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Visiting

Standard Visitor Visa

Visit the UK for tourism, family, business or short-term study.

  • 1,000+ applications handled, and none refused to date
  • Former UK immigration judge reviews every Complete & Priority application
  • Full service £599, £399 to start
Why applications get refused
Excellent 4.9/5 200 reviews on Expert check £149 · Full service from £599

The Standard Visitor route lets you come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, to see family and friends, for permitted business activities or for short courses. Depending on your nationality you will need either a visa before you travel or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). If you visit regularly, you can apply for a long-term visa lasting 2, 5 or 10 years.

Web offerCall 0203 468 4741 and quote MAYFAIR2 for £50 off Complete or Priority. Enquiring online? It's applied automatically.

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Free consultation

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Home Office fee from
£135
Typical decision
Usually within 3 weeks
Leads to settlement
No
Rules last checked
September 2026

From our Trustpilot reviews

  • Excellent service! I have used Mayfair Immigration Visa Services twice for my visa applications, and both times my visas were successfully approved. The team is very professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the whole process. They clearly explained all the requirements and guided me step by step, which made the application much easier and less stressful. Their communication was always quick and helpful whenever I had questions. I truly appreciate their dedication and professionalism. I highly recommend Mayfair Visa Services to anyone looking for reliable and trustworthy visa assistance.

    Shahidah M. · Trustpilot

  • Mayfair Immigration Services provided outstanding support throughout my visa application process. In particular, my Case Owner, John, was truly exceptional. He offered clear, detailed guidance at every step and patiently listened to all my questions and concerns — no matter how many I had. His professionalism and reassurance made me feel fully supported during what could have otherwise been an extremely stressful experience.

    Francine G. · Trustpilot

Excellent 4.9/5 · read all 200 reviews on Trustpilot
Read this before you apply

Why applications
get refused.

The Home Office doesn't refund fees for refused applications. These are among the most common reasons Standard Visitor Visa applications fail, and exactly what our former-judge review is designed to catch.

A refusal would cost you £135 in Home Office application fees, which aren't refunded. And you'd lose months starting again, with a refusal to declare on future applications.

  1. Not convinced you will leave

    The most common refusal. If your job, family, home or studies abroad are not clearly evidenced, the caseworker may doubt you are a genuine visitor – a letter confirming approved leave and a return date helps.

  2. Unexplained or inconsistent finances

    Large recent deposits, balances that do not match your stated income, or missing evidence from the person paying for your trip all raise doubts. Explain the source of any significant funds.

  3. Inconsistent information

    Differences between your form, your documents and your host's invitation letter – dates, relationships, who is paying – often lead to refusal. Every document should tell the same story.

  4. Past immigration problems not declared

    Previous refusals, overstays or removals must be declared. Failing to mention them can be treated as deception, which can lead to refusal of future applications for 10 years.

  5. Too much time spent in the UK

    A pattern of long or back-to-back visits can suggest you are living in the UK. Long-term visa holders can also have their visa cancelled for this reason.

  6. Planned activity is not allowed

    Doing work for a UK company, being paid by a UK client outside the permitted paid engagement rules, or activities that amount to a job lead to refusal. Business visits need careful wording and evidence.

  7. Missing purpose-specific evidence

    Medical, academic, study and paid engagement visits need specific letters and invitations, and unaccompanied children need parental consent. Leaving these out is a frequent and avoidable mistake.

Where AI chatbots go wrong on this routeMistakes AI tools commonly make on this route. Any one of them can mean a refusal, and a £135 application fee you won't get back.
  1. Confusing an ETA with a visaVisa nationals must get a Standard Visitor visa before travelling. Others, including EU citizens and nationals of the USA, Canada and Australia, need a £20 ETA instead. The lists change: St Lucia and Nicaragua nationals have needed a visa since 5 March 2026. AI answers based on older lists send people for the wrong one.
  2. Overstating what visitors can doYou can't do paid or unpaid work for a UK company, or be paid by a UK client outside the permitted paid engagement rules. Marrying, or even giving notice of marriage, needs a Marriage Visitor visa. AI answers are often too generous, and planning an activity that isn't allowed leads to refusal.
  3. Weak evidence that you'll go homeMost visitor refusals happen because the caseworker isn't convinced you'll leave. Your job, family, home and studies abroad need to be clearly evidenced, for example with a letter confirming your approved leave and return date. A chatbot can't judge whether your evidence is convincing.
  4. Finances that raise questionsThere's no fixed amount, but your funds must fit your normal income. Large recent deposits or balances that don't match your earnings raise doubts, and if someone else is paying, their evidence is needed too. 'Show plenty of money' is common AI advice, and a big unexplained deposit can do more harm than good.
  5. Documents that tell different storiesDifferences between your form, your documents and your host's invitation letter, such as dates, relationships or who is paying, often lead to refusal. Documents drafted one at a time with a chatbot rarely line up. Every document must tell the same story.
  6. Forgetting a past refusalPrevious refusals, overstays and removals must be declared. Leaving them out can be treated as deception, which can lead to refusal of future applications for 10 years. Visit visa refusals have no appeal or administrative review, so a fresh application has to answer every reason given the first time.

Refused before? Or simply can't afford to be?

A former UK immigration judge reviews every Complete and Priority application we prepare before it's submitted.

0203 468 4741
In their words

What our clients say

Excellent 4.9/5 200 reviews on
  • Excellent service

    Excellent service! I have used Mayfair Immigration Visa Services twice for my visa applications, and both times my visas were successfully approved. The team is very professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the whole process. They clearly explained all the requirements and guided me step by step, which made the application much easier and less stressful. Their communication was always quick and helpful whenever I had questions. I truly appreciate their dedication and professionalism. I highly recommend Mayfair Visa Services to anyone looking for reliable and trustworthy visa assistance.

    Shahidah M.

  • Mayfair Immigration Services provided outstanding support throughout my visa application process. In particular, my Case Owner, John, was truly exceptional. He offered clear, detailed guidance at every step and patiently listened to all my questions and concerns — no matter how many I had. His professionalism and reassurance made me feel fully supported during what could have otherwise been an extremely stressful experience.

    Francine G.

  • John was our case worker and he was amazing! Extremely helpful in answering all questions I had and helping us through every step. Very thorough with documents list and checking all documents were there.

    Kelly
  • Fantastic personal service

    Fantastic personal service Attention to detail Professionalism Communication I have used them twice now with complicated visa applications and they were brilliant

    Terry S. ✓ Verified
  • Thank you!!

    Thank you to John for his great communication, explained everything in full and ensured he was clear and concise at all times. Our visa was approved today! And I couldn’t have done it without the support from John/Mayfair Immigration!! Highly recommended!

    Olivia A.

  • Our experience with Mohsin at Mayfair Immigration was beyond anything we could have imagined my husbands 1st spousal visa was done with honesty efficiency and we were guided through very difficult paperwork, explanations were made clear so we could understand all that was required of us anything we needed to confirm with Mohsin we were contacted quickly ,we never felt that we couldn't contact Mohsin ,we will always recommend Mayfair Immigration to anyone who needs the help and support through difficult situations,Thanku for all your help and support

    Graham W.Spouse / Partner
  • Spouse Visa Extension

    Just received my spouse visa extension with the help of Mayfair immigration and more specifically the assistance and support from Mr John. John has helped me completely through the whole process and made sure everything is in perfect order and answered my queries all the time. Thank you so much John.

    Rohan U.Spouse / Partner

  • John has supported me and my husband with spousal visa on point of entry and the 2 1/2 year renewal. Both times he has shown us patience and grace. Will definitely be using them in the 2 1/2 years which I look forward to. Thank you John!

    DiamondSpouse / Partner

  • John made applying for my wife’s spousal visa feel seamless, he was happy to take my calls and answer any questions I had and took all the stress out of the application process.

    Josh S.Spouse / Partner
  • If your looking for help with your UK immigration visa application

    If your looking for help with your UK Immigration needs, i fully recommend Mayfair Immigration Solicitors. This is my wife's second round of Immigration application and we have used Mayfair both times. Excellent service and totally reliable. May I say a special Thank You to John he went above and beyond to help me and always took my calls, if not, rang back as soon as he was free. Kept me informed and up to date on progress and always available to help with any questions and the endless paperwork for this process. My heartfelt thanks to John and Mayfair, no need to look anywhere else if you are appliying for a UK Visa. Thanks 😀

    David B.Spouse / Partner
  • Best Immigration Solicitors.

    I would like to sincerely thank Mayfair Solicitors, especially Mr. Mohsin Uddin, for handling every stage of my immigration journey with exceptional professionalism and genuine care. From my very first application – the Spouse Visa – Mohsin Uddin tailored every detail with precision, ensuring nothing was ever missed. I had previously dealt with another solicitor, but the difference in service was remarkable. Mohsin was never too busy to answer my calls, respond to my emails, or reassure me when I was anxious. His communication and commitment gave me confidence at every step. Because of the trust and faith I developed in him, I also instructed Mohsin to manage my ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) application. Thanks to his guidance and meticulous attention to detail, my ILR was approved within three months. Mohsin then advised me to apply for Naturalisation without delay due to upcoming rule changes and rising passport fees. I followed his advice, and with his continued support, I received my British Passport in November 2025 — something I once feared might never happen. I was extremely worried when I started this process years ago, but Mohsin’s expertise, encouragement, and clear direction gave me the confidence to submit everything required by the Home Office without hesitation. If anyone is struggling with immigration matters or needs trustworthy legal representation, I wholeheartedly recommend Mayfair Solicitors. I am living proof of what the right solicitor can achieve.

    NoriaSpouse / Partner
  • Excellent and top quality service by Mayfair and John

    John and Mayfair team had previously supported us in our spouse visa application 2 years back with a fantastic service. Therefore, we engaged again with John and his team, who have been very helpful and super supportive in assisting our spouse visa extension case. So, this is our second engagement with Mayfair and they are brilliant. Highly professional and specialized in what they do. We appreciate John and his team were always reachable and had addressed any queries/issues we raised to them ensuring we are at peace, which we felt very important and fantastic about them. We will engage with them in 2.5 years of time from now for my wife's ILR. God bless you John and team for your support and service.

    Leonard J.Spouse / Partner
Read all 200 reviews on Trustpilot
01

Who it's for

You can visit if one reason in group 1 describes your trip and you meet everything in group 2.

1
Your reason for visitingOne of these
  • Tourism, or seeing family or friends
  • Business meetings, conferences, negotiations or training
  • A short course of up to 6 months, or an exam such as the PLAB test
  • Private medical treatment
2
What every visitor needsAll of these
  • You'll leave the UK at the end of your visit
  • Enough money for the trip and your return journey
  • No work for a UK company and no marriage during the visit
  • A visa or an ETA, depending on your nationality
02

Eligibility requirements

You'll need to meet every one of these. Each has its own evidence rules, and that's where applications most often go wrong.

  1. 01

    You will leave at the end of your visit

    You must show you are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK when your visit ends – usually through your job, family, home and other commitments abroad. source

  2. 02

    Only permitted activities

    You cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as self-employed (unless it is a permitted paid engagement), claim benefits, or marry or give notice of marriage – that needs a Marriage Visitor visa. source

  3. 03

    Enough money for your trip

    You must be able to support yourself and any dependants during your trip and pay for your return or onward journey, or have someone else fund you. source

  4. 04

    Not living in the UK through visits

    You must not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home. source

  5. 05

    A valid passport

    Your passport or travel document should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. source

  6. 06

    A visa or ETA, depending on nationality

    Visa nationals must get a Standard Visitor visa before travelling. Others, including EU citizens and nationals of countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia, need an ETA instead. source

  7. 07

    Extra requirements for some visits

    Visits to study, as an academic, for medical treatment or for a permitted paid engagement have additional rules – for example, a paid engagement needs a written invitation, you must be 18 or over and the engagement must take place in the first month. source

  8. 08

    No serious suitability issues

    Applications can be refused for criminality, previous overstaying of more than 30 days, deception (which can bar you for 10 years) or unpaid NHS charges of £500 or more. source

03

Financial requirement

There is no fixed amount, but you must show you can pay for your trip, accommodation and return journey without working or claiming public funds. source

  • You will be asked how much you earn and how much you expect the trip to cost
  • Funds should be consistent with your normal income – large unexplained deposits cause concern
  • Someone else, such as a relative in the UK, can pay for your trip if you give their details and evidence
  • If you are visiting for private medical treatment, you must show you can pay for it
04

Documents checklist

0 of 12 ready
REVIEWED

Tick documents off as you gather them: your progress is saved in this browser. Before anything is submitted, we check every one against the exact requirement it has to prove.

05

How to apply, step by step

  1. 1

    Check whether you need a visa or an ETA

    Your nationality decides whether you apply for a visa or an ETA. Check before you plan your trip.

  2. 2

    Check your plans are permitted

    Make sure everything you plan to do is allowed for visitors, especially if the trip involves business or any payment.

  3. 3

    Gather your evidence

    Collect documents showing your funds, your ties to home and the purpose of your visit.

  4. 4

    Apply online and pay

    Apply up to 3 months before you travel, choosing a 6-month or long-term visa, and pay the fee.

  5. 5

    Attend your appointment

    Give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre, which may be in another country. You get your passport back the same day.

  6. 6

    Receive your decision

    Most decisions are made within 3 weeks. Do not travel until your visa is approved.

06

Processing times

Standard Visitor visa – applying outside the UKUsually within 3 weekssource
Priority visa service (where available)Usually within 5 working days (£500 extra)source⚠ verify
Super priority visa service (where available)Usually by the end of the next working day (£1,000 extra)source⚠ verify
Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)Usually within a day, but can take up to 3 working dayssource
Extending your stay in the UKUsually within 8 weeks, or next working day with super prioritysource
Earliest you can apply3 months before you travelsource
07

Costs

Home Office feeAmount
Standard Visitor visa – up to 6 months source£135
Long-term Standard Visitor visa – 2 years source£506
Long-term Standard Visitor visa – 5 years source£903
Long-term Standard Visitor visa – 10 years source£1,128
Visitor visa for private medical treatment – up to 11 months source£234
Visitor visa for academics – up to 12 months source£234
Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (per person) source£20
Extending your stay in the UK (per person) source£1,172
Priority visa service outside the UK (optional, where available) source£500
Super priority visa service (optional, where available) source£1,000

Home Office fees only, paid directly to the Home Office. Our own fixed fees are separate and set out in the packages on this page.

08

Fixed-fee representation

One fixed fee, agreed before we start, for your Visitor Visa application. No hourly billing, never paid all up front.

Application Check

You prepare it. A solicitor checks it and tells you exactly what to fix.

£149 Fixed fee · Written report in 48 hours

Best for: You've prepared the application yourself, perhaps with an AI tool, and want an expert check before you pay the Home Office.

  • Prepared by: You, reviewed by a solicitor
  • Evidence reviewed document by document: With written fix suggestions
  • Consultation calls: 1 call to go through your report
  • Turnaround: Report in 48 hours
  • Ties-to-home evidence checked

Not a full case: no former-judge review and no appeal guarantee. You submit the application yourself.

How you pay
  1. £149One payment when you instruct us

You submit the application yourself

Recommended

Complete

Your own dedicated solicitor, from first call to decision

£599 Fixed fee · £399 to start · Ready within 72 hours of receiving your documents

Best for: Most people. Especially if anything about your case is less than simple.

  • Prepared by: Your dedicated solicitor
  • We prepare and submit it for you
  • Evidence reviewed document by document
  • Former immigration judge review before submission
  • Consultation calls: Unlimited
  • Turnaround: Ready in 72 hours
  • Aftercare to your next milestone
  • Itinerary and funds evidence reviewed
How you pay
  1. £399When you instruct us
  2. £200Before we submit your application

We prepare and submit it for you

Priority

A senior solicitor, every extra piece of evidence, fastest turnaround

£699 Fixed fee · £399 to start · Ready within 48 hours of receiving your documents

Best for: Complex histories, previous refusals, tight deadlines, or when you simply want the most thorough case.

  • Prepared by: Senior solicitor
  • We prepare and submit it for you
  • Evidence reviewed document by document
  • Former immigration judge review before submission
  • Supporting statements drafted for you
  • Consultation calls: Unlimited, direct line
  • Turnaround: Ready in 48 hours
  • Aftercare to your next milestone
  • Travel history and ties-to-home evidence bundle prepared
  • Covering letter tailored to your trip
How you pay
  1. £399When you instruct us
  2. £300Before we submit your application

We prepare and submit it for you

Web offerCall 0203 468 4741 and quote MAYFAIR2 for £50 off Complete or Priority. Enquiring online? It's applied automatically.

Visitor visa refusals have no right of appeal, so our appeal guarantee doesn't apply. If you're refused, we'll advise on the strongest fresh application.

How payment works

You never pay the whole fee up front. For Complete and Priority you pay £399 to start, and the balance when your application is ready to submit.

  1. 1£399When you instruct us
  2. 2Stage 2Before we submit your application
Complete and Priority both include
  • Every form completed and checked against the current rules
  • A tailored document checklist for your circumstances
  • Legal representation letter setting out how you meet each rule
  • A former UK immigration judge's review before submission
  • Help booking your biometrics appointment
  • Progress tracking and updates until a decision
Compare the packages side by side
FeatureApplication Check£149Complete£599Priority£699
Prepared byYou, reviewed by a solicitorYour dedicated solicitorSenior solicitor
We prepare and submit it for you–✓✓
Evidence reviewed document by documentWith written fix suggestions✓✓
Former immigration judge review before submission–✓✓
Supporting statements drafted for you––✓
Consultation calls1 call to go through your reportUnlimitedUnlimited, direct line
TurnaroundReport in 48 hoursReady in 72 hoursReady in 48 hours
Aftercare to your next milestone–✓✓
How you pay£149 up front£399 to start£200 before submission£399 to start£300 before submission
Extras for this visaTies-to-home evidence checkedItinerary and funds evidence reviewedTravel history and ties-to-home evidence bundle preparedCovering letter tailored to your trip

Fixed professional fees. Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid separately, straight to the Home Office. For this visa, Home Office fees start from £135; see the full breakdown in costs & timings.

09

Duration & settlement

How long it lasts

Up to 6 months per visit; long-term visas last 2, 5 or 10 years but each stay is still limited to 6 months (up to 11 months for medical treatment and 12 months for academics with the relevant visa).

Route to settlement

This route does not lead to settlement, and you usually cannot switch to another visa from inside the UK as a visitor.

10

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa or an ETA?

It depends on your nationality. Nationals of countries such as India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey need a visa. EU citizens and nationals of countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia need an ETA, which costs £20. Nationals of St Lucia and Nicaragua have needed a visa since 5 March 2026.

How long does an ETA last?

An ETA lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. You can make as many visits as you like during that time, each of up to 6 months.

Can I do business on a visitor visa?

You can attend meetings, conferences and interviews, negotiate and sign deals, and do certain other business activities, but you cannot work for a UK company or be paid by a UK client except in a permitted paid engagement. From 8 October 2026, visitors receiving work-related training no longer need to show the training is unavailable in their home country.

Can I switch to another visa while I am in the UK?

Generally no. Visitors cannot switch into routes such as the Skilled Worker visa and usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa. Plan the right visa before you travel.

My visitor visa was refused – can I appeal?

Visit visa refusals are not eligible for administrative review and there is usually no right of appeal, so the best option is normally a fresh application that addresses every reason given. You must declare the previous refusal.

Should I apply for a long-term visa?

If you visit regularly, it can save time and money. However, you may be given a shorter visa than you applied for with no refund, and a long-term visa issued to someone under 18 ends 6 months after their 18th birthday.

Can I extend my visit?

Only up to a total stay of 6 months, unless you are receiving medical treatment, are an academic or are retaking the PLAB test. You must apply before your permission ends and the fee is £1,172.

Can I get married on a visitor visa?

No. To marry, form a civil partnership or give notice in the UK as a visitor you need a Marriage Visitor visa.

11

How we help with your Visitor Visa application

  1. 01

    Assess your circumstances and travel history against the genuine visitor test before you apply

  2. 02

    Advise on the strongest evidence of ties, funds and purpose, including how to explain complex finances

  3. 03

    Prepare consistent sponsor and invitation letters that match your application

  4. 04

    Handle business, permitted paid engagement, medical and academic visits

  5. 05

    Rebuild applications after a refusal, addressing each reason the Home Office gave

Free consultation

Talk it through with a specialist.

No obligation, and a clear quote before any work starts. Every Complete and Priority application we prepare is reviewed by a former UK immigration judge before it's submitted.

or call 0203 468 4741Quote MAYFAIR2 for £50 off Complete or Priority

Why not just ask a chatbot?

An AI chatbot
  • Out-of-date thresholds, fees and English levels
  • Confident answers that are simply wrong
  • No view of your actual evidence
  • No accountability when it goes wrong
  • Your sensitive data pasted into a public tool
A Mayfair Immigration specialist
  • Current rules, checked against official guidance and the Immigration Rules
  • Every document reviewed against the evidence requirements
  • A former immigration judge's review before submission (Complete and Priority)
  • One named solicitor who is accountable for your case

Sources

Related routes