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 need to do
- Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor.
- Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Check if you need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.
- Apply for a Standard Visitor visa online – if you need one.
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 event 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
You can visit the UK study for up to 6 months to:
- study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses)
- do a short piece of research that’s relevant to your course overseas
- do an ‘elective’ – an optional additional placement, if you’re studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery or dentistry
- sit an entrance exam, retake an exam or course module, or do a PhD oral exam (a viva)
- do an unpaid clinical attachment if you’re a graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school
- take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) test or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test
Visit for medical reasons
- You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:
- have private medical treatment at a hospital or other medical facility
- have treatment at an NHS hospital, as long as the care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement
- donate an organ to a family member or close friend – this includes being assessed for suitability as a donor match
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.
Check you meet the eligibility requirements
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to show that:
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- you’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK: