how to apply for uk tourist visa

by Yasmine Barrows Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

^{Application procedure}

Go to the UK Visas and Immigration website
Select your preferred language, type of visa, your country, nearest visa application center, etc
Create a login using email and password
Complete in the application form
Sign the declaration
Pay visa fee
Submit the application

Download and print the submitted visa application form

Make an appointment at your nearest UK visa application center

Attend the appointment at your nearest UK visa application center

Submit your passport, visa application and supporting documents at the visa application center

If applying from the US, Australia or New Zealand, mail your passport, visa application and biometrics receipt to your nearest visa application center

Pickup/receive the passport when the visa decision is made

Full Answer

Which UK visa should I apply for?

UK Visa Types

Work and Business Visas. Besides of its strict rules, not allowing to get a job many of the visa holders, the UK also offers Working Visas especially for high-end professionals ...
Student Visas. These types of visas are issued to international students who want to study in the UK.
Tourist and Visiting visas. ...
Family Visas. ...
Transit Visas. ...
Refugee Visa. ...

Is a visa needed for an US citizen to travel to UK?

Visas are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom and are usually applied for upon arrival. After you disembark from the plane, you will be standing in a line, or queue, awaiting a brief interview from the Immigration Officer who will stamp your passport with a visa set to expire six months from the date of entry into the U.K.

What are the requirements for an UK visa?

You should submit the following documents to apply for a UK visa:

UK visa application form. ...
Two photographs. ...
Your Valid Passport. ...
Proof you have the financial means to cover the living costs while in the UK. ...
Proof of accommodation. ...
Detailed travel itinerary. ...
Tuberculosis Test Results. ...
Biometric information. ...
UK visa invitation letter. ...
Paid UK visa fees. ...

More items...

What do I need to apply UK visa?

Your child must be over 18 and independent,
your child must be a British citizen settled in the UK,
your child and you must fulfill the financial requirement,
you must show proof that you need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age,

More items...

How do I apply for a tourist visa to the UK?

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities.

What documents do I need for a UK visitor visa?

proof of your income and where you work, for example payslips or an employment contract. proof that you have enough money to pay for the visitor's stay, for example recent bank statements. proof that you're in the UK legally, for example a copy of your passport or visa.

How much is UK visa fee for tourist?

Standard Visitor visa - for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and GuernseyVisa typesVisa application fee (INR)Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry)9985Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years)37544Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years)66899Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years)835745 more rows

Is UK tourist visa easy to get?

It's not easy to get the UK tourist visa, there is a long list of required documents.

Is UK giving visitor visa now?

You are allowed to access Visa and Immigration services as these are considered an essential public service. You must follow current COVID-19 rules for where you live, in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How long does it take to get UK visitor visa?

7 weeksVisit the UK Visit visas, including standard visitor visa applications, are currently taking on average 7 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer.

How long can you stay in the UK on a tourist visa?

6 monthsYou can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

Is return ticket mandatory for UK visitor visa?

There is no legal requirement to have a return ticket to enter the UK, be you a visa national or not, but you may have to demonstrate that you have the means and intentions to leave the UK at the conclusion of your trip. You could however encounter difficulties if you don't have a return ticket.

How much is UK 6 months visa fee?

Standard Visitor visa - for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and GuernseyVisa typesVisa application fee (USD)Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry)126Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years)473Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years)842Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years)10525 more rows

Is there an interview for UK tourist visa?

Does the application process for the standard visitor visa requires an interview? No. Part of the application process includes an appointment at a visa application center where you will give your biometrics but it is not an interview.

Is bank statement required for UK visa?

You'll need to provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependants for example using bank statements or payslips (usually for the last 3 months).

What is the cost for a UK visa in Jamaica?

Pricing options for the visa application are based on the processing speeds they correspond to: Standard: USD 167.49. Rush: USD 226.99. Super Rush: USD 236.99.

Is bank statement required for UK visa?

You'll need to provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependants for example using bank statements or payslips (usually for the last 3 months).

How much is the UK visa in Egypt?

UK Visitor Visa Fees from EgyptApplication TypeUK Visa Cost 2020/21Standard VisitorVisit Visa Fees for 6 monthsE£1,984 (US$124, £95)2 Year Visit Visa CostE£7,520 (US$470, £361)5 Year Visit VisaE£13,648 (US$853, £655)14 more rows•Apr 23, 2018

Choose a visa

You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family. There are different visas depending on: where you come from why you wan...

Prepare your application

You can apply and pay for most visas online. If you have dependants who want to come to the UK with you, each person will need to apply and pay sep...

Prove your identity

When you apply, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide documents to show your eligibility. How you do this depends on where you’re from and...

Getting a decision on your application

You’ll get a letter or an email with the result of your application. It will explain what you need to do next. If your application is successful Yo...

What is a UK tourist visa?

UK Tourist Visa – for all those who wish to enter the UK to visit friends or family members, for holidays, business, private medical treatment, to get married, etc.

What does it mean to have a UK visa?

The possession of a visa means that you have fulfilled the requirements that the particular visa has.

How to Appeal Against the UK Visa Denial?

If your UK visa application is rejected, when you receive the answer on your application you will also be notified on the reasons behind it. If you think that this decision has not been taken justly, then you can appeal it.

How long does it take to get a UK visa?

The UK tourist visa processing takes up to 3 weeks. There have been incidents where UKVI has taken over 2 months to process, especially when the visa applications are “not straightforward”.

How long is a UK visa valid?

UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months and you can stay up to 180 days in the UK. The UK tourist visa application process is long and there is no status tracking. Make sure to start your UK visa process at least two months from your intended date of the travel to the UK.

How long does it take to get a UK passport back?

The UK visa application center keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process, which could be 3 weeks or more. There may be emergencies where you need to have your passport with you. The only way to request your passport back is by formally withdrawing your visa application.

What do you bring to a passport appointment?

On the day of the appointment, you will give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your original documents. You must bring all your original documents along with one photocopy of each including your passport.

Where to send biometrics to UK?

You must give your biometrics at your nearest Biometric Enrollment Center and later send/post your documents to the nearest UK Visa Application Center.

How long do passports have to be valid in the UK?

Passport must be valid for the entire stay in the UK

Does UKVI ask for flight tickets?

UKVI has stopped asking for flight tickets and hotel bookings for UK visa applications. But some nationalities are still being asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

How to Apply for a UK Visitor Visa?

The application for a UK visitor visa must be made from outside the UK. The earliest you can apply for this visa is 30 days prior to your planned travel to the UK.

How Long Does it Take for a UK Standard Visitor Visa Application to Process?

The decision on your UK visitor visa is taken in 8 weeks if you apply by post. However, the decision is made on the day you apply if you use the premium service.

What is the UK Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa?

This is a visitor visa with validity period 2, 5 up to 10 years, issued if you’re someone who needs to travel regularly to the UK for temporary visits.

How long can a visitor stay in the UK?

The UK visitor visa which is also known as the Standard Visitor Visa is a UK short stay visa that allows its holder to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. However, the embassy has the right to issue visas for a shorter period of time. This visa is established for those that wish to travel to the United Kingdom for purposes of:

How to prove previous travel history?

It can be proven through visas and entry/exit border stamps in current and older passports, or through separate residence titles.

How long does a passport need to be valid in the UK?

Your valid passport with at least one blank page. It must be valid for three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip. Proof of financial means to cover living costs while you are in the UK.

What is a formal letter of the host institution/organization in the UK?

Formal letter of the host institution/organization in the UK. It must show in written they’ve made the needed arrangements for the specified exchange or research project.

How to apply for a UK visa from the US?

To begin the application process for a UK visa you need to fill the online application form, by submitting correct and honest information and then pay the visa application fees . If the information in the application form doesn’t comply with the information in the other required documents, your application will be rejected.

Who is eligible for a UK visa?

Eligible for this visa are only the people who are about to enter in the UK and are at the borders because had to leave their country as their life was seriously threatened. The application for this visa is made from within the UK. To apply for such a visa, you must provide the following documents:

How long does it take to get a visa after biometrics?

The earliest you can submit your visa application with all of the required documents is one or one and a half days after and the latest 2 weeks after biometric submission.

What is an optional visa?

These are optional visa services for which the applicant has to pay an extra fee in order to get an answer on their application within a shorter period of time.

What is a student visa in the UK?

The UK student visas are issued to prospective students that plan on enrolling in UK educational institutions, such as universities and schools. To apply for a student visa you must provide the following:

What is a business visa in the UK?

The UK Business visa category has been established with the sole purpose of attracting successful business people to come and invest in the UK together with their families, ranging from investors, to entrepreneurs and more. To apply for these visas, the applicant must provide the following:

What is Tier 3 visa?

Tier 3 Visas – For low-skilled foreign workers with a temporary job offer in a shortage area (This type of visa has never been implemented since it has been assessed that the UK has already enough low-skilled workers.)

How to apply for a visitor visa in the UK?

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

Where to book an appointment for a visa?

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

How long is a visitor visa valid?

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.

How long does it take to get a visa?

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

Do you have to pay for a family visa?

Each family member must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.

Can a UK visa be cancelled?

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

UK tourist visa from India

The United Kingdom has a wide range of attractive tourist spots including the city of London, countryside of Scotland and Wales. A UK tourist visa for Indians is referred to as a UK Standard Visitor Visa which allows its holder to enter and stay in the UK for up to 60 months.

UK visitor visa term

Based on your requirements, you can apply for two types of tourist visas to the UK:

UK tourist visa requirements

You need to fulfil the UK tourist visa requirements i.e. eligibility criteria and documentation to get a UK tourist visa from India.