UK Visitors Visas

The Standard Visitor Visa allows eligible individuals to visit the United Kingdom for a range of temporary purposes, including tourism, visiting family and friends, business activities, short-term study and medical treatment. In most cases, visitors can stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit.

At Biscoes Solicitors, we assist visitors from around the world with preparing strong Visitor Visa applications that address the Home Office requirements and minimise the risk of refusal.

What is a Visitor Visa?

A Standard Visitor Visa is designed for individuals who intend to visit the UK temporarily and will leave at the end of their stay. The visa can be used for a variety of permitted activities, including tourism, family visits, business visits, short courses of study and certain medical treatments.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for:

• A standard 6-month Visitor Visa.
• A 2-year multiple-entry Visitor Visa.
• A 5-year multiple-entry Visitor Visa.
• A 10-year multiple-entry Visitor Visa.

Even where a long-term visa is granted, visitors are normally limited to a maximum stay of 6 months on each visit.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible for a Visitor Visa if you can demonstrate that:

• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• You genuinely intend to visit for a permitted purpose.
• You can financially support yourself during your stay.
• You can pay for your return or onward journey.
• You will not make the UK your main home through frequent or successive visits.

The Home Office will carefully assess your personal and financial circumstances to determine whether you are a genuine visitor.

Permitted Activities

The Standard Visitor route allows entry to the UK for a variety of purposes including:

Tourism and Holidays

• Sightseeing.
• Tourism.
• Family holidays.
• Cultural and sporting events.

Visiting Family and Friends

• Spending time with relatives in the UK.
• Visiting friends.
• Attending family events and celebrations.

Business Visits

• Attending meetings.
• Conferences and seminars.
• Interviews.
• Negotiating contracts.
• Site visits and fact-finding activities.

Short-Term Study

• Studying courses lasting up to 6 months.
• Sitting examinations.
• Participating in educational activities permitted under the Visitor Rules.

Medical Treatment

• Receiving private medical treatment in the UK.
• Accompanying a patient in certain circumstances.

What You Cannot Do on a Visitor Visa

Visitors are subject to strict limitations and generally cannot:

• Work for a UK employer.
• Be self-employed.
• Undertake unpaid work that is not permitted under the Visitor Rules.
• Access public funds or benefits.
• Live in the UK through frequent or repeated visits.
• Marry or give notice of marriage on a Standard Visitor Visa.

If your purpose is marriage or civil partnership, a separate visa category may be required.

Contact Biscoes Solicitors:

Whether you are visiting the UK for tourism, family, business or study, our immigration team can help you prepare a robust Visitor Visa application. Contact Biscoes Solicitors today for expert advice on UK Visitor Visa applications and refusals