UK Standard Visitor Visa: What You Can Do, How Long You Can Stay and the Fee
In this guide
Quick answer: The UK Standard Visitor visa usually lets you stay up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family or friends, and certain business activities. GOV.UK lists the fee as £135 for up to 6 months. You must apply online before you travel, and the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your trip. Whether you need a visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or neither depends on your nationality, so check the official visa checker first.
Many migrants invite parents, siblings or friends to visit them in the UK. A refused visit visa is stressful and costly, so it helps to know what officers look for. This guide explains the rules GOV.UK publishes: the allowed activities, the eligibility conditions and the common limits.
Do you need a visa?
GOV.UK says it depends on your nationality. You may need a Standard Visitor visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or neither. Use the official visa checker before you apply. Even if you do not need a visa, GOV.UK says you must still meet the visitor requirements, and border officers may question you.
How long can you stay, and what does it cost?
| Item | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Usually up to 6 months. Longer stays may be possible in limited cases, such as medical treatment. |
| Fee | £135 for up to 6 months |
| Visitor in Transit visa | £74.50, if you are only passing through the UK |
| When to apply | Online, before you travel, and at the earliest 3 months before your trip |
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Your passport must be valid for your whole stay.
- You must show that you will leave at the end of your visit.
- You must be able to support yourself and any dependants, or have someone else fund you.
- You must be able to pay for your return or onward journey, or have someone else fund it.
- You must not live in the UK for long periods through frequent or repeated visits, or make the UK your main home.
Some activities, such as studying, academic work, Erasmus+ placements, paid engagements and medical treatment, have extra requirements.
What can you do on a visit?
- Tourism, and visiting family or friends.
- Certain business activities, such as attending meetings or interviews.
- Volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity.
- Recreational courses of up to 30 days.
- Courses of up to 6 months, placements or exams.
- Transit through the UK to another country.
- Certain paid engagements, as an expert in your profession.
What can you not do?
- Work, paid or unpaid, for a UK company or as self-employed, unless it is a permitted paid engagement.
- Claim public funds (benefits).
- Live in the UK long term through frequent or repeated visits.
- Marry or register a civil partnership. GOV.UK says you will need a Marriage Visitor visa instead.
How to prepare a strong application
- Check whether you need a visa or an ETA with the official checker.
- Gather proof of your funds, your plans to return and the reason for your trip. Our guide to documents you need before moving abroad shows how to organise your papers.
- Apply online within 3 months of your trip.
- Keep your passport valid for the whole stay.
If your relatives are visiting you, you can also help them by explaining where they will stay and who is paying for the trip.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying too early. The earliest is 3 months before the trip.
- Assuming that a visit allows you to work for a UK company.
- Using unofficial websites that charge extra for forms. Read how to avoid visa and job offer scams.
- Planning a wedding on a Standard Visitor visa.
FAQ
How long can I stay on a Standard Visitor visa?
Usually up to 6 months.
How much is the Standard Visitor visa?
GOV.UK lists £135 for up to 6 months.
Can I visit family on this visa?
Yes. Tourism and visiting family or friends are allowed.
Can I work during my visit?
No, except for certain permitted paid engagements and business activities.
Can I get married in the UK on this visa?
No. You need a Marriage Visitor visa instead.
Key takeaways
- Check first whether you need a visa, an ETA or neither.
- Stay is usually up to 6 months, and the fee is listed as £135.
- Apply online, up to 3 months before your trip.
- No work, no benefits and no long-term living through repeated visits.
Related guides
- The complete moving abroad checklist
- Documents you need before moving abroad
- Why passport photos get rejected
- How to avoid visa and job offer scams
- UK family visas explained
- Your first 90 days in a new country
This article is general information, not legal advice. Visa rules and fees change often, so confirm everything on GOV.UK before you apply. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Standard Visitor visa