UK Visitor Visa.
Visa Types:
Standard Visitor
Available Validity Period:
Up to 6 months.
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.
Approximate Turnaround Time:
15 Working days
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 (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-on-business), for example attending a meeting or interview
• for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/paid-engagement-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
• to study, do a placement or take an exam (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study)
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-as-an-academic)
• for medical reasons (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-for-medical-reasons)
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 (https://www.gov.uk/marriage-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:
• to study, do a placement or take an exam (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study)
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-as-an-academic)
• for a permitted paid engagement (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/paid-engagement-event)
• for medical reasons (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-for-medical-reasons)
Please read the following carefully and fully before applying for your visa(s) / passport(s).
Applicants are strongly advised to obtain visa(s) prior to making firm travel and accommodation bookings.
If the purpose of your travel is other than tourism or business, please contact us for details.
Price Overview
Birch Visas Fee
(excl. VAT)
£150 + VAT
£150 + VATConsular Charge
(VAT excluded)
Notes: Consular charges are estimates based on latest information held by Birch Visas Ltd and may be varied without notice by the issuing consular authority.
Requirements
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 (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-on-business), for example attending a meeting or interview
• for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/paid-engagement-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
• to study, do a placement or take an exam (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study)
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-as-an-academic)
• for medical reasons (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-for-medical-reasons)
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 (https://www.gov.uk/marriage-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:
• to study, do a placement or take an exam (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study)
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-as-an-academic)
• for a permitted paid engagement (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/paid-engagement-event)
• for medical reasons (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-for-medical-reasons)
Please contact Birch Visas for further information.
Start your journey.
Get in touch with us today!
FAQ.
When we lodge your application, we will pay any consular or passport office charges on your behalf. When we have obtained your visa and/or passport we will provide you with a VAT invoice which will include: our handling fee, postage/courier charges and any up-front payments we have outlaid on your behalf. Our invoice is then payable on receipt. We can accept payment by: cash, cheque, credit/debit card, or bank transfer.
Yes. Visit the UK page via “Destinations” on this website for details and requirements. Alternatively, contact us and we will explain the process.
As a UK passport holder, you do not currently need a visa to visit any EU country and to remain for less than 90 days. If travelling for any reason other than tourism or wishing to stay longer than 90 days, you may need a visa.
Yes, as a UK passport holder you will need a visa to travel to most commonwealth countries. Some commonwealth countries such as: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will issue UK passport holders with Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) which will permit entry on production.
If your visa is in the form of a physical stamp or attachment to your passport then we will collect your passport and visa from the consular office and return it in accordance with your instructions; usually by Royal mail special delivery service, courier, or retain at our London office for you to collect in person. Electronic visas (E-Visas) will be sent to you via email. New/replacement passports and USA visas will usually be dispatched to you directly by the issuing authority.
If posting your passport and documents to us, for security we strongly recommend you use the Royal Mail tracked special delivery service. Alternatively, you can visit our London office and deliver the materials in person. We will use dedicated and trusted couriers to transport your passport and documents between our office and the appropriate consular facilities. Once we have obtained your visa and/or passport we will return your property using a means of your choice, usually Royal Mail special delivery, courier, or personal collection from our London office.
While a few countries will issue visas on arrival, this is a particularly uncertain way to gain entry. To securely gain entry, it is advisable to obtain your visa in the UK country ahead of travelling.
No. We show a “best case” turn round period (usually a few days) on this website but this is no guarantee that the issuing authority will respond in this time frame. We therefor strongly recommend that you obtain your visa/passport prior to booking travel and accommodation.
On rare occasions an application may be rejected for an error or omission on the application form or supporting documentation. Usually, the application can be re-submitter once the error or omission is corrected, and the visa is then issued at no additional cost and with just a few days delay.
You will never be required to attend our offices but a few countries such as: USA, China, Nigeria, and Russia, will require you to attend their consular facilities for the purpose of fingerprinting and/or interview. We will tell you if this is the case and arrange your appointment.
What Our Travellers Say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some happy customers have shared.
“Birch Visas Ltd made getting my India e-Visa a breeze. Highly recommended!”
Sarah, Manchester
“I was worried about my visa, but they sorted it out quickly. Great service!”
Tom, London
"After my DIY application was rejected, their service helped me get approved in no time. Worth every penny!"