There has been a change in Immigration Rules concerning visitors and we highly recommend contacting an immigration specialist before applying.
You have to apply for Standard Visitor visa if you want to come to the UK as a tourist, to visit your family or friends, for sports, entertainment or business or to receive private medical treatment.
You do not need to apply for a visit visa if you are an EEA or a non-visa national. However, it might sometimes be advisable to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK if your individual circumstances suggest you may be denied entry at the port. That can happen for various different reasons, for e.g. you have an adverse immigration history, you have overstayed your previous visa, you have a criminal record etc. Please contact us for professional advice before you travel to avoid disappointment.
The general conditions attached to a visit visa are:
- You can stay in the UK up to 6 months with some exemptions.
- You cannot take up prohibited activities while in the UK, for e.g. work if you come as a tourist.
- You cannot switch to any other visa in country. However, if you are in exceptional circumstances, an application in country outside of the Immigration Rules can be attempted.
- You must have funds to pay for your accommodation and maintenance while in the UK as well as your travel.
You might want to apply for a multiple entry visit visa if you are intending to keep coming to the UK frequently. This long-term visa would allow you to make up to 6 months visits to the UK multiple times. You can be granted 2, 5 or 10 years multiple entry visit visa. We can advise you about your eligibility to apply for this type of visit visa and whether you are likely to be granted one considering your individual circumstances.