United Kingdom visas
The main UK routes
Each route has its own rules and evidence. These are the ones we are asked about most; an adviser can tell you which one fits your plans.
Standard Visitor
Tourism, visiting family, business meetings and short courses, usually up to six months.
Student
Study at a licensed UK sponsor with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
Skilled Worker
Work for a UK employer with a sponsor licence in an eligible role.
Family and partner
Join a British or settled partner, parent or child living in the UK.
The UK has a detailed, evidence-based visa system. Most applications are made online, followed by an appointment to give your fingerprints and photo. Decisions depend heavily on whether your documents show exactly what the Immigration Rules require.
The main routes
Standard Visitor
For tourism, visiting family, business meetings and some short courses. GOV.UK says you can usually stay for up to 6 months. Visitors cannot work, claim public funds or live in the UK through frequent or repeated visits. Some nationalities do not need a visa for a visit but now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead.
Student
For study at a university or college with a student sponsor licence. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your sponsor, enough money for your fees and living costs, and English at the required level. From outside the UK, you can apply up to 6 months before your course starts. Since January 2024, most students can only bring family members if they are on a postgraduate research course or are government-sponsored.
Skilled Worker
For a job with a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence. You need a certificate of sponsorship, a job on the list of eligible occupations and a salary that meets the rules. The rules changed significantly in July 2025, when the required skill level rose for most new applicants, and again in January 2026, when the English level for new applicants rose. Salary thresholds change, so check GOV.UK for the current figures.
Family and partner
For joining a partner, parent or child who is British, settled or has certain other status. Partner applications look at your relationship, money, accommodation and English. The financial requirement has been under review, so check the current figure on GOV.UK.
Before you apply
Confirm which route matches your real plans.
Check whether you need a visa or an ETA for a visit.
Read the current GOV.UK guidance for your route, including the document list.
Check money and fee amounts on the day you prepare your evidence, as they change.
Check whether you need a tuberculosis test.
Arrange certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh.
List every previous visa application and refusal, for any country.
Common reasons for refusal
Based on the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance, refusals often come down to:
Not showing you are a genuine visitor. The rules require you to show that you will leave at the end of your visit and that you have enough money for the trip.
Financial evidence that does not meet the rules, such as money not held for long enough, statements that are too old, or accounts that do not count.
Missing or inconsistent documents, where dates, names or details do not match.
Not meeting a specific requirement of the route, such as English, salary or relationship evidence.
Suitability grounds, including false information or previous immigration breaches. Under the suitability rules, deception can lead to a ban on future applications.
How long to allow
Processing times vary by route and by where you apply. Check the Home Office's visa processing times page and add time for gathering documents, booking tests and attending your appointment. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have your decision.
Official sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice.
UK questions, answered
What is the 28-day rule for UK Student visa money?
GOV.UK says you must have the required money for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply.
The balance must not drop below the required amount on any day in those 28 days. The amounts change, so check the current figures on the GOV.UK Student visa money page before you prepare your evidence.
Do I need a visa or an ETA to visit the UK?
It depends on your nationality. GOV.UK says most visitors need either an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa. People from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries usually need an ETA rather than a visa.
If your nationality needs a visa, you apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead. Check your nationality on GOV.UK before you book travel.
Can I appeal a UK visitor visa refusal?
Usually not. Visitor visa refusals generally have no right of appeal and no administrative review, unless a human rights claim was made. The only formal challenge is judicial review in the courts, which is a legal process.
For most visitors, the realistic option is a fresh application that properly addresses the reasons in the refusal letter. Read the letter carefully first, and do not reapply with the same documents.
Other destinations
Not sure which route is yours?
Tell us where you are going and why. An adviser will reply within one working day with the options we see.
Or call +44 20 0000 0000Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:30 (UK time)