UK Visitor Visa Online Application

Apply today for the UK Visitor Visa with us!

Last updated: January 2024

If you're eager to experience the iconic sights of London, the stunning Scottish Highlands, or the enchanting charm of Oxford and Cambridge, you’ll need a UK Visitor Visa.

This visa is your gateway to an unforgettable journey, allowing you to explore all the wonders this country offers. Luckily, we can help you easily get the UK Standard Visitor Visa, also known as the UK Tourist Visa.

Just fill out our online application form and rely on our professional guidance to have your visa approved. Download our app for an even smoother experience. Start planning your UK adventure today!

What is the UK Visitor Visa?

The UK Standard Visitor Visa is the perfect visa for visitors traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, business, medical treatment, short studies, or visiting family and friends.

What can you do with the UK Visitor Visa?

• You can visit the UK for tourism.

• You can see your family members or friends.

• You can make stopovers at the airport.

• You can sign contracts, attend fairs and business meetings, and do other business activities.

• You can volunteer for up to 30 days for a registered charity.

• You can take part in a school exchange program.

• You can do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example, a dance course.

• You can participate in congresses as a listener or speaker (without charging fees).

• You can receive medical treatments and attend consultations with a British doctor.

What can you NOT do with the UK Visitor Visa?

• You can’t work.
• You can’t take long courses or study for long periods.
• You can’t reside permanently in the country.
• You can’t live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
• You can’t claim public funds.
• You can’t marry or register a civil partnership.
• You can’t get a driver's license.

If you need a student visa, spousal visa, or another travel document to visit the UK, please contact your local UK embassy or consulate for more information.

Who can apply for the UK Visitor Visa?

The UK Visitor Visa, specifically the Standard Visitor Visa, is suitable for those who meet the following criteria:

• You're not from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or part of the UK Visa Waiver Program.

• You don’t currently hold any form of immigration status in the UK (leave to enter or remain).

• Your intended stay in the UK is for six months or less.

• You plan to travel to the UK for leisure (such as a holiday or to see family and friends), business-related activities, or other specific reasons like participation in sports or creative events, academic research, or medical treatment.

• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit and can prove you can support yourself during your trip (or have someone willing to provide support).

Please note that this is a general guide, and the exact requirements can vary depending on the purpose of your visit and individual circumstances.

Who is eligible for the UK Visitor Visa?

The visa is available to a wide range of countries including, but not limited to:

• China
• India
• Russia
• Turkey
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Philippines
• Ukraine

To determine if your nationality requires a visa to visit the UK, use our handy Visa Checker Tool.

Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for a UK Visitor Visa?

Citizens from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and several other countries can generally enter the UK without a visa for tourism, business meetings, academic conferences, and other activities. These visits are typically limited to 6 months.

The EEA includes all European Union (EU) countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

In addition to these, citizens from the following countries (and several others) are generally allowed to enter the UK without a visa for short visits:

• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Israel
• Malaysia
• Brazil

For visa-free entry, travelers must usually use their visit for tourism, visiting family or friends, or business activities that do not involve work or study.

Please note that even if you’re a citizen of a visa-exempt country and you plan to work, study, or stay for longer than six months in the UK, you’ll generally need to apply for a more specific visa.

Do minors have to apply for the UK Visitor Visa?

Yes, minors from non-visa-exempt countries need a UK Visitor Visa. Their application should include parental consent, details of the responsible adult in the UK, and proof of financial support.

UK Visitor Visa validity: How long can I stay in the country with the UK Visitor Visa?

The UK Standard Visitor Visa you apply for with us is valid for 180 days after issued and allows for multiple entry stays of up to 180 days in total.

Can I extend my UK Visitor Visa?

Some circumstances might allow you to stay longer, such as getting medical treatment (up to 11 months).

We recommend applying for an extension at least eight weeks before the existing visa period expires. You must not have been part of any criminal activity, and you must not have broken any UK law or Immigration law during your stay in the UK.

UK Visit Visa requirements

To apply for the UK Standard Visitor Visa, you must submit certain documents during the application process, such as:

• A copy of your valid passport. It must be valid for at least six months from the arrival date in the UK and have at least one blank page.

• Proof of residence from the country you’re applying from, for example, a green card, an ID card, a residence permit, or a visa sticker in your passport (if applicable). This document is required to be uploaded if the country of residence and the nationality of the applicant are different.

• Bank statements from the last 3 months, showing your monthly or yearly income to prove that you can support yourself financially during your trip. There is no specific amount, but it must show the applicant has the funds he/she claims in the application form to support the expenses of his travel.

The UK government may ask you for more information or documents to prove your intended purpose of travel.

Minimum bank balance for UK Tourist Visa

The UK government doesn’t specify a mandatory minimum bank balance for getting a UK Visitor Visa. Nonetheless, you must demonstrate your earnings to confirm that you can financially sustain yourself and any dependents during your stay or that you’re receiving financial support from another party.

At your visa appointment, you should present personal banking and credit card statements from the last three months or any relevant documentation that validates your financial stability.

In cases where a company or another individual covers your travel expenses, provide their bank statements from the past three months and a copy of their identification or Tax Identification Number for additional verification.

How to apply for a UK Visitor Visa

For a quick and straightforward process to obtain your visa, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Provide your personal and travel information on our online visa form or through our user-friendly app. Double-check that all information is accurate, and select the closest location for your interview from the list provided.

If you do not see a suitable appointment location, please contact expert@iVisa so that our team of experts can help you in the application process.

• Step 2: Pay our iVisa service fee using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal.

• Step 3: Complete the remaining sections of our simplified application form, following our instructions, and upload the required documents before submitting the information for expert review.

We’ll arrange the interview appointment on your behalf at your chosen location. You'll receive a step-by-step manual providing instructions and a list of documents to prepare for your visa interview.

• Step 4: Attend the interview. Remember to bring all the required documents, including the completed and signed application form.

What are the processing time and cost of the UK Standard Visitor Visa?

When you apply with us, you will pay:

1. Government fee, which changes based on your nationality and the exchange rate on the day.

2. iVisa standard processing fee, which varies based on nationality.

During the application process on our site, we offer some added value services such as an iVisa Plus subscription, Premium Concierge Service, and Embassy Registration.

We also offer iVisa Fee Protection, which allows us to process a new application for no additional processing fee if you're unable to make your trip, as well as the option to get a flight reservation or itinerary that is valid for two weeks and can be used to apply for a visa, as proof of return to show to immigration officers while traveling, for car rental purposes, etc.

All these additional services have varying costs. Use our application form to check your application's total cost based on your circumstances and chosen services.

Our standard processing takes up to 30 days. Our experts carefully review your application and ensure everything is in order during this time. We also begin the process of securing your interview date.

Note: It doesn’t include the date of the interview nor the time it’ll take the government to process and approve your application. We advise applying for your visa early to avoid delays or issues.

Do I need a UK Visitor Visa if I’m transiting through the UK?

You need a UK Standard Visitor Visa if you’re from one of the eligible countries and you want to leave the airport and stay in the United Kingdom for longer than 48 hours.

If you intend to change flights and go through the UK border control to stay in the country for less than 48 hours, you must apply for a UK Transit Visa.

If you are transiting the United Kingdom but not going through immigration control, you need a Direct Airside Transit Visa.

You can apply for the above transit visas by contacting your local UK embassy or consulate.

Benefits of getting your UK Visitor Visa with us

At iVisa, we understand how daunting the visa application process can be, and we're here to help improve your chances of approval. Here's why applying with us makes your life easier:

• Best chances of visa approval: Applying with us maximizes your approval chances, ensuring an error-free application.

• Flexible form completion: Fill out the application form at your own pace, take breaks, and save progress.

• Guaranteed appointment scheduling: We’ll secure your visa appointment promptly, sparing you the search for available dates.

• Expert agent support: Receive end-to-end agents' assistance for any doubt or worry.

• Real-time order tracking: Easily monitor your visa application process through your iVisa account.

UK entry requirements or restrictions

Like many countries, the United Kingdom has relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions, but you must still meet the basic entry requirements.

Standard entry requirements:

• A valid passport or travel document. Your passport should be valid throughout your stay in the UK.

• A visa if you're from a non-visa-exempt country.

• Proof of financial means to support your stay.

• Information about where you'll be staying during your visit.

Differences between Standard UK Visitor Visa and the United Kingdom ETA

The UK Standard Visitor Visa and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the United Kingdom are two different types of entry permits for non-UK residents.

• Standard UK Visitor Visa: This is a visa for individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who wish to visit the UK for tourism, business meetings, academic conferences, medical reasons, sports, or creative events. The visitor visa typically allows travelers to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

• United Kingdom ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization): The UK ETA is similar to the ones offered by countries like Australia or Canada. By the end of 2024, travelers from visa-exempt countries must register for the UK ETA (electronic travel authorization) before their visit.

Where can I learn more?

If you have further questions about applying for the UK Standard Visitor Visa or other travel documents, contact our outstanding customer support team online or you can contact us on WhatsApp. They’re always available to assist you if you encounter any difficulties.