Category: Visitor Visa

Four types of visitors:

(a) Standard visitors, to undertake permitted activities Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities

(b) Marriage/civil partnership visitors, seeking to marry or give notice to do so

(c) Permitted Paid Engagement visitors, experts in their field coming for paid work for up to one month.

(d) Transit visitors, entering the UK for up to 48 hours en route to another country outside the CTA (unless the Transit Without Visa Scheme Appendix applies. Appendix Visitor: Transit Without Visa Scheme.

As an reminder, work is not permitted unless expressly allowed by Appendix Permitted Activities

UK Standard Visit Visa rules are a little more relaxed than predecessor.

(a) Now study for up to 6 months is permitted.

(b) voluntary work of up to 30 days is permitted.

(c) students aged 16+ can receive research tuition.

(d) Greater provision for academic visitors to conduct research on sabbatical.

(e) international drivers can collect as well as deliver goods/passengers.

(f) Swiss nationals do not require entry clearance as visitors.

As a reminder, work is not permitted unless expressly allowed by Appendix Permitted Activities

Further information

v Appendix V: Visitor

v Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities

v Appendix Visitor: Visa national list

v Appendix Visitor: Permit Free Festival List

v Appendix Visitor: Transit Without Visa Scheme

Common refusal reasons for UK Visitors.

(a) Inadequate or inconsistent information

(b) Failing to persuade the Home Office that they are genuine visitors will leave the UK at the end of their visit.

(c) Failure to justify (back with evidence) reasons for Visit.

(d) Lack of family links with own country, for example spouse, children, parents or relatives.

(e) Failing to satisfy they are not coming to work in the UK

(f) Inadequate, Personal financial circumstances such as applicant levels of income

(g) Lack of documentation/ justification to satisfy their contention.

A detailed letter from a representative explaining any issues of likely concern may help gaining visitor visa. Immigration staff guidance about the different visitor categories for visiting the UK and how UK Visas and Immigration makes decisions on visitor cases, Visit guidance

General principles for UK Visitors

(a) Cannot switch into a visit visa, (exception applies)

(b) All Visa nationals require entry clearance Appendix Visitor: Visa national list

(c) Oman, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait nationals, visa-free visits for up to six months are enabled via the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme.

(d) A six-month visit visa costs £95 (different fee payable according to duration requested

(e) Non-visa nationals can travel to the UK and then seek leave to enter as a visitor at the port of entry.

(f) Non-visa nationals seeking to visit for more than six months or visiting for the purposes of marriage of civil partnership, or of giving notice of this.

(g) Non-visa nationals may apply for a visa

As a reminder, work is not permitted unless expressly allowed by Appendix Permitted Activities.

Settled and Pre settled

Check if you can get pre-settled status or settled status.

You need permission to live in the UK if you are from a country in the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

There are various options for staying in the UK depending on your circumstances.

The deadline for most people to apply for pre-settled or settled status was 30 June 2021. However, you may still be able to apply if you are one of the following.

You started living in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 and you need to make a late application.

Your family member has pre-settled or settled status and you want to join them in the UK

You have a valid biometric residence permit or visa.

If you are a British or Irish citizen, you do not need permission to stay in the UK, but you may need to apply for any family members who aren’t British or Irish. They may be eligible for pre-settled or settled status.

You may also need to show that you have reasonable grounds for making the late application. If, however, you are not in any of the above situations, you will only be able to stay in the UK for up to 90 as a visitor.

Reasonable Grounds for Late Applications

If you didn’t apply by 30 June 2021, you may still be able to apply to the scheme if you think you have reasonable grounds for why you didn’t apply earlier. The Home Office provides the following. Please note this not a complete list.

(1) A medical condition prevented you from applying.

(2) You lacked the mental or physical capacity to apply.

(3) You had difficulty in accessing support to apply because of coronavirus restrictions.

(4) You have care or support needs, and you were unaware of the deadline.

(5) You are either in an abusive or controlling relationship or you have been a victim of modern slavery.

(6) Or you may have another compelling or compassionate reason which prevented you from applying.

1. Insufficient financial funds: The applicant must prove they have enough funds to support themselves during their stay in the UK, without relying on public funds.
2. Inadequate ties to home country: The UK visa officials must be satisfied that the applicant has strong ties to their home country, such as a job, property, or family, that would make them likely to return after their visit to the UK.
3. Inconsistent information: The information provided in the application must be consistent and coherent. If there are any discrepancies or inconsistencies, this can lead to a refusal.
4. Failure to provide required documents: The UK visa application process requires a number of specific documents to be submitted, such as a passport, proof of financial support, and other relevant supporting documents. Failing to provide these documents can result in a refusal.
5. Previous immigration violations or overstaying: If an applicant has previously violated immigration laws or overstayed in the UK or another country, this can be a reason for refusal
6. Lack of evidence of the purpose of the trip: The applicant must provide clear and convincing evidence of the purpose of their trip, such as an invitation letter, conference details, or other relevant documentation.
7. Vagueness in travel plans or itinerary: The applicant must provide a detailed itinerary of their proposed activities in the UK, including details of their accommodation and travel arrangements. A vague or unrealistic itinerary can result in a refusal.
8. Health or character concerns: The UK visa officials can refuse an application if there are concerns about the applicant’s health or character, such as a criminal record or association with terrorism.
9. Negative results from background checks: The UK visa process involves background checks on the applicant, including checks against security databases. If negative results are found, this can lead to a refusal.
10. 10.Association with terrorism or other criminal activities: The UK takes a strong stance against terrorism and other criminal activities, and an applicant may be refused if there are concerns about their association with such activities.