🇬🇧 Standard Visa

Standard Visitor Visa

The UK Standard Visitor Visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to visit the United Kingdom for leisure, tourism, or business purposes.

Explore the UK with a Standard Visitor Visa

The UK Standard Visitor Visa allows individuals to visit the UK for tourism, business, or short-term study for up to six months. Whether you’re visiting family, attending business meetings, or exploring the UK’s rich culture and history, this visa provides a flexible option for short stays.

At Student Ports, we provide guidance throughout the Standard Visitor Visa application process. Our team ensures that your documents meet the necessary requirements, helping you submit a strong application. With our support, you can focus on planning your visit while we handle the visa details, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What activities can I engage in as a Standard Visitor when visiting the UK?

As a Standard Visitor, you can participate in various activities during your visit to the UK, including tourism, visiting family or friends, volunteering with a registered charity for up to 30 days, transit through the UK to another country, certain business activities such as attending meetings or conferences, taking part in educational programs or courses, and receiving medical treatment, among others.

Can I work during my visit to the UK as a Standard Visitor?

No, you cannot engage in paid or unpaid work for a UK company or work as a self-employed individual during your visit as a Standard Visitor, unless you are participating in a permitted paid engagement or event. This includes claiming public funds (benefits) or living in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.

What types of business activities am I allowed to undertake as a Standard Visitor in the UK?

As a Standard Visitor visiting the UK for business purposes, you can engage in activities such as attending interviews, meetings, conferences, and seminars, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, attending trade fairs to promote your business (without selling items), receiving work-related training not available in your home country, and carrying out site visits and inspections, among others.

Is it possible to visit the UK for medical reasons as a Standard Visitor?

Yes, you can visit the UK for medical reasons as a Standard Visitor. This includes receiving private medical treatment at a hospital or medical facility, receiving treatment at an NHS hospital if it is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, and donating organs to a family member or close friend, among other medical purposes.

How can I apply for a Standard Visitor visa to the UK?

Applicants must have at least £1,270 in their bank account, available for at least 28 consecutive days, before applying for the visa. Partners and children also need to show they can support themselves, with specific amounts outlined based on individual circumstances If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before your travel and attend an appointment at a visa application center. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your intended travel date. You must meet the eligibility requirements and only engage in permitted activities. Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa, but it’s recommended to check beforehand.

Can I visit the UK for educational purposes as a Standard Visitor?

Yes, you can visit the UK for educational purposes as a Standard Visitor. This includes studying at an accredited institution, participating in short research relevant to your course overseas, doing an elective placement (if applicable), sitting entrance exams, retaking exams, or taking specific medical tests such as the OSCE or PLAB.

What options are available if I want to visit the UK as an academic or senior professional for more than 6 months?

If you’re an academic or senior professional visiting the UK for more than 6 months, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel, which can last for up to 12 months. Alternatively, you can visit for up to 6 months initially and apply to extend your stay while in the UK for a fee, allowing you to stay up to 12 months in total.

Are there specific requirements for visiting the UK for paid engagements or events as a Standard Visitor?

Yes, to visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events, you must have a written invitation from a UK-based organization or client for a pre-arranged event or engagement. You must also demonstrate expertise in your profession, be 18 or over, and ensure the engagement aligns with your qualifications and main job in your home country.

Is it possible for individuals under 18 to visit the UK as Standard Visitors?

Yes, individuals under 18 may visit the UK as Standard Visitors provided they have suitable travel and stay arrangements, written consent from a parent or guardian if traveling alone, ability to pay for return or onward journey, and sufficient funds to support themselves without working or relying on public funds.

How long does it take to get a decision on a Standard Visitor visa application?

If you use the standard service, a decision on your Standard Visitor visa application will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing supporting documents and proving your identity. If you opt for the super priority service, you can expect a decision by the end of the next working day after your appointment on a weekday or within 2 working days if your appointment is on a weekend.

Can I extend my stay in the UK as a Standard Visitor?

Yes, you may be able to extend your stay in the UK as a Standard Visitor if you have permission to be in the country for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months. However, you can only apply to stay longer than 6 months if you meet specific criteria, such as being a patient receiving medical treatment, an academic meeting eligibility requirements, or a graduate retaking certain tests or doing a clinical attachment.

What are the requirements for extending my stay in the UK as an academic visitor?

If you’re an academic visitor in the UK and want to extend your stay, you must prove that you are highly qualified in your field of expertise, for example, holding a PhD or higher. You must demonstrate that you were working in that field overseas before arriving in the UK, and you’re not filling a permanent teaching post. Additionally, you need to prove the purpose of your visit, whether it’s research, a formal exchange, or teaching.

Can I apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if I visit the UK regularly?

Yes, if you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa, which can last for 2, 5, or 10 years. However, you can only stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. If you apply for this visa while under 18, it will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18, and no refund will be issued for the fee.

What should I do if my treatment in the UK will last longer than 6 months?

If your medical treatment in the UK is expected to last longer than 6 months, you’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality. You can apply for this visa before coming to the UK, which can last up to 11 months and costs £200. Alternatively, you can visit for up to 6 months initially and apply to stay for a further 6 months while in the UK for a fee of £1,000.

Can I visit the UK as an organ donor under specific circumstances?

Yes, you can visit the UK as an organ donor to donate organs to a family member or close friend. However, you must prove that the recipient is legally allowed to be in the UK and provide documentation confirming the donor match and details of the transplant or tests. Additionally, the recipient must check if they need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa and meet the eligibility requirements for medical treatment.

Can I visit the UK for unpaid clinical attachments as a graduate from a medical, dental, or nursing school?

Yes, as a graduate from a medical, dental, or nursing school, you can visit the UK for unpaid clinical attachments as a Standard Visitor. This allows you to gain valuable experience in a clinical setting. However, you must ensure that your visit complies with the permitted activities for Standard Visitors and that you meet the necessary eligibility requirements.

What documents do I need to provide if I’m visiting the UK for private medical treatment?

If you’re visiting the UK for private medical treatment, you’ll need to provide a letter written by a doctor or consultant confirming your medical condition requiring consultation or treatment, the estimated cost and duration of treatment, and where the consultations or treatment will take place. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have made arrangements for the treatment, have enough funds to cover the costs, and intend to leave the UK once the treatment is completed.

Is there a limit to how many times I can extend my stay in the UK as a medical visitor?

There is no limit to how many times you can extend your stay in the UK as a medical visitor. However, each time you extend your stay, you’ll need to pay a fee of £1,000. You must also ensure that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor visa and provide any necessary documentation to support your application for an extension.

Can I visit the UK to attend a professional conference or speak at an academic event as a Standard Visitor?

Yes, you can visit the UK to attend a professional conference, speak at an academic event, or participate in other permitted engagements as a Standard Visitor. However, you must have a written invitation from a UK-based organization or client for the event, demonstrate expertise in your profession, and ensure that the engagement aligns with your qualifications and main job in your home country.

How soon can I apply for a Standard Visitor visa before my intended travel to the UK?

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa online up to 3 months before your intended travel date to the UK. It’s important to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements and have all the necessary documentation ready before submitting your application.