The UK visitor visa, also known as a standard visitor visa or UK tourist visa, allows foreign nationals to visit the UK as a tourist, for business, for study, and for other permitted activities for a short period of up to 6 months.
The Standard Visitor Visa is designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short-term stay, whether to visit friends and family or for a holiday. This visa allows for visits to the UK for up to 6 months. It does not lead to settlement in the UK, and all visitors, even when part of a group, must apply separately.
To qualify, you must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
The exact requirements may vary based on your circumstances, and consulting an immigration solicitor for expert advice is advisable.
You may engage in activities like visiting friends and family in the UK, holiday travel, participating in an educational exchange, and attending short courses of study. Holders of this visa cannot engage in employment, business activities, or receive payment from a UK source for any activities in the UK. However, remote work related to overseas employment, like answering emails or calls, is permissible.
The Standard Visitor Visa can be valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years, allowing multiple entries during its validity, unless restricted to a single or dual entry. Each visit should not exceed 6 months. The application fee varies based on the visa’s duration: £100 for up to 6 months, £376 for 2 years, £670 for 5 years, and £837 for 10 years.
Our solicitors are adept at assisting individuals globally in securing visas for the UK for tourism, leisure, and family visits. Whether you need advice on the merits of applying, assistance with preparing an application, or legal representation to challenge a refusal, our team is ready to help. We pride ourselves on our accessible and proactive service, dedicated to providing clear, trustworthy immigration advice as part of our professional and friendly support.
The Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules, known as HC 1333, was laid before Parliament on 14 October 2025 and introduces numerous significant updates across several visa categories, with varying commencement dates. The explanatory memorandum lists the main changes as being: Introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Botswana Recognition of […]
The UK Global Talent Visa is one of the most attractive immigration routes for highly skilled individuals. Designed to bring world-class leaders and emerging talents in academia, research, digital technology, and arts and culture, this visa offers flexibility, independence, and a pathway to settlement. If you are considering applying, understanding the Global Talent Visa requirements […]
When parents separate or divorce, one of the biggest concerns is child contact and/or living arrangements—how children will continue to have meaningful relationships with both parents. If parents cannot agree, the family court can step in and issue a Child Arrangements Order. This guide explains the requirements for a Child Arrangement Order under UK Family […]
UK Family Visa allows you to bring family members (eligible foreign nationals) to join you in the UK for an extended period of 6 months or more. You can bring your spouse or partner, fiance or proposed civil partner, child, parent, or a relative to who you will provide long-term care.
The Global Business Mobility visa is an umbrella category of five different types of UK work visas. These visas are designed for employees of overseas companies to undertake specific types of work or assignments in the UK.
Our lawyers act for schools, colleges and universities across the world. We understand your context and are able to advise on any legal and regulatory matters, as well as international projects.
The UK Temporary Worker Visa is a work visa that permits you to work in the UK temporarily. The time you can stay in the UK for a Temporary Worker Visa varies depending on the category you apply for and ranges from 6 months to 2 years.
EEA nationals are required to obtain leave to enter or remain in order to visit or live in the UK. Unless a person is coming to the UK for a short visit, they will need to apply for a visa in advance of their arrival.
Whether you wish to recruit a foreign worker, establish a UK branch of an overseas company or effect an intra-company transfer, our immigration barristers can assist. Our expertise covers immigration routes for individual investors and entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, as well as multinational companies.
Well versed in both the legal and technical languages of decentralized finance, our global team can support anyone wanting to navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital assets.
Often people want to come to the UK to settle in the UK, without a specific idea as to what they want to do when they are here. In fact, our clients regularly ask us, what is the quickest way to settle in the UK?
With British citizenship you can apply for a British passport and you will be free of immigration control, allowing you to travel into and out of the UK freely without the need for a visa.
The UK Graduate visa allows international students to remain in the UK after completing their studies for up to two years, or three for doctoral graduates.
If your UK visa or immigration application has been refused, our immigration appeal lawyers can advise you on the merits of appealing to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), prepare your immigration appeal and represent you at your immigration appeal hearing.
Applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK can be made, in certain circumstances, on the basis that to require the individual to leave the UK or to not allow them entry into the UK would be a breach of the individual’s human rights.
Applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK can be made, in certain circumstances, on the basis that to require the individual to leave the UK or to not allow them entry into the UK would be a breach of the individual’s human rights.
The Hong Kong BN(O) route allows BN(O) status holders and certain family members to live, work and study in the UK. After 5 years, applicants will be able to apply for settlement, and after a further year, British citizenship, providing they meet the requirements.
Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.
Tailor your preferences to receive regular, relevant insights and updates. You can change your preferences and unsubscribe at any time.
@ Privity Legal 2024
