UK Visit Visa Guide — KD Immigration Experts GUIDE 2025

Key Takeaways

Refusals of UK visit visas are common and there is no appeal right. A refusal will appear on your immigration history. Visitor activities are narrowly defined and tightly enforced. Border officers may question travellers on arrival. A visit visa is for short, specific purposes. Choosing the wrong sub‑route almost always results in refusal and lost fees. Employers can face civil penalties if they allow visitors to undertake work without the correct permission.

Section A: What is the UK Visit Visa?

The correct legal route for short stays is the Standard Visitor Visa under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. It is for temporary, non‑settlement visits and places strict limits on what a visitor may do. Applicants must intend to leave at the end of the trip and not create de facto residence through frequent or extended stays.

1) Types of Visit Visas

Several visitor sub‑routes exist for specific purposes. Applying under the wrong category is likely to be refused.

Visa Type	Brief Description	Maximum Stay
Standard Visitor Visa	Main route for tourism, leisure, family visits, short business activity, short study and private visits. No work or long-term study.	Up to 6 months
Long-term Visitor Visa	Allows multiple trips over 2, 5 or 10 years; each entry still capped at 6 months. Intended for frequent travellers.	Up to 6 months per visit
Marriage Visitor Visa	For marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK without settling. No work.	Up to 6 months
Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visa	For invited experts to carry out a specific paid engagement (e.g., lecture, performance).	Up to 1 month
Visiting Academic	For senior academics on sabbatical carrying out research/teaching at a UK HEI (evidence required).	Up to 12 months
Private Medical Treatment Visitor	For planned private treatment in the UK; must evidence treatment plan and ability to pay.	Up to 11 months
Transit Visa	For airside/landside transit when passing through the UK to another destination (depending on nationality).	Typically 24–48 hours

2) Permissible Activities for Visitors

Permitted activities include leisure travel, family visits, attending meetings and conferences, limited academic activity, and private medical treatment. Visitors must not take paid or unpaid employment, undertake internships or work placements, or provide services to UK clients. Remote work tied to overseas employment is acceptable only when incidental to the visit’s primary purpose. Marriage/civil partnership requires the Marriage Visitor route. Repeated long stays that amount to residence will be refused or curtailed.

3) Visa Nationals, Non‑Visa Nationals & ETA

Visa nationals need a visitor visa before travel. Since April 2025, most non‑visa nationals must secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. An ETA does not change the rules at the border; visitor conditions still apply.

Feature	Standard Visitor Visa	Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Who it’s for	Nationals who must obtain a visa before travel, or where circumstances require a visa	Most non-visa nationals for short visits without a visa (e.g., EU/EEA/Swiss except Irish, US, Canada, Australia)
Pre-travel requirement	Visa decision required before boarding	ETA approval required before boarding
How to apply	Online form plus biometrics at a visa application centre	Online via GOV.UK or the ETA app
Biometrics	Yes	No
Typical processing time	Around 3 weeks from biometrics	Usually within 3 working days
Validity	Single trip up to 6 months or long-term (2/5/10 years) with each entry up to 6 months	Two years or until passport expiry
Maximum stay per entry	Up to 6 months (exceptions for academics/medical)	Up to 6 months per visit
Cost	£127 (6 months). Long-term: 2y £475; 5y £848; 10y £1,059. Academic/medical over 6 months: £220	£16
Work allowed	No (only permitted visitor activities)	No (visitor conditions apply)
Study	Short courses permitted within visitor rules	Same conditions as visitor status granted at border
Guarantees entry?	No—entry is at Border Force discretion	No—ETA authorises travel only
Transit notes	Separate transit visas may apply for some nationals	Airside transit generally exempt; landside may require ETA

Section B: UK Visit Visa Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be genuine, temporary visitors who can maintain themselves without recourse to public funds and who will leave at the end of their stay. Evidence of strong ties to the home country and clear, consistent documentation is essential. Caseworkers closely scrutinise finances, travel history and purpose of visit.

Supporting Documents (examples)

Valid passport or travel document
Bank statements, payslips or proof of savings/income
Employer letter confirming role, salary and approved leave
Travel and accommodation evidence (flights, hotel, host letter)
Evidence of ties (property, family, studies, business)
Additional evidence for specialised routes (e.g., treatment letters for medical; invitations for academics)

Examples: Purpose, Evidence, Maximum Stay

Purpose	What is usually permitted	Typical evidence	Max stay
Tourism/leisure	Sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends/family	Itinerary, accommodation, funds, return travel, employer leave letter, ties	Up to 6 months
Family visit	Short stay with family (no work)	Invitation, relationship proof, accommodation, funds/support, ties, travel	Up to 6 months
Business visit	Meetings, conferences, interviews, signing contracts, site visits (no productive work)	Letters from UK host and overseas employer, agenda, itinerary, accommodation, funds	Up to 6 months
Short study	Courses up to 6 months with an accredited provider	Acceptance/booking, timetable, provider accreditation, funds, accommodation	Up to 6 months
Academic visitor	Senior academics on sabbatical doing research/teaching at a UK HEI	UK invitation, proof of standing, home sabbatical approval, funding, accommodation	Up to 12 months
Medical treatment	Planned private treatment in UK	Provider letter (diagnosis, plan, cost, duration), proof of funds, accommodation, TB cert if needed	Up to 11 months
Creative/performing	Limited appearances (e.g., festivals, competitions) without filling a UK role	Invites/contracts, programmes, letters from organisers, overseas employment, funds	Up to 6 months
Paid engagements (PPE)	Specific paid activity for invited experts (separate PPE route)	Formal invitation with dates/payment, professional standing, travel/accommodation	Up to 1 month

Length of Stay & Conditions

Standard visits are capped at six months. Extensions exist for certain medical and academic cases only. Long‑term visit visas (2/5/10 years) still limit each entry to six months. No work, no public funds, no switching in‑country to work/study routes.

Section C: Visit Visa Application Process

Apply online via GOV.UK, pay the fee, then book a biometric appointment at a visa application centre. Upload or submit supporting documents as required. Visa centres do not decide cases; UKVI caseworkers do.

Fees (as of April 2025)

Standard Visitor (up to 6 months): £127
Long‑term Visitor: 2 years £475; 5 years £848; 10 years £1,059
Visiting academic (6–12 months): £220
Private medical treatment (6–11 months): £220
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £16
Optional priority/super priority services may be available for an additional fee

Refusals & Processing Times

Refusals commonly result from weak evidence, unclear finances or activities outside visitor rules. There is no appeal or administrative review for overseas refusals; judicial review is possible only on narrow legal grounds. Typical processing is around three weeks, with faster services available in some locations.

Section D: Employer & HR Considerations

Visitors cannot work. Employers risk civil penalties (up to £60,000 per illegal worker) and sponsor licence action if visitors perform productive work. Maintain records showing activities were within Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities. Key Compliance Risks

Risk area	Example scenario	Possible consequence
Unlawful work	Visitor covers staff shortages or performs project work	Civil penalties; potential criminal liability
Misuse of business visitor rules	Meetings used to mask delivery of services to UK clients	Refusal/removal; reputational damage; scrutiny
Sponsor licence impact	Using visitors instead of sponsoring workers	Licence suspension/revocation
Inadequate checks	Treating a visit visa as work permission	Fines; reputational risk
Poor record-keeping	No documentation of visit purpose/activities	Weak defence in audit; non-compliance finding
Overstay	Engaging with visitor beyond permission date	Illegal working liability; penalties

Section E: Summary

The UK visitor framework contains several sub‑routes with strict rules. Applicants must prove genuine, short‑term intentions and the means to fund their stay. Evidence matters: inconsistencies and unclear finances lead to refusals. Since April 2025 most non‑visa nationals also need ETA pre‑clearance. For employers, ensure visitor activities stay within permitted boundaries to avoid penalties and sponsor licence risk.

FAQ

Section F: FAQs

Is a Visit Visa the same as a Tourist Visa?

The Standard Visitor Visa is the legal route for tourism and short stays. “Visit visa” is informal shorthand.
Do non‑visa nationals need to apply in advance?

Yes, most now require an ETA before travel (Irish citizens excepted).
How long do decisions take?

Typically around three weeks from biometrics, with optional faster services in some locations.
What is not allowed on a visit visa?

No paid or unpaid work, internships or long‑term study; no public funds; marriage requires the Marriage Visitor route.
Can I switch to another visa from within the UK?

Generally no. You usually must leave and apply from overseas for work/study routes.
Can employers reimburse expenses?

Genuine expenses may be covered, but no payments resembling wages and no productive work in the UK labour market.

Section G: Glossary

Visit Visa: Informal term for short stays; legally the Standard Visitor Visa under Appendix V.
Standard Visitor Visa: The formal route for short visits for tourism, family, business, private medical treatment and certain academic/cultural activities.
Visa National: A nationality that must apply for a visa before travel.
Non‑Visa National: A nationality that does not usually need a visa in advance, but may need an ETA.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Pre‑travel clearance for most non‑visa nationals; costs £16; valid two years or until passport expiry.
Right to Work: An employer’s duty to verify permission before employment; visitors do not have work permission.
Permitted Activities: The specific activities allowed to visitors under Appendix Visitor.
Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE): A separate short‑term visitor route for certain paid expert engagements.
Long‑Term Visit Visa: Valid for 2/5/10 years for repeat trips; each entry still limited to 6 months.