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A1.20 Standard Visitor Visa

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor – September 2025 Update

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor

 

Overview

The Standard Visitor visa permits travel to the UK for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), and other permitted activities.

  • Stay duration: Usually up to 6      months (longer for specific purposes like medical treatment)

  • Visa requirement: Depends on      nationality – check before applying

  • Core requirement: Must meet all      eligibility criteria and only undertake permitted activities

 

Application Steps

  1. Confirm your planned activities are permitted

  2. Check you meet eligibility requirements

  3. Verify if you need a visa

  4. Apply online for Standard Visitor visa

 

Permitted & Prohibited Activities

Allowed:

  • Tourism and holidays

  • Visiting family/friends

  • Volunteering (≤30 days with registered charity)

  • Transit to other countries

  • Business activities: meetings, interviews, contract      negotiations, trade fairs (no selling), training related to overseas      employment

  • Permitted Paid Engagements

  • School exchange programmes

  • Recreational courses (≤30 days)

  • Study, placements or exams

  • Activities as academics/senior doctors/dentists

  • Private medical treatment

Not Allowed:

  • Work for UK companies or self-employment (except Permitted Paid      Engagements)

  • Claim public funds

  • Live in UK long-term through frequent visits

  • Marriage/civil partnership (apply for Marriage Visitor visa      instead)

 

Eligibility Requirements

You must have a valid passport/travel document and prove you:

  • Will leave UK after your visit

  • Can support yourself/dependants during stay (or have funding)

  • Can pay return/onward journey

  • Won't live in UK long-term through frequent visits

Additional requirements may apply for specific purposes (study, research, paid activities, medical treatment)

 

Check if You Need a Visa

Depending on nationality:

  • Need Standard Visitor visa (includes      Chinese nationals)

  • Need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

  • Visa-free/ETA-free access (up      to 6 months)

All visitors must meet Standard Visitor eligibility requirements at border control

 

How to Apply

  • Apply: Online + biometric      appointment at visa application centre

  • When: Up to 3 months before travel

  • Fees:

Ø  6-month Standard Visitor: £127

Ø  Medical reasons (11 months): £220

Ø  Academics (12 months): £220

Ø  Long-term: 2-year (£475) / 5-year (£848) / 10-year (£1,059) – max 6 months per visit

  • Documents: Travel plans,      accommodation, finances, employment details + purpose-specific evidence      (offer letters, medical reports, invitations)

  • Processing: Usually within 3 weeks      of application submission

 

Specific Visit Purposes

1. Business

  • Allowed: Meetings, contract      negotiations, trade fairs (no selling), training, one-off lectures

  • Prohibited: Working for UK      companies/self-employment (except Permitted Paid Engagements)

2. Study

  • Allowed:

Ø  Courses ≤6 months at accredited institutions

Ø  Short-term research related to overseas course

Ø  Elective placements (medical/dental)

Ø  Taking exams (including OSCE/PLAB)

Ø  Unpaid clinical attachments (medical graduates)

  • Note:

Ø  Postgraduate research may require ATAS certificate

Ø  Remote learners can attend face-to-face sessions/exams

Ø  Study >6 months requires Student visa/Short-term Study visa

3. Academic Research

  • Allowed: Research, knowledge      exchange, teaching (non-permanent), clinical practice

  • >6 months: Apply for Standard      Visitor visa (max 12 months, £220) or extend in UK (£1,100)

  • Must prove: Highly qualified      professional working for overseas institution

4. Permitted Paid Engagements

  • Allowed: Pre-arranged paid      activities (lectures, performances, academic assessments, court      appearances)

  • Time limit: Complete within 1 month      of arrival

  • Required: Written invitation +      proof of expertise

  • Specific rules apply for different professions

5. Medical Treatment

  • Allowed:

Ø  Treatment at private healthcare facilities

Ø  NHS treatment paid by home government under reciprocal agreement

Ø  Organ donation for relatives/close friends (including compatibility tests)

  • Documents: Medical certificate      detailing condition/treatment/costs

  • >6 months: Apply for medical      treatment visa (max 11 months, £220) or extend in UK (£1,100 per      extension)

 

Visitors Under 18

  • Travelling alone: Parental/guardian      consent letter + UK accommodation/care details

  • With adults: Provide adult's      details in application

  • Private fostering (>28 days      with non-relative): Must notify local authority

 

Extending Your Stay

  • Cost: £1,100 (in-country      application)

  • Eligible if:

Ø  Granted less than 6 months – extend to maximum 6 months total

Ø  Patients needing further treatment – extend 6 months at a time (unlimited)

Ø  Academics – extend to maximum 12 months total

Ø  Medical graduates – extend for PLAB retakes/unpaid attachments (max 18 months total)

  • Must apply before current      permission expires while in UK