What is a UK Visitor Visa?

The UK Visitor Visa, also known as the Standard Visitor Visa, is a short stay visa applied.  This visa allows you to stay in the UK from 6 months to 10 years, with a maximum stay of 6 months on each visit.

 

With a UK visitor visa, you can do the following activities:

 

 

Your purpose of visit can be one of the following:

They grant a ‘visit visa’ to foreigners that come to the country and do not have a job or a residence in the country.

What are the Main Requirements of a UK Visit Visa?

1. General requirements to receive a UK ‘Visit Visa’

You must prove that:

2. If your purpose of visiting the UK is to stay for the duration of 6 months

You must prove one of the following requirements:

Your course duration which is proven by an accredited UK institution (not an academy or state-funded school) and is within the 6 months period and you have been accepted to study in the particular course
you’re above the age of 16, and accepted by a UK higher education institution
The research you are to undertake in the UK must be relevant to the overseas education you’re partaking in
you’re above 16, and are an ‘elective’ of an overseas medicine, veterinary medicine and science, or dentistry course

To do a placement in the UK or be part of a research activity in the UK, you must already be enrolled in a course that is the equivalent to a UK degree.

You may need to withhold an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re partaking in research. You must have this certificate in order to apply for a research field job or to study in the UK.

3. If you want to join a family member living in the UK

If you have a spouse or family member that is living in the UK with a British Citizenship or ‘settlement’ status, then you can apply on the condition of a family visa to visit them.

They may need to show that they can support the individual financially during the visit to the UK.

4. If you want to work, begin or invest a business in the UK

Depending on the work visa type and condition you’re applying for, you can work in the UK for a short or long-term basis. To get a work visa, at Kampus Group we advise that you must meet the following requirements below:

To begin your start-up business and venture in the UK, you must apply for a start-up visa or an ‘innovator visa’. Or if you want to invest money in a business in the UK, you can do so with an investor visa.

5. If you’re visiting the UK for up to 12 months as an academic you must be able to prove that you’re:

6. If you’re visiting for private medical treatment in the UK you must prove that you:

Please note that if you have a family escort accompanying you for your treatment within the UK, they are required to apply for a ‘Visitor visa’ and all standard visitor rules and requirements are applicable to them.

7. If you are visiting as a ‘Paid Permitted Engagement Visitor’ you must be able to prove that;

How much does a UK Tourist Visa Cost from India?

Different types of UK Visitor Visa have a different fee associated with its application. The below fee structure of each will help you plan out your finances accordingly:

:

Standard Visitor

Type of Visa Fee (pound)
Short-term (single/multiple entry, for a maximum of 6 months) £90
Long-term (for a maximum of 2 years) £361
Long-term (for a maximum of 5 years) £655
Long-term (for a maximum of 10 years) £822

 

 

What kind of study can you do as a visitor?

The Short-term study visa route is now only limited to those wishing to study on English language courses for a period of between six to eleven months.

How do you apply for a UK Visitor Visa?

 

Step 1: Find out if you need a visitor visa

You may be exempt from the UK visa requirements and conditions, but this depends on your nationality. All EEA, Commonwealth country citizens can in fact enter the UK without a visa. Indians however, are permitted to apply for a UK visitor visa.

Step 2: Choose the right visa type

Based on the purpose of your stay and how long you intend to be in the UK, you can choose among the following types of UK Visitor Visas below:

Standard Visitor Visa: This is a UK Tourist Visa for medical treatment, tourism, business purposes, and short-term study courses or research or visiting family in the UK.

 

UK Transit Visa: this is for those who need to pass through the UK in transit to proceed to another country.

UK Study Visa: this is for all those who wish to travel to the UK and want to enroll at a study course/university. A Standard Visitor Visa lets you stay in the UK for the duration of 6 months for a short-study course.

UK Marriage Visitor Visa: this applies to those who come to the UK to get married but do not intend to settle in the country.

Parent of a UK Tier 4 Child Visa: this is for parents or guardians visiting a child studying in an independent school in the UK who is less than 12 years old.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: This allows you to stay in the UK for up to 1 month. This is to attend an event or undertake a paid engagement and are formally invited by a UK-based organisation or client who regards you as an expert in your stated profession.

Step 3: Complete the online application form

The UK visa online application form contains questions on personal information as:

Step 4: Gather all the required documents

Here is the document checklist for the UK Visitor Visa application:

 

Step 5: Pay the fee online and schedule a visa appointment

You can schedule an online UK visitor visa appointment on the official UK Embassy Website.

Step 6: Attend the UK visa interview

Every applicant who is submitting their visa application must attend the visa application center in person as well as children.

 

 

Common visa interview questions:

What is the purpose of your travel and duration of your stay?
Do you know someone in the UK? Will you be staying with them?
What have you planned to do while you are in the UK?
Where do you live ?
Have you visited the UK earlier?
What do you do for a living in India, can you share your employment history?
Are you a taxpayer? Can you provide the documentation for the same?
Do you intend to work or do business in the UK?
Will you be travelling with your family?
Why did you select this university to study in the UK? (this is applicable for students)

 

 

 

UK Visit Visa Requirements & Eligibility

 Important Requirements for the UK Visitor Visa:

  1. You need to show that you will return to your homeland after your visit
  2. You need to have the financial ability to support yourself and your dependents during your stay
  3. You need to show that you can afford a return ticket and any costs that can occur during your stay.
  4. The dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
  5. Details of where you’ll be staying during your visit
  6. Your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
  7. Proof that you intend to leave the UK after your visit is complete

Keep the following information handy:

 

 

Processing Time for a UK Tourist Visa

It takes 15 days for Indians to get the UK visitor visa generally. If there is any special issue, it may take up to 30 days.

 

What you can and cannot do

You can visit the UK to do certain activities, for example visiting friends and family or attending a conference.

You cannot:

 

A minor mistake in the documentation process or filling the application incorrectly in your visa appointment can lead to rejection of your visa and result in a delayed visit to the UK (which is the last thing you need !)

Having a reliable visa consultancy with years of experience in assisting applicants with their UK travel visa can save you a lot of time and money. Our UK visa experts at Kampus Group and enquiries for international students can help you to simplify the process.