Visitor Visa
UK Standard Visitor Visa – Overview
The UK Standard Visitor Visa, also known as the UK Tourist Visa, is a short-term visa that allows non-UK nationals to stay in the UK for up to 6 months for various purposeful activities. These include visiting family or friends, conducting business activities, tourism and leisure, academic (short-term vocational courses) and private medical treatments.
If you plan to visit the UK for up to 6 months for any purposeful activities, you should apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa. However, it is essential to note that you cannot stay longer than the defined period of validity for the Visitor visa, and you cannot switch to other immigration routes from Standard Visitor Visa but can apply for an extension.
Supporting Documents for UK Standard Visitor Visa
To be eligible for the UK Standard Visitor Visa, you must provide supporting documents that prove you have the financial means to move to and from the UK under this immigration route, including airfare, accommodation, and maintenance requirements. Additionally, you must provide evidence that sufficiently explains your intent/purpose to visit the UK, such as:
- Previous travel history
- A valid passport (current and old)
- Additional travel proof detailing your international visits outside the UK
- A bank statement detailing your approximate expenditures to cover the Standard Visitor Visa expenses
- Documentary proof of overseas employer contract (offer letter) describing your intent to travel to the UK
- Translated documents if they are written in a language other than English/Welsh.
Drafting supporting documents with sufficient evidence to satisfy UKVI policy could be confusing and tedious. Therefore, at Legal Pathway Solicitors, we can assist you in every possible way to ensure a higher chance of getting a favourable result.
Application Processing Time for UK Standard Visitor Visa
When you apply for the UK Standard Visitor Visa, you must keep in mind the validity of your stay, which should not be longer than 6 months, regardless of your purpose of visit. Whether it is a business or leisure activity and whether you are travelling from countries (Africa, the Middle East, Australia, Asia, etc.) to enter the UK, it is advisable to apply well in advance, i.e., within/between 48 hours and 3 months, the maximum period.
Be noted that the average application processing time after the submission can take between 3 weeks and even up to months. However, we can keep track of your application status to get a prompt response from Home Office.
Charges for UK Standard Visitor Visa
The cost of applying for the UK Standard Visitor Visa is £95 for a short-term stay of up to 6 months. If you plan to stay longer than 6 months, the cost will vary according to the timeframe spent in the UK. It is better to gather all the information regarding the net application charges before applying.
Length of Stay under UK Standard Visitor Visa
Per UKVI policy, if you apply for the short-term UK Standard Visitor Visa, you are not entitled to spend longer than the ascribed validity. Also, you are not allowed to make ‘frequent’ visits under a short-term Visitor Visa nor circumvent the maximum threshold set by UK immigration, which is 6 months. However, under the following special conditions, Standard Visitor Visa can be extended for over 6 months:
- A patient is receiving medical treatment.
- An academic (a PhD or an academic expert in an overseas academic institution but not filling in any permanent teaching position, and you still meet the eligibility requirements).
- A graduate is doing a clinical attachment or retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test.
- How Legal Pathway Solicitors Can Help You
At Legal Pathway Solicitors, we offer personalized legal advice for UK Standard Visitor Visa applications. Our team of experienced immigration solicitors can guide you through the complex application process, from drafting the proper supporting documents to keeping track of your application status.
We understand that drafting the proper supporting documents can be tedious, and failure to provide sufficient evidence can lead to application rejection. Therefore, we will work with you to ensure that your documentary portfolio meets the UKVI policy and provides compelling evidence of your financial means to move to and from the UK and your purpose for visiting the UK.
We can assist you in every possible way to ensure a higher chance of getting a favourable result. Our personalized advice sessions are available via in-person meetings or virtual appointments to provide our clients with the best possible legal services. Contact us today to discuss your UK Standard Visitor Visa application with our expert immigration solicitors.
