UK Tourist Visa
The United Kingdom offers great natural scenery and sightseeing places to visit. The Offshore Islands are an excellent destination to enjoy vacation holidays with friends or family. A visit to the well-renowned museum, The Stone Circle and the ancient castles will be fascinating for travellers. Never miss out on the opportunity to wander around the London streets and Portobello Market which is one of the most popular and largest shopping centres in the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless, before making the travel arrangements every traveller must get a valid entry permit to enter the UK. An important aspect to note is that the UK entry requirements, such as getting a visa differ for every traveller. Depending on the traveller’s nationality and travel reason they must get an appropriate entry permit for their trip to the United Kingdom. A UK tourist visa or visitor visa will be a perfect choice for travellers paying a short-term visit to the UK to explore its landscape or relax by the shores. Before applying for a UK tourist visa it is essential to know about its eligibility, documentation process, fee and application process. It helps to be well-informed about the visa requirements and to handle the process effortlessly.
UK Tourist Visa
The United Kingdom provides an array of visa categories that allow travellers to pick an appropriate UK visa for their travel. UK tourist visa (or UK standard visitor visa) is one of the UK visa categories that permit travellers to enter the United Kingdom for the below-mentioned travel reasons.
- Vacation or tourism
- Short-term academic courses
- Business activities
- Visiting friends or family members
The UK standard visitor visa category can be availed only for the above-mentioned travel reasons. Travellers are not allowed to use the UK tourist visa to engage in employment or work-related activities. It is important that each individual applying for the UK tourist visa must be eligible. The UK tourist visa allows travellers to stay for six months, which is ample time to explore the country.
Travellers must check their eligibility and the documents required to get a UK tourist visa. Certain nationals can opt for the UK ETA for their leisure trip to the UK, it also permits a six months stay duration with multiple entries. Only eligible travellers can apply for UK ETA.
UK Tourist Visa Requirements
Meeting the eligibility criteria set for the visa is crucial to applying for a UK tourist visa. All the nationals who require a UK visa to explore the landscape of the country can apply for a UK tourist visa. However, checking the requirements beforehand is crucial. Satisfying all the requirements makes the travellers eligible to obtain a UK tourist visa. Take note of the UK tourist visa requirements below.
- Travellers must clearly demonstrate their interest in leaving the United Kingdom (proof like a return ticket will be an added benefit).
- Travellers should not intend to make the UK their residence country through frequent visits.
- Travellers must clearly state their travel intention (by submitting the required documents).
- Travellers must not take part in any prohibited activities.
- Travellers should have a good record of travel history (it increases traveller’s credibility)
Documents Required to Apply for UK Tourist Visa
Applying for a UK tourist visa requires travellers to submit a lot of documents and it can be a lengthy process. Providing all the documents becomes necessary to assess the eligibility of the applicants for a UK tourist visa. The required documents vary with respect to the applicant's travel purpose. Travellers will need the following documents to apply for a UK tourist visa.
A valid passport with one or two blank pages
Check the passport validity before applying. It is necessary that the traveller’s passport must be valid during the stay in the UK.
Recent digital face photo
Two recent photographs of the applicant with neutral facial expressions. The passport-size photo should align with the UK tourist visa photo requirements. Ensure the photo has a plain and light-coloured or white background. Travellers are advised to provide recent photographs. A new photo becomes mandatory in case of gaining or losing weight, facial surgery, adding or removing face piercing or tattoo. This applies to minors and kids, however, there are a few exceptions.
Documents that showcase traveller’s intentions to return to their home or residence country. Travellers can provide their departure plans, return tickets and a letter from the educational institute or employer that ties the travellers to their home country after the end of their UK visit as evidence for their intention to leave the United Kingdom.
Financial proof exhibits the availability of adequate funds to support traveller’s entire stay in the United Kingdom. A detailed bank statement (at least the last three or six months), employment letter (confirming the pay and role), payslip (for the last six months), etc., can be used as financial proof when applying for a UK tourist visa. Outdated documents and credit card statements will not be accepted as financial evidence.
A well-planned and detailed travel itinerary provides an outline of travellers plans and their intention to leave the UK after their visit. Travellers can add the flight, transportation and accommodation details and the activities they have planned in the UK to their travel itinerary. The hotel address and booking details must be provided as accommodation proof. Submitting the host’s proof of address and invitation letter is mandatory for staying with family members or friends.
Certified and accurate translation of documents is required only when they are not in English or Welsh language. Ensure the translation document has the translator’s signature, full name, and contact details and the exact date (when the document was translated).
The additional documents requirement may depend on the traveller’s nationality and circumstances. A few additional documents include past travel history, details of any criminal activities, etc. All the above-listed documents are mandatory to start the application process for a UK tourist visa.
Processing Time of UK Tourist Visa
From the date of the UK tourist visa application submission, the process usually takes three weeks (up to 15 business days). The UK tourist visa processing time differs due to various reasons. Reasons behind the delay in application processing time are discrepancies in the documents, mismatching documents, submitting invalid documents or incomplete application forms, etc. Sometimes, additional documents or details will be requested. Also, if necessary, interviews will be scheduled and travellers must attend them.
Applicants must complete the application process early to avoid potential delays. Submit the application three to four weeks before the travel date. Eligible travellers can use the ‘priority service’ and ‘super priority service’ to fasten their visa application process. The fast-processing services are accompanied by an additional charge that will be added to the UK tourist visa fee. Travellers are advised to plan their travel dates after the approval of their UK tourist visa.
Applying for a UK Tourist Visa
The UK tourist visa application process has several steps, but the major advantage is that the entire process is online. Travellers are advised to check if they need a visa because citizens of specific nationalities can get UK ETA. It offers a quick application processing time (usually three days) and minimal documents when compared with a UK tourist visa. Travellers who are ready to apply for a UK tourist visa can follow the below steps.
- First, check all the necessary documents and collect them (make sure they are valid).
- Complete the UK tourist visa application form online (enter correct details).
- The visa fee differs according to the chosen duration, so check the fee and process the payment.
- Schedule an appointment to provide the biometric information (such as photo and fingerprints) at a Visa Application Centre.
- Take all the documents including the visa application form and appointment confirmation to the scheduled appointment and arrive early.
- Adhere to the process followed at the Visa Application Centre and submit the required documents (some VACs give back the traveller’s passport after scanning while some keep it with them till the visa decision).
- Wait for the final decision.
Sometimes, interviews can also be scheduled as part of the UK tourist visa application process. Each member in the group must apply for a UK tourist visa individually if travelling with family or friends. Travellers will be notified about the UK tourist visa outcome via email with other instructions to follow. Upon approval, the traveller’s passport will be stamped with a UK visa stamp.
Validity of UK Tourist Visa
UK tourist visa validity depends on the visa duration chosen by the traveller. Please note that the visa fee will also differ according to the chosen stay duration. The UK tourist visa allows multiple entries within its validity period. The duration of the stay permitted is six months (180 days) per entry into the United Kingdom. Travellers planning a short stay in the UK can opt for a short-term visa, which is valid for 180 days.
Frequent travellers can choose the two, five or ten year long-term visa option according to their UK trip requirements. Even with long-term visas, travellers cannot stay in the UK beyond six months (per entry). Long-term visas benefit frequent travellers because they can totally skip the visa-acquiring process each time they enter the United Kingdom.
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The UK Standard Visitor Visa (also known as the UK business visa) entitles travellers to enter the United Kingdom for many purposes, which also includes engaging in business activities. Learn more at UK Business Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reapply for a UK tourist after the rejection of my previous UK visa?
Travellers can reapply for a UK tourist visa and there is no specific waiting period to start the reapplication process. Reviewing the reason for rejection and addressing the issue is crucial to improve the success outcome of the new application.
Do I have to submit Tuberculosis test results to apply for a UK tourist visa?
Travellers are exempted from Tuberculosis tests if
- They are staying in the United Kingdom for six months (180 days) or less.
- They are not from any of the listed countries that require TB test results to enter the UK.
Can I extend my UK tourist visa?
Extending the UK tourist visa is allowed only for certain situations or unforeseen circumstances, such as medical emergencies that justify the extension reason. The visa extension application must be submitted before the expiry of traveller’s current visa and travellers must pay the extension fee.
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The frequently asked question about UK ETA helps travellers to understand the travel requirements and the important details of UK ETA.
Learn more at Online UK eTA - Frequently Asked Questions.
You should check your eligibility for UK eTA and apply for UK eTA at least 3 (three) days before your scheduled trip to United Kingdom. Citizens of many countries including US citizens, Australian citizens, Canadian citizens, Japanese citizens and Brazilian citizens can apply online for UK eTA.