The UK Standard Visitor visa is the most common visa for short stays, allowing visitors to come for tourism, business, study, or medical treatment.
At Fard Solicitors, our immigration lawyers in London and Surrey regularly assist clients with Standard Visitor visa applications, ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements and avoid common mistakes that lead to refusals.
Whether or not you need a Standard Visitor visa depends on your nationality:
Some visitors must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling.
Others can travel without a visa but may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Nationals of certain countries can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa or ETA.
👉 Even if you don’t need a visa, you must still meet the UK visitor visa eligibility requirements and be prepared to answer questions at the border.
A Standard Visitor visa lets you enter the UK for:
Tourism & Leisure – holidays, vacations, or visiting friends and family
Business – meetings, conferences, interviews, training, and contract negotiations
Medical Treatment – private treatment or donating an organ to a relative/friend
Other Permitted Activities – volunteering (up to 30 days), school exchanges, or participating in cultural events
While in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, you cannot:
Work for a UK company or as self-employed (paid or unpaid)
Claim public funds or benefits
Live in the UK long-term through repeated visits
Marry, register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage (apply for a Marriage Visitor visa instead)
To qualify, you must:
Hold a valid passport or travel document
Prove you will leave the UK at the end of your visit
Show you have enough money to support yourself (or sponsorship from someone else)
Be able to pay for your return or onward journey
Not use frequent visits as a way of living in the UK
Additional requirements apply if you’re visiting for study, medical treatment, or a permitted paid engagement.
Here are the current UK visitor visa fees:
Standard Visitor visa (6 months): £127
Medical treatment (11 months): £220
Academics (12 months): £220
Long-term visas:
2 years – £475
5 years – £848
10 years – £1,059
👉 Long-term Standard Visitor visas allow multiple visits, but you can only stay 6 months per visit.
The application process is completed online, and you will need to attend a visa application centre for biometrics.
You’ll usually need to provide:
Travel dates and accommodation details
Estimated costs of your trip
Proof of income and current home address
Details of family members (including those in the UK)
Any previous immigration history
Additional documents depending on your reason for visiting (medical, academic, study, business, or paid engagement)
Processing time: Most applications are decided within 3 weeks after submitting your documents and attending your appointment.
Yes, but only in limited circumstances:
Medical treatment patients – can extend in 6-month blocks (fee £1,100)
Academics – can stay up to 12 months if they meet extra requirements
Medical graduates retaking the PLAB test – can extend for 6 months
If you apply to extend, you must remain in the UK until a decision is made.
Applying for a UK visa can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time. At Fard Solicitors, we:
Provide expert legal advice tailored to your situation
Guide you through the entire application process
Help you prepare the right supporting documents
Improve your chances of a successful outcome
With offices in Canary Wharf (London) and Camberley (Surrey), our award-nominated immigration lawyers are here to make your application as smooth as possible.
📞 Contact Fard Solicitors today to start your UK Standard Visitor visa application with confidence.