Most detailed UK Visitor visa FAQs
We know this visa has a high refusal rate, but with almost 20 years of experience, we can help you to get approved! How to avoid refusals for “insufficient funding” or for not being “a genuine visitor” – read the FAQs. Especially re the salary paid to a bank account, avoiding cash deposits days before application and proving ties with your country.
Most important thing: a job that pays a salary to your bank account!
This is the most fundamental point. If the answer is No, it is likely to be 80% chance of refusal. Cash-in-hand jobs won’t work, even with a letter from employer. Self-employment is more difficult unless there are clear tax returns with sufficient income by your country’s standards.
Does the above apply if someone in the UK is paying for my trip?
Absolutely! In fact many applications have a host living or working in the UK, who will be funding the stay. Such as an adult child working here. Or a British partner, boyfriend or a girlfriend. Yet they get refused because they cannot demonstrate sufficient ties with their home country, Simply speaking, the visa officers may not believe your intent to leave the UK at the end of visit.
My nationality normally needs a visa to the UK, do I still need to apply or can I now use ETA?
ETA is only for nationals who don’t need “a proper visa” for a holiday or a short trip. Visa nationals (Indian, Filipino etc) still need to apply for a Visitor visa as before, with bank statements etc, but may get a digital visa when – and if – approved.
How much does a Visit Visa cost?
The Government fee ranges from GBP 127 for a 6-month visa (USD 170) and goes up for a longer visa. If it’s your first application, or first in a long time, better to start with a 6-month visa, it is still multiple-entry. The Government may still issue a short visa, even if you pay an expensive fee for a longer one. After the 1st visa, you could travel to the UK and build up “a history of compliance”, then try for a longer visa.
How long can I stay in the UK? Can I have a longer multiple-entry visa?
A visitor can stay maximum 6 months from each entry. ETA or Visitor visa, within its validity, allows multiple trips, but each single trip must be maximum 6 months. It is not “6 months per 12 months” as many people think, instead it is 6 months from each entry to the UK (as long as the visa or ETA is valid).
Can I extend a visa while in the UK?
We are often asked this question and the short answer is No. It may be possible for genuinely compassionate circumstances like a medical or family emergency. However, in many cases you don’t have to apply for en expensive extension – instead you can leave the UK (for any country) and come back, with your 6- month stay restarting again. And again, if you need, as long as your visa or ETA remains valid.
How to use a 5 or 10-year Visitor visa?
You can come and go during that time, having done an application and biometrics only once. But you can still stay maximum 6 months at a time, ie from each entry. Also, you cannot use this visa for “de facto residence”, you cannot use the NHS, work, go to school etc. If you wish to stay longer or make the UK your home, you need to apply for a residence-type visa, such as Spouse/Partner, Skilled Worker, Ancestral etc.
Main rules and documents
Proof of income or pension, even if the British host funds your trip
Proof of funds: by you, the host or employer
Proof of intention to return to your country
How can I prove funds available for the trip to the UK?
If you are funding your own trip – bank statements for both source of income and savings to cover the trip. Both aspects need to be covered. We often see people working but their balance remains low after expenses – this won’t work, because there is no spare money left. You can also add separate bank statements for accumulated savings, consistently maintained (or accumulated) over at least last 6 months. Double to 12 months if it’s your 1st visa or 1st in a long time.
Can I deposit cash today and apply for a visa tomorrow? The balance looks good!
A very common scenario – and an almost certain refusal! The visa officers have seen it all before, they are looking for a pattern, not just the balance. They look how the funds accumulated, how much the applicant earns and how much they spend. The balance has to look “good” for 6 months, or at least regularly accumulating as you are saving for the trip. This point applies to any “cash deposit”, recent or made 6 months ago, the Government officials want to see the source.
Can my host pay for my trip? Do I still need a proof of my income?
Yes and yes. Your host can cover the costs, such as a family member or a friend (or boyfriend) who is residing in the UK. This would cover the 50% of the “funds requirement”. However, the remaining 50% is still about the applicant, the ties with your country, the intent to leave the UK at the end of the visit (and not try to remain there). In short, you cannot just rely on the British host.
Inviting your parents
Parents often get a refusal, with the vague wording of “not a genuine visitor”. Even your (the host) support, will still only amount to 50% of the case (and its success). The remaining is still about them, the ties with their country and intention to leave after the visit. Working-age parents have to show income from employment (can be one parent) or self-employment in their country, with income clearly seen on the bank account, not cash-in-hand. Retired parents need to show pension, paid to the bank account, or other income like rent or investments. We are often approached by people who naturalised as British citizens and assume their parents’ visas will now be easier, but the above still matters!
Tip for inviting parents
You can invite one parent first, so they would have the other one “to come back to”. Having visited the UK and built “a history of compliance”, you could try the other parent. Generally, the next time may be easier.
Inviting a girlfriend or a boyfriend
If you are inviting a potential partner, they still need to show strong ties with a country where they are currently living or working. A partner cannot switch from a Visitor/tourist status to a residence visa like Partner/Spouse or Skilled Worker, or Dependant. They still have to demonstrate they have “something to come back to”. If your partner is working in their country, with the salary paid to their bank account, it usually gets accepted. If not, they can skip tourism and apply for a Fiancée, Spouse or Unmarried Partner visa. These are settlement-type visas , so there is no expectation to leave the UK.
Can I apply for a UK Visit Visa if I have a British spouse?
Yes, but you still need to show intent to return and ties with your home country or the country you are living in. If your British spouse is living with you outside the UK, you would usually be approved. But if your spouse is in the UK, or moving to the UK, you may be refused, but you could instead apply for a “proper” Spouse visa. A Spouse visa allows living in the UK, using the NHS, but does come with challenging requirements, like income of GBP 29,000 or savings GBP 88,500 as well as expensive Government fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. We help strengthen these cases with extra evidence of your life outside the UK.
Can I come on ETA and switch to a Spouse/Partner visa?
No, you cannot switch from a Visitor status (visa or ETA) to any other visa while inside the UK. Unlike the UAE visa regulations, the UK Immigration Rules prohibit that. You can come as a visitor on a visa or ETA, for a holiday or to look for a property /school etc, but then have to return to your country and apply for a “proper” Spouse entry visa. It’s the one with Financial Requirement GBP 29,000 or savings GBP 88,500 as well as expensive Government fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
We can, however, guide you on minimising the time you spend outside the UK. We can prepare your case while you are “visiting” the UK, book biometrics in your country when convenient. Has to be a country of your nationality or where you have a residency status (not a visitor). Then you can travel there just for biometrics and waiting for a visa.
And with the eVisa replacing a vignette (sticker in the passport), you could even travel to the UK while waiting for a Spouse visa, providing you have either ETA or a valid Visitor visa, depending on your nationality. When Spouse visa has been approved, you’d have to leave the UK (for any country) and re-enter as a Spouse to activate” your Spouse status.
What if my UK Visit Visa is refused?
Refusals are very common (often 50% rate for some nationalities). Reasons: insufficient ties, finances, or intent. We see people coming tp us after a refusal, so we review the reasons and help reapply with stronger evidence – most succeed second time with our support. And if we believe your case isn’t strong, we will honestly tell you so.
UK visas seem very difficult, what is the worst case scenario?
A refusal isn’t the worst! If you are refused, there is no right of appeal, but you can re-apply, every time paying the Government fee. However, if one is accused of deception, he/she can be banned for 10 years, with the future automatic refusals. Deception can happen if you don’t disclose relevant information, like previous visits or overstaying, or adverse immigration history from another country (especially if the UK shares info with that country) or a criminal conviction.
My settlement visa was refused. Now I would like to just come to the UK for a holiday to see my friends/family.
Tricky one! The visa officers may find it difficult to believe you are “just on holiday’ after trying for a more serious visa. Unfortunately, it is likely to be refused (although you could try and see what happens). However, re-applying for a Spouse/Partner visa is likely to succeed, providing you have addressed the refusal reasons, usually financial or Minimum Income Requirement.
Parent applying as a Visitor after being refused Adult Dependant Relative visa
Although ADR visa exists in theory, it is almost impossible in practice, only approved in a very few cases for a parent requiring day-to-day care. If your parent is refused an ADR visa (which is a settlement-type), they are not likely to get a tourist visa in the foreseeable future.
#1 for UK visa advice
We advise on the Rules, we train other lawyers and we do it well! From our London office, we serve customers of all nationalities who are in the UK or overseas, to work, join family and settle in the UK. You can book a consultation with a very experienced Immigration Consultant here.
Do I have to buy travel insurance?
Not required for a visa, but strongly recommended for travel.
Do I have to book flights and accommodation before my visa is granted?
No, unlike for a Schengen visa, you don’t ned to make any confirmed travel arrangements. It makes a big difference when you aren’t sure whether a visa will be granted.
Can I work or study on a UK Visit Visa?
No paid work allowed – high risk of ban if caught. Short courses (<30 days) or business meetings OK. Overstaying or rule-breaking leads to future refusals and potentially a ban for 10 years.