As an applicant, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK and not settle for the following reasons:
- For leisure
- For business
- For reasons such as receiving private medical treatment
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.
Visitor visas can be issued for longer periods of time, such as 1, 2, 5 or 10 years. However, these types of visas will only allow for you to remain in the UK for periods of no longer than 6 months at any one time.
You may be able to stay for a longer period if you are coming to the UK for private medical treatment. If this is the case then you may be entitled to stay in the UK for up to 11 months. If you are an academic on sabbatical and are coming to the UK for research then you may be able to stay for up to 12 months.
What can I pursue or complete with a visitor visa in the UK?
On a visitor visa you can:
- Take part in sports or creative events and business activities mentioned in the Visitor Rules
- Study for up to 30 days, as long as this is not the main reason for you coming to the UK
- Take part in an educational visit or exchange program if under the age of 18
- Convert a civil partnership into a marriage
What can I not do with a visitor visa?
With a visitor visa you cannot:
- Do work, either paid or unpaid
- Reside in the UK for a long time through multiple, frequent visits
- Receive public funds
- Marry or enter into a civil partnership