Standard Visitor Visa

A visitor visa allows to enter the UK under various categories including coming to the UK as a tourist, to visit family or on business, as an entertainer or sportsperson, or for special reasons like receiving private medical treatment or to get married. If you come to the UK as a visitor you are generally permitted to remain for up to six months.

Documents required

The type of documents required can vary from country to country, however below is a list of documents they should expect to submit with their application. They should check with UKVI to see if any additional documents are required locally.

• passport and/or travel documents
• proof of finances – bank statements or pay slips covering a 6 month period. You can additionally provide your bank statements etc. as proof as well if required
• accommodation and travel details – details of flight bookings and confirmation of accommodation booking. If you are coming as a family visitor and staying throughout the duration of stay in the UK with your relative, you should provide a letter of invitation and proof of address (e.g. a copy of your tenancy agreement)
• a letter of invitation from the sponsor stating his address in the UK, relationship with the visitor, the purpose of the visit, the dates of the visit and the details of where they will be staying.
• a copy of the biometric or a copy of your visa (if you are not settled)
• A visitor must also provide other socio-economic evidence to show that they have a strong link to their home country and intend to return after a proposed visit

Invitation Letters

When determining who to invite, the individual applicant may adopt their own criteria in order to identify suitable visitors which best meet their local needs. Where persons being invited are not known personally to an organisation (For business visitors), caution is advisable. For example, it is strongly recommended that you ensure that the overseas business exists and that the visitor is definitely employed there, as well as having a clear understanding of the purpose of the visit for both parties.

Refusals

Individuals refused a visitor visa will have no right of appeal and would be expected to make a further visitor application, addressing the reasons for refusal. An administrative review of the application may be possible – full details will be provided by UKVI at the point of refusal.