--- title: "UK Tourist Visit Visa" url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-tourist-visit-visa/ type: page date: 2024-02-27 modified: 2026-10-24 markdown_url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-tourist-visit-visa.md author: "T Shah" --- # UK Tourist Visit Visa [Home](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com) # UK Tourist Visit Visa A UK Tourist Visit Visa is for people who want to come to the UK temporarily for tourism, holidays, family visits, social visits or other permitted visitor activities. The application is often refused when the purpose of visit, financial evidence, sponsor support or intention to leave is not explained clearly. [Book a Visitor Visa Consultation](#fluentform_5) ## Quick case check Review whether your purpose of visit, funds, travel history and home-country ties are strong enough before you apply. ### Purpose of visit clear? ### Funds and sponsor evidence ready? ### Home ties explained? ### Previous refusal risk reviewed? [Ask a Visitor Visa Adviser](#fluentform_5) Book Consultation Overview Key Facts Eligibility Documents Fees Extension ILR Support FAQs ### Overview ## What is a UK Tourist Visit Visa and who is it for? The UK Tourist Visit Visa sits within the Standard Visitor route. It is suitable for temporary visits such as holidays, visiting family or friends, attending social events, short recreational activities, passing through the UK, or combining tourism with other permitted visitor activities. Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months. A long-term visit visa can be issued for 2, 5 or 10 years, but each visit must still remain temporary and normally cannot exceed 6 months. A long-term visa does not allow someone to live in the UK through repeated or lengthy stays. The main question is not only whether the applicant wants to visit. The evidence must show that the visit is genuine, affordable and temporary, and that the applicant will leave the UK at the end of the trip. Before planning travel, use the [official UK visa checker](https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa) to establish whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, an ETA or neither. An ETA is permission to travel and does not guarantee admission. ### Latest position ## What are the current visitor visa rules and fees? 2026 visitor fee update The current short-term Standard Visitor visa fee is £135 for up to 6 months. Long-term visitor visa fees are £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years. ETA position Some non-visa nationals may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation instead of a visitor visa. The current ETA fee is £20. Genuine visitor focus Visitors must show they will leave the UK after the visit, have enough funds, can pay for return or onward travel, and will not make the UK their main home. No settlement route A visitor visa does not lead to ILR or British citizenship. It is a temporary route only. ### Key facts ## UK Tourist Visit Visa: key points before you apply Usual stay Up to 6 months for most tourist and family visits. Main purpose Tourism, holidays, family visits, social visits and other permitted activities. Application timing The earliest application date is usually 3 months before travel. Decision time Standard applications are usually decided within 3 weeks after identity and documents are provided. Long-term visas 2, 5 and 10-year visas can be requested, but each stay must remain temporary. Work restriction Paid or unpaid work for a UK business is not allowed unless a specific permitted visitor activity applies. ### Eligibility ## Who can qualify for a UK Tourist Visit Visa? A tourist visitor must have a genuine temporary reason to come to the UK and must intend to leave at the end of the visit. The applicant should be able to show how the trip will be funded and where they will stay. Decision-makers often look at employment, business, study, family, financial and property ties outside the UK. Where a UK sponsor is involved, the sponsor evidence should support the visitor's case without replacing the visitor's own credibility. A previous refusal, weak bank evidence, unclear employment position, unexplained deposits, limited travel history or long proposed stay can make the application more sensitive. A legal evidence strategy can help address those risks before submission. ### Permitted activities ## What can and cannot be done as a UK tourist visitor? Usually permitted Tourism, family visits, social visits, volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity, short recreational courses, attending interviews or meetings where the rules allow, and other permitted visitor activities. Not allowed Working for a UK company, self-employment in the UK, claiming public funds, living in the UK through frequent visits, or using the visitor route for marriage or civil partnership notice where a different visitor category is needed. Multiple purposes A visitor may undertake more than one permitted activity during the same visit, but the main reason and planned activities should be clear and supported by evidence. ### Documents ## What documents are usually important for Tourist Visit Visa? The evidence should be tailored to the applicant’s purpose of visit, funds, sponsor support, travel history and reasons to return home. A strong application explains the visit clearly rather than relying on a long but unfocused document bundle. Your passport or travel document must remain valid throughout the UK stay. Documents not in English or Welsh need certified translations. If someone else funds the trip, provide evidence of your relationship, their ability and willingness to meet the costs, and their lawful UK status where relevant. Purpose and itinerary A clear explanation of why the applicant is travelling, how long they will stay and what they plan to do in the UK. Money and support Bank evidence, income evidence, employment or business documents, and any sponsor support letter where relevant. Return evidence Work, study, family, property, business or other commitments that help explain why the applicant will return home. ### Document check ## Request a visitor visa document review We can review your visitor evidence before the application is prepared and help identify gaps, contradictions and refusal risks. [Request Document Check](#fluentform_5) ### Fees ## How much does Tourist Visit Visa cost? 6-month visit visa £135 For most tourism, family and short personal visits. 2-year visitor visa £506 For regular visitors who can justify frequent temporary visits. 5-year visitor visa £903 For longer-term travel needs, with each visit normally limited to 6 months. 10-year visitor visa £1,128 For regular visitors with strong ongoing travel reasons and compliance history. ETA where applicable £20 For certain non-visa nationals where an ETA is required instead of a visit visa. Visitor extension £1,172 Only available in limited circumstances, usually to bring a shorter permission up to 6 months. ### Extension ## Can this visitor visa be extended? A tourist visitor may only be able to extend if they were granted less than 6 months and need to extend up to a total of 6 months. The current extension fee is £1,172. A standard tourism visit cannot normally be extended beyond 6 months. Visitors who need to remain longer should obtain advice before their permission expires because overstaying can damage future applications. ### Settlement ## Does this visitor route lead to ILR or settlement? The Tourist Visit Visa does not lead to settlement, ILR or British citizenship. It is designed for temporary visits only. If the visitor has a longer-term UK objective, such as joining family, studying, working or building a UK business, a different immigration route may be more appropriate. ### How we help ## How Immigration Visa Expert supports Tourist Visit Visa applicants ## Build a clear genuine visitor case before the application is submitted We help applicants and sponsors prepare a visitor visa case that explains the purpose of travel, funding, accommodation, home-country ties and refusal risks in a clear and credible way. - tourism - family visits - sponsor evidence - funds - home ties - refusal risk Process ### Tourist Visit Visa support pathway 1 #### Initial consultation We review the reason for travel, visitor profile, immigration history and any previous refusal risks. 2 #### Eligibility strategy We assess whether the visitor route is suitable and identify the strongest evidence themes. 3 #### Evidence review We check financial, employment, sponsor, accommodation and return evidence for consistency. 4 #### Application support We help structure the application narrative and supporting documents without creating a DIY-style approach. 5 #### Outcome planning We advise on travel timing, future visits, long-term visitor visas and refusal response options if needed. ## Ask Immigration Visa Expert to review your visitor visa case We can assess purpose of visit, permitted activities, financial evidence, sponsor support, home ties, travel history and refusal risks before the application is submitted. [Book Consultation](#fluentform_5) [Request Document Check](#fluentform_5) ### FAQs ## Tourist Visit Visa FAQs [How much is a UK Tourist Visit Visa in 2026?](#collapse-d64d1886adc72558363e) The current fee for a short-term Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months is £135. Long-term visitor visas cost more depending on whether the applicant requests 2, 5 or 10 years. [Can I stay in the UK for 6 months on a tourist visa?](#collapse-1a593046adc72558363e) Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, but the proposed stay must still be credible, affordable and temporary. [Does a 10-year visitor visa allow me to stay in the UK for 10 years?](#collapse-c8785b16adc72558363e) No. A 10-year visitor visa allows repeated visits during the visa validity period, but each visit must normally be temporary and cannot exceed the permitted stay. [Can I work in the UK on a tourist visit visa?](#collapse-1d2e7c66adc72558363e) No. A tourist visitor cannot work for a UK company or be self-employed in the UK unless a specific permitted visitor activity applies. [Can a UK family member sponsor my tourist visit?](#collapse-96193e06adc72558363e) Yes, a UK-based family member may support the visit, but the applicant must still show their own genuine visitor intention and circumstances. [What causes UK visit visa refusals?](#collapse-a0ded056adc72558363e) Common issues include unclear purpose of visit, weak financial evidence, unexplained deposits, limited ties to the home country, inconsistent documents or previous immigration concerns. [Do I need flight and hotel bookings before applying?](#collapse-5f423fc6adc72558363e) You do not need to pay for flights or accommodation before a visa decision. Provide realistic travel and accommodation plans, consistent with the purpose, length and funding of the visit. Paid bookings do not guarantee approval; avoid non-refundable commitments before the decision. [Can I extend a tourist visit visa?](#collapse-7a785786adc72558363e) A tourist visitor may only be able to extend in limited circumstances, usually where permission was granted for less than 6 months and the total stay will not exceed 6 months. [Does a tourist visit visa lead to ILR?](#collapse-35c8c1a6adc72558363e) No. The visitor route is temporary and does not lead to ILR or settlement. [How can Immigration Visa Expert help?](#collapse-6ed96146adc72558363e) We can review eligibility, evidence, sponsor documents, travel purpose, finances, home ties and refusal risk before the application is prepared. ### Related guides ## Related UK visitor visa guides Related guide ## UK Business Visitor Visa For meetings, conferences, negotiations, trade fairs and permitted short business activities. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-business-visa/) Related guide ## Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa For invited experts coming for a paid engagement linked to their profession. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/permitted-paid-engagement-activities-uk-visit-visa/) Related guide ## UK Medical Treatment Visit Visa For private medical treatment, reciprocal healthcare treatment and organ donation visits. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/private-medical-treatment-and-organ-donation-visit-visa/) Related guide ## Academic Visitor Visa UK For researchers, academics, scientists and senior doctors or dentists visiting for permitted academic activities. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/academic-visitor-visa-uk/) Related guide ## Marriage Visitor Visa For visitors who need to marry, register a civil partnership or give notice in the UK. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/marriage-or-civil-partnership-visit-visa/) Related guide ## UK Tourist Visit Visa For tourism, family visits, holidays, events and short personal visits to the UK. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-tourist-visit-visa/) ## Ready to discuss your Tourist Visit Visa? Speak to Immigration Visa Expert for advice on visitor eligibility, documents, sponsor evidence, permitted activities, previous refusals and application strategy. ### Ask an Immigration Adviser Share your visa query and our team will guide you on the next step.