Visit Visa UK
UK Visit Visas, UK Family Visas,
UK Visitors Visas
UK visit visas are an extremely important tool in keeping you and your family and loved ones connected around the world. The majority of our clients often come to the United Kingdom to see family members or, simply as tourists.
When applying for a UK visit visa or Family Visit Visa, the Home Office / Entry Clearance Officer’s tend to look at a number of things when deciding whether you are a genuine visitor and that you will go back home once your visit has finished.
These include:
- Your family ties to your home country;
- The reason you are visiting the United Kingdom;
- Your job / business ties to your home country;
- The property you own;
- Your previous immigration history;
- Your overall character and conduct;
- Your financial situation.
In addition to these factors, the Entry Clearance Officer will also consider:
- Whether you can accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds;
- That you will not work in the United Kingdom;
- That you will not use visit visas to secretly stay in the United Kingdom for long period;
- That you will have sufficient funds to cover your reasonable costs in relation to your visit;
- Visitors are permitted to engage in incidental studies for up to 30 days and obtain private medical treatment;
How we can help you apply for a UK visit visa
A carefully prepared application for a visit visa to the UK carries strong chances of success under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. At SMA, we will assist you in meticulously planning your application, ensuring that all aspects of your circumstances are clearly communicated to the Entry Clearance Officer. Our goal is to help establish your eligibility for a visit visa or family visit visa by demonstrating convincingly that you are indeed a ‘genuine visitor’. To achieve this, we think outside the box in terms of providing evidence that, while not explicitly requested by the Entry Clearance Officer, effectively supports your claim of being a genuine visitor.
At SMA, we extend our services to clients residing outside the United Kingdom who need assistance with their visa applications. Leveraging our advanced IT systems, we facilitate a seamless application process regardless of your location. Whether you prefer to collaborate with us via video link or phone, we’ll work with you in the way that suits you best. In addition to standard UK visitor visa applications, we also offer support for more specific visa types. For instance, if you’re planning to marry in the UK while on a visit visa, seeking private medical treatment, or visiting for business purposes, we can provide tailored assistance to meet your unique needs. Trust SMA to guide you through the complexities of the visa application process, no matter where you are.
The three main types of visitor visas are the marriage visitor visa, standard visitor visa, and visitor in transit visa.
Visiting the UK can be an exciting experience, allowing you to explore new cultures and places of interest. If you’re planning a visit to the UK, it’s essential to understand what type of visa you need and how to apply for it. If you live in the UK and wish to remain here, you may need to apply for a visitor visa or civil partnership visa. If you plan to leave the UK temporarily, make sure your visa status is in order. Explore more about UK visit visas at SMA Law.
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The marriage visitor visa is for individuals who plan to marry a British citizen or someone settled in the UK and wish to come to the UK temporarily. This type of visa allows you to stay up to six months in the UK. You must apply for this visa from your home country before coming to the UK.
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The standard visitor visa is for individuals who plan to stay in the UK temporarily for business, leisure, or medical reasons. This type of visa allows you to stay up to six months in the UK. You must apply for this visa from your home country before coming to the UK.
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Finally, a visitor in transit visa allows individuals who are travelling through the UK on their way to another destination, to stay up to 48 hours in the UK. You must apply for this visa from your home country before coming to the UK.
Has your visit visa been refused?
Experiencing a visit visa refusal can be disheartening. At SMA, we can give you tailored and detailed advice as to what you or your loved ones can do next. Depending on your specific situation, the most suitable course of action may vary.
In some cases, the appropriate step will be to submit a new application addressing the concerns raised by the Entry Clearance Officer. However, there may be instances where the Entry Clearance Officer’s decision could be deemed unlawful. In such scenarios, a better course of action would be to bring a judicial review application. This involves requesting a judge from the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) to reassess the decision.
Regardless of your unique situation, our well-versed and experienced team is ready to guide you. We will help you navigate through the Immigration Rules, understand the application procedures, challenge a visa refusal, and determine the best approach given your individual circumstances. With SMA, you have a reliable partner for all your UK visitor visa needs.
When you travel, you will need to provide evidence of why you are visiting and that you have enough funds available to support yourself during your visit. Depending on which country you are a citizen of, an application fee may also be associated with your visa.
It’s important to note that UK immigration rules and regulations change frequently, so it’s best to check the latest information on the UK Visas & Immigration website before planning your trip. If you’ve already travelled to the UK on a visa but want to extend your stay, our team can help with that too. As part of our services, we can help you submit an application to extend your stay in the UK. We’ll make sure that your application is submitted correctly and on time so that you can continue to enjoy all that the UK has to offer.
If you need advice or assistance with visa requirements or any aspect of visa applications or immigration law, chances are our team at SMA Law can help. We’re experienced in all types of visa applications, from visitor visas to student visas and more. With decades of experience in immigration law, our team is dedicated to providing expert advice and support so that you can successfully obtain your visa and travel to the UK without any issues. Get in touch with a member of our team today to discuss how we can assist you.
common questions about
UK Visit Visas
At SMA Law, we provide answers to the most common questions about UK visit visas, ensuring you have the information you need for a smooth application process.
A UK visit visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months for tourism, family visits, or business-related activities. However, you cannot work, study, or live in the UK on this visa.
A UK tourist visa is generally valid for up to 6 months. Specific durations can vary based on your circumstances and the type of visa granted.
SMA Law provides comprehensive support by reviewing your documents, ensuring compliance with UK immigration rules, and assisting with challenging cases to improve your chances of success.
The cost of a UK visit visa varies depending on the type of application. For clear and detailed advice on fees, get in touch with SMA Law.
If you’re not a British citizen or a national of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you generally need a UK Visit Visa for tourism, business or family visits. Some countries have visa-free entry, so check if your nationality requires a visa before planning your trip.
You need the following documents to apply:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Proof of financial means to support your stay (such as bank statements).
- Confirmation of accommodation details in the UK.
- Evidence of travel plans, including return or onward tickets.
- Proof of strong ties to your home country, like employment or property ownership documents. Additional documents might be needed depending on your circumstances, such as invitation letters from family or sponsors.
Usually, a UK Visit Visa can’t be extended beyond its original validity period (up to six months). Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances, such as medical treatment or compassionate reasons.
You are not permitted to undertake paid or unpaid work or enrol in long-term study on a Visit Visa. However, short recreational courses lasting under 30 days are allowed.
If your visa application is refused, you’ll receive a detailed letter explaining the reasons. There’s no formal right to appeal but you can reapply with additional evidence addressing the reasons for refusal or, in specific cases, request a judicial review.
Health insurance isn’t mandatory for a Visit Visa but it’s highly recommended. Non-residents typically have limited NHS access and medical treatment can be expensive without coverage.
Common reasons for refusal include:
- Insufficient evidence of financial support.
- Doubts over your intention to leave the UK after your visit.
- Incomplete or unclear documentation.
- Previous immigration breaches or providing false information.
Each family member must apply separately for their own visa. Every applicant needs to individually satisfy the visa requirements and provide personal supporting documents.
It’s advisable to apply at least three months before your planned travel date. This allows sufficient time for processing and any necessary additional document submissions.
Holding a UK Visit Visa doesn’t automatically grant entry to other countries. You’ll need to check the individual entry requirements for each country you intend to visit during your stay.
Upon arrival, present your passport and Visit Visa to immigration officers. Be prepared to clearly explain the purpose of your visit and provide supporting documents like accommodation bookings and return tickets. For expert advice and assistance with your UK Visit Visa application, contact SMA Law today.