There are different ways to visit the UK
- Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
- Visa to pass through the UK in transit
- Marriage Visitor visa
- Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
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.
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
Visa to pass through the UK in 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:
- have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- have a Home Office travel document, for example you’re a refugee or stateless person
- have a Standard Visitor visa
- 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
Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you’ll be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control.
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
You’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of a Visitor in Transit visa if either:
- you need to stay more than 48 hours in the UK
- you need to frequently pass through the UK over a period of over six months
Marriage Visitor visa
You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if:
- you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK
- you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in UK
- you’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival – you must use a venue licensed for this purpose
- pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
You cannot:
- get public funds (benefits)
- bring in family members (‘dependants’) – they must apply separately
- live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits
- extend your visa or switch to another visa
- work – except for permitted activities related to your work or business overseas, such as attending meetings
- study
How long you can stay
You can use this visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months.
When to apply
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
You must be a national of one of the following countries to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). You must travel using a national passport. You cannot use other types of passports or travel documents.
You can apply now if you’re a national of:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
What you can do with an ETA
You can get an ETA instead of a visa if you’re:
- coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
- coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
- transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control
If you’re coming to the UK for another reason, check if you need a visa instead.
What you cannot do with an ETA
You cannot:
- stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
- 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 or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK 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
How long it takes
You’ll usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.
Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.
Group applications
Each person must apply separately.
You may get a decision at a different time from someone else in your group – even if you applied at the same time.
Visit the UK in a 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 (minimum 5 people) and stay with the group for the whole of your visit.
Your tour must be organised by an ADS licensed Chinese tour operator.
You must leave the UK when your ADS visa expires. You cannot extend this visa.
You may be eligible for or have rights in any of the above categories depending on your visa status or circumstances.
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