UK Tourist Visa (Standard Visitor Visa) — Requirements, Fees & How to Apply in 2026

Overview

The UK Standard Visitor visa (commonly called the “tourist visa”) allows you to visit the United Kingdom for tourism, visiting family and friends, attending business meetings, or receiving private medical treatment. It is the most widely used UK visa category, with millions of visitors entering the UK each year.

The Standard Visitor visa replaced the previous system of separate tourist, business, and family visitor visas, combining them into a single streamlined route.

What you can do on a visitor visa

The Standard Visitor visa permits a range of activities:

• Tourism — sightseeing, attending events, and holidays
• Visiting family and friends — staying with relatives or friends in the UK
• Business activities — attending meetings, conferences, interviews, and signing contracts
• Short-term study — courses up to 6 months (not at a state-funded institution)
• Medical treatment — receiving private medical treatment (with evidence of arrangements)
• Academic activities — examiners, researchers attending conferences
• Creative activities — taking part in auditions or performances (with some restrictions)

What you cannot do

Visitors are prohibited from:

• Taking paid or unpaid employment
• Providing services or selling goods directly to the public
• Marrying or entering a civil partnership (you need a Marriage Visitor visa)
• Accessing public funds or benefits
• Studying at a state-funded school or academy
• Living in the UK through frequent or successive visits

Visa-free nationalities

Many nationalities do not require a visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. Visa-free visitors include citizens of:

• All EU and EEA countries (including Switzerland)
• United States, Canada, and Mexico
• Australia and New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR
• Many Commonwealth Caribbean nations

If you are visa-free, you simply present your passport at the UK border. You do not need to apply in advance, though you may be asked questions about the purpose and length of your visit.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Visa-free nationals from certain countries must obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK. The ETA costs £10, is valid for 2 years, and allows multiple visits of up to 6 months each. The scheme is being rolled out in phases — check gov.uk for the latest list of affected nationalities.

Longer visit visas

If you plan to visit the UK regularly, you may benefit from a long-term Standard Visitor visa:

Long-term visitor visas allow multiple entries over the validity period, but each visit is still limited to 6 months maximum. These visas are particularly useful for people with family or regular business connections in the UK.

Tips for a successful application

Immigration officers assess visitor visa applications on the balance of probabilities. To strengthen your application:

• Show strong ties to your home country — evidence of employment, property, family, or business that demonstrates you intend to return
• Provide clear financial evidence — 6 months of bank statements showing sufficient funds and regular income
• Be specific about your plans — a clear itinerary, accommodation bookings, and return flights
• Include a cover letter — briefly explain the purpose of your visit and why you will return home
• Be honest — inconsistencies between your application and interview answers can lead to refusal

Transit visas

If you are only passing through the UK en route to another country, you may need a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) or a Visitor in Transit visa instead. This depends on your nationality and whether you need to pass through UK border control during your transit.