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.

   What you need to do:-

1. Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor.
2. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Check if you need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.
4. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one.

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

1. for tourism, for example, on a holiday or vacation 
2. to see your family or friends
3. to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
4. to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
5. for certain business activities, for example, attending a meeting or interview
6. for specific paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession, for example, to give lectures or perform
7. to take part in a school exchange program
8. to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example, a dance course
9. to study, do a placement, or take an exam
10. as an academic, senior doctor, or dentist
11. for medical reasons

    You cannot:

1. 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
2. claim public funds (benefits)
3. live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
4. Marry or register a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa

• Marriage visitor:-:You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if:

1.  you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK      
2. you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK
3. you’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership
4. you meet the other eligibility requirements
5. You do not need a Marriage Visitor visa to convert your civil partnership into a marriage - you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

   You also do not need a Marriage Visitor visa if one of the following is true:

1. you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
2. you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and have not got a decision yet
3. you’re an Irish citizen

• Chinese tour group:-You can come to the UK for up to 30 days as part of a tour group through the approved destination status agreement (ADS) if you’re a Chinese citizen. To qualify, you must enter the country as part of your tour group (at least five people) and stay with the group for the whole visit. Your tour must be organized by an ADS-licensed Chinese tour operator.

   You must leave the UK when your ADS visa expires. You cannot extend this visa.

    To apply, fill in the ADS visitor application form online. Your agent will then arrange an appointment for the whole tour group at a visa approval center in China. This will usually happen at least three weeks before departure.

   Before the appointment date, you need to give your agent:

1. your current travel document or passport
2. your previous passports or travel documents
3. evidence of your current employment or studies

   You must have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa. The appointment includes taking your fingerprints and photo (biometric information).

   You should pay the visa fee directly to your travel agent, who will pay for the whole group.

• Transit: - You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country).

    Check if you need one before you apply.

    You do not need a transit visa if you:

1.  have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
2. have a Home Office travel document; for example, you’re a refugee or stateless person
3. have a Standard Visitor visa
4. have a Marriage Visitor visa

  Types of transit visa
  The visa you need depends on whether you’re going through UK border control when you arrive in the UK. Your airline can tell you if you’ll go through border control.

   If you’re not going through UK border control
   If you’ll be changing flights in the UK and not going through UK border control, apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa.

   If you’re going through UK border control
   Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you’ll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours.

   If you’re staying in the UK for more than 48 hours

1. You’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of a Visitor in Transit visa if either:
2. you need to stay more than 48 hours in the UK
3. you need to pass through the UK over six months frequently

For personalised support and guidance, please get in touch with us for expert assistance.