Standard Visitor Visa UK

The Standard Visitor Visa provides a flexible option for those who wish to come to the UK for a period of up to six months for leisure, business, a private medical procedure, or to visit family and friends.

The Standard Visitor Visa has replaced the Family Visitor visa, General Visitor visa, Child Visitor visa, Business Visitor visa, Sports Visitor visa, Entertainer Visitor visa, Prospective Entrepreneur visa, Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa, and Approved Destination Status (ADS) visa.

Our team of immigration Solicitors will meticulously manage all aspects of your application for a Standard Visitor Visa UK.  The Home Office often refuses Visitor applications, therefore it is wise to invest in expert legal advice and representation.  Your chances of success are far higher if you instruct us to put together the application and handle any Home Office questions.

Why do I need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa UK?

Nationals from certain countries who want to visit the UK require a visa to enter Britain.  In addition to those coming to the UK for a holiday, Standard Visitor Visas are also commonly used by a range of people, including:

  • Businesspeople wishing to come to the UK for a conference, meeting, or training course
  • Sports-people/athletes
  • Musicians, actors, entertainers, performers
  • Academics, researchers, students
  • Doctor and dentists as part of a clinical attachment
  • Entrepreneurs seeking funding for a business venture in the UK

During your stay in the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa, you will not be permitted to work, get married, or register a civil partnership (although you can convert your civil partnership to marriage).  

What are the eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor Visa UK?

Home Office Entry-clearance Officers are well trained to spot signs of a person who is looking to use a Standard Visitor Visa as a way of staying in the UK long-term.  Therefore, you will need evidence to show that:

  • you will leave the UK at the end of your stay (most commonly a return airplane or Eurostar ticket)
  • you can support yourself and your dependent family members (your spouse/partner and any children under 18 years) financially
  • if you do not have a return ticket home, you have the financial means to pay for one

There may be additional eligibility requirements, depending on the purpose of your stay in the UK.  

How long can I stay in the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa?

This depends; under most circumstances, you will be permitted to stay for up to six months; however, those seeking private medical treatment may be able to stay for up to eleven months, and academics on sabbatical may be permitted 12 months leave.

There is also the option of applying for a long-term Standard Visitor Visa if you know you will be returning to the UK regularly for stays of up to six months.  Long-term Visas range from two to ten years, depending on your requirements.  

Our immigration lawyers will take the worry and stress out of applying for a Standard Visitor Visa UK.  We can also assist you if your previous application has been refused.  Our founding partner, Garth Coates, spent many years working in the Home Office as an Immigration Caseworker.  This experience has given him a unique understanding as to what immigration decision-makers are looking for when approving visa applications.

Established in 2008, Garth Coates Solicitors is a leading Immigration Law Firm that can provide professional legal advice to ensure that your Application satisfies the strict requirements of the Immigration Rules. 

Our team of legal professionals offers comprehensive and considered advice to enable our clients to make informed choices. We strongly believe that our clients deserve the best; we take our responsibilities very seriously to ensure that client satisfaction is achieved by providing a professional yet friendly legal service. We aim to resolve all immigration matters brought to us by working diligently and together with our clients, keeping them informed of the progress of their case at all stages. Our outstanding success rate is maintained thanks to the high standard of our work.

If you would like us to assist you with your Immigration Matter, kindly click here to leave us an Enquiry. Alternatively, we can be reached via telephone at (00 44) (0)20 7799 1600 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (UTC+00.00 London) every Monday to Friday.