How to come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor :UK Visitor Visa

This page explains how you can come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor.

If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or a member of their family see the for European citizens section.

To come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor you must be able to show that you:

* only want to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months;
* plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit;
* have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working, help from public funds or you will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
* do not intend to charge members of the public for services provided or goods received;
* do not intend to study; and
* can meet the cost of the return or onward journey.
* do not intend to carry out business, sport or entertainer visitor activities;
* do not intend to marry or form a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership;
* do not intend to receive private medical treatment during your visit , and
* are not in transit to a country outside the Common Travel Area.

If you want to do business during your visit you also have to show that you:

* normally live and work abroad and you have no plans to base yourself in the United Kingdom; and
* do not plan to work, produce goods or provide services in the United Kingdom.

ELIGIBILITY
If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or a member of their family see the for European citizens section.

To come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor you must be able to show that you:

* only want to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months;
* plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit;
* have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working, help from public funds or you will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
* do not intend to charge members of the public for services provided or goods received;
* do not intend to study; and
* can meet the cost of the return or onward journey.
* do not intend to carry out business, sport or entertainer visitor activities;
* do not intend to marry or form a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership;
* do not intend to receive private medical treatment during your visit , and
* are not in transit to a country outside the Common Travel Area.

DOCUMENTS
They are:

* a letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period. The letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s) and should indicate when you are expected back at work;
* if you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing;
* evidence of any property you own in your home country;
* if you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating which course you are on, its start and finish dates and the dates of the holiday period during which you intend to visit the United Kingdom;
* it will also help if you can show that you have family or social ties and responsibilities to return to;
* evidence of any firm travel plans you have made;
* bank statements going back over a period of several months; and
* evidence of savings available to you.

You should check before you travel to see if you need a visa. If you regularly visit the United Kingdom for business you can apply for a multiple-entry visa as a visitor that is valid for two, five or 10 years. For more information on visas see the visa services website.

EXTENDING YOUR STAY
If you come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor you are only allowed to stay for a maximum of six months. If you were granted leave to enter for three months (this will be stamped in your passport) and you would like to extend your stay to a maximum of six months you will need to apply using the application form FLR(O). You can download this form and the guidance from the right side of this page. You should read the guidance notes before completing the application form.

You should send your completed application form to us by post before your permission to stay ends. The application form gives you details of where to send your completed application form, fee and supporting documents. All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason why you cannot produce them with your application.

If you need to travel urgently, you can apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices.

You are not allowed to stay in the United Kingdom as a visitor for more than six months. You are expected to return home when your visa expires. In some circumstances, you may be able to transfer to a different category of visa and you should see the appropriate category for more information.

APPEALS
If we refuse your application, the entry clearance officer or the immigration officer will tell you and you will be given a detailed written refusal notice.

You can appeal against a decision to refuse entry clearance, but only if you are visiting a close member of your family.

There are rules to explain exactly which members of the family qualify for this right of appeal. The entry clearance officer or immigration officer will tell you if you qualify.

If you travel to the United Kingdom without entry clearance (permission to enter) and are refused permission to enter by an immigration officer at the border, we recommend that you apply for entry clearance in your country of residence before attempting to travel to the United Kingdom again.

Information for
Child Visitor
Business and Special Visitor
Private Medical Treatment
Sponsoring a General Visitor
Getting Married in the UK
Group Travel
Rights and Resposibilities

Please visit http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/