UK Visit Visa: The Complete Guide
How to visit the UK for tourism, family, business or marriage — the rules, the evidence, and how to avoid the common reasons applications are refused.
At a Glance
The Standard Visitor visa covers most short visits to the UK — tourism, visiting family, certain business activities and short courses. The key to success is convincing the Home Office you are a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of your stay. This guide explains how.
Types of Visit Visa
- Standard Visitor — tourism, family, business activities, short study
- Marriage Visitor — to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK (with no intention to stay)
- Transit Visa — passing through the UK en route elsewhere
Some nationalities also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-free visits — we advise on what applies to you.
Being a 'Genuine Visitor'
You must show you genuinely intend to visit for a permitted purpose, will leave at the end of your visit, and can support yourself without working or accessing public funds. Strong ties to your home country — employment, family, property — help demonstrate your intention to return.
What You Can and Can't Do
You can sightsee, visit family and friends, attend meetings and conferences, and undertake limited permitted activities. You cannot work, run a business, marry (without a marriage visitor visa), or access public funds. Overstaying or breaching conditions has serious consequences.
Documents & Evidence
Typical evidence includes your passport, proof of funds, employment or study status, accommodation and travel plans, and evidence of ties to your home country. For family visits, a sponsor's invitation and status documents help. We assemble a clear, persuasive application.
Avoiding Refusal
Most refusals come down to doubts about whether you are a genuine visitor or can support yourself. We pre-empt these concerns with well-organised evidence and a covering letter that addresses the rules directly — dramatically improving your chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most standard visitor visas allow stays of up to 6 months. Long-term visit visas (2, 5 or 10 years) allow multiple visits, but each stay is still usually limited to 6 months.
No. Employment is not permitted, although certain limited business activities (such as meetings and conferences) are allowed.
It depends on your nationality. Some travellers need a visa; others need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-free visits. We confirm exactly what you need.
Visit visas usually carry no right of appeal, so a fresh, stronger application is normally the route. We identify why it was refused and address it directly.
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