A visitor visa allows you to enter the UK for up to 6 months.
This type of visa caters for people wanting to travel to the UK on a temporary basis in the following categories:
1 Standard Visit covers those wishing to travel for ‘permitted activities’ (summarised below) and includes holidaymakers or those wishing to visit friends or family.
This type of visa is usually granted for 6 months but multiple entry visas can be issued for 2, 5 or up to 10 years enabling an applicant to enter for up to 6 months on each time, unless specified otherwise.
2 Marriage/Civil Partner Visitor for those who would like to marry or enter into a civil partnership or give notice thereof – this is aimed at those who wish to simply marry in in the UK and leave.
3 Transit Visitor covers those who would like to travel for up to 48 hours and is the most common.
Application
Individuals travelling to the UK should ensure they have applied for a visit visa in advance from a mission designated to process visit visas. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to travel to the UK for up to 6 months without a visa, such individuals are referred to as ‘non-visa’ nationals. Although no advance visa is required, they should be prepared to explain and evidence the purpose of their visit on arrival.
The UK government is also in the process of rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisations which should be applied for in advance for nationals of designated countries.
To secure a UK visit visa, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, for example:
- you must genuinely intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay
- not live in the UK for extended periods and
- have enough money to cover the duration of your visit
- undertake a prohibited activity such as work, unless it is through a ‘permitted activity.’
Visitors under the Approved Destination Agreement with China
Individuals applying through this route need to:
(a) be a national of the People’s Republic of China; and
(b) intend to enter, leave and travel within the UK as a member of a tourist group under the Approved Destination Status Agreement.
Permitted activities
It is important individuals who intend to apply or travel through the UK to undertake the following activities can demonstrate the purpose of the visit if required.
Tourism and Leisure
The most common purpose for those coming to the UK as a visitor is for tourism or to see family and friends.
This also includes participating in educational exchanges or attending recreational courses for up to 30 days – but not to study English.
Volunteering
Allowed for up to 30 days so long as it is with a registered charity.
General business activities
This allows an executive to:
(a) attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews; and
(b) give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser; and
(c) negotiate and sign deals and contracts; and
(d) attend trade fairs, for promotional work only, provided the Visitor is not directly selling; and
(e) carry out site visits and inspections; and
(f) gather information for their employment overseas; and
(g) be briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer, provided any work for the customer is done outside of the UK; and
(h) undertake activities relating to their employment overseas remotely from within the UK, providing this is not the primary purpose of their visit.
Intra Corporate activities
Allows an employee of an overseas company to visit the UK arm to:
(a) advise and consult
(b) trouble-shoot
(c) provide training
(d) share skills and knowledge.
Manufacture and supply goods to the UK
Enables an employee of an overseas company to conduct certain activities where there is a business relationship with a UK company.
Client of UK export company
A client of a UK company can be seconded to the UK to oversee activities so long as the companies are not linked.
Overseas roles requiring specific activities in the UK
Allows certain job roles to be undertaken in the UK, but the applicant works outside the UK and they are only travelling to conduct those functions:
(a) a translator and/or interpreter may translate and/or interpret in the UK as an employee
(b) personal assistants and bodyguards may support an overseas business person
(c) a tour group courier to conduct activities
(d) members of the media to conduct functions in the UK
(e) archaeologists taking part in a one-off archaeological excavation
(f) a professor from an overseas academic institution accompanying students
(g) market researchers and analysts may conduct market research or analysis
(h) between 01 March and 31 October, a pilot or cabin crew member may work in the UK temporarily under the terms of a Civil Aviation Authority approved Wet Lease Agreement
(i) drivers working in official capacity
(j) seafarers working in official capacity
Work related training
Overseas graduates from medical, dental, or nursing schools may:
(a) undertake clinical attachments or dental observer posts provided if unpaid and no treatment of patients is involved; and
(b) take the following exams:
(i) the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test; or
(ii) the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations for overseas.
Employees of an overseas company or organisation may receive training from a UK based company.
An employee of an overseas based training company may deliver a short series of training to employees of a UK based company.
Science and academia
Allows academics, scientists, and researchers to:
(a) take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts (including doctors)
(b) collaborate, gather information and facts, or conduct research, either for a specific project which directly relates to their employment overseas, or independently; and
(c) if they are an eminent senior doctor or dentist, take part in research, teaching, or clinical practice, provided this does not amount to filling a permanent teaching post.
Legal
Allows expert witnesses and lawyers in connection with legal proceedings and work.
Religion
Religious workers to preach or undertake pastoral work.
Creative
Artist, entertainer or musician and technical staff to perform in specified circumstances.
Sport
Sport person to perform and technical staff to support in specified circumstances.
Medical treatment
Allows an individual to receive private medical treatment or to be an organ done in specified circumstances.
Permitted paid engagements
Undertake paid engagements for up to 30 days where specified.
Other visit visa categories
In addition, to the general visitor category, there are number of variants of visit visa that will allow an individual to undertake a specific task. These include:
- Short term student
- Healthcare visitor
- Parent of a child.
Regardless of the purpose of the visa, the conditions that apply to a general visitor apply to most other visitor categories listed above in that the visa is issued on a temporary basis and the applicant must show a clear intention to return to their country of origin at the end of their visit to the UK.
