks, but in reality, it could be anywhere from a few days to several months. If you're in a rush, you might be able to get priority services for an extra fee.
Visitor visas get knocked back for predictable reasons:
The Home Office only needs the tiniest whiff of suspicion to say no – they don't need concrete proof you're planning to overstay.
Unlike some visa types, visitor visa refusals don't come with a right to appeal. Your options are pretty limited:
Loads of people get approved on their second go after addressing the issues in their refusal letter. If you're planning to try again, getting professional advice first isn't a bad shout.
For those dreaming of a longer stay down the line, remember that playing by the rules now helps build a squeaky-clean immigration history. You might even need to take the test before settling in the UK eventually, and these kinds of questions might come up.
Getting a UK visitor visa isn't just about ticking boxes – it's about spinning a convincing yarn. Officials need to believe you're genuinely just popping in, not planning to disappear into the British countryside forever.
Be straight with them, thorough with your paperwork, and don't leave it till the last minute. The system can be a right pain, but most legitimate visitors get through eventually.
