how does uk tourist visa look like

The Ultimate UK Visitor Visa Guidance for 2020

This article will talk about what you need to know about UK visitor visas in 2020 .

We will discuss the following:

Part 1: General UK visitor visa information

• What is a UK visitor visa in 2020?

Do you need to apply for a UK visitor visa?

• How much does a UK visitor visa cost?
• What can I do on a UK visitor visa?

Part 2: The requirements that you must meet

• Requirement 1 – ‘Genuine’ and ‘credible’ visitor
• Requirement 2 – ‘Maintenance’ and ‘accommodation’
• Requirement 3 – Third party sponsor rules
• Requirement 4 – ‘Frequent’ and ‘successive’ visits
• Requirement 5 – The ‘suitability’ rules

Part 3: Preparing for the UK visitor visa application

• Suggested documentation guidance
• Supporting letter guidance

Part 4: Other UK visitor visa information

• Visitor visa extensions
• Visitor visa Curtailment and cancellations
• UK visitor visa tips
• Frequently asked questions

General UK Visitor Visa Information

What is a uk visitor visa.

A UK visitor visa will allow a non-EEA country national to visit the UK.

UK visitor visas are otherwise known as a ‘ UK tourist visa ‘.

If granted, this visa is usually valid for 6 months , although in some cases it can be longer.

There are currently four types of visitor visas :

• Standard UK Visitor Visa
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitor Visa
• Transit Visitor Visa
• Permitted paid engagements visitor visa

This article will focus on standard UK visitor visas. 

If you are a visa-national…

…you will have to  apply for a UK visitor visa.

If you are a national of one of the following countries, you will be deemed a visa national:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti, Dominican, Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome e Principe Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan Uganda, Ukraine, United, Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

The above was taken from the official  Visa National list in the Immigration Rules .

If you are a non-visa-national…

…in most circumstances you will not be required to apply for a UK visitor visa, although in some cases it will be wise to apply.

You are a non-visa national if your home country is  NOT  in the above list.

Lucas is a Brazilian national.

Since Brazil is not in the above visa-national list, Lucas will  not  strictly need to apply for a UK visa.

However, non-visa nationals may decide to apply for a UK visitor visa for the following reasons:

• They have previously been refused UK visas
• The applicant (the person applying) wants better peace of mind and does not want to risk being refused when they arrive at a UK airport!

How long is a UK visitor visa usually valid for?

A standard UK visitor visa is usually issued for up to 6 months .

However, you might be able to secure a long-term multiple entry visit visa that is valid for 2 , 5 or even 10 years – especially if you’ve got a good UK immigration history and have previously been granted UK visitor visas.

For more information on longer term visit visas, check out our long term visitor visa guidance .

How much does the UK visitor visa cost?

As we discuss in our UK visitor fee and costs in 2020 article, the cost will entirely depend on:

• the validity duration of UK visit visa that you apply for; and
• the type of UK visitor visa

A standard 6 month UK visitor visa costs £95 .

On the other hand, a long-term standard visitor visa depends on its length and is priced accordingly:

• A 2 year visa is £361;
• A 5 year visa is £655; and
• A 10 year visas is £822.

What can I do on a UK Visit visa?

The Immigration Rules at Appendix 3, 4 and 5 here contain a list of both permitted and non-permitted activities.

Since the UK standard visitor visa recently compiled several old types of visas (including Family Visitor visa, General Visitor visa, Child Visitor visa, Business Visitor visa, Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa & Approved Destination Status (ADS) visa), this is a topic that can be confusing for some.

The following is a brief overview of what you are allowed to do on a UK visit visa:

#1 Be a tourist!

You will not be surprised to hear this as this is the UK visitor visa’s most common purpose.

It is absolutely fine to apply for a UK visitor visa visit friends and family and to visit all of the delights that the UK has to offer.

#2 Volunteer.

Volunteering is permitted, so long as it is for a registered charity. 

It’s also important to know that you can only volunteer for up to 30 days in total – as long as volunteering is not the main purpose of your visit.

#3 Engage in business activities.

You are allowed to do some general business activities, such as attending meets, interviews, seminars and conferences.

In addition to this, you will be permitted to negotiate contracts, discuss deals or go to trade fairs for promotional activities.

#4 Engage in some corporate activities.

Corporate activities such as provide consultations and training are permitted.

#5 Have business-based discussions.

You are allowed to visit the UK as a prospective business person to discuss business with the UK government, UK based firms or other firms that are connected to your proposed business in some way.

The requirements that you must meet

We will now discuss four main UK visitor visa requirements in 2020 that will need to be met.

REQUIREMENT 1

You must be a ‘genuine’ and ‘credible’ visitor

This is the certainly the  main requirement that deserves the most attention.

Because the Home Office caseworkers that decide visit visa applications are trained to be very suspicious people!

When determining whether they think that you are genuine and credible , the Home office caseworker will look at your application as a whole and make a judgment call.

Because of this, there are a wide variety of things that they will consider.

You should be aware of these things because this will allow you to address any potential concerns that they have – thereby increasing your chances of a successful UK visitor visa application.

#1 Your previous immigration history.

The Home Office caseworker will consider your immigration history in order to determine whether to grant you a UK visitor visa.

If you have previously been granted a UK visa …

If you have previously been issued UK visas and complied with the terms of the visas (for example, you returned to your home country before the expiration of the visa and did not do any activities that the visa does not allow), then this will positively affect your application.

This is because you have already shown that you acted in accordance with the terms of the visa and that you are therefore more likely to return to your home country before the expiration of subsequent visas.

On the other hand, if you were previously issued a UK visa but overstayed or breached the terms of your visa , then this is something that can certainly harm the chances of any subsequent applications.

In this case, you will want to discuss this when you write the UK visitor visa supporting letter.

If you have previously been granted visas to countries other than the UK …

If you are able to show that you have travelled to any other countries and have complied with the terms of that country’s visa, then this would also positively affect your application.

This is especially the case if you visited Schengen countries , Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Australia or Ireland.

If you have no-immigration history…

If you have a non-existent immigration history (for instance, if you have never left your home country), then the extent that this will affect your application depends on your personal circumstances – including your nationality and country of residence.

#2 Your nationality and country of residence.

It is unfortunate that Home Office caseworkers will judge you based on your nationality and country of residence.

The Home Office caseworker will be influenced largely by the information relating to non-compliance by individuals who have applied for a visit visa from the same geographical region as you.

This is seen in the news reports that the Home Office are using an algorithm to categorise applicants into high or low-risk applicants .

The Home Office also have a ‘high-risk’ immigration blacklist of countries where applicants are deemed to post a greater risk than others .

Therefore, if you are applying in a country where you will likely be disadvantaged from the very start (such as Nigeria or Syria), you should really put a lot of effort in the supporting letter and the supporting documents that you submit.

#3 Your ties (links) to your home country will determine how strong your application is.

The reasoning behind this is that if you have strong ties to your home country, it will appear more likely that you will return and not overstay on your UK visa.

After all, you not returning to your home country is the Home Office caseworker’s biggest worry!

There are different kinds of ties that the Home Office will consider:

i) Personal ties

If you have little-to-no personal ties to your home country, your application is more likely to be unsuccessful .

This is because this suggests that you are more likely to overstay on your visa (if they issue it).

If you are young , it’s likely that you will not have as many personal ties to your home country (compared to if you were older).

Because of this, you will be perceived as more mobile and will therefore a greater threat of overstaying .

On the other hand, if you are able to show that you do have personal ties, such as on-going education, this is certainly something that will help your application and should therefore be focused on.

ii) Economic and financial ties

If you have little-to-no economic or financial ties to your home country, your application is more likely to be unsuccessful .

In the eyes of the UK government, the Home Office will think that you more likely to exceed the 6-month period and illegally reside (& work) in the UK.

I told you – the Home Office caseworkers are suspicious people!

However , if you are able to show that you have a level of income that is above average in your home country, this will certainly benefit your application.

Similarly, if you have your own successful business in your home country, this will be helpful  and should be made clear.

The reasoning behind this is that it will be less tempting for you to overstay , as not only will you have a reason to return to your home country , but also it would be less appealing for you to illegally work in the UK since you can adequately financially provide for yourself in your home country.

If you own property or land , this should be emphasised in the application as this is an obvious display of wealth .

iii) Family ties

Familial ties in both the UK and in your home country is certainly something that will be considered.

If you have family ties in the UK …

On the one hand, having family members in the UK can positively affect your application, as it is of course an incredibly common (& genuine ) reason why people apply for UK visitor visas in the first place.

On the other hand, you should explain why, unlike your family members , you do not want to settle in the UK .

It should also be noted that, if your family members in the UK have a bad UK immigration history , your application will be negatively affected it is very possible that the Home Office caseworker will judge your intentions based on how your family members have reacted.

With this being said, I feel that it is important to mention that you should not be tempted to lie .

The Home Office has a surprising amount of information .

If you don’t believe me, you can find out yourself by submitting a subject access request in order to obtain the records that the Home Office has on you.

If you do not mention that you have family members in the UK, this may be seen as suspicious , resulting in the Home Office caseworker questioning your credibility .

If you have family ties in your home country …

It is generally beneficial for your UK visitor visa to have family members in your home country.

This is especially the case if you have a spouse or family members who are dependent on you, either financially or emotionally.

Because if you have loved ones back home that depend on you, that is another indication that you will be more likely to return to your home country .

#4 Your stated intentions are relevant in determining whether you are a ‘genuine’ and ‘credible’ visitor.

The Home Office caseworker will also look at your stated purpose of visit (as specified in your application and supporting letter).

In your UK visitor visa application, you must be able to clearly explain the main reason for coming to the UK.

You must also be prepared to explain this when you arrive in the airport.

If you are unclear , or contradict yourself, then doubts may be raised about your credibility as a visitor visa applicant.

Your stated intentions must be to do only activities that are permitted.

Common activities that are permitted :

• Visiting family and/or friends
• Sightseeing/general tourism

Common activities that are not permitted :

• Running a business
• Providing goods and services
• Marrying or giving notice to marry

We discuss this in more detail below.

The information that you provide must not be contradictory.

If you say one thing in one part of the application but then say another (either in the application, or when being interviewed), then this may raise doubts as to your credibility as an UK visitor visa applicant.

Similarly, if you say one thing but your sponsor says another, this may be seen as questionable.

Your documents must support your stated intentions.

If the supporting documents that you submit as part of your application do not support what you say your intentions are, then this may cause suspicion .

This is especially the case if the documents that you submit contradict your stated intentions.

Munnawar, a Pakistani national, would like to visit the UK.

In the UK visitor visa application, he has stated that his main intention is to go shopping in the UK.

Munnawar would therefore be advised to evidence his wealth in the form of savings and/or income.

If neither are evidenced, or if documentation is shown that show no savings or no substantial income, then the Home Office caseworker may doubt Munnawar’s intentions as being genuine.

Your documents should be verifiable.

In other words, the Home Office caseworker should be able to look at the document and know how he/she can contact the issuer of the document in order to identify that the document is genuine.

Munnawar was advised to include a letter from his father in support of his UK visitor visa application. This is because it is his father that gave him the monies required in order for his shopping trip in the UK.

This letter should therefore include the contact details of Munnawar’s father.

Why? Because if it does not, then the document is not verifiable and therefore doubts may be raised about the legitimacy of the document.

REQUIREMENT #2

The Adequate Maintenance & Accommodation Requirement

You will have to show that you have sufficient resources to maintain and accommodate yourself adequately for the whole of your planned visit to the UK.

If you are applying for a UK visitor visa with any dependants , you will also need to show that you can support them, too.

Whilst it would certainly make things easier, the Home Office do not provide fixed rules for this .

Instead, a decision is made in light of all of your circumstances .

The minimum that you must show

At the very minimum, you must show that you can cover the cost of:

• The return or onward journey
• If you are visiting the UK with dependent children , their costs
• Planned activities in the UK (such as private medical treatment)

The Home Office will consider:

The Home Office caseworker that is deciding your application will consider the following main considerations:

#1 The overall likely cost of your stay.

Obviously, shorter trips are going to cost less than longer trips.

Your stated intentions are also relevant here – if you intend to visit the UK in order to do some  shopping , then the overall likely cost of stay is likely going to be higher than if your sole stated intention is to visit a family member in their home.

The location of where you will be staying will be a main consideration.

Obviously, the living costs in London are significantly higher than in many places.

Similarly, if you are not staying at a family or friend’s accommodation throughout the whole trip, then you will incur extra costs of hotels etc .

#2 Your income and/or cash savings.

Your income and/or savings must be sufficient to meet the expected costs associated with travelling to the UK.

This will be decided in light of your on-going financial commitments , which we discuss below.

It is preferable that you are able to evidence that you have had these savings or income for a long period of time .

If the documents submitted show that either the income or savings are relatively new , this may raise doubts regarding them.

In fact, where there has been a recent injection of income or savings , the Home Office guidance suggests that the Home Office caseworker “may want to make further checks to establish the origin of this money”.

You must also be able to show that these income or savings are legitimately yours.

If you are unable to do this, it will not be counted in the assessment of whether you can adequately maintain yourself during your UK trip.

#3 Sources of income that you will continue to receive whilst you are visiting the UK.

It is obviously preferable if your sources of income will continue to be received whilst you are visiting the UK.

With this being said, this is less relevant if you are able to evidence significant cash savings.

#4 You and your sponsor’s on-going financial commitments.

If you are unable to evidence significant savings or sources of income but have costly on-going financial commitments , then this may raise doubts  as to whether you can adequately accommodate yourself during your trip to the UK.

Examples of on-going financial commitments here include:

• Rent or mortgage payments in your home country
• Costs associated with any dependants , such as children or elderly relatives (even if they are not travelling with you)

REQUIREMENT 3

Third party Sponsor Requirements

If you think that you may not be able to sufficiently show that you can adequately provide for yourself during your stay, you may wish to have a sponsor.

Zee is a Chinese national and is wanting to visit the UK.

Since he just graduated from university, he has not yet built up a lot of savings, nor has he held a stable job.

Because of this, Zee should consider having a sponsor who can provide evidence of enough funds and/or income to fund his visit to the UK.

As you can see from the above example, the sponsor does not strictly have to be in the UK when the application is made or when you arrive in the UK.

There are several requirements that you should be aware of regarding having a sponsor in order to support your application.

#1 The sponsor has to be declared by the applicant.

You should absolutely declare in the online visa application that you have a sponsor and provide all of the relevant information regarding the sponsor.

Whilst there is space to provide personal details in the UK visitor visa application form in 2020 , the best place to elaborate on this information in detail is in supporting letters that you should include in the application.

If you do not declare that you have a sponsor in the application, then the sponsor’s assistance cannot be counted in the assessment of whether you can adequately maintain yourself in the UK.

#2 If the sponsor is in the UK, they must not be in breach of immigration laws.

Your sponsor will be in breach of immigration laws if they do not have a current valid UK visa (whilst being in the UK), which most often arises from overstaying in the UK.

#3 The relationship between the applicant and sponsor must be genuine.

When the Home Office caseworker assesses whether the relationship between you and your sponsor is genuine, they will consider a variety of factors , including:

• Whether your sponsor has a previous history of sponsoring others for UK visas. If they do, were they any issues with those applications?
• The evidence and information put forward in your application regarding you and your sponsor’s relationship.

In some instances, especially where a lack of evidence regarding the relationship has been submitted, the Home Office caseworker may ask either the applicant or sponsor for more information , such as where and how you first met, how often you meet and how do you normally communicate with each other.

The relationship between you and your sponsor can be either professional or personal .

#4 The sponsor must be able to have enough funds to support you in your visit to the UK.

Your sponsor simply stating that he or she has enough funds to cover your trip in the UK is not enough.

Rather, documentation should be included to show this , such as bank statements and evidence of assets and/or income .

#5 Your sponsor must intend to support you in your visit to the UK.

This requirement is best met by asking your sponsor to provide a letter of support .

Having a letter of support is the best way to provide evidence of a clear intention to sponsor you.

Where there are doubts about the intentions of your sponsor to provide their support, it is likely that your application will be refused , so this is an important requirement to consider!

Again, the sponsor’s previous history of ‘sponsoring’ visitors can be relevant here .

If they themselves have a bad history sponsoring applicants, then this can raise some doubts that may be difficult to overcome .

In some cases, your sponsor may be asked to provide a written  undertaking in writing to be responsible for your maintenance and accommodation. If they do not provide this when asked to do so, your application will normally be refused .

REQUIREMENT 4

Frequent & Successive Visits Requirement

As stated by paragraph v4.2(b) of the Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules , you cannot ‘live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home’.

In other words, since the UK visitor visa is for those who area just ‘ visiting ’ the UK, you cannot rely on this type of visa in order to live in the UK permanently.

Rather, you would be expected to apply for another type of visa, such as a spouse visa UK or a Tier 2 (General) visa .

Therefore, if in the past you have been making frequent and lengthy trips to the UK, this may raise doubts about your true intentions about your upcoming trip to the UK.

Because of this, you should prepare yourself for an interview each and every time you arrive in the UK at an airport (or seaport if you arrive by sea).

In such a case, you should be ready to provide evidence that shows that you are in fact settled outside of the UK and that the UK is not your main home .

So the question then becomes, when do trips become too frequent and lengthy?

As stated in the official guidance, “ There is no specified maximum period which an individual can spend in the UK in any period such as ‘6 months in 12 months’.

Therefore, just like many other areas, the Home Office are not too clear on this !

They do, however, provide us with some factors that will be considered , which are:

• The purpose of your visit and how long you intend to stay in the UK;
• The amount of times you have visited the UK over the past 12 months;
• How long your previous visits to the UK were in the past 12 months and the time that elapsed between each visit
• Whether the time you spent in your home country is less than the time you have spent in the UK in the past 12 months;
• The reason why you returned to your home country and whether you only did so only so that you can re-enter the UK
• Your ties to your home country and where you are registered for tax purposes
• Evidence that suggests that you have made the UK your main place of residence (such as being registered with a general practitioner (GP) or send your children to UK schools

The ‘Suitability Requirements’

The ‘suitability requirements’ list situations in which your UK visitor visa will (or may) be refused and are found in PART V3 of Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules .

In summary, the suitability requirements for UK visitor visa applications that are being made from outside the UK are the following:

#1 The applicant will be refused if the UK government has excluded them from the UK or has provided them with a deportation order.

#2 The applicant will be refused if the Home Office thinks that allowing them to enter the UK will not be in the interests of the public.

#3 The applicant will be refused if you have been convicted of a criminal offence for which they have been sentenced to a period of imprisonment.

In order for your application to be refused, your sentencing of imprisonment must have been:

• at least 4 years; or
• between 12 months and 4 years (unless at least 10 years have passed since the end of the sentence); or
• less than 12 months (unless at least 5 years has passed since the end of the sentence).

#4 The applicant application may be refused if they have had trouble with the law.

#5 The applicant will be refused if they have provided false information or documents in your application.

This is the case whether you intentionally provided false information or documents.

It also does not matter in the eyes of the Home Office if the information or documents were important to the application – the only thing that matters is that the false information or documentation was submitted.

#6 The applicant will be refused if they did not disclose important information relating to their application.

#7 The applicant may be refused if they have previously breached UK immigration laws.

You will have breached UK immigration laws if:

• You have previously overstayed a UK visa
• You have previous breached a condition attached to a UK visa that you were previously granted (unless you have been issued a visa after that breach despite the Home Office knowing about it)
• You have illegally entered the UK
• You have previously deceived the Home Office

If you have previously breached UK immigration laws, it is likely that you will have been banned from the UK for a certain period, depending on the particular circumstances.

The duration of re-entry bans are covered in V 3.10 of the Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules .

#8 The applicant will be refused if they fail to produce a valid passport or travel document.

#9 The applicant will be refused if they do not attend an interview, provide information, provide biometrics or undergo a medical examination or provide a medical report when asked to do so.

#10 The applicant will normally be refused if a medical inspector has said that it would be undesirable to grant them a UK visitor visa due to medical reasons.

#11 The applicant will normally be refused if they owe the NHS at least £500. 

#12 The applicant will normally be refused if they have failed to pay litigation costs awarded to the Home Office.

Preparing for the UK Visitor Visa Application

REQUIREMENT 5

What are the documents required for a UK Visitor Visa?

This part of this article will discuss the required documents for a UK visitor visa .

General rules about documents

Before we provide a general UK visitor visa document checklist, it is important to note two very important rules regarding all documentation.

Rule 1 – The documents that you submit must be originals and not photocopies.

Rule 2 – The documents that you submit have to be in English or Welsh.

If the documents are not in English or Welsh they should be translated by a translator whose credentials can be independently verified by the Home Office.

The translated documents must contain:

• The date of the translation
• The translator’s contact details
• The translator’s full name and signature
• Confirmation from the translator that the translation is an accurate translation of the original document.

Rule 3 – The documents that you submit should be verifiable

If an included document cannot be verified by another independent individual or organization, then doubts will be raised about the credibility and authenticity of the documents.

The best approach to take when deciding what documents to include is to assume that the Home Office caseworker will think that you are lying with regards to any documents that are submitted but not verifiable.

Rule 4 – It is your responsibility to make sure the best documents are submitted, not the Home Office’s responsibility

It is your responsibility to ensure you provide evidence satisfactory evidence that you meet the Immigration Rules.

Because of this, including the right type of evidence is critically important .

If you do not include enough relevant evidence, the Home Office caseworker is much more likely to refuse the application than contact you and ask you for more information.

Mandatory documents that you MUST submit

#1 You must submit a valid passport.

The passport that you include must be both current and valid .

It should also have at least one blank page that is free from stamps (on both sides of the page).

If you do not have a valid passport, you then must include a document that allows you to travel internationally.

We would also strongly recommend including copies of all pages of the passport.

OPTIONAL documents (that you probably should submit)

Whilst the below documents are categorized as ‘optional’, for many applicants, it is strongly recommended  to submit much of the below documentation to show that they are a genuine and credible visitor.

Remember, the Home Office caseworkers that decide whether you are granted a UK visitor visa or not are suspicious individuals and that you should do anything that you can to allay their possible suspicions.

The following documents are optional but generally recommended.

#1 Previous travel documents.

These should be included to evidence your previous travel history .

Obviously, if you complied with the terms of your previous visas, then you will have a good UK immigration history which will in turn help your application.

Copies of these previous travel documents should also be included.

#2 Documents to confirm legal residence.

If you are in a country where you are not a national and are applying in that country, you should show that you are legally allowed to stay in that country.

Obviously, if you are not abiding by the rules when you are applying for a UK visa, then you will face a difficult task of convincing the Home Office caseworker that you will abide by the rules if issued a UK visa!

If you are a national of the country from which you are applying, then your legal residence is obviously confirmed by your passport.

#3 If you are a student…

…then evidence of your status as a student is absolutely recommended.

Most commonly, typical evidence is a signed letter from your college or university that confirms your enrollment and leave of absence.

This letter should have the contact details of the educational institution, be original and be printed on the educational institution’s official stationary/paper.

Like other documents, if this letter is not in English or Welsh, it should be translated.

#4 If you are under the age of 18…

…then you should include documentation that shows that you are travelling to the UK with the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) .

Firstly, it is recommended to include a legal document that firstly established who your legal guardians are.

Secondly, it is recommended to include an original and signed letter from your legal guardian stating that they consent to your trip . This letter should also contain details of how you will be adequately maintained, both with regards to finances and to accommodation.

It is also generally recommended to include copies of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) main passport page .

#5 If you are coming to the UK for business related activities.

Firstly, I would like to remind you of the permitted and prohibited activities of a UK visitor visa.

Assuming that you are aware of this and are coming to the UK for business activities, the type of documentation will depend on your circumstances .

Typically, a letter from employer will be included if the reason for the trip is connected with them. If included, this letter should detail why you are visiting the UK as well as include other relevant information related to the trip.

If you have been invited to the UK by an organization, it would be a good idea to include a letter from them as evidence in your UK visitor visa application.

#6 Financial documents should be included to show that you can adequately maintain yourself and any dependents for the whole UK visit.

As we discussed, financial documents are exceptionally important when trying to convince the Home Office caseworker that you can support yourself financially.

There are no specific documents that you have to submit, but the following are the ones that are most typical:

i) A letter from your employer if you are employed.

This letter should state important employment details such as your salary, the date you started employment, your job role and company details.

This letter should be printed on company headed paper, be the original and be signed.

Like other documents, if it is not in English or Welsh, it should be translated.

ii) Personal bank statements

This is an incredibly important financial document as it provides the Home Office caseworker with a picture of your finances over a long period of time.

These bank statements should evidence how you can support yourself during your trip to the UK, whether it is by savings, by a steady income or a combination of both

6 months to 1 year’s worth of bank statements is recommended.

If you are being sponsored, then your sponsor’s bank statements should be included.

Remember, documents that you submit should be verifiable .

Because of this, bank statements should be either issued by the bank (printed on official bank paper) or alternatively it can be online printouts that have been stamped or certified by the bank on every single page.

iii) Other financial documents

Financial documents are of course specific to your circumstances (and your sponsor’s financial circumstances, if you have one).

If you or your sponsor have their own company, documents should be included to evidence this (such as company accounts & business bank account statements ).

If, on the other hand, you or your sponsor is self-employed, documents that are typically include tax return s and evidence of trade .

#7 Flight tickets.

This is something that we would recommend including , even though the Home Office guidance suggests not to.

This is based on our many years experience and we are indeed confident that purchasing a return flight improves the likelihood of a successful visa.

Write a UK visitor visa cover letter

Writing a good supporting letter for a UK visitor visa is something that is incredibly important.

This is because it is here that you will be able to best convey:

• That you are a genuine visitor
• That you are a credible visitor
• That any pre-conceived doubts should not apply to you

This supporting letter should be written in a clear and logical way.

Feel free to use our professionally written  sample letter for a UK tourist visa application  as a template .

The goal of this letter really should be to convince the Home Office caseworker that you will not overstay your UK visa and will return to your home country before the visa expires.

The UK visitor visa supporting letter should clearly discuss the following:

#1 Your intentions as a visitor.

What do you plan to do in the UK? Who do you plan to meet and stay with?

It is also important to clearly say that the activities that you intent to do in the UK are permitted ones, and not ones that are prohibited.

What you include here regarding your intentions should be supported by other supporting documents .

For example, if you say that you intend to visit the UK for 3 weeks for your niece’s university graduation, you should support this statement with evidence regarding this (letter from the university, letter from your niece etc.)

#2 Your economic ties to your home country.

Having economic ties to your home country suggests to the Home Office caseworker that you are more likely to return to your home country .

You should discuss relevant aspects of these ties, such as the value of your assets and amount of income.

With regards to income, it will also be relevant to state whether this income is dependent on you being in your home country or whether it will continue during your trip to the UK.

#3 Your familial ties to your home country.

The letter of support is the perfect place where you can elaborate why your family members in your home country will mean that you will return prior to your UK visitor visa expiring.

In particular you should emphasize any dependencies (for instance, dependent children or elderly relatives) and why this means that you have to return to your home country.

#4 You should point out your good UK immigration history (if you have one).

Don’t assume that the Home Office caseworker would recognize that you have a good UK immigration history – make it clear !

If you have already visited the UK on previously issued UK visitor visas and complied with the terms of those visas, this should be made clear in the cover letter.

Similarly, if you were previously granted visas for other countries and complied with the terms of these visas, this is also relevant to the Home Office caseworker as it helps paint the picture that you will comply with the terms of your UK visitor visa.

In particular, if you were granted visas for Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand or any of the Schengen countries, this is especially helpful.

#5 You should discuss your bad UK immigration history (if you have one).

It is usually wrong to think that the best course of action would be to not mention situations in the past that have resulted in you having a bad UK immigration history, hoping that failing to mention it would mean that the Home Office caseworker would overlook it.

You want to address Home Office caseworker’s concerns head on . Because of this, it is important to recognize the potential doubts that the Home Office caseworker may have about you.

If, in the past, you overstayed a UK visitor visa, explain the reason why and why you will not overstay in the future.

If, on the other hand, you did activities that were prohibited whilst on a UK visitor visa (such as work), explain why you will not do such permitted activities again.

Previous UK visa refusals have detrimental effects on subsequent UK visas.

In fact, if you were once refused a UK visa (especially if it was the same type), then it is very likely that your application will face more scrutiny than if you have never been refused.

If you were previously refused a UK visitor visa, make this clear not only by discussing it, but by including a copy of the refusal letter, if you still have it at hand.

In your cover letter, address the reasons for refusal and state why they do not apply to you .

#6 Address any preconceived notions that the Home Office caseworker may possibly have.

It is unfortunate that the Home Office blacklist certain countries – resulting in applicants from those countries being disadvantaged at the very start.

If you think that there is a chance that your country has been deemed to be a ‘high risk’ one, it would certainly be a good idea to address what makes you different from the average UK visitor visa applicant from your home country.

For instance, if you earn significantly more than the average person in your country, highlight this.

If you have more assets than the average person in your country, highlight this.

#7 If you have previously visited the UK on a UK visitor visa, you should make it clear that you do not intend to make the UK your main home.

As we discussed above, you are not allowed to use UK visitor visas to make frequent trips to the UK so much so that it would in fact make the UK your main home .

Although there is no limitation on the number of times you can visit the UK, or even specified time that must pass between successive visits. You should explain why you will not live in the UK or make the UK your main hom e.

#8 Elaborate how you will maintain yourself (as well as any dependents) both financially and with regards to accommodation in the UK.

We also discussed above the requirement of you having to maintain yourself, as well as any dependents, throughout your trip to the UK.

Other UK Visitor Visa Information

Extension of stay as a visitor.

You may be wondering whether you can extend your UK visitor visa whilst you are already in the UK.

The answer is that it is possible to extend your UK visitor visa, but only in very limited circumstances .

You will be able to extend your stay as a UK visitor visa in the following circumstances:

#1 You have been issued a standard visitor visa for the purpose of receiving private medical treatment and seek to extend the visa for continued private medical treatment.

An extension in such a situation may be granted for a further period of 6 months.

#2 You have been issued a standard visitor visa and you are an academic who is on sabbatical leave and are undertaking your own research in the UK.

An extension in such a situation may be granted so that the total period that you can remain in the UK does not exceed 12 months (including both the original grant and the extension of stay).

#3 You have been issued either a standard visitor visa or a marriage visitor visa and were granted a visa that was valid for less than 6 months.

In such a situation, you may be granted an UK visitor visa extension so that the total amount of time that you can spend in the UK does not exceed 6 months (including both the original visa and the extension visa).

#4 You have been granted a standard visitor visa and want to extend your stay as a visitor in order to resit the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) Test.

In such a situation, you may be granted an extension of up to 6 months as long as you meet the requirements at Appendix 3, paragraph 22(b)(i) of the Immigration Rules .

#5 You have been granted a standard visitor visa and were successful in the PLAB Test but want to undertake a clinical attachment.

In such a situation, you may be granted an extension so that the total period that you can remain in the UK does not exceed 18 months (including both the original grant and the extension of stay) as long as the requirements of Appendix 3, paragraph 22(a) of the Immigration Rules is met.

If you fall within one of the above categories, then the next question to ask is if you meet the requirements for an extension.

UK visitor visa extension requirements

The following are the requirements that you must meet if you want to extend your UK visitor visa whilst already in the UK.

#1 You must submit an application for an extension of stay as a visitor.

#2 In this application, you must persuade the Home Office worker that you continue to meet all UK visitor visa requirements in 2020.

#3 You must be in the UK ‘in breach of immigration laws’, other than for a period of 28 days or less overstaying.

#4 If you are applying for an extension in order to receive private medical treatment, there is an additional requirement that you must:

• prove that you have met the costs of any medical treatments received so far; and
• submit a signed and original letter from a registered medical practitioner that details the medical condition that requires further treatment. This medical practitioner can either be from a private practice or an NHS hospital, as long as they hold an NHS consultant post or appear in the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council.

UK Visitor Visa Curtailment & Cancellation

It is possible for your UK visitor visa to be cancelled before or on arrival at the border (airport) and for your leave to be ‘ curtailed ’.

Leave being ‘curtailed’ here basically means that the expiry date of your visa will be cut short (brought forward), effectively giving you a new visa end date.

The specific circumstances in which this will happen is listed in Part V9 of Appendix V ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules ).

The following are situations where your UK visitor visa may be cancelled before you arrive in the UK or when you arrive at the border (airport):

• Your intentions for your UK visit has changed since your UK visitor visa was granted.

For example, if in the application for a UK visitor visa, you stated that you wanted to visit the UK for 3 weeks in order to attend a nephew’s university graduation, but then when asked at the border, you say you want to visit the UK for private medical treatment, your intentions will have changed.

• You did not disclose important information during the UK visitor visa application
• You submitted false documentation or provided false information .

In such a situation, it does not matter if you knew that these were false. It also does not matter if the false documentation or information was important when deciding whether to grant the UK visitor visa or not.

• It has become clear that, due to medical reasons , it would be undesirable to allow you to enter the UK .

This is the case unless there are strong compassionate reasons that would justify you entering the UK.

• It has become clear that it would not be good for you to enter the UK in light of the public good criteria
• You are outside the UK and have not provided information, documents or medical reports when asked to do so

The following are situations where your UK visitor visa may be curtailed whilst you are in the UK:

• It has become clear that you no longer meet the visitor visa requirements
• It has become clear that you did not disclose important information or if you made false representations
• You do not comply with the conditions of our UK visitor visa
• Something happens such as trouble with the law that means that it would not be in the public interest for you to stay in the UK.

UK Visitor Visa Tips

#1 Spend a lot of time writing a thorough and detailed covering letter.

As discussed above, this covering letter’s main goal should be to persuade the Home Office caseworker that you will return to your home country before the UK visa expires .

It should also include the other aspects that we discussed.

#2 Attention to detail throughout the whole application is key.

As we discussed above, inconsistencies in information and documentation can result in doubts being raised, which in turn, will reduce the likelihood of the application being granted.

Because of this, we would recommend double and triple checking the contents of the UK visitor visa online application form & cover letter to ensure that all of the details matches up with the documentation that you submit.

#3 It is good to have comprehensive application.

Remember, the Home Office caseworkers can be suspicious individuals.

Much of this suspicion can be reduced when directly addressed in a clear and logical manner.

#4 Answer all of the questions in the online application form.

#5 Do not be tempted to withhold information.

Each of the application form questions should be answered truthfully .

If the Home Office, for any reason, think that you have deceived them, this can have a disastrous impact on your application and for subsequent applications after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need to have a sponsor in order to obtain a uk visitor visa.

Applicants do not strictly require a sponsor in order to obtain a UK visitor visa.

If you can show that you can adequately provide for yourself regarding both finances and accommodation, then you can apply without a sponsor.

With this being said, if you are unsure whether you meet the loosely described ‘adequate maintenance’ UK visitor visa test, having a sponsor may help increase your chances of a successful application.

In this situation, you should evidence both your finances as well as your sponsor’s finances.

Does my sponsor have to be in the UK?

A sponsor for a UK visitor visa does not need to be in the UK.

They can in fact be outside the UK.

For sponsor’s that are outside the UK, the sponsor visitor visa requirements are:

i) The sponsor has to be declared by the applicant

ii) The relationship between the applicant and sponsor must be genuine

iii)  The sponsor must be able to have enough funds to support you in your visit to the UK

iv) Your sponsor must intend to support you in your visit to the UK

How long can I spend in the UK using UK visitor visas?

There is no set maximum length that you can spend in the UK with a UK visitor visa, such as ‘6 months in 12 months’.

Firstly, you will be limited by the validity of the UK visitor visa .

Secondly, as discussed above, you must not visit the UK using a UK visitor visa so frequently that it essentially amounts to you making the UK your main place of residence .

Do I have to include an itinerary (strict plan of what I will do during my visit in the UK)?

No . If you are applying for a UK visitor visa, you do not have to provide an itinerary.

With this being said, you should be able to state what you intend to do during your trip to the UK and be able to elaborate if asked by a border guard at the airport.

As discussed above, we always recommend creating a thorough supporting letter and this letter should go into detail your general plans (& specific plans if you have any). The more detail the better here .

Will I be able to receive free National Health Service (NHS) treatment during my visit to the UK?

If you were issued a UK visitor visa, you will be billed for any NHS treatment received in the UK.

You will not be eligible for free treatment (unless there is an exemption that applies to you).

It is however important to note that there are several reciprocal healthcare agreements that the UK has with several countries. Many of these provide free healthcare to non-UK residents.

With this being said, these reciprocal agreements will likely not allow you to come to the UK specifically to seek healthcare from the NHS.

Will my visa be single entry or will it allow me to enter the UK multiple times during the visa’a validity?

This depends on your particular circumstances.

Multiple entry UK visit visas are most commonly issued.

Like the name suggests, this visa will allow you to enter the UK multiple times as long as the visa is valid.

In some instances, however, single entry visitor visas are issued. These visas will be valid for only one entry to the UK.

The following are situations in which single-entry visit visas will usually be issued for:

• Children’s applications that are sponsored by charities; and
• Applications where the applicant meets the required visitor visa rules, but the Home Office caseworker has a residual doubt and there is a clearly established, compelling and verifiable reason for the applicant to visit the UK.

Therefore, typical examples where single-entry visit visas are normally issued are:

• The applicant wants to attend a specific one-off event that the applicant has been invited to, such as the wedding of a close family member or a religious convention
• The applicant wants to visit a family member in the UK who is severely ill or pregnant
• The applicant is attending the UK in order to assist the police or another agency at the request of that agency
• The applicant is a non-expert, key witness at a court appearance

Can my child visit the UK on their own?

Yes.  A child may travel to the UK with or without an accompanying adult.

With this being said, for children that are going to travel to the UK by themselves, the visa will only be granted if:

• The Home Office caseworker is satisfied that the child will be adequately accommodation and be persuaded that all duty of care obligations  will be met.
• Care and reception arrangements for arrival and throughout their stay in the UK will be adequate. The identity and residence of the host must be established.
• Parental consent must be obtained.

In the event that some details regarding the three points above are missing, it is likely that further enquiries from the Home Office will be made.

If, in light of all the circumstances, the Home Office caseworker is unsure about the child’s likely welfare in the UK, the application will be refused.

Unsurprisingly, where a child is going to travel to the UK without an accompany adult, the application will face a lot of scrutiny about the welfare of the child. Like many UK visa applications, the child’s welfare is of high importance.

Is parental consent required for a child’s UK visit visa? If so, how is parental consent evidenced?

Yes. Parental consent is required for children’s UK visitor visas.

Where the visa application is made on behalf of the child, in most cases, this would satisfy the requirement for parental consent.

Where the child’s parents are divorced, the parent with legal custody or sole responsibility must provide consent.

In the event that the application is not made by the guardian or parent, a letter of consent from the guardian or parent that confirms the relationship with the child will normally be enough to satisfy the parental consent guidance.

With applications where the child will be accompanied with an adult who is not the legal guardian or parent of the child who holds legal custody, consent should be provided by both parents or legal guardians.

Can I volunteer on a UK visitor visa?

Yes. If you are in the UK on a standard UK visitor visa, as long as volunteering is not the main purpose of your visit, will amount to no longer than 30 days in total and is for a registered charity.

Can I study on a UK visitor visa?

Yes. If you are in the UK on a standard UK visitor visa, as long as the study is not the main purpose of your visit, you will be able to study for a maximum period of 30 days.

Can I marry in the UK whilst on a UK visitor visa?

If you are planning on marrying in the UK, or planning on giving notice of an intention to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK, this can only be done on a UK marriage visitor visa.

How much money do I need in the bank to apply for a UK visit visa?

You will need to prove to the Home Office caseworker that you have enough resources/income in order to maintain yourself both financially and with regards to accommodation for the duration of your trip (as well as any dependents that are applying with you).

Related Articles

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Visitor Visa UK Application Form 2020 [45 things you NEED to know before submitting]

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Documents Required for UK Visitor Visa

Anne morris.

• 23 August 2020

IN THIS SECTION

When filing an application for a visitor visa with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), there are numerous documents that you will need to submit to evidence your eligibility. Failure to provide adequate or required documentation risks your application being delayed or refused. The following guide for visa applicants examines the eligibility criteria and the documents required for your UK visitor visa application.

What is the UK visitor visa?

If you are national of a non-European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland and you would like to visit the UK for the purposes of business or pleasure you will probably need to apply for a standard visitor visa.

In particular, you will need to apply for a standard visitor visa if you would like to visit the UK for the following reasons:

• For leisure purposes, such as going on holiday or visiting family
• For a business trip, such as attending various meetings
• To take part in a sporting or creative event
• To undergo private medical treatment

If you are granted a UK visitor visa you will usually be permitted to stay in the UK for a period of up to 6 months. However, in the event that you intend to visit the UK regularly over a longer period, you can apply for what’s known as a long-term visitor visa that lasts for either 2, 5 or 10 years. Under a long-term visa you can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

That said, even where you are granted a long-term visitor visa, you will not be permitted to undertake paid employment in the UK or enrol on a full-time course of study. Further, under any type of standard visitor visa, you must not intend to access medical treatment other than private medical treatment, or to marry or form a civil partnership, or to give notice of this in the UK.

What are the eligibility criteria?

The rules relating to the UK visitor visa are set out under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. These rules set out, amongst other things, the standard eligibility criteria for all non-EEA visitors.

To be eligible for a visitor visa you must satisfy the following requirements:

• You will leave the UK by the end of your permitted stay
• You have enough money without recourse to public UK funds to support and provide accommodation for yourself
• You can pay for your return or onward journey

You will also need to provide proof of the purpose for your visit, for example, the nature of any business or tourist activities, not least because you will need to satisfy UKVI that you are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose permitted under the visitor route.

Where you are applying for a long-term visitor visa, you will also need to demonstrate that you will not reside in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive stays, or try to make the UK your main home.

Which documents are required for the UK visitor visa?

First and foremost, when submitting an application for a UK visitor visa, you will need to provide UKVI with a current passport or other valid travel document. This is a mandatory requirement. You will need a blank page in your passport for your visitor visa, and your passport should remain valid for the entire period of your stay in the UK, ie; for up to six months.

You may also want to provide any expired passports or travel documents to evidence your previous travel history, especially where you are applying for a long-term visitor visa and don’t want to risk being perceived as an applicant who is likely to use a visitor visa in an attempt to set up home in the UK.

You will also need to provide documentary evidence in support of the purpose for your visit, as well as each of the eligibility criteria, namely that you will leave at the end of your visit and you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the UK, as well as for your return or onward journey.

Purpose of your visit

The nature of your visit to the UK will determine the nature and extent of the documentation that you will need to provide here. As a starting point, you should provide a detailed travel itinerary.

If you are coming to the UK for the purpose of undertaking business activities, you will need to provide documentary evidence of your employment or occupation outside the UK, for example, a letter from your employer that specifies the business reason for your visit. You should also provide any letters from inviting organisations, and so on, to evidence your attendance at any meetings or conferences, etc.

By way of further example, if you are coming to the UK to undergo private medical treatment, you will need to prove that you suffer from a medical condition that requires private consultation or treatment in the UK and that you have made or paid for arrangements for a consultation or treatment.

As such, you will need to provide a letter from your doctor or consultant in the UK that includes details of the condition requiring treatment or consultation, the estimated cost and duration of treatment and details of where that treatment or consultation will take place.

You will also need to demonstrate that you have enough money to pay for all of this, in addition to supporting yourself during your stay in the UK, and for your return or onward journey (see below).

Intention to leave

As part of the criteria for any temporary visa, you must show an intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit. As such, you will need to provide documentation of any personal, professional and economic ties outside the UK, including confirmation of your legal residence, as well as details of any employment or studies where you have stated in your application that you are either employed or in full-time education.

This could include an official letter from your employer, printed on company headed paper, detailing your role, salary and length of employment or a letter from your education provider confirming your enrolment and leave of absence.

Sufficient funds

In respect of proving that you have sufficient funds to support and accommodate yourself while in the UK, you will need to provide proof of earnings or savings by way of wage slips and/or bank statements etc.

You may also rely on evidence that the necessary financial support will be provided by a third party. You can prove this with a written undertaking from your ‘sponsor’ ie relative, friend, business associate. There must however be a genuine personal or professional relationship and the financial support has to be available to you for the duration of your planned stay in the UK.

There is no set threshold or level of funds required to prove you have enough money to live on during your stay in the UK, but it is sensible to calculate and be able to show that the funds you are relying on, such as income and/savings, are sufficient to cover your existing financial commitments as well as the likely costs you will incur while in the UK without undertaking paid employment or accessing public funds.

The evidence of funds must also include the cost of your return or onward travel arrangements and any costs relating to dependants who will be travelling with you to the UK.

Document formats

All documents submitted in support of an application for a UK visitor visa must be originals rather than photocopies. They must also be in English. If any documentation is not in English, you must provide the original and a full translation that has been independently verified.

Each translated document must contain the following:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• the date of the translation
• the translator’s full name and signature
• their contact details

It is also important to remember that even where documentation is submitted in the correct format, this does not necessarily guarantee your application for a UK visitor visa will be successful. Much will still depend on whether UKVI is satisfied that you have met all of the eligibility criteria and that the stated purpose for your visit to the UK is legitimate.

UKVI will assess your credibility and intentions to visit the UK based on the information contained within your application and the documentation submitted in support. Needless to say, UKVI must be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor based on all of this evidence in its totality.

If you refuse to give biometric information, your immigration application will be rejected and it could lead to your deportation from the UK.

How to submit the documents required for a UK visitor visa

Having submitted your online application for a visitor visa from outside the UK, you will be given instructions on how to file your documentation in support. Typically, you will be required to make an appointment at a visa application centre in your country of residence to provide your biometric information, ie; a scan of your fingerprints and digital photograph of your face.

At the appointment, you will also need to submit the necessary documents. The document checklist in your application will explain what to provide.

In the event that you fail to provide one of the recommended documents, this is not, of itself, an automatic ground for refusal, but any failure to provide sufficient evidence in support of your application may lead to a finding that you have not met all of the eligibility criteria.

Please note, some visa application centres may need to keep your passport and other documentation while they process your application.

Refused visitor visa application?

In the event that you fail to submit the necessary documentation in support of your application for a UK visitor visa, or the documents that you submit are not in the correct format, you run the risk of your application being delayed or refused by UKVI and your application fee being non-refundable.

Needless to say, in the event that an applicant for a UK visitor visa is caught submitting falsified documents, or you have otherwise provided false or incomplete information to UKVI, this will constitute a ground for refusal.

If the application is refused, there is no right of appeal against a refusal of a visit visa. The notification letter will detail the grounds for refusal. It is possible to make a new application for a visit visa, but applicants should ensure their new submission addresses the reasons for refusal through, for example, additional information, documentation and evidence.

Documents to travel with?

Even if you are successfully granted a UK visitor visa, this does not necessarily guarantee that you will be allowed into the UK. You may still be refused entry by border officials in the event that they are not satisfied that the reason for your visit is genuine, or that you plan to engage in activities that are prohibited under this route.

As such, in addition to the documentation submitted in support of your application for a UK visitor visa, you should always carry with you some documentary proof of the purpose for your trip.

By way of example, a tourist should have proof of where they are staying, with whom and any travel itinerary, whereas a business visitor should provide proof of any meetings or other business-related activities that they plan to undertake.

It is also sensible to carry some documentary evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK and that you intend to return to your country of residence. Again this should include proof of your earnings and any savings, as well as evidence of any personal, professional and economic ties to your country of residence.

Need assistance?

DavidsonMorris are experienced UK immigration specialists offering guidance and support to individuals in relation to their UK immigration status and making Home Office applications. We can advise on the eligibility criteria you will need to evidence and the process you will need to follow for your application. We can also help where you have dependants applying for permission to join you in the UK.

For specialist UK immigration advice, contact us .

Last updated: 20 August 2020

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Family Visa UK: Explore Ways to Apply
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Ukraine Refugee Aid in UK
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Understanding British Values
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Family Reunion and Immigration

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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• UK Immigration Services

How to read UK visa sticker

If you are successfully approved for UK immigration, you will receive what is essentially a literal UK Visa sticker, which will be pasted directly into your passport. In this sense, the visa acts as a UK entry clearance sticker inside the passport of those approved for entry to the UK, allowing foreigners to officially be allowed through customs and into the country post-arrival. The UK Visa and Immigration Service officially refers to these “documents” as UK visa vignettes. Your visa sticker is perhaps your most essential immigration document—throughout your stay in the UK, you will likely be asked to upload UK visa vignette information online, in educational or professional settings. In addition to your photo and biographical information, your UK entry clearance vignette will also include all of the basic information about your visa, including its validity period, number of entries, category, and conditions. If you have received a British visa, some of this information may be confusing to you. Today’s blog will therefore help you learn how to read a UK visa sticker , as well as address other relevant information about the UK visa sticker for 2021, including whether you can obtain a UK visa vignette extension for COVID. 

• Full name 
• Date of birth 
• Nationality
• Passport number 
• Your visa could also reflect the following visa conditions, such as whether you are allowed to be employed in the country (in which case your visa will say “WORK PERMITTED”, and whether you have access to UK welfare; if not, your visa will say “NO PUBLIC FUNDS”.
• Please note, if your visa says either “Police registration” or “Register with police in 7 days of entry,” you will need to make sure you do that within a week of arriving in the country. 
• Please note, you may have to upload UK visa vignettes information in order to register for school, apply for NHS benefits, or seek out other professional or educational opportunities in the country.

Questions your visa answers

• Find out the specific date that your visa became valid by looking at the top right-hand corner. You should see text that reads “Valid from” alongside a date. That date is the date when your visa became valid for use in the UK. 
• Parallel to the “Valid from” text on your visa, you will see text that reads “Valid until”, followed by a date. The date next to “Valid until” is the date at which your visa expires (i.e. the date your visa will no longer legally allow you to remain in the country.”   
• Your visa number is listed under your date of birth. 
• At the top of your visa, parallel to its validity date, you should see a city name in bold, next to a line of text that reads “place of issue”. This is the specific location where your visa was issued. 
• Directly underneath the text reading “place of issue”, you will find a line of text reading “Number of Entries”. Next to that line, in bold, will be displayed the number of entries you have to the country. For example, if the text reads MULT, this means that you can enter and exit the UK an unlimited number of times throughout your visa validity period. In contrast, if you have a single-entry visa, you will likely not be allowed to return to the UK once you exit, even if you still have time remaining on your visa. 
• Under entries, you will see a small line of text that reads “Type”. This will identify the type of visa you have (Student, Investor, etc). 
• Depending on what category of UK visa you have received, you may be eligible to bring dependents with you to the UK. Dependents are close personal relatives (usually spouses and children. If you successfully applied to bring your dependents with you to the country, your visa will reflect this. This is why at the bottom of your visa, it will list text that reads “Number of dependents”, followed by “Dependent name” and “Sex”. If you have any dependents, their names and sex will be listed here, at the bottom of your visa. 

BRP Card vs. Vignette

• Please make sure that you understand the difference between your UK entry clearance vignette and your UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP card). 
• Your visa vignette is a kind of entry clearance sticker inside the passport, which grants you entry into the UK. You will receive your visa vignette prior to entering the UK (it will be pasted into your passport by whatever consular authority is processing your UK visa application). 
• In contrast, the BRP card is what you will receive once you enter the UK, and is meant to confirm your identity while you remain in the country. BRP cards are automatically granted to valid UK visa holders, so you do not need to go through a separate application process in order to obtain one. The biometric information (fingerprints and photo) that you submitted as part of your visa application process will also be reflected on your card.  
• In addition to your basic biographical information, your BRP card will state your immigration status and display whether or not you can receive UK welfare. 
•  You will need to pick up your BRP within 10 days of entering the country. While your BRP card is for domestic use within the UK, it cannot be used to enter or exit the country. 
• Contact the UK visa and immigration services for more information about extending your UK visa. 

UK visa vignette extension due to COVID-19

• The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted business across the UK. If you are facing the expiry of your UK visa sticker in 2021, you may be wondering whether you can get a UK sticker visa extension as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• If you are working in the UK healthcare industry, you will likely be able to extend your visa for free.  
• If you are in the UK on a Start-up visa, you can remain in the country for an additional year so long as you can provide evidence that your company’s work was significantly disrupted as a result of the pandemic, and you apply and are approved for additional leave. 
• If you are in the UK on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, and you have not been able to retain employees for the past year due to the pandemic, you may be eligible to extend your visa for two more years.

FAQs on how to read your UK visa sticker

• You can find your visa number on your visa. Most UK visa holders are granted a visa vignette; a physical visa, which is pasted into their passport. You can therefore find your UK visa number by turning to the page on your passport which contains your UK visa. Looking at your visa, you should be able to find your visa number located top right on your visa. The visa number is typically displayed in red font.
• A visa number is an individualized number pertaining to your individual visa. When you are granted a visa to the UK, you will be granted a physical visa (i.e. visa vignette) which contains various information (date of birth, date of entry, nationality). Also known as a visa reference number, your visa number is yet another piece of information contained on your visa, which is used by the government to identify you and keep track of your visa within the system. You may be asked to enter this number when you apply for certain government programs or need to access various governmental, health, or educational services throughout the UK. 

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Everything you need to know about tourist visas, including how to get one!

Last updated 26/05/2021 by Sarah

Categories: Resources , UK Visas , Know Before You Go

Travelling soon? Unsure about whether you need a tourist visa? Need to find out how to get one? All the answers to your visitor visa questions can be found right here.

If the country you are travelling to does not have a travel agreement in place with your home country to allow you to enter without a visa, then you will need to apply for a tourist visa. Some countries have agreements in place where citizens of one country can freely travel to the other without a visa. Examples of visa-free borders are Canada and the US, or Australia and New Zealand.

What is a tourist visa?

If there is no agreement in place between your country and the one you are heading to then you will need a travel visa. Such countries will not allow you to simply turn up at the port of entry and will require you to apply for a visitor or tourist visa prior to entering. Such a visa will give you a certain amount of time to remain in the country, but you will need to leave before the visa has expired.

Is there a difference between a tourist visa and a visitor visa?

Not much! Visitor, tourist and travel visas are terms used interchangeably to describe a visa that permits you to visit a country for tourism purposes only. There may be different categories of visitor visa, such as one for business but generally they are all used to permit short stays. Just make sure you use a specialist company to ensure you are applying for the right visa and in the category. Take it from me, the last thing you want to do is turn up somewhere on the wrong visa, something I did once and ruined the start of my trip!

How do I know if I need a visa?

Some of the tourist visa websites have some great tools that enable you to search by your nationality and see a complete list of countries where you need a tourist visa. One website I found very helpful was Byevisa ( https://www.byevisa.com ).

When should I apply for a tourist visa?

It will depend on the country but some visas can be arranged in as little as 24 hours but others can take much longer. So don’t leave it to the last minute. Find out first how long you will need to allow.

Can I extend my visa when in the country?

It depends on the reason you want to extend it. If it is for medical reasons, or situations like the COVID outbreak then yes, there are generally concessions to enable you to stay longer. Arranging your tourist visa through a professional service provider will mean that, should you be in a situation where you need advice, you can reach out to your consultant to find out what your extension options are.

Can I undertake any work such as have business meetings on a tourist visa?

No, tourist visas only permit you to be in the country for leisure purposes. If you intend on carrying out any business related activity then you need to apply for a visitor visa that permits this. Most countries offer a visa that allows you to be there on business, but check to see whether this is something you need to arrange in advance.

How much does a tourist visa cost?

It will depend on the country you are going to but for a full list of countries and details about the application process and respective prices you can look at the website of the visa company recommended earlier in this article.

What documents do I need for a tourist visa?

You will be guided through the required documents when you complete your application but most visas are now electronic tags so you will not need to send your passport away.

Will I need to have 6 months on my passport?

Yes, most countries will require you to have a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport.

How do tourist visas work?

Most tourist visas can be applied for online. Once you complete the application form your consultant will process your visa and in most cases this will be an electronic or e-visa meaning that you do not have to send your passport away.

What does a tourist visa look like?

It depends on the country, you may have a vignette (a paper sticker) in your passport, a stamp or it could be electronically linked to your passport. Most likely though is an e-visa which is a digital visa and is linked to you via your passport number. E-visas do not require you to send away your passport. All types of tourist or visitor visa will provide you with the ‘valid-to’ date so you know when the visa will expire.

Will I receive a physical visa in my passport or will it be an electronic visa?

Most tourist visas are electronic and nothing is added into your passport.

How will I prove I have a visa to enter the country?

If you have an e-visa then you will receive confirmation via e-mail so you can carry this with you. E-visas are typically linked to your passport number and therefore a physical visa is not required.

How do I get a tourist visa?

To ensure you have the correct visa for the purpose of your trip, and to ensure you have access to ongoing advice we recommend you engage the service of a dedicated tourist visa company. You cannot put a value on having someone to contact should you be in a situation outside of your control whilst overseas, COVID being the prime example here!

How many tourist visas can you apply for?

Each country has its own limits with regards to how often you can visit in a specific period. It’s a good idea to know this in advance to ensure your plans are not impacted.

What happens if I make a mistake with the dates?

If your visa has already been processed, then you will probably have to cancel and re-apply again with the correct dates.

If I need to cancel my travel plans should I cancel my visa?

It is not always necessary to cancel your visa as once the validity period has passed the visa will expire, so no action should be required. If you decide not to travel and already have your visa then speak to your consultant who can double check the cancellation terms for that specific visa.

Where can I apply for a tourist visa?

Understanding the ins and outs of visa applications can be overwhelming and having a knowledgeable consultant to guide you through can make the process far less complicated. Look for a visa company that offers you a human to talk to so that you can check you are applying in the correct category.

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

How much bank statement is required for UK visit visa

Updated: September 8, 2023

When it comes to how much bank statement is required for UK visit visa, there is a lot of confusion out there. Mainly because UKVI does not provide proper guidelines on bank statements. Not just on how many months of statements, but how much cash should you have, what kind of transactions are allowed, etc.

In this article, you will learn everything about bank statements for UK visit visa.

How much bank statement is required for UK visit visa?

You must submit 6 months of bank statements that clearly show your monthly salary and financial commitments. There must not be any large deposits of cash other than your salary. Total savings must be at least twice your proposed UK trip expenses.

After examining hundreds of UK visa refusal letters from my readers, I have figured that there are a few things that you must definitely satisfy in your bank statements. Let’s look at these in more depth.

BANK STATEMENT FOR UK VISA

The Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) must make sure that the UK visit visa applicant has sufficient funds to support and maintain themselves for the entire duration of their stay in the UK. Bank statements work as evidence to prove that the applicant has sufficient funds. 

The ECOs pay close attention to the total cost of the trip, monthly income, monthly expenses and any other financial commitments such as mortgage, dependents, etc. They want to see that you are a genuine traveler, you will travel within your means and you will not exhaust all your savings.

The ECOs are primarily looking at the following criteria in your bank statements.

Let’s look at each of these criteria in detail. 

How much money per day do you need for UK visitor visa?

The UK is an expensive country. A hotel room would cost at least £50 per night. Food is about £10-20 per meal. Add transportation, entry tickets to attractions, shopping, etc. So, total expenses can range from £100-150 per day per person.

DAILY BUDGET REQUIREMENT £100-150 per day per person

This £100-150 per day per person is only for the visa. When you actually travel, you can minimize your daily expenses and spend a lot less than that.

How much do you need to earn to get a UK visitor visa?

UKVI does not provide guidance on acceptable monthly income. But, after going through hundreds of refusal letters, I figured that your monthly income must be at least half of your total UK trip expenses. 

INCOME REQUIREMENT Your monthly income must be at least half of your proposed total UK trip expenses

EXAMPLE: Say your proposed UK trip expenses excluding the airfare is £2,000. Your monthly income must be at least £1,000. Anything less than that can lead to ECO assuming that it’s not realistic for you to take this trip.

Make sure your monthly salary is directly deposited into your bank account. This results in a salary deposit transaction in your statements. This proves that you have a consistent monthly income.

If you are paid in cash or check, deposit the cash or check in your bank account on a specific date every month. You can withdraw again from your bank account for your expenses, but that consistent salary deposit every month must definitely be there in your bank account. 

How much do you need to save to get a UK visitor visa?

Apart from monthly net income, your monthly disposable income is also important. Monthly disposable income is basically your savings. If you save too little per month, that’s an indicator that a UK trip is not realistic for your financial situation.

SAVING/DISPOSABLE INCOME REQUIREMENT Your monthly savings/disposable income must be a good percentage of your net monthly income

EXAMPLE: Say your proposed UK trip expenses is £2,000. Your monthly net income is £1,000. Your monthly living expenses are £950. That means you can only save about £50 a month. Even if you have enough savings for your trip, your savings per month (£50) are too small. ECOs will assume that a UK trip is too expensive and not realistic for your financial situation.

How much bank balance do you need to show for UK visitor visa?

You must show that you have sufficient funds in your bank account. As a rule of thumb, you must have more than twice your proposed total UK trip expenses in your bank account. 

FUNDS REQUIREMENT Your funds must be more than twice your proposed total UK trip expenses

EXAMPLE: Say your proposed UK trip expenses excluding the airfare is £2,000. You must have at least £4,000 in your savings. Anything less than that can raise questions and lead to visa refusal.

Again, UK Visas and Immigration does not specify what is acceptable in terms of funds. So this is something I understood from referring to many visa refusal letters. 

What cash saving patterns ECOs are looking for?

You must show that your savings are continually growing and that too consistently. If they are not, then the ECO may assume that you might have borrowed the money to make it look like you saved it yourself. 

EXAMPLE: Say your salary is £2,000 per month. After all expenses, you save around £500 a month. Sometimes more, sometimes less, about usually around £500. You are saving continually but also consistently.

One more thing to keep in mind is that your savings must be large enough or at least a good percentage of your income.

What is funds parking and how to avoid it?

Funds parking refers to borrowing money from someone to show as if it’s your own money. ECOs suspect any large deposits in your bank account other than your salary as parked funds. 

EXAMPLE: Say your ending balance in your bank account has been £4,000 for the last 6 months. That means, your savings haven’t grown at all. This makes the ECO suspect that you might have borrowed money 6-7 months ago just to show that you have sufficient savings in your bank account.

If you had a large cash deposit from the sale of a property, investment, etc., you must provide documentary evidence to prove that it’s your money. 

Also, if you had unexpected expenses such as hospitalization, purchase of property, investment in stocks or fixed deposits, etc. you must explain them properly in your cover letter for UK visa as well. 

What to do if you DO NOT have sufficient funds? 

If you do not have sufficient funds for your UK trip, I suggest the following.

• Delay your trip until you have saved up enough. If you plan to travel to the UK next year, start saving up from now and you will have enough saved up by then.
• Shorten your trip to manage within the funds you have. If you plan to travel for 10 days, shorten it to 7 days or even 5 days. Try to cram in more sightseeing every day so you can manage your 10-day itinerary in just 5 days. 
• Lastly, use a sponsor to cover some of your expenses. Keep in mind that sponsorship from family members and immediate relatives can work well. Sponsorship from unrelated, distant relatives, friends, people who met on the internet, acquaintances, etc. will not work.

What to do if your salary is too low?

Should you put away your dream of traveling to the UK just because your salary is too low? Not really, but here are a few things you can do.

• Delay your trip until your salary goes up. Yearly salary hikes are common in most places. Or ask for a pay raise.
• Shorten your trip to manage within your salary limits. If your salary is £500, then plan to stay only 7 days, not more.
• Use a sponsor. As I mentioned above, sponsorships from family members or immediate relatives work well.

Why do you need 6 months of bank statements?

Bank statements are not just about how much cash you have in your bank. They tell a lot about your financial and personal circumstances. From your bank statements, ECOs can assess your sources of income, financial commitments and current lifestyle. 

This information is extremely important for ECOs to decide whether they can support themselves during their UK trip. At least 6 months of bank statements are necessary to assess this formation. 

If you lay down 6 months of bank statements in front of you, you can clearly see patterns such as your spending habits and saving goals. 

Keep in mind that these 6 months of bank statements must start from the latest and go backward 6 months. Let’s look at an example.

Say you are applying for your UK visa on 14 Nov 2021 and your latest statement was for October. You must submit statements from May to October. 

Does UK embassy verify bank statement?

If UKVI suspects fraudulent bank statements, they can contact the bank to verify the authenticity of the statements. They have built relationships with banks over time and can take the help of third-party agencies to verify such information.

Manipulating or providing fraudulent bank statements will lead to visa refusal and a permanent ban from entering the UK. 

Illegal migration and human trafficking are on the rise. Therefore, ECOs do their due diligence with visa applications. Document verification costs them money and time. There is a reason why the UK tourist visa is the most expensive and time-consuming visa process. 

Is online bank statement acceptable for UK visa?

Yes, online bank statements downloaded from the bank website are perfectly acceptable. Online bank statements are a norm in most countries these days. I assume UKVI has connections with major banks in the world either directly or through third-party agencies. If need be, they can make inquiries and verify the authenticity of your bank statements. 

A mere download of a list of transactions from your account will not work. Your online bank statements must include all the necessary information such as the bank name, bank address, bank phone numbers, full name, address, statement dates, transactions, balances, etc.

If any of the information is not included, you must request bank statements from the bank that include all necessary details.

Keep in mind that providing fraudulent bank statements will lead to a permanent ban from entering the UK.

Do bank statements need to be stamped for UK visa?

If you are applying from a country with high UK visa refusal rates, I advise providing certified bank statements. These are bank statements printed on the bank letterhead, stamped and signed by the bank authorities. Sometimes instead of signing and stamping, a cover letter signed by the head of the bank branch is provided.

Certified bank statements help to convince the ECO that your bank statements are authentic.

What if you have multiple bank accounts, one for salary and one for savings? 

If you have multiple bank accounts, you will have to submit 6 months of statements from each bank or account. If done incorrectly, this could lead to document bloat, which means the ECOs may overlook the most important bank statements. 

Try to use only one bank account for salary, expenses and savings. If you have to use two banks or accounts, mention this clearly in your cover letter so ECOs do not overlook important bank statements.

Do bank statements in foreign language need to be translated for UK visa?

Yes. If your bank statements are in a foreign language, you must provide a certified translation of them in English. If you have several pages of bank statements that need translating, it can get quite expensive. This is usually the case when downloading monthly statements from the bank’s website.

One way to handle this is to ask the bank to print the last 6 months of transactions as one statement. This will remove any repeated information such as bank address, etc. that usually appears on each monthly statement. This will reduce the bank statements to only a few pages. Translating and certifying these pages shouldn’t be that expensive.

Can you show joint account for UK visa?

A joint account is acceptable when both account holders are applying for UK visas together. The income and saving limits must also be doubled in that case. This is usually the case with couples, either both or one of them is earning. Either way, you must explain that your account is a joint account in your cover letter to avoid ECO making any decisions with partial information.

If only one account holder is applying for the visa, the ECO may assume that the applicant does not have sole access to the funds and may refuse the visa. Again, this is a tricky situation and must be clearly explained in the cover letter.

How to show bank statement if you are self-employed?

All the above rules apply to self-employed as well. Make sure to get paid from your clients directly in your bank account. If you earn cash, deposit your cash into your bank account first before using it for personal expenses. You can withdraw later for your expenses.

If you receive small cash several times a month, consolidate all the cash and deposit once a week or month. If you have multiple bank accounts, consolidate them too.

How to show bank statements if you are a business owner?

ECOs assume that business funds are for business purposes and not available for personal use. This is especially true if you are traveling to the UK on a personal holiday trip. Therefore, you must have a clear distinction between your business funds and personal cash. 

Make sure to separate your business and personal accounts. Pay yourself a monthly salary into your personal account. Maintain a consistent financial pattern in your personal account. As a business owner, you must submit your business bank statements and personal bank statements for your UK visa.

Alternatively, you can provide a letter from you or any other business partners that the business funds are available for your personal use. In this case, just your business bank statements are sufficient.

UKVI does not provide proper guidelines on how much bank statement is required for UK visit visa. After referring to hundreds of UK visa refusal letters, I figured that ECOs are looking for certain patterns in your bank statements. ECOs are primarily looking for your sources of income, spending habits, financial commitments and saving goals. These factors are essential for ECOs to decide whether you are a genuine visitor and have sufficient funds for your trip.

There you have it. Everything you need to know about bank statements for UK visit visa. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. I will answer them as soon as I can.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

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01. Apply for your visa

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02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

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05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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UK new visa rule: You can now work in the country on tourist visa. Check what's allowed, what's not

The united kingdom will introduce changes in its visa rules on january 31, allowing tourist visa holders to work with clients and work remotely while visiting the country..

Come January 31, the United Kingdom will introduce significant changes in its visa rules that will expand business activities for individuals carrying visitor visas. The tourist visa holders would be now allowed to work with clients, and work remotely when visiting the UK.  The move is likely to boost business and tourism in the country.

As per the VisaGuide.World, “The UK’s government has published an update to its immigration rules, thus permitting more activities on Visitor Visas, while confirming that the new changes will become effective from January 31, 2024."

Check the rules here:

• Those employed by companies with both British and international branches can engage in client work abroad as long as it constitutes a small part of their overseas responsibilities, is crucial for a project or service by their UK branch, and isn't directly delivered to a UK client by the overseas employer. 
• While visitors can work from the UK , remote work should not be the primary reason for their stay. 
• Scientists, researchers, and academics are allowed to conduct research in the UK, except for academics applying for a 12-month visit visa or extending permission within the country. 
• Lawyers can engage in additional activities such as providing advice, acting as an expert witness, participating in legal proceedings, and teaching. 

“The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor route will be merged into the Standard Visitor route, meaning that those doing paid engagements will not need a separate visa, but they still have to plan the activity within 30 days of arriving."

Last month the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt vowed that the UK government will expand the business visitor rules to permit businesspeople “to engage in a wider range of permitted activities and paid engagements, to take effect from January 2024. The government will also explore further reforms to the business visitor rules, during 2024."

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• Entering and staying in the UK
• Visas and entry clearance

eVisa rollout begins with immigration documents replaced by 2025

Millions are being invited to switch from physical immigration documents to an eVisa – a key step in creating a modernised and digital border.

Photo: Getty Images

The next stage in the government’s plan to modernise the border and introduce a digital immigration system is under way, as the Home Office moves closer to the implementation of eVisas for nearly all visa holders living in the UK by 2025.

From today (17 April 2024), the Home Office will begin to send emails to all those with physical immigration documents, called biometric residence permits (BRPs), inviting them to create a UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account to access their eVisa, a digital proof of their immigration status.

Invitations will be issued in phases before the process opens to all BRP holders in summer 2024.

eVisas are central to making the UK safer by reducing the risk of fraud, loss and abuse of physical documents, strengthening border security, and providing a more secure way to prove immigration status. This will pave the way for increased automation to deliver the government’s vision for a contactless border.

It is free and straightforward for customers who hold physical and paper documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Creating a UKVI account will not change, impact or remove customers’ current immigration status or their rights in the UK.

Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, Tom Pursglove MP, said:  

We’ve already taken really significant steps to digitally transform the border and immigration system, and this wider rollout of eVisas is a key part of that process.  Replacing physical immigration documents with eVisas will ensure firm control over who comes here to live, work or study, strengthening border security and preventing abuse of the immigration system, while delivering cost savings for UK taxpayers.

eVisas bring substantial benefits to the UK public and to visa customers. They are secure, and, unlike a physical document, cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with. They can be accessed anywhere and in real time, putting customers in control of their own data and allowing them to swiftly update the Home Office with new contact or passport details.

An eVisa is securely linked with the holder’s unique biometric information in the same way as a BRP or BRC , to protect against identity fraud.

People checking immigration status will be able to conduct one quick and simple check using a secure online service on GOV.UK. Selected public bodies are already able to access immigration status to determine eligibility for public services automatically through system to system checks.

eVisas are tried and tested, with millions of customers already using them across routes including the EU Settlement Scheme ( EUSS ). Most physical documents, such as biometric residence permits or cards (BRPs or BRCs), are being gradually phased out, with most BRPs expiring at the end of 2024.

This move to eVisas is in line with other countries which have replaced, or are planning to replace, their physical immigration documents with digital forms of immigration status.

Customers who already have an eVisa do not need to do anything as we make this change, but should continue to update their UKVI account with any changes to personal information, such as a new passport or contact details. Customers should continue to carry their in-date physical immigration documents with them when they travel internationally, until they expire.

Physical immigration documents will be gradually phased out by 2025, as we transition to a fully digital border and immigration system for new and existing customers. This will deliver enhanced security and cost savings for the UK public and greater convenience for customers and status checkers. 

Customers who already have an eVisa should tell the Home Office about any passport on which they intend to travel using the online Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details service on GOV.UK, if this is not already linked to their account, to avoid delays when travelling.

As part of the wider transformation of the UK border and immigration system, the government has already introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation ( ETA ) scheme. ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK for those wanting to visit but who do not need a visa. It gives the government greater ability to screen travellers in advance of travel and prevent those who pose a threat from coming here.

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