What is the Standard Visitor Visa?
The Standard Visitor visa allows non‑UK nationals to enter the UK for short stays (typically up to 6 months) for tourism, business or other approved purposes. Whether you are planning to attend meetings, visit family, undergo medical treatment or join an academic conference, this visa lets you travel legally while meeting UK immigration rules.
Applicants must apply online before travel (as early as 3 months ahead) and attend a biometric appointment at a visa centre. The standard fee is £127 for up to six months. Each person must submit a separate application, and applications are usually decided in about three weeks (faster processing is available in some locations).
Permitted & Prohibited Activities
A Standard Visitor may engage in many short‑term activities, but cannot work or settle in the UK.
Permitted Activities
- Business visits: Attending non‑paid meetings, conferences, seminars, negotiating contracts, or conducting overseas company training.
- Tourism & family: Holidays, seeing family or friends, or passing through the UK en route elsewhere.
- Short courses: Taking a recreational course (up to 30 days) or volunteering with a registered charity (up to 30 days).
- Academic/Medical: Permitted paid engagements (e.g., lectures), research collaborations, or obtaining private medical treatment.
Prohibited Activities
- No paid/unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person (outside narrow exceptions).
- No claiming public funds or making the UK your permanent home through repeated visits.
- No marrying or registering a civil partnership without the correct visa.
- Cannot work even if it's for an overseas employer, beyond permitted business activities.
Key Requirements & Documents
Applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements. You must demonstrate clear plans and strong ties to your home country.
- Valid Passport: You must have a valid travel document (with at least one blank visa page) for the whole period of your stay.
- Sufficient Funds: You must show that you have enough funds for the trip (or someone sponsoring you) and that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
- Strong Ties: Evidence could include bank statements, payslips, proof of ongoing employment or study abroad, property ownership or family commitments.
- Clear History: Any criminal or immigration history must be disclosed. Any foreign-language documents must be professionally translated.
Application, Fees & Stay
Application Process
Apply online up to 3 months before travel. You must attend a biometric (fingerprint & photo) appointment.
Fees & Timing
The standard 6-month visa costs £127. Decisions typically take 3 weeks. Long-term (2, 5, 10 year) visas are also available.
Length of Stay
Typically up to 6 months per visit. Even with a long-term visa, each individual stay must not exceed 6 months.
Extensions
Extensions beyond 6 months are rare, costly (£1,100), and only permitted in limited cases like ongoing medical treatment.
Refusals & Our Services
Refusals & Reviews
A visitor visa can be refused if eligibility or documentation is inadequate. There is usually no right of appeal against a refusal. Applicants may only be able to pursue an administrative review or judicial review if the decision was unlawful.
If your visa is refused, we can assess the decision and, where eligible, assist with a review to challenge the outcome. In cases of minor errors, we can often reapply with supplementary evidence.
Our Business Immigration Services
Beyond visitor visas, our corporate team advises businesses on all immigration needs. For employers seeking to hire overseas workers, we assist with Sponsor Licence applications, renewals, and compliance audits.
We also guide companies on Skilled Worker visas, self-sponsorship routes, and Innovator visas, ensuring all salary and role requirements are met.
Why Choose Us?
As an SRA-regulated law firm, Lexington Ashworth delivers immigration legal advice with integrity, insight, impact, and precision. We pride ourselves on trusted, client-focused service: listening to your situation, explaining requirements, and crafting solutions that minimise risk.
Integrity
We provide honest, practical advice. If your case has challenges, we explain them upfront and help you address them.
Insight
We apply our thorough knowledge of UK immigration policy to each case, from visitor rules to complex sponsorship law.
Impact
Our goal is to achieve positive results. We prepare applications meticulously to avoid refusals and work tenaciously to overturn adverse decisions.
Precision
Every application is checked down to the last detail. We ensure your documentation fully meets Home Office requirements.
To apply for your Standard Visitor visa or for any UK immigration matter, contact our team today. We can provide a clear guide to requirements, help you prepare the strongest application, and stand by you through any challenges. With Lexington Ashworth, you can secure your UK visit visa with confidence.