Do you need a visa to visit the UK?

It depends on your nationality.

Visa nationals need a Standard Visitor visa before travelling. This includes citizens of countries such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria and many others.

Non-visa nationals, such as citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and most European countries, do not need a visa for a short visit but need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA costs £20 and is applied for through the official GOV.UK channel. Be careful of copycat websites that charge more.

If you are not sure which applies to you, use the check on GOV.UK or ask us at initial advice.

What the Standard Visitor visa allows

A Standard Visitor visa normally lets you stay for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings, some short courses and medical treatment. You cannot work for a UK employer, study for a degree, live in the UK through frequent visits, or claim public funds.

The rules are set in Appendix Visitor of the Immigration Rules. The central question is whether you are a genuine visitor: someone who intends to visit for the stated purpose and leave at the end.

What the caseworker looks at

1. Purpose. Is your reason for the visit clear, consistent and believable?

2. Funds. Can you pay for the trip and your return, or is someone else paying and can they show it?

3. Ties. What connects you to your home country: a job, a business, family, property, studies?

4. Travel history. Have you travelled before and returned on time?

5. Accommodation and itinerary. Where will you stay and what will you do?

6. Previous refusals and immigration history. These must be declared honestly.

Why visitor visas are refused

Visit visa refusals tend to follow patterns:

• Bank statements that show a sudden deposit or do not match the declared income;

• Weak evidence of ties to the home country;

• A vague or inconsistent purpose or itinerary;

• A host in the UK whose invitation is not supported by their own documents;

• A failure to declare an earlier refusal or overstay;

• Documents that do not match the application form.

A refusal is on your record, and later applications ask about it. It is best to fix the reasons before you reapply.

Family visits and invitations

If your family or friends in the UK invite you, a good invitation letter helps but does not decide the application. The Home Office looks mainly at your own circumstances. Your host should give an address, relationship, the purpose and duration of the visit, and how costs will be covered. We help hosts and visitors prepare consistent documents.

Business visitors

A Standard Visitor can attend meetings, conferences and negotiate contracts. You cannot be paid by a UK source or carry out productive work. If you are not sure whether your activity falls within the rules, ask before you travel, because getting this wrong can lead to refusal or refusal at the border.

Fees and costs