Visit Visa to the UK

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. You should check if you need a visa before you apply.

What you can and cannot do (‘permitted activities’)
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:

for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
to see your family or friends
to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession, for example to give lectures or perform
to take part in a school exchange programme
to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
to study, do a placement or take an exam
as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
for medical reasons
You cannot:

do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event
claim public funds (benefits)
live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa