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Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), medical treatment and other activities. Find out whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, or can visit without a visa.

• Overview

  You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study…

• Visit on business

  You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do the following business…

• Visit to study

  You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to: study at an accredited…

• Visit as an academic

  If you’re a scientist, researcher or academic you can: take part in formal…

• Visit for a paid engagement or event

  You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted…

• Visit for medical reasons

  You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to: have private medical treatment…

• If you're under 18

  You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and: you’ve made suitable…

• Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

  If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you…

• When you can extend your stay

  You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK…

Apply for a transit visa if you stop at a UK airport on your way to another destination - types of visas, cost, documents, how to apply

• Overview

  You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to…

• If you're not going through border control (Direct Airside Transit visa)

  You might need a Direct Airside Transit visa if you: will be changing…

• If you're going through border control (Visitor in Transit visa)

  You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you’re: changing flights in…

• Apply

  Apply online for a Direct Airside Transit visa or a Visitor in Transit…

Information for entertainers and musicians, from non-visa national countries, such as EU Member States and the US, visiting the UK for performance and work.

• Updated: 24 July 2024

Apply for a visa to visit the UK if you want to marry or register a civil partnership within 6 months - eligibility, documents, how to apply, how much it costs

Apply for the Registered Traveller service to get through UK border control faster and without filling in a landing card

How to book and make a secure video call with somebody in prison.

• Updated: 23 July 2024

What an ETA is, who can get one and how to apply before coming to the UK.

• Updated: 9 April 2025

British travellers to the US must register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before their journey

• Updated: 21 December 2017

Student visa - check which courses you can study, prepare supporting documents, apply, what happens at the UK border

Apply for a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa if you've been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years - eligibility, fees, documents, switch, bring your partner and children