Visitor Visa Application
Call us at 0330 1337 986 for immediate assistance with your case. Or fill out the contact form, and we will contact you.
We’re here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.
Visitor Visa Application
The Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa is designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short-term stay, primarily for the purpose of visiting friends and/or family or enjoying a brief holiday. This visa is a specific sub-category of the broader Standard Visitor route, which caters to those who intend to visit the UK temporarily for a period not exceeding 6 months. It is important to note that this visa route does not provide a pathway to settlement in the UK, and all applicants must submit separate applications, even if they are travelling together as part of a group.
Visa National Requirement
A visa national is someone who needs a Visit Visa to enter the UK because of their nationality. They must usually apply for this visa before traveling. The Home Office has a list of nationalities that must apply for a Visit Visa before coming to the UK as Visitors. Some visa nationals are allowed to enter as Visitors without a visa on arrival.
Non-visa nationals can usually enter the UK as Visitors without a visa but must still meet entry rules. They should be ready to explain the reason for their visit, how they will support themselves, where they will stay, and their return plans.
EU citizens are non-visa nationals and can enter the UK as Visitors without applying for a visa.
Our barristers help visa nationals with Visit Visa applications and assist non-visa nationals in meeting entry requirements when arriving in the UK.
Requirements for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa
In order to successfully qualify for a Tourism, Leisure, or Family Visit Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
You are a visa national (note that a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor upon arrival at the UK border);
You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted under the visitor routes;
You will not undertake any activities that are prohibited under the terms of the visa;
You have sufficient funds available to cover all reasonable costs related to your visit, including travel expenses, maintenance, and accommodation, without the need to work or access public funds during your stay;
You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit period;
You will not live in the UK for extended periods by making frequent or successive visits, nor will you make the UK your main home;
Your application does not fall foul of the general grounds for refusal as set out by UK Visas & Immigration;
You have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation in cases where it is required prior to travel.
Meeting these criteria is essential to ensure that your application is considered favourably for a Visitor visa to the UK.
Allowed Activities
To get a Tourism, Leisure, or Family Visit Visa, you must prove to UK Visas & Immigration that you are entering the UK for a valid reason allowed by visitor rules and that you won’t do anything illegal.
Visa holders can:
Visit friends and family in the UK
Travel to the UK for a holiday
Join an educational exchange or visit a state-funded, academy, or independent school
Attend a course (except English language courses) for up to 30 days
Since this visa is part of the Standard Visitor category, you may also do other allowed activities under it, like paid work arranged before travel, as long as it’s finished within 30 days.
Leaving the UK
You must also convince the Home Office that you will leave the UK after your visit and not live there long-term by making frequent or continuous visits, or by making the UK your main home.
When checking your application, the Home Office will look at:
Your previous immigration history, including UK and other travel
Your financial situation, family, social, and economic background
Your personal and economic ties to your home country.
Leaving the UK
You must also convince the Home Office that you will leave the UK after your visit and not live there long-term by making frequent or continuous visits, or by making the UK your main home.
When checking your application, the Home Office will look at:
Your previous immigration history, including UK and other travel
Your financial situation, family, social, and economic background
Your personal and economic ties to your home country.
Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Financial Requirement
To obtain a Tourism, Leisure, or Family Visit Visa, you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable expenses associated with your visit. This includes costs such as travel, daily maintenance, and accommodation throughout your stay. It is important to note that you must not intend to work or rely on public funds during your visit.
Your funds must be held in a financial institution that is permitted by immigration regulations. Additionally, it is possible for your travel, maintenance, and accommodation expenses to be supported by a third party. However, this third party must have a genuine and verifiable professional or personal relationship with you. They must not be, and must ensure they will not be, in breach of any immigration laws, and they should be able to provide continued support throughout the entire duration of your visit as a visitor.
English Language Requirement
Applicants applying for a Tourism, Leisure, or Family Visit Visa are not required to meet any English language proficiency criteria. This means that demonstrating knowledge of English is not necessary when submitting your application for these specific types of visas.
Tourism, Leisure, and Family Visit Visa Validity Period
If you intend to enter the UK for tourism, leisure activities, or to visit family members, you can apply for a Visit Visa that offers flexible validity options. These visas can be issued for durations of 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or even up to 10 years, depending on your needs and eligibility. During the period your Visit Visa is valid, you are permitted to enter and exit the UK multiple times without restrictions, except in cases where your visa is explicitly endorsed for single or dual entry only. It is important to remember that each individual visit to the UK under this visa must not exceed six months in length.
Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Right to Work
Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors are not permitted to work in the UK or, with very few exceptions, receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken while in the UK. This restriction means that individuals visiting under this visa category cannot take up employment, establish or operate a business as a self-employed person, work for a UK-based organisation or company, undertake any work placements or internships, or otherwise provide or sell goods or services within the UK.
As the Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa falls under the broader Standard Visitor route, holders of this visa may engage in other activities that are allowed under various sub-categories of the Standard Visitor route. This includes permitted activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or training sessions, provided these do not constitute work. However, it is important for visitors to comply fully with these limitations to avoid breaching the conditions of their visa.
Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors are permitted to work remotely while in the UK, but remote working must not be the primary purpose of the visit. The main purpose of the visit to the UK should be to undertake a permitted activity, rather than specifically to work remotely from the UK.
Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors are also permitted to come to the UK to seek employment and attend job interviews. However, if successful in obtaining employment, you will be expected to leave the UK and seek the appropriate entry clearance prior to commencing work.
Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Application Fees
The Home Office application fee for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £127.
If you wish to apply for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa that is valid for either 2 years, 5 years or 10 years then the Home Office application fee will be £400, £771 or £963 respectively.
Our Clients & Partners
Blog & News
-
![]()
Civil Compliance Fines: Large Employer Fines for Illegal Working Breaches
The UK government has announced that the civil compliance penalties for employers who hire illegal workers has increased from £20,000 to £60,000 per worker from February 13, 2024. This is part of a series of measures to deter illegal working and protect the rights of legal workers. Employers who are found to have employed illegal workers will also face criminal prosecution, which could result in imprisonment for up to five years and an unlimited fine.
-
![]()
British Naturalisation Solicitor
Starting the process of obtaining British citizenship is a huge step that comes with its own set of hurdles. As your specialist naturalisation solicitors, we understand the complexity of the process and are devoted to guiding you through each step.
-
![]()
IHS Increase Delayed! Let us explain why
The UK government had announced an increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in October 2023, which was due to come into effect on January 16, 2024. However, the Parliamentary debate on January 10, 2024, has delayed the increase, and it can only be implemented 21 days after it becomes law. Therefore, the earliest the new rate will come into effect is January 31, 2024.
-
![]()
UK Immigration Lawyers
The notion of travelling and relocating is exciting, but the path to immigration can be complicated. We understand the difficulties you are facing at UVS Law, and we are committed to being your unflinching support as trusted UK immigration lawyers. Our skilled team is committed to assisting you through the complex immigration process, guaranteeing a smooth transition to your new life.
