A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to six months. The Home Office must be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor: you will leave at the end of the trip, will not make the UK your main home through frequent or successive visits, are coming for a permitted purpose and can fund the visit without working or accessing public funds.
What genuine visitor actually means
Caseworkers consider your purpose of travel, immigration history, finances, family and economic circumstances, links to your country of residence and UK visits.
Employment, study, business commitments and established residence can help explain why you are expected to return. None is mandatory on its own.
Evidence that carries weight
| Area | What helps | What can raise questions |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | Employer letter confirming role and approved leave | Employment claimed but not supported |
| Finances | Recent statements showing funds and their source | Income or deposits that do not match the explanation |
| Ties at home | Evidence of work, study, family, residence or business | Few explained ties with strong UK links |
| Purpose of trip | Clear purpose and realistic plans | Vague or inconsistent reasons |
| Sponsor in the UK | Relationship evidence and details of support | Support that is unclear or unaffordable |
There is no prescribed minimum bank balance and no rule requiring exactly six months of statements. The evidence should show that the trip is affordable and explain the origin of funds relied upon.
Where visits shade into something else
There is no formal “six months in 12 months” rule. Caseworkers examine the number and length of visits and whether the pattern amounts to living in the UK.
Visitors may attend meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts and undertake other permitted business activities. Limited remote work connected with overseas employment can be allowed where it is not the main purpose of the trip. Taking UK employment, filling a UK role or providing goods or services is generally prohibited unless an exception applies. See business visitor vs working in the UK and travelling to the UK for business.
Many non-visa nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling. An ETA costs £20, although exemptions apply. See UK ETA rules in 2026 and UK ETA summer travel checks.
If you are refused
Most Standard Visitor refusals do not carry a right of appeal or Administrative Review. A right of appeal can arise in limited cases involving a human rights claim, so read the refusal notice.
A fresh application may be appropriate where the problem is evidential, but it should address every refusal reason. A cover letter can organise the evidence but cannot replace it. See how to write an immigration cover letter that works, standard visitor visa refused and what to do after a UK visa refusal.
If a visit is not really what you need
If your real purpose is employment, you may need the Skilled Worker visa route and sponsorship from an employer, which may first require a sponsor licence application. Founders sometimes consider self sponsorship, but this is not a separate visa category; it normally involves a UK company sponsoring the person under Skilled Worker rules.
Most visitors cannot switch into Skilled Worker, Student or many family routes from inside the UK. Under the long-residence rules, time spent with Visitor permission does not count towards ILR based on long residence and breaks continuous residence for that qualifying period. Read can you switch visas from a visitor route inside the UK before making longer-term plans. Current fees are published on the GOV.UK visitor visa pages.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay?
Usually up to six months per visit. Certain academic and medical visitors can qualify for longer periods.
Do I need to book flights before applying?
No. You should be able to explain your plans, but paid flights are not required.
Can I visit family and stay with them?
Yes. If they provide accommodation or financial support, include evidence of the relationship and support available.
If you have been refused, speak to Garth Coates immigration solicitors before submitting another application.
