What is a UK Visitor Visa?

The UK Visitor Visa, also known as the Standard Visitor Visa, is a short stay visa applied.  This visa allows you to stay in the UK from 6 months to 10 years, with a maximum stay of 6 months on each visit.

 

With a UK visitor visa, you can do the following activities:

• Get private medical treatment
• Visit the UK for holiday or sightseeing
• Visit family or friends (family visitor visa category candidates)
• Job-related activities (if you are coming under business visitor visa type) including:
• Business meetings (business visa type)
• Cultural events as a performer
• Sports events
• Taking part in research etc.
  If you are coming under a student visa, you can do short term courses depending upon your visa validity period.

 

 

Your purpose of visit can be one of the following:

• for tourism
• for business
• for research
• for short study courses (for the duration of 6 months)
• for private medical treatment, and so on

They grant a ‘visit visa’ to foreigners that come to the country and do not have a job or a residence in the country.

What are the Main Requirements of a UK Visit Visa?

1. General requirements to receive a UK ‘Visit Visa’

You must prove that:

• you intend to leave after your visit in the UK
• you’ll not extend your visa frequently unless it is absolutely needed, you also need to make multiple visits to
• the UK or try to make the UK your main place of residence
• you have a strong family and economic ties to your home country
• you are financially capable of supporting yourself as well as your dependants during your visit while you’re at
• the UK and that you have someone who will financially support you during your visit
• you will pay for your tickets, this includes incoming and return, or that you have someone paying for your tickets
• you have evidence of the business, medical or study that you have legally come to the UK to pursue genuinely

2. If your purpose of visiting the UK is to stay for the duration of 6 months

You must prove one of the following requirements:

Your course duration which is proven by an accredited UK institution (not an academy or state-funded school) and is within the 6 months period and you have been accepted to study in the particular course
you’re above the age of 16, and accepted by a UK higher education institution
The research you are to undertake in the UK must be relevant to the overseas education you’re partaking in
you’re above 16, and are an ‘elective’ of an overseas medicine, veterinary medicine and science, or dentistry course

To do a placement in the UK or be part of a research activity in the UK, you must already be enrolled in a course that is the equivalent to a UK degree.

You may need to withhold an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re partaking in research. You must have this certificate in order to apply for a research field job or to study in the UK.

3. If you want to join a family member living in the UK

If you have a spouse or family member that is living in the UK with a British Citizenship or ‘settlement’ status, then you can apply on the condition of a family visa to visit them.

They may need to show that they can support the individual financially during the visit to the UK.

4. If you want to work, begin or invest a business in the UK

Depending on the work visa type and condition you’re applying for, you can work in the UK for a short or long-term basis. To get a work visa, at Kampus Group we advise that you must meet the following requirements below:

• Relevant skill and education
• Withhold a job offer or employer sponsor
• Clearly state the purpose of your visit and stay duration
• Mention if any family member is accompanying you during your stay

To begin your start-up business and venture in the UK, you must apply for a start-up visa or an ‘innovator visa’. Or if you want to invest money in a business in the UK, you can do so with an investor visa.

5. If you’re visiting the UK for up to 12 months as an academic you must be able to prove that you’re:

• A highly qualified expert in the field or major
• employed for research in your area of expertise by a verified overseas institution
• visiting the UK for research or a formal exchange
• not partaking in a permanent teaching post

6. If you’re visiting for private medical treatment in the UK you must prove that you:

• have a medical condition that needs treatment in the UK
• have enough funds for your treatment
• prove any appointments or consultations with physical address
• actual duration of your treatment
• will leave the UK once your treatment is done or when your visa expires
• are not a danger to public health if you have an infectious disease

Please note that if you have a family escort accompanying you for your treatment within the UK, they are required to apply for a ‘Visitor visa’ and all standard visitor rules and requirements are applicable to them.

7. If you are visiting as a ‘Paid Permitted Engagement Visitor’ you must be able to prove that;

• You intend to go return to your home country after the first month
• you are an expert in your field and specialisation… you can show any publications or accomplishments for this
• you have a letter from your employer confirming your work and area of expertise and specialisation
• the income you receive for this short period does not in any way count towards your main or part-time salary
• You are either a visiting academic examiner, assessor, lecturer, qualified lawyer, an arts and entertainment or sporting professional

How much does a UK Tourist Visa Cost from India?

Different types of UK Visitor Visa have a different fee associated with its application. The below fee structure of each will help you plan out your finances accordingly:

:

Standard Visitor

 

 

What kind of study can you do as a visitor?

The Short-term study visa route is now only limited to those wishing to study on English language courses for a period of between six to eleven months.

How do you apply for a UK Visitor Visa?

 

Step 1: Find out if you need a visitor visa

You may be exempt from the UK visa requirements and conditions, but this depends on your nationality. All EEA, Commonwealth country citizens can in fact enter the UK without a visa. Indians however, are permitted to apply for a UK visitor visa.

Step 2: Choose the right visa type

Based on the purpose of your stay and how long you intend to be in the UK, you can choose among the following types of UK Visitor Visas below:

Standard Visitor Visa: This is a UK Tourist Visa for medical treatment, tourism, business purposes, and short-term study courses or research or visiting family in the UK.

 

UK Transit Visa: this is for those who need to pass through the UK in transit to proceed to another country.

UK Study Visa: this is for all those who wish to travel to the UK and want to enroll at a study course/university. A Standard Visitor Visa lets you stay in the UK for the duration of 6 months for a short-study course.

UK Marriage Visitor Visa: this applies to those who come to the UK to get married but do not intend to settle in the country.

Parent of a UK Tier 4 Child Visa: this is for parents or guardians visiting a child studying in an independent school in the UK who is less than 12 years old.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: This allows you to stay in the UK for up to 1 month. This is to attend an event or undertake a paid engagement and are formally invited by a UK-based organisation or client who regards you as an expert in your stated profession.

Step 3: Complete the online application form

The UK visa online application form contains questions on personal information as:

• Your full name
• Nationality
• Marital status
• Personal number
• Passport number
• Purpose of visit statement

Step 4: Gather all the required documents

Here is the document checklist for the UK Visitor Visa application:

• UK visa application form
• Two colour passport sized photographs
• Your Valid Passport
• Proof of funds during the visit
• Proof of accommodation
• Detailed travel itinerary
• Tuberculosis Test Results
• Biometric information
• Fees Receipt of application payment

 

Step 5: Pay the fee online and schedule a visa appointment

You can schedule an online UK visitor visa appointment on the official UK Embassy Website.

Step 6: Attend the UK visa interview

Every applicant who is submitting their visa application must attend the visa application center in person as well as children.

 

 

Common visa interview questions:

What is the purpose of your travel and duration of your stay?
Do you know someone in the UK? Will you be staying with them?
What have you planned to do while you are in the UK?
Where do you live ?
Have you visited the UK earlier?
What do you do for a living in India, can you share your employment history?
Are you a taxpayer? Can you provide the documentation for the same?
Do you intend to work or do business in the UK?
Will you be travelling with your family?
Why did you select this university to study in the UK? (this is applicable for students)

 

 

 

UK Visit Visa Requirements & Eligibility

 Important Requirements for the UK Visitor Visa:

1. You need to show that you will return to your homeland after your visit
2. You need to have the financial ability to support yourself and your dependents during your stay
3. You need to show that you can afford a return ticket and any costs that can occur during your stay.
4. The dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
5. Details of where you’ll be staying during your visit
6. Your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
7. Proof that you intend to leave the UK after your visit is complete

Keep the following information handy:

• How much your trip will cost
• Your parents’ names and dates of birth
• How much you earn in a year
• Details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• Your employer’s address and telephone number
• Your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
• The name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• The name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
• Details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you have committed

 

 

Processing Time for a UK Tourist Visa

It takes 15 days for Indians to get the UK visitor visa generally. If there is any special issue, it may take up to 30 days.

 

What you can and cannot do

You can visit the UK to do certain activities, for example visiting friends and family or attending a conference.

You cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
• live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits
• claim public funds (benefits)
• do a course of study that lasts longer than 6 months
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership. You’ll need a Marriage Visitor visa instead

 

A minor mistake in the documentation process or filling the application incorrectly in your visa appointment can lead to rejection of your visa and result in a delayed visit to the UK (which is the last thing you need !)

Having a reliable visa consultancy with years of experience in assisting applicants with their UK travel visa can save you a lot of time and money. Our UK visa experts at Kampus Group and enquiries for international students can help you to simplify the process.