uk visit c visa

Do you need a visa to go to the United Kingdom?

Jun 25, 2022 • 3 min read

Here's the visa info you need for a visit to Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland © Andrew Merry / Getty Images

Traveling between England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland reveals both the shared culture and distinct local flavors that contribute to the UK . Save for the occasional inconvenience of long lines at passport control and security, entering and leaving the UK was fairly straightforward in the past. Now, due to Brexit, information on visa requirements has changed for EU citizens and immigration restrictions are often on the news in the UK. It's essential to check with your local British embassy, high commission or consulate before leaving home.

What you need to know about visas in the UK

The UK government has a handy online guide to help you check if you need a UK visa . Britain is not a member of the Schengen Zone, so you will need to show your passport when arriving and leaving from a UK border point.

Visas are generally not needed for stays of up to six months for tourism or visiting friends and family. This applies to citizens of the EEA (European Economic Area) nations, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and the USA.

Following Brexit, the EU Settlement Scheme is the system that EU citizens who are already living in the UK need to follow, but there is also a family permit you can apply for if you’re a family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. ​​It lets you come to the UK for up to 6 months. You can work and study, and come and go as many times as you want before the permit expires.

Anyone wishing to work, do business or academic research in the UK will need to apply for a visa, as will students wishing to study for longer than six months. The Youth Mobility Scheme , for Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Hong Kong, Monégasque, New Zealand, Sammarinese and Icelandic citizens aged 18 to 30, allows working visits of up to two years, but must be applied for in advance. Those coming from Hong Kong (if you have a SAR passport), Japan, South Korea and Taiwan must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before they can apply.

Tourists from China, India, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and many other destinations , will need to apply for the Standard Visitor visa . It lasts six months, costs £100 and must be applied for online in advance of travel. A decision is usually provided within three weeks. Applications to extend your stay must be made before your visa runs out, but there are strict limitations. If you know you want to be in the UK beyond six months, it's best to apply for the more costly long-term Standard Visitor visa, which lasts for two (£376), five (£670) or ten (£837) years.

Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born parent may be eligible for Right of Abode , which entitles them to live and work in the UK. You can only get the right to abode through marriage if you’re a female Commonwealth citizen. Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent could qualify for a UK Ancestry visa, allowing them to work full-time for up to five years in the UK. You should get a decision on your visa within three weeks when applying from outside the UK and the fee is £531.

British immigration authorities have always been tough; you may be required to demonstrate proof of onward travel or an outbound departure date (for example, a flight booking home), and possibly evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while in Britain.

This article was first published March 2021 and updated June 2022

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UK Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa Advice!)

• Anne Morris
• 2 October 2022

IN THIS SECTION

There are many reasons why you might require a UK visitor visa to come to the UK, from seeing the sights to seeing friends or family.

If you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, the Standard Visitor Visa allows you to visit the UK, usually for a period of up to 6 months.

The UK Visitor visa requires an application to be made from outside the UK, which will be assessed to assess whether you meet the requirements under the visitor rules and qualify as a genuine visitor. You will need to provide supporting documents that prove you qualify for a visitor visa. Failure to show that you meet the visa requirements will result in a refusal and loss of your application fee.

What is a UK visitor visa?

The UK Standard Visitor visa replaced a number of previous categories of visitor visas. It allows visitors to come to Britain for a short stay for a number of permissible reasons, including leisure (for tourism, visiting family and friends), for  business-related activities or sporting or creative events, and other reasons such as receiving private medical treatment.

It is not possible to switch into a different visa category from the visitor visa once you are in the UK; you would need to return to your home country and apply from there for a different visa.

How long does a UK visitor visa last?

The visitor visa generally lasts for 6 months.

You can apply to stay longer if you’re coming to the UK for private medical treatment (up to 11 months) or you’re an academic on sabbatical and coming to the UK for research (up to 12 months) but you will also need to apply for a biometric residence permit.

Under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreement, Chinese nationals are allowed to enter the UK with an approved tour group for up to 30 days.

Long term visitor visa 

The long-term visitor visa may be available if you are looking to make frequent visits over a longer period, such as 2, 5 or even 10 years, however you can only stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time.

What are the permitted activities for visitors?

The visitor rules specify activities that are allowed under the route. The following are permissible activities:

• Tourism, for example on a holiday
• Visit family or friends
• Volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• Transiting through the UK to travel to another country
• Certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
• Taking part in a school exchange programme
• Undertake a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
• Study, do a placement or take an exam – this cannot be the main purpose of the visit and is limited to a maximum of 30 days
• Visiting as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• For medical reasons

You are not allowed to do the following under a visitor visa:

• Undertake paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
• Claim benefits or access public funds
• Reside in the UK for long periods using frequent and/or successive visits
• Get married or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership (instead, apply for the  Marriage Visitor Visa )

It may be that the visitor visa is not appropriate and alternative immigration options will need to be considered. For example, the permitted paid engagement visa may apply if a UK company is paying you to come to the UK as an expert in your profession.

Visitors should also prepare to travel with supporting documents as they may be asked to present proof of eligibility by UK border officials.

UK visitor visa requirements

The visitor visa is limited in its eligibility. Your stay must generally be for no longer than 6 months and you have to leave the UK by the expiry date.

Your reason for travel will also be critical to your eligibility and it will be important that you understand what is allowed under the UK visitor visa to ensure you do not breach these conditions for the duration of your stay in the UK.

Applying for the UK visitor visa

Applicants must ensure they comply with the regulations and evidence their eligibility through the visa application process.

To apply for the UK visitor visa, you will need to be outside the UK. You complete the online application form and provide supporting documents to evidence your status as a genuine visitor. You will be required to attend an appointment at a visa appointment centre in your country of residence, where you will be interviewed about your application and your biometric information will be taken.

As part of your visa application you will need to prove to the caseworker that you will not be staying for more than 6 months and that you have enough money to maintain yourself (and any dependants travelling with you) during your time in the UK and to fund your return travel.

Supporting documents

Your circumstances will dictate the exact documents to provide with your application to support your case. As a minimum, you will need to verify your identity with your current passport or other valid travel identification, valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and with a blank page for the visa.

Additional supporting documents should also be provided to prove:

• Planned travel dates and itinerary including accommodation details
• Personal information such as home address and parents’ names
• Travel history (past 10 years)
• Work information such as your employer’s name and address
• Contact information of the people you will visit
• You have a genuine relationship with the person you are visiting
• Details of any convictions
• Intention to leave the UK on visa expiry. Evidence could include proof of a job or studies in your home country, or family living in your home country.
• Sufficient funds to support you and your dependants in the UK for the duration of your visit. This could be funded by you of the person you are visiting in the UK. You will not be allowed to access public funds. Proof should include recent bank statements and payslips. An estimate of the total cost of the trip should be provided, as well as details of your income.

Any documents not in English or Welsh must be provided as certified translations.

After completing the form, you will need to attend a visa application centre overseas to have your fingerprints and photograph taken.

Visitor visa processing times

Under normal Home Office processing standards , visitor visa applications from overseas usually takes around 3 weeks. However, ongoing delays in processing services mean visit visa applications are currently taking 6 weeks, and in some cases longer.

You can apply up to three months before your intended date of travel. Fast tracked processing within 5 working days is available in some visa application centres for a premium fee.

How much does a visitor visa cost?

Currently, the UK visitor visa costs £100 for the standard 6 month stay. If you are travelling for medical reasons, the cost is £200 for six months, or £200 for academic visitors .

Longer-term visit visas cost £376 for the 2-year visit visa, £670 for the 5-year visit visa or £837 for the 10-year visit visa.

Can you stay in the UK for longer than six months? 

Generally speaking, all Standard UK visitor visas are short-term visas with a six-month maximum stay cap. Immigration regulations also prevent you from getting around this restriction by utilising a guest visa or making many, frequent, or consecutive trips, although you are free to enter and exit the UK whenever you like while your visa is still in effect.

However, citizens of China, Pakistan, India, and other non-EEA nations can apply for a long-term visit visa in order to go to the UK. These are chargeable extras that can be reserved for terms of two, five, or 10 years.

Be aware that you are still limited to a single visit lasting no longer than six months with these visas. You may, however, enter and exit the UK more than once throughout the permitted time. If you know you’ll need to visit the UK repeatedly over the course of a set amount of time, applying for a long-term visitor visa in the UK is a terrific option.

Academic visits from outside the EEA and people seeking private medical care in the UK do have another option for a longer stay. The Biometric Residence Permit is what it is called (BRP). You will need to provide biometric data about yourself, including your fingerprints, a photo, your immigration status, and more, but doing so will extend your stay in the UK over six months. This procedure, called biometric enrolment, still necessitates the presentation of proof of adequate financial support for your stay.

Visitor visa application refused?

If your UK visitor visa application. has been refused, your options could include reapplying and making a new application; submitting an appeal, where the grounds are on human rights; applying for a Judicial Review of the decision.

Your options will depend on your specific circumstances. Take professional advice to decide what you should do next.

Need assistance?

Travellers to the UK should note that even with a valid visitor visa in place, you may still be questioned at the UK border by immigration officials, to verify that you are a genuine visitor and will comply with the visitor visa rules. Where officials are concerned that you may stay longer than your visa date, or if your activities are prohibited under the visitor rules, you may be denied entry.

As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we have an established reputation for advising on the most appropriate immigration route for your needs, and supporting you with effective and efficient processing of your visa application. We also understand the stresses involved with making a visa application, and take great pride in playing a supportive role to ease the pressure.  Contact us  for advice.

Visitor visa FAQs

How much funds are required for uk visitor visa.

You will need to show you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of tickets, travelling, living and accommodation expenses while you are in the UK.

What documents do I need for UK visitor visa?

Your visitor visa application will need to include your current passport or other valid travel identification, as well as other documents that prove you meet the visa requirements, such as your intention to leave the UK and that your planned activities come within the visitor visa permissible activities.

Last updated: 2 October 2022

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UK Multi Entry Visa Rules and How to Apply

By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor

The UK Multi-Entry Visitor Visa (also called Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa), is valid for 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years and enables holders to make multiple visits to the UK for up to 6 months each time. The Standard Visitor Visa (also called Type C Visitor Visa) differs from the Long-Term Visitor Visa as it is normally only issued for up to 6 months (or 12 months for academics). It is important to note that while there is no limit to the number of times you can enter and leave the UK on a Multi-Entry Visit Visa, you must not use this visa as a way of living permanently in the UK through frequent or successive visits.

UK Multi-Entry Visa Rules

As a UK Multi-Entry Visa holder, it is important to adhere to the immigration rules at all times, specifically:

• You must not intend to make the UK your permanent home by making frequent or successive visits. If the Home Office suspect that you are doing so, they may cancel your visa.
• Your entry as a visitor must be for a genuine and permitted purpose (e.g. tourism, to visit family or friends, or for medical reasons). Remember, you cannot use a visitor visa to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company, work as a self-employed person, claim benefits, or marry or register a civil partnership.
• You must leave the UK before you exceed the maximum duration of 6 months for each stay.
• You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependants during your stay in the UK.

UK Multi-Entry Visa requirements

To make a successful application for a UK Multi-Entry Visa for 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years
• As an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• Business activities – e.g. business meetings or interviews
• Medical treatment
• Recreational courses of up to 30 days
• School exchange programme
• Tourism (e.g. a holiday or vacation)
• Transiting through the UK to another country
• Visiting family or friends
• Volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• You must have a genuine need to make regular visits to the UK (e.g. if you are a parent of adult children living in the UK or if you need to come here for regular business-related visits)
• You must have sufficient funds to pay for your onward or return journey
• You must not meet any grounds for refusal (e.g. prior breaches of the immigration rules, certain criminal convictions)

Please note, the eligibility requirements are the same whether you are applying for a 2-year, 5-year, or 10-year multi-stay visitor visa. What matters is that you must have a genuine and valid reason for needing a long-term visa. The Home Office understands that it is likely that your reasons for visiting the UK will change over time, hence you can use your long-term visa for any valid purpose while your visa remains valid.

To ensure that your long-term visa application is approved for your preferred duration, please speak to our friendly professional immigration team in complete confidence on 020 3744 2797 or by email at [email protected] .

How to apply for a UK Multi-Entry Visa

To apply for a UK Multi-Entry visitor visa, you will need to complete the online application form 1 and pay the application fee as follows:

• 2-year multi-stay visitor visa: £400
• 5-year multi-stay visitor visa: £771
• 10-year multi-stay visitor visa: £963

You will also need to provide any documents and additional information requested by the Home Office; these may include:

• the exact dates you will be in the UK
• where you will stay
• how much your stay will cost
• your present home address and how long you have lived there
• the names and dates of birth (if known) of your parents
• your annual income
• details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences
• your travel history over the past 10 years
• your employer’s address and telephone number
• your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK

Alternatives to UK Multi Entry visa

If the multi-entry visa does meet your exact needs, you may be able to consider the standard visitor visa or the following visa alternatives:

Paid Permitted Engagement (PPE) visa

The PPE visa is for foreign nationals who have been invited as an expert in their profession by a UK organisation or client. This visa is aimed at certain professionals, including:

• Professional artists, entertainers and musicians
• Professional sportspersons
• Qualified lawyers representing a client in the UK
• Lecturers giving a series of lectures
• Academics in the role of student examiner or assessor
• Air pilot examiners

If granted a PPE visa, you will be able to visit the UK for a maximum of 1 month (this cannot be further extended).

Adult Dependant Relative visa

The Adult Dependant Relative visa is part of the family visa scheme and enables foreign nationals to come to the UK to be cared for by relatives here. The relative in the UK must be settled here and have sufficient funds to support themselves. In practice, it can be extremely difficult to make a successful application for an adult dependant relative visa given the strict requirements (i.e. applicants must be able to prove they cannot be cared for in their home country).

1 GOV.UK: Online visa application form

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UK Visit Visas

The UK Visitor Visa, sometimes referred to as the UK Tourist Visa allows you to visit and stay in the UK for up to 6 months after acceptance.

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ABOUT THIS SERVICE

Our visit visa services.

Persons whom hold a normal visit visa can in most situations stay a maximum of 6 months in the last 12 month period. This does not mean that you can stay 6 months each time you enter the UK but rather that you have a total amount of 6 months that you can use for one or several trips during the length of the visa.

Some special visit visa categories such as Student Visitor and Private Medical Visitors can stay up to 11 months.

The UK used to have several specific visa categories which made the application procedure quite confusing. As a result these categories were put in to four separate visa groups that migrants can apply for. These are:

• The Standard Visitor visa
• Permitted Paid engagement visa
• Marriage Visitor Visa,
• Transit visa

We will be using their services again to extend the visa and to arrange family visits” We used them for my wifes visa application to come to the UK. Ms A.F. did an amazing job, at the height of the pandemic got everything through without a glitch. She was very thorough, and very responsive. We will be using their services again to extend the visa and to arrange family visits in the future 100%.

Meet our UK Visit Visas Team

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Rosy Romano

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Michael Marziano

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Kirstin Caspersen

Kirstin is experienced in business, family, long residence, nationality, visit and EEA applications. She provides strategic...

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Glodina is an integral part of the team, is the first point of contact with clients...

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Andreea has represented personal and business clients who work and operate across all sectors. With this...

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Angel is known in the office as the Mountain Goat as she never puts a foot...

Dan has developed a reputation for extremely client focussed, highly organised and calm no matter how...

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Bethannie is an immigration solicitor specialising in adult dependent relative cases, business immigration, spouses, asylum, and...

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Further detail

Detailed information about our visit visa service.

Standard Visitor Visa

The standard visitor visa is the most common visit visa category and includes the following situations:

• Tourism, leisure or to visit family
• Volunteering for a maximum of 30 days for a registered UK charity– (as long as this is not the main purpose of your trip)
• attending meetings or interviews
• giving a talk as long as you are not being paid
• signing and negotiating contracts or deals
• attending trade shows as long as there is no selling
• site visits
• doing research for an overseas employer
• meeting a UK based customer for work to be done outside the UK
• consulting, provide training and knowledge to companies within the same company group.
• Perspective Start-Up or Innovators whom are meeting with an endorsing body
• Manufacturers and suppliers may advise, repair, install for a UK based company.
• Scientists and academics may take part in research, share knowledge or gather data for projects.
• Attending a court hearing as a summoned or expert witness.
• Religious workers may enter the UK to preach or provide other types of pastoral services
• Entertainer, musicians and all forms of artists may undertake performances, undertake promotional activities or take part in specified festivals
• all forms of film crew may take part in shoots filmed in a UK location, providing the film has been financed outside the UK
• Taking part in Sports events, including tournaments, promotional activities, trials or to gain experience from a sports club
• Jobs that require specific attendance in the UK, such as Translators, drivers, personal assistants, journalists, tour group leader, bodyguards, archaeologists and professors accompanying students as part of an exchange program
• Graduates in Medical, dental or nursing may undertake work related training or exams providing they are not paid to do so.
• Studying in the UK for a maximum of 30 days as long as the main reason for the visit is not to study (if so then you should apply for a Student Visitor Visa)
• Medical treatment may be received as long as it is private, finite and the applicant has demonstrated that they are able to cover the cost of their treatment
• Transit, holders of standard visitor visas may also transit in the UK

Marriage Visitor Visa

The Marriage visitor visa allows a person to enter the UK for the purpose of having a marriager ceremony and/or giving notice to undertake a marriage ceremony. The visa should not be confused with the Fiancée visa which also allows a migrant to enter the UK for marriage to a British or settled person but also allows them to stay convert their visa to a spouse visa after they are married. As such the Marriage visitor requires the holder to leave the UK within the 6 months time limit of their visa. The marriage visitor can also be applied for as a couple, meaning two persons whom are not British or EU nationals can get married to each other inside the UK

Permitted Paid Engagement Visit

The permitted paid engagement visit visa (PPE) allows you to enter the UK for up to 1 month to conduct certain types of activities in return for payment. As such the PPE is the only way for a person to be able to “work” in the UK whilst I the UK as a visitor. To qualify for PPE you must have been invited by a UK based organisation for a specific activity which falls under one of the following activities:

• Sporting events
• Music, arts or entertainment
• broadcasting
• Fashion modelling
• examining UK based pilots
• give lectures at a University or collage
• taking part in panels as a qualified academic within your specific role
• student assessors and examiners

Transit Visit

This category is fairly obvious as it allows migrants whom require to go through the UK border control in order to wait for a connecting flight that is up to 48 hours after they arrive. Please note that you will not need a transit vista visa if you are not exciting the departure terminal

For a list of nationalities who require a visit visa to enter the UK, please contact our expert immigration law team, or check the FAQ’s Section at the bottom of this page.

Westkin’s team of expert immigration advisors lawyers are on hand to help you receive an approved visit visa whenever you require, get in touch with our team for expert advise and application assistance.

Your frequently asked questions

Which nationalities need to apply for a uk visit visa, how long does a visit visa last for, what are the reasons i can come to the uk on a visit visa, does westkin help individuals obtain visit visas, after my 6 months is up, can i simply apply for another 6 months, if i have a visit visa can i still be stopped at the airport, looking to hire an immigration lawyer.

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UK tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: September 9, 2023

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. UK tourist visa application is online but the rest of the process requires an in-person appointment for biometrics.

The UK or the United Kingdom is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To visit any of these four countries, you would need a UK tourist visa. UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months and you can stay up to 180 days in the UK.

The UK tourist visa application process is long and there is no status tracking. Make sure to start your UK visa process at least two months from your intended date of travel to the UK.

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UK TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter the UK

• Passport must be valid for the entire stay in the UK

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

Unlimited entry.

• This requirement will change from 01 Jan 2021 when UK will no longer be part of the EU
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

6-month entry

• You must carry all documents needed for a visitor visa to show at the port of entry if asked
• Visa is REQUIRED if you have a criminal record or refused entry into the UK before
• Anguilla (British territory)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bermuda (British territory)
• Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (Dutch territory)
• British Virgin Islands (British territory)
• Cayman Islands (British territory)
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands (British territory)
• Hong Kong
• Marshall Islands
• Montserrat (British territory)
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Island (British territory)
• San Marino
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Maarten
• St Vincent and The Grenadines
• Timor Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands (British territory)
• United States of America
• Vatican City

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Palestinian Territories
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• São Tomé and Principe
• Turkmenistan

Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) required nationalities

• United Arab Emirates

24-hour VISA-FREE entry at Heathrow airport

• Eligible to request a 24-hour VISA-FREE entry at London’s Heathrow airport if holding a valid visa from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or any EU/Schengen country
• Must be in transit to/from the country of visa (Ex: if holding a Canada visa, you must be in transit to/from Canada only)
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
• Applies to all nationalities

BONUS (FREE eBook Download): Travel 56 countries VISA-FREE with a visa from the US, Canada, Schengen, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or Singapore

UK TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

First, check if you need a visitor visa to travel to the UK in the “UK tourist visa requirements by nationality” section above.

Alternatively, you can check your eligibility and requirements on the UK gov website .

Validity of UK tourist visa

UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months from the date of visa issue.

Example: If your UK visa was issued on January 15, the visa will be valid until July 15. 

NOTE There have been instances where visas were issued with validity starting from the date of travel mentioned in the visa application. 

When to apply for UK visa

You can apply for a UK visa up to 3 months in advance.

Example: If you plan to visit the UK on April 15, you can apply for your UK visa on or after January 16.

Also, keep in mind that you must apply for your UK visa at least 3 weeks prior to your travel, otherwise, you may not receive your visa on time. There are no refunds if you receive your visa after your travel date. 

IMPORTANT The UK visa process can take up to 3 weeks and even longer in some cases. I strongly recommend applying for your UK visa at least 2 months in advance.

How long can you stay in the UK?

The UK tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in the UK. But if you stay that long continuously in the UK on a tourist visa, you will have serious trouble getting another UK visa in the future or entering the UK next time.

Here is my advice. Stick to the days you have mentioned in your UK visa application. A few days more or less is fine. But staying months on your UK tourist visa will pretty much look like you “live in the UK” rather than “vacation/holiday”. 

Application procedure

The UK visa application is online. You must apply for the visa online at the UK Visas and Immigration website

Below are the steps you will go through for your UK tourist visa application

• Go to the UK Visas and Immigration website
• Select your preferred language, type of visa, your country, nearest visa application center, etc
• Create a login using email and password
• Complete in the application form
• Sign the declaration
• Pay visa fee
• Submit the application
• Download and print the submitted visa application form
• Make an appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Attend the appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Submit your passport, visa application and supporting documents at the visa application center
• If applying from the US, Australia or New Zealand, mail your passport, visa application and biometrics receipt to your nearest visa application center
• Pickup/receive the passport when the visa decision is made

Below are some of the information you will provide in the application form

• Your travel dates to the UK
• Your hotel address and telephone number in the UK
• Your total estimated cost for the trip
• Your present home address and how many years you’ve lived there
• Your parents’ names and their dates of birth
• Your annual income
• Your travel history for the past 10 years
• Your employer details including the address and telephone number

Documents required

The following are the documents required for UK visitor visa application 

• Completed online visa application form with GWF number
• A passport-size photo (optional)
• If employed – an employment letter on company letterhead indicating your length of employment, salary, role, etc.
• If self-employed – a business registration document indicating your business name, date of business, etc.
• If student – a letter from the school/university on the letterhead indicating your enrollment, leave of absence, etc.
• Proof of funds ( bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months)
• Proof of legal residence (if applying from a 3rd country. you must submit a copy of your visa or residence permit of that country)

Do you need flight tickets and hotel bookings for the UK visa application?

UKVI has stopped asking for flight tickets and hotel bookings for UK visa applications. But some nationalities are still being asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

When you complete your online UK visa application, you will see a checklist of documents to be uploaded. Check if you are asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

Even if you are asked to submit your flight tickets and hotel bookings, you should not book any flights/hotel until your UK visa is approved.

For flights, get a price quote from British Airways which can be used as a flight itinerary for your UK visa application. Visa ticket booking agencies such as DummyTicket offer flight itineraries for the UK visa for $19, valid for 2-3 weeks.

For hotel, book a refundable or pay at check-in hotel on booking.com or Expedia . Cancel the booking after your visa is approved.

For more options, check out my detailed flight itinerary and hotel reservation articles.

Photo requirements

A passport-size photo is only required if are exempt from biometrics. All tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics. Your fingerprints and digital photos are taken during your biometrics appointment.

Since all tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics, a passport-size photo is not required. But, I suggest bringing one with you on the day of your biometrics appointment just in case.

Visa application fee

The UK tourist visa application fee is £95 GBP. You will pay this fee in your local currency. Due to exchange rates, you may end up paying about £2 – £5 GBP more.

You can use the UK home office visa fee wizard to find out the exact visa fee that you would need to pay in your local currency. 

If you are applying for a long-term UK tourist visa, below is the visa fee for 2, 5 and 10-year tourist visas. 

• 2 years: £361 GBP
• 5 years: £655 GBP
• 10 years: £822 GBP

Visa appointment

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to make a visa appointment at your nearest UK Visa Application Center . Visa Application Centers are run by either VFSGlobal or TLSContact in conjunction with UK Visas and Immigration.

On the day of the appointment, you will give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your original documents. You must bring all your original documents along with one photocopy of each including your passport.

Applicants from the USA, Australia (Adelaide and Hobart only) and New Zealand

You must give your biometrics at your nearest Biometric Enrollment Center and later send/post your documents to the nearest UK Visa Application Center.

During your online UK visa application, you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment at your nearest Biometric enrollment center.

• Biometric enrollment centers in the USA are run by the US Homeland Security.
• Biometric enrollment centers in Australia are run by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
• Biometric enrollment centers in New Zealand are run by Immigration New Zealand.

The biometrics appointment takes about 10-15 minutes. You will give your fingerprints and photo. You will receive an acknowledgment stamp on the biometric appointment confirmation.

You must then mail your original passport, visa application, biometric confirmation with the stamp, supporting documents and return postage to the UK Visa Application Center you have selected during your online visa application.

You will be notified via email when the UK Visa Application Center receives your documents.

Visa processing time

The UK tourist visa processing takes up to 3 weeks. There have been incidents where UKVI has taken over 2 months to process, especially when the visa applications are “not straightforward”.

UKVI considers a visa application “not straightforward” if additional information is required to process the visa. Additional information can be, verifying information, background check or requesting additional documents. UKVI usually notifies you in such cases and requests any additional documentation necessary.

Keeping such incidents in mind, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

If you have to travel sooner, you should purchase the “Priority Visa Service” while applying online. Or at least before you mail/submit your documents. This way your visa application will be processed within 5 working days.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE When I applied for my UK visa, the visa processing time was about 2 weeks. I had a planned trip to Canada before my trip to the UK. My trip to Canada was in 4 weeks, so I thought I had enough time to apply for my UK visa. However after I submitted my passport, the email confirmation said the visa process would take up to 4 weeks. I panicked. I went ahead and paid for the priority visa service. I panicked again. Then I emailed a formal visa withdrawal request, so I could at least get my passport back and make my trip to Canada. However, my visa was processed within 2 days of paying the priority visa service fee. Please do not make the same mistake as I did. Apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

Visa application status tracking

Online visa application tracking is NOT AVAILABLE on the UK Visas and Immigration website. To track your UK visa application status, you must use UK Visas and Immigration’s email or phone option, which unfortunately is NOT FREE.

UKVI charges for all phone and email inquiries. 

Below are UK Visa and Immigration phone, email details and charges.

PHONE Telephone: +44 2034811736 Available 24 hours from Monday to Friday Calls cost £1.37 per minute plus any international call charges

EMAIL Email communication must be initiated via Email UK Visas and Immigration Email inquiries cost £5.48. Follow-up emails after that are not charged. You will receive a response to your email within 2 working days.

You must give out your credit card information for billing when you start the phone inquiry. For email, you must fill out the payment form and then you can submit your email inquiry.

PERSONAL OPINION Email inquiries generally receive a standard response saying that your application is “in process”. Phone inquiries are slightly better and cheaper.

Priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK urgently, you can opt for the “Priority Visa Service”.  This service is expensive and may not be available in all countries. If available, you will see the option in your online UK visa application. 

• Priority visa service fee: £220 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 5 working days

Priority visa service must be purchased during your online visa application. This will ensure your visa is processed within 5 days.

Purchasing this service after you have submitted/mailed your documents will take much longer than 5 working days. You must first pay the fee on the Visa Application Center (VAC) website and then email the receipt to the Visa Application Center where you have submitted/sent your documents. It can take more than a day for the VAC staff to locate your packet and push it into the priority queue

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I purchased my priority service after I had mailed my documents. My visa application was approved within two days of buying the priority visa service.

Super priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK immediately, you can opt for “Super Priority Visa Service”. This service comes with a hefty price tag, so purchase this service only in super urgent, emergency cases. 

• Super priority visa service fee: £956 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 24 hours

Cancel your UK visa application

If you haven’t given your biometrics at the visa application center yet, you can cancel your UK visa application and get a full refund of your visa fee. The procedure to cancel your UK visa application depends on at what stage your application is in.

Application not submitted and fee not paid : If you haven’t paid your fee and haven’t submitted your application, there is a “Delete Application” option that will delete your current visa application.

Application not submitted but fee already paid : If you have already paid your fee and have not yet submitted your application, you can still delete your application but you may have to send a formal refund request in writing to the visa application center.

Application submitted, fee paid but haven’t given your biometrics : If you haven’t given your biometrics at VFS/BLS, you can cancel your application and request for a refund. The refunds take 4 weeks. 

Application submitted, fee paid, biometric given , and documents/passport already submitted: If you have already given your biometrics and submitted your documents/passport, you CANNOT cancel your visa application anymore. You can only WITHDRAW your visa application. You must email the visa application center a formal withdrawal request. Upon receipt of the withdrawal request, the visa application center will return/mail your passport back. Any visa fee and priority service fee paid are not refundable. 

IMPORTANT Even though UKVI says the refunds are processed in 4 weeks, it usually takes 8 weeks or even longer. There have been instances where applicants waited several weeks and some even gave up on their refunds. However, I have seen applicants having success in getting their refunds by reminding UKVI with phone calls or emails. It costs about $5 USD to email them, but it helps in getting your refund eventually. 

Withdraw your UK visa application

The UK visa application center keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process, which could be 3 weeks or more. There may be emergencies where you need to have your passport with you. The only way to request your passport back is by formally withdrawing your visa application. 

If you withdraw your application, the visa fee and any priority service fee you have paid are NOT refundable.

To withdraw a visa application, you must submit a withdrawal request along with the reason for the withdrawal to the visa application center via email. It might take up to 72 hours for the consulate to locate your packet and send it back to you.

You must first call/email the UK Visas and Immigration mentioning your intention to withdraw your application. They will guide you through the process of withdrawing your application. Usually, the UK visa application withdrawal request should be a signed document with personal information including the GWF number. This document must be printed and signed. It must be scanned and emailed to the visa application center. Below is a sample withdrawal request letter.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby request to withdraw my UK visa application. I understand that the visa fee is non-refundable. I also understand that my package may not be shipped for up to 72 hours.

Full Name of the Applicant: <name> GWF Number: <GWF number> Date of Birth: <date of birth> Nationality: <Nationality> Country of Residence: <Country of residence> Passport number: <Passport number> Type of Visa Applied: General Visit (up to 6 months) Biometric taken date:  <biometric date> Visa application centre’s address:  <address of the visa application center where you have submitted your documents> Contact number of the applicant: <Your phone number>

Priority Service Paid: <YES/NO> Priority Service Paid On: <Priority service purchased date>

Reason for Withdrawal: Emergency international travel has been scheduled. I need to have my passport in order to travel. Please return my passport as soon as possible. Thank you!

<Your signature here> Signed: <Your full name> Date: <date>

IMPORTANT Cancellation or withdrawal is NOT a refusal. It WILL NOT affect your future UK visa applications. You don’t need to mention it in your future UK visa applications either.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE UK

Entering the UK by air

At the immigration, the officers may ask you questions about your trip, how long you plan to stay, your next destination, etc. You may be asked to show your return/onward ticket and your hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use OnwardTicket to get proof of your onward ticket. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The immigration officer at Heathrow Airport asked me to show my return/onward ticket. I had a print of my onward ticket, so quickly took it out and gave it to the immigration officer.

Leaving the UK by air

If you are flying out of Heathrow Airport, make sure to arrive early. The airport is huge and you may have to take a bus from the gate to the flight.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is GWF number in UK visa application ?

GWF reference number is the unique visa application number that was provided to you on your visa application submission. You must provide your GWF number when calling or emailing UK Visas and Immigration. Without the GWF number, UK Visas and Immigration will not be able to provide you with a status update on your visa application.

What to do if my UK visa application is refused?

If your UK visa application is refused, the first thing is to understand the  reasons for your UK visa refusal . If the reason is due to missing information, proof of funds or documentation, make sure to fix these the next time you apply for your UK visa.

Write a detailed cover letter explaining the reasons for your previous visa refusal, missing information/documentation and any additional information/documentation that you have provided in the new application. This will help the ECOs cut to the chase and focus on the new information/documentation.

There is no “appeal” for UK visa. So, re-apply for your UK visa by making sure you have the new information, proofs and documents that were lacking previously. You must pay the visa fee again as the fee paid for your previous application was non-refundable.

If you do not know the reason for your visa refusal/denial, give at least 6 months before you apply for the visa again. 

Can I get my UK visa application fee refund if denied?

No. The visa fee and any priority service fee paid are non-refundable if your visa application is denied. The visa fee is also non-refundable in incidents where the visa is approved for less number of days than requested.

I’m planning to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip. Should I apply for my UK visa first or Schengen visa first?

If you plan to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa first. 

UKVI keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process and there is no visa status tracking. Calls and emails to customer service are charged. Even if you pay and contact, you will usually get a canned response. If your UK visa is refused, there is no “appeal”. You can only re-apply, which means you have to repeat the entire process again.

On the other hand, the Schengen visa application process is much streamlined. There is application tracking, customer service and appeal. 

I highly recommend applying for your UK visa first and get done with it. After that, apply for your Schengen visa. 

When applying for your UK visa, show a “UK-only” itinerary for your UK visa. This eliminates the need for submitting your Schengen visa, flights in/out of the Schengen region, etc. 

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. But, the visa application process is long and expensive. Apply at least 2 months in advance, and follow all the proper steps and documentation. Tourist visas are usually multiple-entry with 6 months validity.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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What is the minimum salary for visa applicants and who can come to the UK?

People who want to come and work in the UK, alone or with family, now have to earn significantly more money to qualify for a visa.

The change is part of government plans to limit the number of legal migrants, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the record 745,000 figure for 2022 was "far too high".

What is the minimum salary UK visa applicants need?

Most people wanting to work in the UK still have to apply for a visa through the points-based system (PBS).

But from 11 April 2024, they need a job offer with a higher salary.

They have to earn at least £38,700 - an increase of nearly 50% from the previous £26,200 minimum.

The threshold does not apply to some jobs - such as in health and social care, and teachers on national pay scales. But overseas care workers cannot bring family dependants with them.

What about family visas?

An estimated 70,000 people came to the UK on family visas in the year ending June 2023.

And the minimum income level needed to qualify for these visas has also increased.

It was initially set at £38,700 - a sharp rise from the previous £18,600 threshold.

But after warnings the new rules risked separating families, the government dropped the new minimum to £29,000 .

The amount will increase in the future, however - first to £34,500 and then £38,700. Rishi Sunak said the higher threshold would be reached "in early 2025" .

But anyone renewing an existing family visa will not have to meet the new earnings threshold, the Home Office has confirmed.

Home Office rows back on salary threshold for family visa

Visa salary rules will keep us apart, mum warns

How does the points-based system work?

Applicants need 70 points to qualify for a skilled worker visa.

You get 50 points from having a job offer above a minimum skill level, and speaking English.

The remaining 20 points can come from a higher salary, working in a sector with job shortages, or having a relevant PhD.

The standard fee for a skilled visa is usually between £719 and £1,500.

Applicants also have to pay a healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay .

The amount can vary - but from April 2024, the standard fee is £1,035 per year, up from £624.

What is the 'shortage occupation list'?

The "shortage occupation list" helps employers fill vacancies in key sectors.

These jobs have a lower salary threshold, making it easier for applicants to gain enough points to get a visa.

The list includes:

health and care workers

pharmacists

graphic designers

construction workers

Employers used to be able to pay foreign workers 80% of the usual "going rate" to fill these positions.

But this rule has been abolished and the number of occupations on the list is being cut.

How many migrants come to the UK?

In the year ending June 2023, 1,180,000 people came to the UK expecting to stay for at least a year, and an estimated 508,000 departed.

That means net migration - the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving - stood at 672,000.

In the 2022 calendar year, net migration reached a record 745,000.

The vast majority of the 1,180,000 - 968,000 - came from outside the EU.

Of those, 39% came to study, 33% to work, and 9% for humanitarian reasons, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The top five non-EU nationalities were:

Indian - 253,000

Nigerian - 141,000

Chinese - 89,000

Pakistani - 55,000

Ukrainian - 35,000

Say one thing, do another? The government’s record net migration rise

What are the rules for student visas?

In the 12 months to the end of September 2023, the government issued 486,107 study visas.

Half of those were granted to Indian and Chinese nationals, with the next most popular countries for student visa applicants being Nigeria, Pakistan and the US.

Those on postgraduate courses could also apply for visas for qualifying dependants: a husband, wife, civil or unmarried partner and children under 18.

In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependants.

But since January 2024, international postgraduate students cannot bring dependants unless their course is designated as a research programme.

Students who have already completed their degree can stay in the UK for two years - three years for those with a doctoral degree - to work under a graduate visa.

In the year to the end of September 2023, 104,501 such visas were issued, excluding dependants.

Overseas student applications rise again in UK

What about seasonal workers?

Temporary workers such as fruit pickers and poultry workers are covered by seasonal worker visas.

For 2023 and 2024 there are between 45,000 and 55,000 seasonal worker visas available, plus another 2,000 for poultry workers.

An application costs £298.

Workers must be paid the relevant national minimum wage.

'It used to be easy to get fruit pickers'

How has Brexit changed immigration?

Before Brexit, EU and UK citizens had the freedom to live, work or study in any EU country without needing a visa.

However, this freedom of movement ended on 1 January 2021 when the UK left the EU.

In the 12 months to June 2023, net EU migration was -86,000, meaning more EU nationals left the UK than arrived.

Net migration of non-EU nationals - the difference between those arriving and those leaving - was 768,000.

Net migration of British nationals was -10,000, meaning more British people left the UK than came back.

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As UK tweaks minimum salary requirements for visas, a look at the new rules

Announcing the rules, uk home secretary james cleverly said that the measures are a part of reducing migration from the 2022 figure of 7.45 lakh, which was the highest number till date..

The salary requirements for UK working visas for British citizens and residents, including those of Indian origin, have gone up by nearly 50% as a part of Rishi Sunak government’s move to reduce immigration to the country.

The new rules, which came into effect on April 11, say that a minimum annual salary of GBP 29,000 is required for someone to be sponsored to come to the UK on a Family Visa. The amount, which is up from GBP 18,600, will be further increased two more times to match the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold of GBP 38,700, as per media reports.

They are a part of a wider series of measures implemented by the Tory government including those like curtailing students’ ability to bring dependants to the UK , restricting care workers from bringing family members and increasing the minimum salary requirement for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa.

However, the rules are not applicable to jobs in certain sectors like healthcare, social care, and teachers on national pay scales, but with a catch — the workers cannot bring family dependants with them, reported  BBC .

Announcing the rules, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said that the measures are aimed at reducing migration from the 2022 figure of 7.45 lakh, which was the highest number till date.

We’re delivering on our promise to cut migration👇 pic.twitter.com/VhYTvudDdw — James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) April 11, 2024

“We have reached a tipping point with mass migration. There is no simple solution or easy decision which cuts numbers to levels acceptable to the British people,” said Cleverly.

“I promised action and we have delivered at remarkable speed. We’ve acted to cut unsustainable numbers, to protect British workers and their wages, to ensure those bringing family to the UK do not burden taxpayers, and to build an immigration system fit for the future — and one the public can rightly have confidence in,” he added.

“Whether it was words unsupported by action, unfounded optimism or just plain wishful thinking that migration would fall on its own, indifference of any kind is never going to work — only determined action, backed by strong resolve, will deliver needed change,” the minister said.

Family visas are required for those migrants who want to live with their spouse, fiancé, child, parent or other relative who has the right to live in the UK for more than six months.

The new thresholds are not applicable to those renewing the existing family visa, as per the UK Home Office.

“The income requirement, which had remained unchanged for more than a decade, helps to ensure families are self-sufficient and not relying on public funds, whilst making a positive impact on the economy. The sponsoring family member, or in combination with the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work, must now have an income of at least GBP 29,000 earned in the UK. The requirement can be met in several ways, including through savings exclusively or in addition to a lower income,” it said, as per The Associated Press .

“The government’s ambition for a high-skill, a high-wage economy cannot rely on mass migration, and measures introduced as part of the package will protect British workers, encourage business to invest in, and recruit, workers domestically while prioritising only the very best talent from abroad,” it added.

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UK enforces 55 per cent hike in salary requirements for sponsoring family visa to control migration

The increase in salary thresholds was announced by the uk government last year and has come into effect from thursday. british citizens and residents, including those of indian heritage, must have a minimum salary of gbp 29,000, up from gbp 18,600..

Individuals are now required to have a minimum annual salary of GBP 29,000, up from GBP 18,600 for someone to be sponsored to come to the UK on a family visa. By early next year, this will have increased two more times to match the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold of GBP 38,700. The UK Home Office said it marks the final measure in Sunak and Home Secretary James Cleverly's package to reduce legal migration so they don't "burden the taxpayer".

"We have reached a tipping point with mass migration. There is no simple solution or easy decision which cuts numbers to levels acceptable to the British people," said Cleverly. "I promised action and we have delivered at remarkable speed. We’ve acted to cut unsustainable numbers, to protect British workers and their wages, to ensure those bringing family to the UK do not burden taxpayers, and to build an immigration system fit for the future - and one the public can rightly have confidence in".

What does the package entail?

Instead of an immediate hike to GBP 38,700, the UK government opted for a staged process to raise salary requirements. The Home Office said the staged approach to increasing the income thresholds for the family visa gives predictability to families, enabling them to plan accordingly, whilst ensuring that anyone coming to the UK to be with their family or loved ones is supported financially.

“The income requirement, which had remained unchanged for more than a decade, helps to ensure families are self-sufficient and not relying on public funds, whilst making a positive impact on the economy. The sponsoring family member, or in combination with the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work, must now have an income of at least GBP 29,000 earned in the UK. The requirement can be met in several ways, including through savings exclusively or in addition to a lower income,” the Home Office said.

The latest measure is part of a wider package unveiled last year, which the Home Office says will mean approximately 300,000 people arriving in the UK last year would no longer be able to. The UK has witnessed massive levels of migration that have reportedly "put pressure on public services, housing, and undercutting British workers". 

The Home Office noted that the government's ambition for a high-skill and high-wage economy cannot rely on mass migration and put an emphasis on protecting British workers, encouraging investment from businesses and domestic recruitment.

Criticism from opposition

The move to reduce legal migration had been criticised by the Opposition when it was first tabled in the House of Commons in December last year. It led the government to opt for a more staged approach to the salary threshold hike, rather than an immediate hike to GBP 38,700, as previously indicated. Since the beginning of this year, several visa norms have been tightened as part of the package.

"I think the principle here is right, that if people are bringing dependents into this country as part of their family, they must be able to support them. We're increasing the salary threshold significantly, and we're going exactly as we said we were doing it – we're just doing it in two stages," Sunak said at the time.

The steps taken by the government to reduce migration included ending the ability of nearly all students to bring dependants to the UK; restricting care workers from bringing family members; increasing the minimum salary required for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa, from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700; and replacing the Shortage Occupation List with a new Immigration Salary List, aimed at blocking employers from paying migrants less than UK workers in shortage occupations.

(with PTI inputs)

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Uk makes it more expensive for residents and citizens to sponsor relatives on family visas.

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