This guide provides essential information on the UK Tourist Visa, also known as the Standard Visitor Visa, and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It explains eligibility, requirements, permitted activities, costs, and common pitfalls to help applicants avoid refusals and prepare strong applications.
Key Takeaways
The UK Tourist Visa, formally the Standard Visitor Visa, allows short-term stays of up to six months for tourism, family visits, cultural events, and short courses. Non-visa nationals may instead require an ETA. The visa does not permit employment, long-term study, or access to public funds. Applicants must prove they are genuine visitors with sufficient ties to their home country.
Permitted and Prohibited Activities
| Visitor Permitted Activities | Visitor Prohibited Activities |
|---|---|
| Tourism, leisure, visiting family/friends | Taking up paid or unpaid employment |
| Attending business meetings, conferences, trade fairs | Providing services/consultancy for a UK company |
| Short study (up to 6 months at accredited provider) | Studying long-term or courses over 6 months |
| Attending cultural/sporting events as a spectator | Work placements, internships, training |
| Attending weddings as a guest | Getting married/entering a civil partnership (requires Marriage Visitor Visa) |
| Incidental remote work for overseas employer (emails/calls) | Using the UK as a base for remote full-time work |
Applicants must prove they are genuine visitors who intend to leave the UK after their stay, can financially support themselves, and will only carry out permitted activities.
| Eligibility Requirement | Description | Examples of Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted Purposes of Travel | Stay must be for tourism, family visits, cultural or sporting events, or short study | Itinerary, event tickets, invitation letter |
| Genuine Visitor Test | Evidence of intention to return home after visit | Proof of employment, family ties, property ownership |
| Financial Requirements | Proof of sufficient funds without working or public funds | Bank statements, payslips, sponsor evidence |
| Nationality Rules | Visa nationals must apply for a visa; non-visa nationals may require ETA | Passport, nationality proof |
| Supporting Documents | Documents to support visit purpose and ties | Passport, accommodation, prior travel history |
| Visa Type | Fee | Validity & Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | £127 | 6 months (max stay per visit) |
| Long-term Standard Visitor Visa | £475 | 2 years (multi-entry, max 6 months each visit) |
| Long-term Standard Visitor Visa | £848 | 5 years (multi-entry, max 6 months each visit) |
| Long-term Standard Visitor Visa | £1,059 | 10 years (multi-entry, max 6 months each visit) |
| Reason for Refusal | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Weak ties to home country | Insufficient proof of employment, family, or commitments |
| Poor financial evidence | Unexplained deposits or weak documentation |
| Inconsistent documentation | Discrepancies between application and evidence |
| Unclear purpose of visit | Activities do not match permitted visitor rules |
| Negative immigration history | Past overstays, refusals, or rule breaches |
| Route | Who needs it | How to apply | Fee | Validity | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | Visa nationals | Online form + VAC biometrics | £127–£1,059 | 6 months / 2–10 yrs multi-entry | Up to 6 months | No work or long-term study |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Non-visa nationals | Online via GOV.UK or UK ETA app | £16 | 2 years or until passport expiry | Up to 6 months | Not a visa, same restrictions |
Permanent Residence in the UK: ILR & Settlement Options (KD Immigration Experts)
In the UK, the closest equivalent to permanent residence is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR allows individuals to live, work, and study in the country without time restrictions. There are multiple routes to obtaining ILR, such as long-term work visas, family visas, and residence based on humanitarian grounds. EEA nationals who previously held EEA Permanent Residence were required to switch to Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) after Brexit. While ILR and Settled Status provide the right to remain indefinitely, ILR can lapse if the holder spends more than two consecutive years outside the UK.
Routes to Settlement in the UK
Individuals looking to make the UK their long-term home need to identify the appropriate settlement route, as the qualifying period and requirements vary depending on the visa type and individual circumstances.
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
ILR applications require meeting strict criteria, including continuous residence, absence limits, and language requirements. Applicants must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 months during the qualifying period. They must also pass the Life in the UK test and demonstrate English language ability. Applications may be refused for reasons such as criminal convictions or immigration breaches. As of April 2025, the application fee is £3,029.
| Visa Category | Qualifying Period for ILR |
|---|---|
| Spouse or civil partner of a British Citizen/Settled Person | 2 years (if visa before July 2012), 5 or 10 years (after July 2012) |
| Unmarried partner | 5 years |
| EEA Family Permit | 5 years |
| UK Ancestry Visa | 5 years |
| Tier 1 (Investor) | 2, 3 or 5 years depending on investment |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) | 3 or 5 years depending on business activity |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) | 3 years |
| Tier 2 Visa | 5 years (in limited circumstances) |
| PBS dependants | 5 years |
| Retired Person Visa | 5 years |
| Discretionary Leave to Remain | 6 years |
| Long Residence | 10 years continuous lawful residence |
| Returning Resident | Immediate (if previously settled and returning within 3 years) |
| Turkish Worker/Businessperson | 5 years |
ILR or Settled Status holders may be eligible to apply for British citizenship. Most applicants must hold ILR for 12 months before applying, unless married to a British citizen, in which case they may apply immediately. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, demonstrate good character, pass the Life in the UK test, and meet residency requirements.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permission to live and work in the UK without restrictions. |
| Settled Status | Status under the EU Settlement Scheme for EEA nationals and their families. |
| Long Residence Route | A 10-year lawful residence route to settlement. |
| Returning Resident Visa | Visa for those who previously held ILR but lost it due to absence. |
| British Citizenship | Legal status allowing full rights, including a British passport. |
