Tourist and Family Visitor Visa
The Tourist Visit Visa is designed for visa nationals who wish to come to the UK for the purpose of visiting friends and family or for a short holiday.
How we work
Find out more about how we workRequirements for a Tourist Visit Visa
In order to be granted a Tourist Visit Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you are a genuine visitor. This means that you:
- Will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- Will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
- Are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and will not undertake any prohibited activities;
- Have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit without working or accessing public funds.
What else do you need to know
What else do I need to know about the Tourist Visit Visa?
Most visitors will need to make an application for a visit visa from their country of residence, before travelling. However, nationals of some countries are exempt from this requirement and can simply apply for leave to enter as a visitor at the UK border.
A TouristVisit Visa will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. Within the period for which your visit visa is valid, you may enter and leave the UK multiple times, unless the visit visa is endorsed as a single or dual-entry visa.
Tourism and Leisure Visit Visa holders may visit friends and family and/or come to the UK for a holiday. They may also carry out permitted business activities as set out in the Business Visit Visa section, undertake a maximum of 30 days incidental study and access private medical treatment, providing that they satisfy the additional requirements in the Private Medical Treatment Visit Visa section.
If you intend to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK then you should apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa. If you intend to undertake a Permitted Paid Engagement then you should apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.
TouristVisit Visa holders are not permitted to work, receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK or undertake more than 30 days’ non-incidental study in the UK.
You must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit without working or accessing public funds. This includes the cost of your return or onward journey, any costs relating to dependants, and the cost of planned activities.
Applying for a Tourist Visit Visa? How our immigration lawyers can help
Sarah Rogers
Founder of IAC
Our immigration lawyers are experienced in assisting with all types of visit visa applications.
Whether you are considering applying for a Tourist Visit Visa or require advice as to the most appropriate visit visa, our lawyers will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.
We can help you with as much or as little advice and assistance as you need with tailored packages or individual services giving you flexibility to chose all the assistance you need when you need it. You’ll also have the benefit of access to our innovative client portal, giving everything you need at your fingertips.
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