Most visitors to the UK will need to make an application for a UK Visit visa from their country of residence, before travelling. Visa nationals, who do need to make an application prior to entering are listed on the Visa National List.
This is not the case if you are a non-visa national. In this article, we look at some Frequently Asked Questions about Visitor Visas to the UK.
1. What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a UK Visitor Visa Application?
When applying for a UK Visitor Visa you must meet the following requirements:
- Be genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted under the Visitor route;
- Not undertake any prohibited activities, including employment or long-term study;
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- Not intend to live in the UK for extended periods or make the UK your main home through frequent or successive visits;
- Have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs of your visit, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses;
- Not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
It is important that the evidence provided alongside an application demonstrates that these requirements are met with reference to the applicant's circumstances.
2. What Can I Do as a Standard Visitor in the UK?
As a visitor to the UK for the purpose of tourism or leisure, you will be permitted to:
- Visit friends and family and/or come to the UK for a holiday;
- Take part in educational exchange programmes;
- Attend recreational courses for a maximum of 30 days;
- Volunteer with a registered charity for a maximum of 30 days.
There are several activities which you may wish to also do whilst in the UK as a visitor, including remote working. You may wish to seek legal advice regarding whether specific activities are permitted.
3. What Does It Mean to Be a "Genuine Visitor"?
In order to succeed with an application for a UK Visit Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you are a genuine visitor. This means that you will need to show you are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose permitted by the visitor routes, will not undertake any prohibited activities during your stay in the UK, will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits and will not make the UK your home
The Home Office lists factors which will be considered by a Caseworker in assessing whether an applicant is a genuine visitor. These include your:
- Previous immigration history to the UK and other countries;
- Financial circumstances as well as your family, social and economic background;
- Personal and economic ties to the UK.
In assessing your genuineness, the Caseworker will also consider the cumulative period of time you have spent in the UK over the last 12 months and the duration of your previous visits compared to what was stated on your visa application form or on arrival to the UK.
If you intend to visit the UK for any other reason including to marry or form a civil partnership, to transit, or to undertake business activities, you must apply for the specific visit corresponding to the purpose of your visit.
4. Why Might a Caseworker Doubt That I Am a Genuine Visitor?
There is a non-exhaustive list of reasons a Caseworker may doubt whether you are a Genuine Visitor. This includes whether or if:
- There are discrepancies between the statements made by you and your sponsor in your application;
- You have few or no family and economic ties to your country of residence and several family members in the UK;
- You, your sponsor or other immediate family member has, or has attempted to, deceive or mislead the Home Office in a previous application to enter the UK;
- The information provided or the reasons for the visit are not considered credible;
- It has not been possible to verify the information you have provided.
Although the existence of any of the above reasons will not necessarily result in the automatic refusal of your application, it will be essential to address these circumstances in your application.
5. What Funds Do I Need to Show for a UK Visitor Visa?
You must have access to sufficient resources to maintain yourself adequately for the duration of your visit to the UK. There is no set level of funds you need to show this.
Some thought should be given to the activities you intend to undertake, and your living expenses, in the UK. This is because, when assessing your application, a Caseworker will consider the likely cost of your stay and assess any source of funds which will continue to be available to you whilst visiting the UK. A Caseworker will take into consideration your income or savings against any financial commitments you have in your country of residence in deciding whether you are able to support yourself financially during your visit.
As such, evidence of the applicant's financial circumstances should be provided as part of an application.
6. What Counts as 'Frequent or Successive Visits' to the UK?
Although there is no specific maximum period of time which you can spend in the UK in any period, as long as each visit does not exceed 6 months, your application for a Standard Visitor Visa will be refused if a caseworker has reason to believe that you are making the UK your home through frequent or successive visits.
In assessing your application a Caseworker will consider:
- Your travel history including how long you have spent in the UK historically and how frequently you are returning to the UK;
- Your links to your home country or country of residence, including long-term commitments;
- Evidence that the UK is your main place of residence;
- The history of previous immigration applications.
7. How Do I Make an Application for a UK Visitor Visa?
An application for a UK Visitor Visa must be made online. A Standard Visitor may apply for a visit visa of 6 months, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years validity. This allows multiple visits to the UK within the period of validity, unless the visa is endorsed as single or dual-entry, but if it is a 'multiple entry' visa, you still cannot remain in the UK as a visitor for more than 6 months on any individual visit.
As part of the application process you will normally be required to attend a Visa Application Centre to enrol your biometrics and have your passport scanned as part of the application process. Once your application form is submitted online, you will be able to upload your supporting documents online and book an appointment to enrol your biometrics.
8. How Much Does It Cost to Make a UK Visit Visa Application?
The current Home Office application fees for a Standard Visitor Visa for 6 months is £127, for 2 years it is £475, for 5 years it is £848 and for 10 years it is £1,059. You may need to pay an additional fee for a biometric appointment at a Visa Centre.
9. How Long Will It Take for My UK Visit Visa Application to Be Decided?
The standard processing time for a UK Visitor Visa is approximately 3 weeks from making the application and attending a Visa Application Centre. It may be possible to apply for a priority service to speed up the process to approximately 5 working days from biometric enrolment for an additional fee of £500. These are subject to availability.
10. What Happens if My Application for a UK Visitor Visa Is Refused?
You are unlikely to have a right of appeal if your application for a Standard Visitor Visa is refused. If you need to challenge a refusal, it is likely you will have to do so by way of judicial review.
You may wish to speak to our barristers for expert legal advice on making a fresh application following the refusal of your visitor visa. It will be essential for you to make a carefully prepared application which addresses each reason from your refusal to be addressed in order to succeed with a fresh application.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
