UK Standard Visitor Visa
Standard Visitor Visa UK
The Standard Visitor visa has taken the place of the Business Visitor Visa UK, Family Visitor Visa UK, Child Visitor Visa UK, Student Visitor Visa UK (up to 6 months), Sports Visitor Visa, Entertainer Visitor Visa, Prospective Entrepreneur Visa, and Private Medical Treatment Visitor Visa. This visa allows you to perform approved business operations in the UK as part of an abroad work function for a duration of up to six months.
If your company needs you to visit the UK regularly for an extended period, you can apply for a visa that is valid for two, five, or 10 years. You can only stay for a maximum of six months for each visit. Academics travelling to the UK on a sabbatical or exchange can apply for 6 or 12 months, depending on their qualifications. A senior doctor or dentist may also come to participate in research, lecture, or practice (as long as it is not a permanent post). It is suggested that the visa application be prepared meticulously because visas are often denied for minor mistakes.
On a UK Standard Visitor Visa, what can you do?
You can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to the United Kingdom if you are:
- Travelling to the United Kingdom for a vacation or to see family or friends
- Volunteering for up to 30 days with a recognized charity
- If your overseas firm has a contract with a UK company or organization, you may visit the UK to install, disassemble, repair, service, or advise on equipment, computer software, and hardware.
- Seeking money or investment to start or take over a business in the United Kingdom
- Training or knowledge sharing with UK workers of the firm you work for in another country
- Giving a one-time or brief series of presentations if the event is not for profit (you cannot collect payment).
- Coming to the UK to perform as an artist, entertainer, or musician for a one-time or special event
- Travelling to another nation via the United Kingdom
- Attending a conference, meeting, training, seminar, or interview in the United Kingdom
- Deals and contracts are negotiated and signed.
- Attending trade shows to promote your company (you cannot sell anything)
- Conducting site visits and inspections, as well as supervising the supply of products and services from a UK firm to your foreign company or organization
- Attending work-related training if you are working abroad and the training is not accessible in your native country, such as training for merchant marine personnel.
- English language study or a short course at an authorized institution
- Short-term research linked to your foreign course or an elective if you are studying medical, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, or dentistry
- Attending a PhD viva, taking an entrance exam, retaking an exam or course module
- Taking a placement test or an exam, such as the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) examination
- Coming to the United Kingdom as a doctor or dentist for an unpaid clinical attachment or observer position
- Coming to the UK for private medical treatment at a private hospital or an NHS hospital if the treatment is covered by your government under a healthcare agreement, or to donate an organ to a family member or close friend subject to a donor match
When traveling on a Standard Visitor Visa to the United Kingdom, what cannot you do?
If you have a UK Standard Visitor Visa, you are not permitted to engage in the following activities:
- You are not permitted to work (paid or unpaid) for a UK company or as a self-employed individual.
- You are not eligible to receive benefits.
- Regular trips will not allow you to dwell in the UK for an extended period.
- You can pay for your subsequent travel.
- You cannot marry, register a civil partnership, or provide marriage or civil partnership notice. If you want to marry or form a civil partnership, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.
Which requirements do you have to meet for a UK standard visitor visa?
To apply for a UK Standard Visit Visa, you must provide the following documentation:
- Your intentions for visiting the UK, which will be determined by your needs, such as visiting family or for pleasure.
- You must provide evidence that you intend to depart the UK after this time, which should not be more than six months.
- You have enough money to maintain and house yourself and your dependents without relying on public funding in the United Kingdom.
- You can pay for your return or subsequent travel.
- If you are coming for business, you must guarantee that you will only be undertaking allowed business operations.
- You will not dwell in the UK for lengthy periods via repeated or consecutive trips, nor will you make the UK your primary residence.
- Reasons why you are necessary to often visit the UK for allowed business objectives in the event of a long-term UK Standard Visitor Visa
Please keep in mind that there are extra prerequisites if you are applying to study or take a test, as an academic, doctor, or dentist, or for medical reasons. For example, if you are a doctor taking the PLAB exam, you will need to provide a letter from the General Medical Council confirming your PLAB test registration, or if you are visiting the UK for medical reasons, you will need to provide evidence to show that you have made arrangements for consultations or treatment, that you have enough money to pay for your treatment, and that you will leave the UK once your treatment is completed, or when your visa expires, and you are not a doctor.
In what manner should I apply for the UK Standard Visitor Visa?
Unless you are from North Korea, you must apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa online. Your biometric information, such as fingerprints and pictures, must be taken at your local Visa Application Centre. Our attorneys have a track record of success in obtaining Business Visitor Visas for clients, and they will walk you through the whole procedure.
For the UK Standard Visitor Visa, what documentation will I have to provide?
One of the most prevalent causes for a UK Visitors Visa refusal is a failure to provide the proper papers. Our immigration attorneys can help you gather and submit the necessary paperwork, which include (but are not limited to):
- A current passport or other travel paperwork
- Bank statements verifying your ability to sustain yourself and your return voyage
- Evidence of your visit’s purpose Evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your scheduled visit.
Visitor visas for long-term stays
If you want to visit the UK frequently, you may apply for a long-term UK Standard Visitor visa. A long-term UK Standard Visitor visa can be obtained for two, five, or ten years; however, you can only remain for six months on each visit.
Please keep in mind that if you are unable to fulfill the eligibility conditions for the term of the visa you have filed for, you may be granted a shorter visa than requested. If you acquire a shorter visa, you will not be refunded your application money. Furthermore, if your travel history demonstrates that you often visit the UK and remain for extended periods; your visa may be terminated.
How Much Does a UK Standard Visitor Visa Cost?
| Visa | Cost | Maximum length of stay |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Visitor visa
|
£95
|
6 months
|
|
Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons
|
£190
|
11 months
|
|
Standard Visitor visa for academics
|
£190
|
12 months
|
|
2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa
|
£361
|
6 months per visit
|
|
5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa
|
£655
|
6 months per visit
|
|
10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa
|
£822
|
6 months per visit
|
In the event that you need to cancel or change your application
One of the most common grounds for UK Visit Visa refusals is the inclusion of erroneous or inconsistent information in the visa application or the submission of such papers in support of your application. If, after submitting your application but before attending the biometric appointment, you discover or it is revealed that you have provided incorrect or inconsistent information, you can either cancel the application by logging into your online application portal (link provided when you begin completing the application and also upon submission) and completing a new application form, or you can write a cover letter providing the correct information.
If such an error or inconsistency is discovered after attending your biometric appointment, depending on the severity, you can either contact UK Visas and Immigration by visiting Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and provide the correct information, or you can cancel the application by visiting Cancel the application by visiting GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – Cancel your visa, immigration, or citizenship application.
Visa extension for standard visitors
It is possible to apply for an extension of the Standard Visitor visa UK in-country. However, you must demonstrate that you are unable to return before your Visitor Visa expires due to compelling and compassionate reasons. For example, suppose you get ill while in the UK and have been seeking private care to recuperate. Also, if you entered the UK for medical reasons and finished your treatment as scheduled. If you are an academic seeking an extension for research purposes, you must demonstrate that you still fulfill the academic eligibility standards.
If you are a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or performing a clinical attachment, you may be able to extend your UK Standard Visit visa. You will be required to submit written certification from the General Medical Council to retake the PLAB test. You may obtain a six-month extension for this purpose. You can also seek to remain longer after passing the PLAB test to perform an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer position. If you seek an extension, you can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total. You will be required to provide written confirmation of your clinical attachment offer and confirmation that you have not done a clinical attachment in the UK previously. One of the conditions of such an extension would be you do not treat patients.
What are the benefits of the UK Standard Visitor Visa?
Visitors Visa UK has a high rejection rate. Refusal will not only disrupt your plans to visit the UK, but it will also have an impact on your immigration history. In most cases, applications are denied because immigration officials are not satisfied that you will depart the country at the end of your visit or that you intend to engage in solely allowed commercial activity.
To reduce the possibility of rejection, our staff will verify that your application is filed accurately and with all necessary supporting documentation. In the vast majority of circumstances, the only way to appeal the denial judgment is through Judicial Review. Only on human rights grounds (if relevant) may an appeal for a rejection of a UK Standard Visitor Visa be lodged.
Is it possible to extend my UK visitor visa?
You can extend your UK Visitor Visa if you are unable to return before your Visitor Visa expires due to compelling and compassionate circumstances.
What is the expected time frame for receiving my UK visitor visa?
It can take up to three weeks to find out if your visa has been approved unless you apply using the priority or super-priority option (not available in all countries). If your nation offers priority or super-priority services for an extra cost, you can expect a decision within five working days or the following working day, respectively.
In what way can I know whether my application for a visa to the United Kingdom has been approved?
When a judgment is reached, whether positive or negative, on your UK visa application, you will get an email informing you that your passport is available for pickup. If your visa is confirmed, you will discover a vignette pasted on one of the pages of your passport, which will confirm your UK visa information.
How can Global Solicitors assist you with your application for the UK Standard Visitor Visa?
Global Solicitors’ professional lawyers recognize the need for timely assistance in submitting your visit visa application. From the initial consultation through the receipt of your visa decision, our highly skilled legal team will be there for you every step of the way.
We take the time to listen to our overseas company clients and completely grasp their demands before submitting their applications. We have assisted numerous clients and achieved positive outcomes for them by paying close attention to detail. We are ideally situated to help you since we have years of expertise aiding non-EEA residents with business concerns.