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Tourism, Leisure, and Family Visit Visas
Tourism, Leisure, and Family Visit Visas
The Tourism, Leisure, and Family Visit Visa is designed for individuals wishing to visit the UK for short-term stays to see friends or family, or to take a holiday. This visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, allowing visits to the UK for up to 6 months. It does not lead to UK settlement, and each visitor must apply individually, even if traveling in a group.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this visa, applicants must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:
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They are a visa national (non-visa nationals can usually seek entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK).
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They are genuinely entering the UK for a permitted purpose under the visitor routes.
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They will not engage in any prohibited activities.
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They have enough funds to cover travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs without working or accessing public funds.
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They will leave the UK at the end of their visit.
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They will not reside in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home.
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Their application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal.
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They have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation if required.
The specific requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consulting an immigration lawyer for expert advice is recommended.
Visa Requirement
Nationals of many countries need a Visit Visa to enter the UK. The Home Office lists nationalities that must apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK, with some exceptions allowing certain visa nationals to seek entry upon arrival. Non-visa nationals, including EU citizens, can seek entry on arrival but must still meet the visitor entry requirements and be prepared to explain their visit's purpose, maintenance and accommodation arrangements, and return travel plans.
Permitted Activities
Visitors on a Tourism, Leisure, or Family Visit Visa can:
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Visit friends and family in the UK.
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Travel to the UK for a holiday.
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Participate in an educational exchange or visit a state-funded school, academy, or independent school.
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Attend a non-English language course for up to 30 days.
As a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, visitors can also engage in other permitted activities under this route, including pre-arranged paid engagements completed within 30 days of arrival.
Intention to Leave
Applicants must prove they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit and not make the UK their main home. The Home Office will assess:
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Previous immigration history, including UK and other country visits.
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Financial situation and family, social, and economic background.
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Personal and economic ties to the country of residence.
Factors that may raise doubts about an applicant's genuine visitor status include few or no ties to the country of residence, several family members in the UK, previous attempts to deceive the Home Office, and discrepancies between the applicant's and sponsor's statements.
English Language Requirement
Applicants for this visa do not need to meet an English language requirement.
Financial Requirement
Applicants must have enough funds to cover all reasonable costs for their visit without working or accessing public funds. Funds must be held in a permitted financial institution. A third party can cover travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs if they have a genuine relationship with the applicant, are not in breach of immigration laws, and can support the applicant during their stay.
Validity Period
This visa can be valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years, allowing multiple entries and exits within the validity period unless endorsed for single or dual entry. Each stay must not exceed 6 months.
Right To Work
Visitors on this visa cannot work in the UK or receive payment from a UK source, with few exceptions for permitted paid engagements arranged before travel and completed within 30 days. They may work remotely if remote working is not the primary visit purpose. They can seek employment and attend job interviews but must leave the UK to obtain appropriate entry clearance before starting work.
Application Fees
The Home Office application fee for a 6-month visa is £115. Fees for 2-year, 5-year, or 10-year visas are £400, £771, and £963, respectively.
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