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
Permitted
- Tourism, holidays and sightseeing
- Visiting friends or family
- Attending social or cultural events
- Recreational courses up to 30 days
- Travel within the UK during your stay
Not permitted
- Work for a UK employer or provide goods/services
- Study beyond permitted limits
- Access public funds or state benefits
- Live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- Receive payment from a UK source
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
