Visit / UK
UK VISITOR VISA
The United Kingdom, or simply the UK, is an island country in Europe. Some of the top tourist attractions are cities like London, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Manchester. People from all over the world are drawn to the nation by its top-notch museums, stunning gardens, fascinating history, and spectacular events.
Do Indians require a Visitor Visa to enter the UK
To go to the UK, every Indian must have a regular visiting visa. People travelling to the UK for leisure, business, medical treatment, or other purposes are granted standard visitor visas.
Standard Visitor Visa Categories and Validity
Different standard visiting visas are issued by the UK government. For information on the various standard visiting visa types and their durations, see the table below.
| TYPES OF STANDARD VISAS |
VALIDITY |
| Regular UK Standard Visitor Visa |
Up to 6 months |
| Long-Term UK Standard Visitor Visa |
2 years - 6 months per visit
5 years - 6 months per visit
10 years - 6 months per visit |
| Standard Visitor Visa for Medical Treatment |
up to 11 months |
| Standard Visitor Visa for Academics |
up to 12 months |
What documentation is needed for a visitor visa to the UK
- The applicant must provide a few crucial documents in order for their UK tourist visa to be processed.
- A passport or other travel document in good standing: The visitor's passport must be valid for the duration of their stay in the UK. There should be at least one vacant page in the passport.
- A fully completed and accurate online application for a UK tourist visa.
- A recent colour portrait of the candidate in which the candidate is shown. For physical pictures, the image must be 45mm*35mm or 600px*750px in size (for digital photos).
- Please visit to learn all requirements for the visa photo, get a passport photo.
- A thorough trip itinerary for the visitor that lists the candidate's planned destinations, arrival and departure dates, etc.
- A written and signed invitation from a British national or authorized resident. It is significant to highlight that although the invitation letter is not required, it is strongly advised.
- Records detailing the candidate's travel patterns during the past 10 years.
- A copy of the receipt for the UK visa cost.
- Three months worth of bank statements as evidence that the applicant can afford their stay in the UK.
- Any documentation demonstrating the candidate's intention to visit India again.
- If the candidate will be staying in the nation for longer than six months, the visitor must provide the results of their tuberculosis test.
What is the Cost of a UK Visitor Visa ?
The applicant must pay a charge of 100 pounds as a visa application fee for a regular standard visitor visa. The application fee for a long-term ordinary visitor visa depends on how long the applicant plans to stay.
A full description of the fee information for various lengths is provided in the table below.
| TYPE OF VISA |
FEE |
| Standard Visitor Visa |
100 Pounds |
| 2 year Long-term Visitor Visa |
376 Pounds |
| 5 year Long-term Visitor Visa |
670 Pounds |
| 10 year Long-term Visitor Visa |
837 Pounds |
| Standard Visitor Visa for medical treatment |
200 Pounds |
| Standard Visitor Visa for academics |
200 Pounds |
Is the Fee for a UK Tourist Visa Refundable
- If the visitor receives a shorter visa or the tourist visa is denied, the application cost is not refundable.
- If a candidate withdraws their application before providing their biometric data and photo, their application cost will be reimbursed.
How long does the UK Visitor Visa processing take
An ordinary Visitor Visa application would take 6 weeks to process on average. It is advised that the traveler apply for a tourist visa to the UK at least three months before their intended departure.
Application Process for Tourist Visas in the UK
To apply for a visiting visa to the UK, follow these 5 basic steps :
- Step 1 : Recognize the various visitor visa categories offered for the UK and choose the one that best suits your needs.
- Step 2 : Start your application procedure by going to GOV UK. Give the application form your full attention and accurate information.
- Step 3 : Pay the UK visa application fees to continue with the visa application procedure.
- Step 4 : Schedule an interview and print off the email confirming the appointment. When you go to the appointment, you must bring all the relevant paperwork.
- Step 5 : Attend the interview to submit your biometrics and all necessary paperwork.
- Step 6 : Follow up on your application to find out the status of your UK visiting visa.
How Can a UK Visitor Visa Be Extended
If the tourist meets any of the following conditions, the UK standard visa may be extended for an additional six months :
- The guest is getting medical attention.
- The visitor is an academic or the academic's spouse or child is with them.
The candidate must submit an application for an extension before their visa expires and pay a charge of 1,000 pounds. The visitor is retaking their Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board exam.
Is the UK Open to Indian Visitors
It is true that Indian citizens can now travel to the UK with a valid visiting visa. Pre-arrival covid testing and a seven-day quarantine are no longer necessary. Contact our accredited UK visitor visa experts at Gradfest for more information, to apply for a visitor visa to the UK, and for further assistance.
