The UK standard visitor visa permits individuals to travel to the United Kingdom for short-term stays for up to six months. It is suitable for a couple of reasons, including travel, leisure, academic, business, or medical treatment.Â
If a person’s business demands them to visit the country, this visa permits them to conduct certain business activities in the UK. Academics coming to the UK for an exchange program or conference can further opt for the UK standard visitor visa. Those who come to take part in research, seminar, or clinical practice are also allowed as long as it’s not a permanent position under this visa.Â
The rules and regulations for the UK standard visitor visa may seem vast and complex. Nonetheless, at Osbourne Pinner, one of London’s leading solicitor firms, you will find comprehensive support with your visitor visa. Keep on reading to learn more about the standard visitor visa with eligibility criteria, the application process, renewal and refusal terms, and more.
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Visitors holding UK standard visitor visas can come to the country for up to six months in any twelve months. It permits foreign nationals subject to the immigration laws of the UK to enter for a short term for various purposes, including:
The business visitor visa is not similar to other UK work and business visas such as tier 1 entrepreneur, investor visas, skilled worker visas, etc. This visa is pretty limiting, allowing you to visit the UK for a short stay to carry out specific business activities only, such as:
A student visitor visa is for those individuals who are visiting the country to study on a short-term basis. Even so, it is important to note that the period of study must be no longer than six months.Â
The permitted activities under this visa route are as follows:
If you’re visiting an accredited institution, you must prove that you have been accepted into their six months course.Â
In the case of distance learning, your course can last longer than six months as most studies will take place outside the UK. You can, however, visit the country to do specific activities as part of the course, such as:
Academic visitors are those individuals who are highly qualified in their niche. They are also currently working in that domain at a higher education or academic institution overseas. Academic visitors with the Standard Visitor Visa can:
If you’re a dentist or senior doctor travelling with this visa, you can also:
A visitor visa permits individuals to travel to the country to seek medical treatment provided they can give proof of their medical condition. It is further checked that they don’t have an infectious disease such as leprosy that can be a danger to public health. To put it more clearly, a person is allowed to visit the UK to:
The Permitted Paid Engagements (PPE) route is for individuals invited as a specialist in their niche by a UK-based institution or organisation/client. These individuals can enter the country for a month and cannot extend their stay.Â
You can be invited to the UK and paid by an organisation or client as a:
With this visa, however, you cannot:
The UK Standard Visitor Visa enables individuals to take part in some other activities as well during their stay.
Tourism and Leisure:
Volunteering:
Entertainment:
Sports:
The individuals applying for UK standard Visitor Visa will have to provide evidence that supports general requirements for eligibility. As a non-EEA visa national, you will have to prove that:
You will leave the United Kingdom at the end of your stay.
You’re able to support yourself and your dependents during your stay (or have funding from someone else to support you).
You’re able to afford your inward or outward journey (or have funding from someone to support you).
You have evidence of activities that you intend to perform while being in the UK, including business and others.
You’ll not live in the UK for an extended time through successive or frequent visits or settle down.
To have your visa application approved, you will have to give details about your current passport numbers or an alternative valid travel identification. While documentation submitted will depend on your specific visit reason, they must be accompanied by a certified translation if they are not in English or Welsh.Â
Having cleared that, the information and documents you need to provide in most cases include the following:
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) assesses a standard visitor visa application based on the information given on the form, supporting documents, and visa interview. This means that an applicant’s visa can be refused for different reasons, for instance, for failing to demonstrate that your activity is permitted under this route or previously being responsible for a breach of the UK immigration rules.Â
Some common reasons for the UK standard visitor visa refusal include the following:
Having said that, an applicant has the right to re-apply with a new visa application or appeal the decision based on their situation. Ways to appeal the UK standard visitor visa rejection include:
Since every immigration case is precisely different, it is recommended to work with an immigration adviser that can assist with your specific circumstances. The Osbourne Pinner team guides applications on UK standard visitor visa routes and takes care of refusal appeals.
An individual can extend their stay in the UK with the standard visitor visa. However, there are certain conditions to meet under which a person can extend their stay. First, if you are staying in the UK for less than six months, then you can extend your visit, given you meet the eligibility requirements and pay the required amount. For instance, if you are in the country for three months, you can apply to stay for three months more.Â
In addition to that, if you are already in the United Kingdom, you can apply for a visa to stay a further six months if you:
You can further stay in the UK as an academic if you’re already in the country and have permission to stay for less than 12 months. Then, you can apply to visit for up to 12 months in total. Your partner and kids can also stay for the same period, given they have their separate applications and each pays a separate amount.Â
However, you must prove that:
If you are already in the country, you can further extend your stay for six month period to retake the PLAB test. But you must confirm in writing from the General Medical Council that you are retaking the test.
As one of London’s leading law firms, we provide strategic consultancy and comprehensive services that assist individuals and businesses across UK immigration requirements. We offer support and advice throughout the application process and help your case in any required reviews or appeals. Our team is proud to be specialists and experienced in immigration law, Home Office application processing, and challenging enforcement action.Â
At Osbourne Pinner, we are dedicated to helping our clients in need and delivering an exceptional, reliable, and wholesome experience. As stated by one of our clients Mustafa Sheriff, it’s a pleasurable experience working with Osbourne Immigration Team. He stated how we helped him with the extensive visa application process at every step and provided all essential information for the same. The entire application process, as such, became smooth and streamlined without any hiccups involved. He also emphasised that our team was always available for his need, and he even recommended us to others.Â
The team at Osbourne Primer houses the best immigration solicitors in London who ensure well-rounded support to clients at every step, just like in the case of Mustafa Sheriff. We believe in standing by you through thick and thin.
If you’re looking to visit the UK for a short-term stay, then the UK standard visitor visa is more likely the route you should take. It allows individuals to travel to the country for up to six months and can be used for business, study, or even to attend a graduation ceremony of your child, among other reasons.Â
At Osbourne Pinner, you will secure the support you need for your standard visitor visa application. UK’s immigration control is strict and complicated, and understanding under which visitor visa you must apply can be confusing. With a team of skilled solicitors, we provide the advice and information you need to add clarity to your decision.Â
So, if you are travelling to the UK for travel, short-term business requirements, or medical treatment, we are here to help. Call us at +02039835080 or contact us at [email protected]. You can also reach out to us at our website at Osbourne Pinner.
You must apply online for the standard visitor visa unless you are from North Korea. The earliest you can apply is three months before your plans to travel. You will have to further offer biometric information such as fingertips and take photographs at your visa application centre.
Yes, you can bring your family with you to the country with the standard visitor visa. However, they will have to apply separately for the visa application process.
No, unless the person visiting has applied for a marriage visitor visa specifically to take nuptials with you. Furthermore, the rules have changed – any non-Britisher will now have to take permission from the Home Office to get married in the UK.
