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Last updated: 31 Oct 2026 · Facts checked against official sources on 31 Oct 2026

General information, not legal advice. Rules change often – always confirm on gov.uk. For advice use an OISC-registered adviser or an SRA-regulated solicitor.

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Standard Visitor (incl. family visiting for graduation)

Eligibility

For tourism, visiting family (e.g. parents attending a graduation), business meetings, short courses up to 6 months, or medical treatment. Indian nationals need a visa; visa-free nationalities need an ETA instead. You must leave at the end, not live in the UK through frequent visits, and not do paid or unpaid work (except permitted activities / permitted paid engagements).

Key facts (checked 31 Oct 2026)

ItemDetail
Sponsor needed?No
Salary thresholdNone – show you can fund the trip
Fees + IHS£135 (up to 6 months). Long-term visit visas: £506 (2 yrs), £903 (5 yrs), £1,128 (10 yrs). Extension inside UK £1,172. No IHS
Length of stayUp to 6 months per visit (long-term visas: each visit max 6 months)
ProcessingUsually 3 weeks
Switch in UK?No – you cannot switch to most visas from a Visitor visa
Route to ILRDoes not lead to settlement

Visitor rules on work

Graduation visits

Parents attending graduation typically apply as Standard Visitors: invitation/letter from student, proof of funds, ties to home. You can apply up to 3 months before travel.

What you can and cannot do, how long you can stay (official)

What you can and cannot do (‘permitted activities’)

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:

You cannot:

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

Full eligibility criteria (official)

Visit on business

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months:

You’ll need to apply for a work visa if you want to do any other paid or unpaid work in the UK.

Visiting on business if you’re not paid by a UK-based organisation or client

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor to do the following business activities if you’re not paid by a UK-based organisation or client:

You should:

Doing activities as part of an overseas job role

You can do certain additional activities in the UK as a Standard Visitor, if you’re employed overseas as:

Check the Visitor Rules for details of what you can do as a Standard Visitor in these job roles.

Source: GOV.UK – Visit on business (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Visit to study

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

You should:

To study or research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your course or research.

If you’re visiting to study at an accredited institution

You must prove that:

The accredited UK institution cannot be an academy or state-funded school, unless you’re on an Erasmus+ placement.

Distance learning courses

If you’re doing a distance learning course, your course can last longer than 6 months. This is because most of your study will happen outside of the UK.

You can visit the UK to do certain activities as part of your course, for example:

If you want to study for more than 6 months

You’ll need to apply for either a:

If you’re visiting to do a short piece of research

You must prove that:

You can visit for up to 6 months to do your research.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to provide confirmation from your overseas course provider that the research or research tuition is part of, or relevant to, the course you’re doing overseas.

If you’re visiting to do an elective

You must prove that you’re:

You can visit for up to 6 months to do your elective.

Documents you must provide

Your UK higher education provider will need to give written confirmation that you will not be treating patients or being paid for the elective.

If you’re visiting to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post

If you’re an overseas graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school you can do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post for up to 6 months.

If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you will need to pass the PLAB test and apply to stay in the UK.

You must not treat patients.

Documents you must provide

You must provide written confirmation:

If you’re taking the OSCE or PLAB test

You can visit for up to 6 months to take the OSCE or PLAB test.

If you do not pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK for a further 6 months to retake the test.

If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post. You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.

Documents you must provide

You must provide a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirming your OSCE test registration.

You’ll need a letter from the General Medical Council confirming your PLAB test registration.

Source: GOV.UK – Visit to study (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Visit as an academic

If you’re a scientist, researcher or academic you can:

If you’re a senior doctor or dentist you can also:

You can also do these activities if you’re on an Erasmus+ placement.

To research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your research.

You can also visit if you’re invited for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) - for example, to give a lecture or be an academic assessor. You’ll need to show you’re an expert in your profession.

If you want to visit for up to 6 months

You should:

If you want to visit for more than 6 months

All academic visits lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

You can:

You must meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and the additional eligibility requirements for academics. You must provide any required documents that show your eligibility.

Your partner and children can apply to stay with you for up to 12 months. They can apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance or visit for 6 months and extend their stay once in the UK.

Eligibility requirements if you want to stay longer than 6 months

You must prove you’re:

If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.

If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.

Documents you may need

You need to show you meet the eligibility requirements, for example by providing a letter from:

Depending on where you come from, you may need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.

Source: GOV.UK – Visit as an academic (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Visit on Erasmus+

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do an Erasmus+ placement.

You may be able to get an ETA instead of a visa – it depends on your nationality.

You can:

Eligibility

Check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor.

You might need to meet extra requirements if you’re under 18.

If you’re coming to study

You must meet the visitor requirements for studying in the UK.

If you’re coming to provide or receive training

You must be one of the following:

If you’re coming to do a traineeship

You must be under 18 when your traineeship starts.

Your traineeship must:

If you’re coming to do job shadowing or a coaching or training placement

You’re allowed to do:

However, you cannot fill an existing role in the organisation.

Documents you’ll need

You’ll need evidence that you’re doing an Erasmus+ placement in the UK.

This evidence must include details of your placement, such as:

You can use:

You’ll need additional documents if you’re under 18.

If you do not meet the criteria for a Standard Visitor visa

If your placement is longer than 6 months or involves work or training that you’re not allowed to do on a Standard Visitor visa, you may need a different visa. Depending on what you plan to do, this could be a:

Source: GOV.UK – Visit on Erasmus+ (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Visit for a paid engagement or event

You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) if you:

The engagement must be relevant to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country.

You can come to the UK for up to 6 months, but you must do the engagement in the first month.

You can be invited:

You should:

Who can invite you and what you can use to show you’re an expert depends on your profession.

Professional artists, entertainers or musicians

You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your profession including:

A ‘professional artist’ can be anyone working in the performing or creative arts. For example, poets, make-up artists, stylists, set designers, photographers and fashion models.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based:

Your expertise and employment

The event or engagement must relate directly to your full-time profession.

You must be able to show you’re an established artist, entertainer or musician in your home country, for example:

Professional sportspeople

You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your sporting profession. For example, taking part in a sporting event.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based:

Your expertise and employment

The event or engagement must relate directly to your full-time profession.

You must be able to show you’re an established sportsperson in your home country, for example:

Qualified lawyers

You can be paid by a client to represent them in the UK at a court or tribunal hearing, arbitration or other form of legal dispute resolution.

You can also be paid to visit the UK to prepare for the hearing.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from your client, showing you’ve been asked to represent them in the UK.

You must provide confirmation of your right of audience or ‘temporary call’.

Your expertise and employment

You may need to show that you’re a qualified lawyer, such as a practising certificate or certificate of good standing.

Lecturers

You can be paid to give a lecture or series of lectures about your area of expertise.

You cannot take a full-time or part-time teaching post for your host organisation.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based:

Your expertise and employment

Your work overseas must be relevant to the lecture or lectures that you’re giving.

You must be able to show you’re highly qualified in your area of expertise. For example, you can provide:

If you want to give a lecture on a subject not relevant to your current role, you may need to provide evidence of:

You can visit for a permitted paid event or engagement, if you’re semi-retired and earning an income from giving regular lectures. You cannot do this if you’re retired.

Speakers at conferences

You can be paid to speak at a conference or seminar.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation to speak from the organiser of a conference or seminar in the UK.

Your expertise and employment

You must be able to show that the conference or seminar is relevant to your area of expertise and profession in your home country.

Academic examiners or assessors

You can be paid to:

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK higher education institution or a UK-based research or arts organisation.

Your expertise and employment

Your work overseas must be relevant to the role you’ve been invited to do.

You must be able to show you’re highly qualified in your area of expertise. For example, you can provide:

You can visit for a permitted paid event or engagement if you’re semi-retired and earning an income from regular examination work. You cannot do this if you’re retired.

Air pilot examiners

You can be paid to examine UK-based air pilots, so they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of your country.

Source: GOV.UK – Visit for a paid engagement or event (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Visit for medical reasons

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

You should:

If you’re visiting for private medical treatment

You must prove that you:

Documents you must provide

You’ll need a letter written by a doctor or consultant, that confirms:

If you’re visiting for treatment at an NHS hospital

You can visit the UK for treatment at an NHS hospital. Your treatment must be paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.

Documents you must provide

You must provide an authorisation form, issued by the government of your country, saying they will pay for your treatment.

If you’re visiting as an organ donor

You can only visit the UK to donate organs to:

You must prove that the person you’re donating an organ to is legally allowed to be in the UK.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need a letter from the lead nurse of the transplant team, a General Medical Council registered specialist or a registered NHS consultant that confirms:

The letter should be dated no more than 3 months before you intend to arrive in the UK.

If the recipient is not legally resident in the UK, you must provide their name, nationality and date of birth in your application.

The recipient should check if they need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa and that they meet the eligibility requirements for medical treatment.

If your treatment will last longer than 6 months

All visits for medical treatment lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

You can:

There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs £1,172 each time you do.

Depending on where you come from, you may also need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.

Source: GOV.UK – Visit for medical reasons (checked 31 Oct 2026)

If you're under 18

You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and:

Travelling alone

You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone over the age of 18).

Your parent or guardian will need to provide their:

They’ll also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:

If you’re not staying with a close relative

Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if you’re both of the following:

You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.

The same rules apply to education exchange visits that last for more than 28 days, unless:

There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Read the guidance for more information.

Travelling with an adult

You’ll need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements. If you do not need a visa to travel, you’ll need to prove this at the border.

If you do have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, you’ll need to identify the adult travelling with you in your visa application.

If the person you’re travelling with is not your parent, you’ll need to provide specific information about them in your application.

You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application. Their names will appear on your visa. The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.

If you’re doing an Erasmus+ traineeship or job shadowing

You must also give proof that you have permission to do the Erasmus+ placement from both:

Source: GOV.UK – If you're under 18 (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How to apply, step by step (official)

Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. If you do not need a visa, you’ll either:

You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

Visa fees

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

Fee Maximum length of stay
Standard Visitor visa £135 6 months
Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons £234 11 months
Standard Visitor visa for academics £234 12 months
2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa £506 6 months per visit
5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa £903 6 months per visit
10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa £1,128 6 months per visit

Apply online

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.

You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

Apply now

Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to continue your visa application.

Long-term Standard Visitor visas

You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.

You may be given a shorter visa than requested if UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) believe you cannot meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the visa you applied for.

You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or if your application is refused.

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

Documents and information you’ll need to apply

You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.

You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:

Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:

You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Proving your identity and providing your documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

At your appointment, you’ll need to:

Source: GOV.UK – Apply for a Standard Visitor visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Extending, switching and changing job (official)

When you can extend your stay

You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.

You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you’re:

You must apply to extend your stay and pay the £1,172 fee regardless of your nationality.

You need to apply while you’re still in the UK and before your current visa or permission expires.

Fees

It costs:

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.

If you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months

You may be able to extend your stay as long as the total time you spend in the UK is no more than 6 months. You must meet the eligibility requirements and pay the £1,172 fee.

For example, if you have been in the UK for 3 months, you can apply to extend your stay for 3 more months. This applies if you needed a visa to visit the UK and also if you did not need one.

If you need to stay longer for medical treatment

If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to stay for a further 6 months if you:

There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs £1,172 each time you extend.

Documents you must provide

You must get a medical practitioner or NHS consultant who’s registered in the UK to provide details of your medical condition that needs further treatment.

If you’re having treatment at an NHS hospital under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, you will need to provide another authorisation form from your country’s government saying they will pay for your treatment.

If you need to stay longer as an academic

If you’re already in the UK and have permission to visit for less than 12 months, you can apply to stay for up to 12 months in total.

Your partner and children can apply to stay for up to 12 months too. They must have their own application and each pay the £1,172 fee.

You must prove you:

If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.

If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.

Before you extend your stay, check if you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. You may need one if you’re researching certain subjects at postgraduate level or above.

If you need to stay longer to retake the PLAB test

If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to extend your stay for up to 6 months to retake the PLAB test.

You must provide written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you’re retaking the test.

If you want to do a clinical attachment or dental observer post

If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay longer to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post.

You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.

You must provide written confirmation:

You must not treat patients.

Proving your identity and providing your documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).

You’ll also need to submit the supporting documents that prove your eligibility. You can:

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Apply to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your stay in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

How long it takes to get a decision

If you use the standard service, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing your supporting documents and proving your identity.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

Source: GOV.UK – When you can extend your stay (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Processing times and faster decisions (official)

Standard: Usually 3 weeks (GOV.UK visa processing times).

Source: GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How the application works (official)

  1. Check eligibility and gather documents (sections above). Sponsored routes: get your CoS/CAS reference first; endorsed routes: get your endorsement first.
  2. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (if it applies) – IHS.
  3. Prove your identity: either the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if offered) or an appointment at a visa application centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) for fingerprints and photo.
  4. Upload documents and wait for the decision. Do not travel or leave the UK before a decision if applying from inside the UK – it can withdraw your application.
  5. Your permission is issued as an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRPs are no longer issued. Link your passport to it and use share codes to prove your rights – GOV.UK eVisas.

Path to settlement (ILR) and citizenship

Does not lead to settlement.

Citizenship normally needs ILR (or settled status) held for 12 months – or immediately if married to a British citizen – plus the residence, absences, good character, Life in the UK test (£50) and English B1 requirements. See GOV.UK – Settle in the UK and GOV.UK – Citizenship if you have ILR.

Budget 2026 (28 Oct 2026) and earned-settlement proposals are announced, not yet law. The settlement rules above are those on GOV.UK on 31 Oct 2026 (latest Statement of Changes: HC 584, 3 Sep 2026).
Fees and IHS change every year (usually April). Check the linked gov.uk page before you pay.

Sources