Tourist Visit

About the visa

The Tourism & Leisure Visit (part of the UK Standard Visitor route, Appendix V) allows overseas nationals to come to the UK for holidays, sightseeing and leisure activities for up to 6 months per visit. You may also apply for long-term multi-entry visas valid for 2, 5 or 10 years, though each stay must not exceed 6 months.

This route is strictly for short-term tourism. You must not work, live in the UK through frequent visits, or undertake any activity outside the scope of Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities.

Eligibility & key rules

You must satisfy the genuine visitor test. This means you must:

• Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
• Not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
• Have a genuine purpose permitted under the Visitor route
• Have sufficient funds to cover all costs without working or accessing public funds, including return travel, accommodation and planned activities

Permitted activities

Tourism visitors may:

• Visit the UK for a holiday, sightseeing and general leisure
• Visit friends and family during the trip
• Attend cultural events, concerts or festivals as a spectator
• Take a recreational course of up to 30 days (excluding English language training)
• Take part in school educational exchanges or visits

What you can and cannot do

Fees, documents & process

Costs

• Standard (up to 6 months): £127
• 2-year long-term visa: £475
• 5-year long-term visa: £848
• 10-year long-term visa: £1,059
• No Immigration Health Surcharge for visitor visas

Required documents

• Valid passport or travel document
• Evidence of travel purpose (itinerary, hotel bookings, return flights)
• Proof of funds (bank statements, payslips or sponsor letter)
• Accommodation details (hotel confirmation or host letter)
• Evidence of ties to home country (employment, education, family)

Processing

• Apply online at least 3 months before travel
• Attend a visa application centre for biometrics
• Decision usually within 3 weeks
• Priority services may be available at some centres

Common refusal reasons

• Insufficient proof of funds or unclear accommodation arrangements
• Weak evidence of ties to home country (risk of overstaying)
• Vague or inconsistent travel purpose
• Travel pattern suggesting an attempt to live in the UK via frequent visits