Holiday Visas
You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK:
- for leisure, for example on holiday or to see your family and friends
- for business, or to take part in sports or creative events
- for another reason, for example to receive private medical treatment
The Standard Visitor visa has replaced the:
- Family Visitor visa
- General Visitor visa
- Child Visitor visa
- Business Visitor visa, including visas for academics, doctors and dentists
- Sports Visitor visa
- Entertainer Visitor visa
- Prospective Entrepreneur visa
- Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa
- Approved Destination Status (ADS) visa
Business Visas- If you visit the UK on business
You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK for business-related activities, for example:
- you’re coming to the UK for a conference, meeting or training
- you want to take part in a specific sports-related event
- you’re an artist, entertainer or musician and coming to the UK to perform
- are an academic and are doing research or accompanying students on a study abroad programme
- you’re a doctor or dentist and are coming to the UK to take a clinical attachment or observer post
- you want to take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or sit the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
- you want to get funding to start, take over, join or run a business in the UK
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- take part in any of the business-related activities mentioned in the Visitor Rules
- study for up to 30 days, as long as it’s not the main reason for your visit
- take part in an exchange programme or educational visit (if you’re under 18)
- convert your civil partnership into a marriage
- pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
You cannot:
- do paid or unpaid work
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits
- get public funds
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership
How long it will take– The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
Short stay Visas (up to 6 months), Apply for this visa if you want to visit the UK on holiday or to see your family and friends, do business, take part in sports or creative events, or receive private medical treatment.
Depending on your purpose for visiting the UK, here are the types of UK Short Stay visas:
UK standard visitor visa
The UK Visitor Visa is also called Standard Visitor visa. It is issued for visiting your relative or a friend, or tourism. You’ll have to get this visa also if you are expecting to participate in a creative or sport activity, or to get a special private health care.
You are not allowed to get a job or become self-employed while you are in the UK with a visitor visa. There is a possibility to participate in a study program of length not more than 30 days, for as long as it doesn’t become your main activity.
UK Transit/Airport Visa
With the UK Transit Visa, you can transit through the UK for up to 48 hours on your way to a different country. Different rules apply, depending the length of your stay in the UK during your transit and if you qualify or not for a UK border check.
UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
The UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa is issued to get a short-term paid work, lasting up to 1 month, as an expert on a particular subject area.
You can’t work or get self-employed in another job except for the one you’ll be given a UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa for. Studying is allowed with this visa, for as long as it doesn’t last more than 30 days and doesn’t affect your activity for which you have been given this visa.
UK Marriage Visitor Visa
You can get a UK Marriage Visitor Visa if you want to visit the UK for not more than 6 months to get married.
You cannot work or get self-employed by this visa; however, you can study for as long as it doesn’t last more than 30 days and doesn’t become your main activity in the UK.
UK Visa for a Chinese Tour Group
To visit the UK for up to 30 days, as a part of an Approved Destination Status Agreement (ADS) Chinese tour group.
You cannot get employed or self-employed, or study while visiting on this visa.
How Long Does It Take for A UK Short-Stay Visa to Process?
You will typically have to wait up to 3 weeks to receive a decision on your application for a UK short-term visa.