UK Standard Visitor Visa: Your Complete Guide for 2025

Planning a trip to the UK for tourism, business, family, or medical reasons? The Standard Visitor Visa may be your route. Here's everything you need to know—from eligibility and costs to required documents and helpful preparation tips.

Who Needs a Visitor Visa?

Visit visas are required if you are not exempt (e.g., citizens of visa‑waiver countries) and intend to stay up to 6 months in the UK. If you already qualify for visa-free entry, you may instead need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), costing £16 as of April 2025. The ETA is mandatory for many nationalities, including U.S. and European passport holders.

What Can You Do on a Visitor Visa?

Permitted activities include:

• Tourism or leisure travel

• Visiting family or friends

• Short-term study (up to 30 days)

• Business activities like conferences or meetings

• Medical treatment

• Creative paid engagements (under specific allowances)

You cannot work, settle in the UK, or access public fund.

Fees & Duration

For medical or academic visits up to 11 or 12 months, the fee is £220 

Financial & Return-Home Evidence

✔️ Prove Your Visit is Genuine:

• Show strong ties to your home country (e.g., job, family, property).

• Provide a detailed travel itinerary and return trip bookings.

  
  

✔️ Demonstrate Sufficient Funds:

• No fixed minimum, but plan for £60–120 per day.

• For one-month trips, maintain £1,800–£3,600 in account balance.

• Provide six months of bank statements, payslips, employer letters, property ownership proof, etc.

• Avoid “funds parking”—temporary large deposits require clear documentation of origin 

  
  

✔️ Third-Party Sponsorship:

• If supported by someone in the UK, include their financial documentation and relationship details.

• They must provide evidence they can support you and are lawfully resident.

  
  

Required Documents

• Valid passport with blank page and sufficient validity.

• Itinerary or purpose of trip documentation.

• Proof of accommodation bookings or hosting arrangements.

• Evidence of return/onward travel.

• Six months of financial statements.

• Employment, study, or property proof to show intent to return.

• TB certificate (if applicable depending on nationality).

• Cover letter summarising your trip, finances, and ties to home country.

All documents not in English or Welsh must be certified translations GOV.UK.

Processing Times & ETA Scheme

• Standard processing takes up to 3 weeks; premium services available (5‑day or 24‑hour approvals) for extra fees (£500 or £1,000).

• ETA requirements apply to certain visa-exempt travellers (e.g., U.S., EU nationals excluding Ireland) from January–April 2025 onward—costing £16 for two years and valid for multiple visits of up to six months.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel due to potential delays during peak season.

• Be consistent: align financial, employment, and itinerary details.

• Use a clear cover letter addressed to UK Visa Officer summarising trip purpose, funding, itinerary, and return intentions.

• Track all early immigration refusals—they may impact future decisions.

Summary

• Visitor visa is for short-term, lawful stays up to 6 months.

• Must show you are a genuine visitor with sufficient funds, home country ties, and clear purpose.

• ETA now applies to many nationals who previously didn't need a visa.

• Fees start at £127, and applications are made online with biometric appointments.

Want Expert Help?

If you’d like help preparing your application, drafting a compelling cover letter or gathering the right documents, Hextons Law’s immigration team can guide you every step of the way.