Standard Visitors Visa

For the purpose of tourism, study, business and other permitted activities.
/
/
/
Standard Visitors Visa

The Standard Visitor Visa is applicable for those who wish to travel for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other specific, permitted activities. During your application process, you will need to specify what your purposes are for travel and then upload specific documents and meet requirements related to that purpose.

The Standard Visitor Visa and it’s sub-categories are valid for 6 months. You can check here to see if you require a visa to visit the UK.

How we can help

We have experience of preparing successful applications on behalf of our clients. We pride ourselves on the presentation of our applications to the Home Office. You can be assured that your application process will be managed in a professional and organised manner.

Apply as a tourist

Tourism includes staying with family and friends, travelling through the UK to do sightseeing and tours, and more for recreational/leisure purposes.

You may need to show what activities you have booked, a letter of invitation if staying with family/friends or an approved letter from your accommodation, you can financially support yourself and that you have reason to return back to your home country.

If you intend on visiting the UK regularly, you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that allows you multiple entries for as long as the visa is valid.

Apply for business

The following activities are permitted if you plan to visit the UK for business purposes:

  • interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars
  • negotiating and signing deals and contracts
  • attending trade fairs – you can promote tour business but not sell
  • work-related training if the training is not available in your home country
  • give once-off talks or series of talks as long they are not paid
  • do site visits and inspections
  • oversee delivery of goods and services between your overseas company from a UK company
  • deliver training on internal projects for the UK company of a global company that you work for
  • install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on electronic devices and sofrware if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company.

You will need to meet the eligibility requirements for a standard visa. Specific job roles can do additional activities, you can see more here.

Apply to study

You can do the following under the study sub-category for a maximum of 6 months:

  • study at an accredited institution, including English language courses
  • conduct research as part of your overseas course
  • do an elective as an additional placement if you are a dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, nurse or midwife student
  • write an entrance exam, retake an exam or module, or do an oral PhD exam (or viva)
  • unpaid clinical attachment if you are a medical, dental or nursing graduate
  • take the OSCE – Objective Structured Clinical Examination test, or the PLAB – Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test.

You need to meet the Standard Visitor visa requirements. You will be required to submit documents that proves the above purpose for your visit.

Apply as an academic

An academic includes individuals who are scientists, researchers or professional academics. Academics can:

  • do a formal exchange if you have an arrangement with a UK counterpart
  • conduct research, either as a job or independently

Senior doctors and dentists can:

  • take part in research
  • teach temporarily
  • undertake temporary clinical practice

Certain subjects researched at a postgraduate level or higher may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start.

You can find detailed information on the UK gov website here.

Apply for medical reasons

Whatever your medical reason for visiting, you will need to provide supporting documentation as part of the application process. The below constitutes medical reasons:

  • private medical treatment with a hospital or medical facility
  • treatment at an NHS hospital given that your care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement
  • organ donation for a family member or close friend – being assessed for suitability donor match included

For private medical treatment you will need to show that you can cover the full costs of your treatment, care, accommodation, etc for the full duration of your stay.

More information on each option here.

If you're under 18

Under 18’s may visit the UK given that they:

  • have made suitable accommodation and travel arrangements
  • have written consent from legal guardians to travel if travelling alone
  • have the financial means to support themselves for the duration of their stay and for the journey onwards

If travelling alone: 

  • You will need your legal guardian’s consent for travel and their full contact details.
  • They will also need to provide proof that you have suitable accommodation as well as:
    • the name and date of birth of the person you will be staying with
    • the address of where you are staying
    • relationship to the person you are staying with
    • written consent from the person you are staying with that you can stay there

If you are not staying with a close relative:

Your legal guardian will need to inform a relevant local authority that you are visiting, are under 16 and are being cared for by someone unrelated to you for more than 28 days.

Travelling with an adult: 

If you are travelling with an adult who is not your legal guardian, you will need to show consent for the travels from your legal guardian.

You will need to show consent even if you do not need a visa.

If you do need a visa, the person you are travelling with will need to be stated on the visa application as well as all of their information. You can identify 2 adults in your visa application.

Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa

If you plan on visiting the UL regularly, you can apply for a visa that lasts either 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If Home Office does not believe you meet the eligibility requirements, they may grant you a shorter visa instead. You will not be refunded the application fee if this happens. They may cancel your visa if they find you are in the UK for longer than 6 months at a time and are living in the UK for extended periods of time.

You will need to submit a lot more documentation than with the short-term visa, you can find more information here.

Key contact

Usof Shah PNG
Usof Shah
Legal Director

What our clients say about us

We were very impressed with the service provided by Herrington Carmichael. Michelle & Siddhartha were highly responsive and provided clear, professional advice throughout the process of our director's loan conversion. Their support with our company secretarial requirements was excellent, and we would highly recommend their services.

We needed urgent assistance and you delivered way beyond expectations. Really appreciate you, Chris, Sophie and Samuel, and all your teams effort.

I would highly recommend using the services of Samuel and the Herrington Carmichael Team. The expertise was consistent from my initial contact through to completion. Working against time constraints, the communication, responsiveness and due diligence from Samuel was first class.

We appointed Herrington Carmichael to act for us in the sale of our Chartered Financial Planning business. From the outset, we were impressed with Alex and Lucinda's professionalism. This impression was backed up by helpful and knowledgeable support from them and their team throughout the sale process. All aspects of the sale discussions were dealt with carefully and efficiently, resulting in a satisfactory outcome for us as sellers.

Joel and his team are an absolute pleasure to work with. From day one to completion, they were totally engaged in the sale process to ensure the best possible outcome for us as individuals. Their wise counsel throughout the process was invaluable, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

I have worked with Joel and his team on two acquisitions, on both occasions he has been professional, knowledgeable and approachable. He is able to explain the process in layman’s terms, clearly differentiating between the preferred and essential in contract negotiations. I wouldn’t hesitate to use or recommend Joel's services again.

I recently completed the sale of my business. Herrington Carmichael acted on my behalf, and my contact was Joel Gocool. Joel and his team were magnificent. I had one point of contact throughout the process, which made everything much easier. Joel was very easy to get on with, attentive, and promptly answered questions or queries. The advice I received was balanced, and Joel helped me to navigate my way through the warranties and indemnities, making the journey as easy as possible for me. I would like to thank him and his team for their very professional assistance throughout and would not hesitate to recommend the Firm to other business owners.

This was the first time we had worked with Herrington Carmichael, and we were extremely happy with our experience. We found Joel to be helpful, always on time for meetings, flexible and his legal knowledge was very good. We completed on a very tight schedule and Joel addressed all the key issues to make this happen. Joel is very easy to get on with and a pleasure to work with. We would strongly recommend him and highly recommend the firm to others.

I would like to express my thanks to Harry Winkley, Joel Gocool and the team at Herrington Carmichael for their pro-active approach in our recent acquisition to the Surelock McGill Group of companies. A smooth transition working closely and professional within our set parameters, also within predicted budget. Many Thanks to the full team at HC.

I recently sold my business. I was advised to use HC as they have experience in selling financial advisory companies. I have been delighted with the work that they did. They were thorough and quick to engage, and from a cost perspective, they met the quote that they had given at the outset. Most importantly, it was imperative that, with a relatively short window to operate in, we got the deal over the line before the new tax year... we completed on the 31st March. I am so pleased with all Joel and Dylan have done and would recommend HC highly.

We recently worked with Joel Gocool and Dylan Cutifani on the successful completion of our Management Buyout (MBO). Throughout the process, they provided clear advice and guided us confidently through what was a complex process. Their attention to detail, commercial understanding, and responsiveness helped ensure the deal progressed smoothly and efficiently. We particularly valued their ability to explain legal matters in straightforward terms and their proactive approach to resolving issues that arose. We would have no hesitation in recommending Joel or Dylan to any business considering an MBO.

I cannot thank Joel, Dylan and the wider Herrington Carmichael team enough for their outstanding support throughout the sale of my shares. What should have been a straightforward transaction became far more complex and protracted than anyone anticipated, with numerous delays and challenges along the way. Throughout the process, Joel and Dylan remained calm, professional, responsive and completely committed to achieving the best possible outcome for me. They provided clear, practical advice, kept me informed at every stage and worked tirelessly to keep the transaction moving forward despite repeated obstacles. Their attention to detail, persistence and ability to navigate difficult negotiations gave me complete confidence that my interests were being protected at all times.

Beyond their legal expertise, what stood out most was their genuine support. This was a stressful and emotionally draining transaction, and there were times when I felt like giving up. Joel and Dylan were always there to provide reassurance, explain the next steps and ensure I never felt that I was facing the process alone. I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, dedication and perseverance in bringing the transaction to a successful conclusion. I would have no hesitation in recommending Joel, Dylan and Herrington Carmichael to anyone looking for solicitors who combine exceptional legal expertise with outstanding client care.

Joel and the team at HC provided exceptional support throughout what was a complex and high-value transaction. Their calm, pragmatic approach and commercial understanding gave me confidence at every stage of the process. Joel’s communication was clear and consistent, and he was always there to support me and reassure me at all hours and he always made sure my priorities were fully protected while maintaining momentum to completion.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Joel and HC to anyone seeking experienced, commercially minded legal support for an investment process or business sale.

Alex Canham and Joel Gocool are a delight to deal with and form a highly efficient team. They have gone the extra mile in our negotiations.

I recently used Herrington Carmichael Solicitors for the sale of a house and was very impressed with the service. This is the second time I’ve used them, and once again the team were polite, efficient, and kept me well informed throughout the whole process. Communication was clear and timely, which made everything run smoothly and stress-free. I would happily recommend them to anyone looking for reliable and professional solicitors.

Over the period Oct. to Dec.’25, Herrington-Carmichael supported us with regard to the closure of an employer-managed pension scheme. Mark Chapman provided excellent guidance and documentation to ensure that the overall project was correctly completed in the required time-frame. I would not hesitate to recommend Herrington-Carmichael as a partner to provide support with any legal matters.

I have had the pleasure of working with Liz on several complex property purchases, including overseas-based companies and legal opinions, commercial leases analysis, building contracts assignments and collateral warranties. On each occasion, Liz has acted promptly, kept me appraised of the progress and demonstrated excellent commercial awareness and professionalism in dealing with clients’ solicitors. I have no hesitation in recommending Liz for all property-related legal matters.

Their expertise has been invaluable to us as landlords for all sorts of disputes and lease extensions, which can be a minefield. These matters are always dealt with extremely well. It is hard not to praise them too highly, to be honest, as in all of my dealings, I can say that I have always had a very positive outcome.

The real estate team at Herrington Carmichael has expertise in advising on development work, including acting for lenders in the development sector, working with banking institutions, undertaking agricultural matters and advising on leasehold and enfranchisement issues.

The team at Herrington Carmichael are responsive and reliable and provides an exceptional service to us. There is a strong level of ownership from the team, and they go the extra mile to ensure that there is a thorough examination of each transaction and that our interests are always protected.

The Real Estate team at Herrington Carmichael delivered their expertise in a pragmatic and commercial way, maintaining a professional and responsive approach throughout. They provided clear, commercially informed guidance and took a highly structured approach to coordinating the requirements of the transaction and our development strategy. I extend my sincere appreciation to Liz and her team for their sustained commitment to excellence and for their invaluable support in bringing this project to a successful exchange for Storage King. We are pleased to regard you as a trusted and valuable part of our professional team.

I have worked with Herrington Carmichael and Liz Hailey for many years. The recent purchase of a development site for a new home was particularly complicated, involving complex title issues on a large multi-use site, planning considerations, development agreements, easements, collateral warranties and guarantees.......Thank you to all the team at HC for your continued excellence and your support in concluding these exciting new projects for DMP...

The Real Estate team at Herrington Carmichael were excellent in dealing with this transaction; they delivered their expertise in a pragmatic and commercial way, maintaining a professional and responsive approach throughout. They provided clear, commercially informed guidance, and took a highly structured approach to coordinating the requirements of our lender, the transaction as a whole and our development strategy. I'd like to thank Liz and the team for all their support in helping the Chartwell Group successfully complete the transaction. We really appreciated their guidance and look forward to working with them again in the future.

I cannot thank your dispute resolution team enough for all your help. Once again, it was a pleasure dealing with you and should we ever have the misfortune to have to use your services, I would be very confident making that choice.

The firm has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is able to handle all types of issues that I have presented to them. They are easy to contact, and you certainly feel looked after and that you are in capable hands.

Stephen Baker is an experienced and commercially astute litigator who is dedicated to the interests of his clients and has the ability to deal with the most demanding and difficult of clients while still retaining a cheerful and engaged demeanour.

This practice stands out not just for the quality of legal advice, but for its responsiveness, consistency, and ability to build lasting relationships.

What truly sets them apart is their commitment to collaboration and innovation. They not only provide expert legal guidance but also take the initiative to educate our members on the latest legal developments, demonstrating a proactive investment in their clients' success.

Working with the team at Herrington Carmichael makes it easy for me to do my job, knowing that I am working with a trusted and reliable partner who has taken the time to understand my business. The team are responsive and communicate clearly at all times, and I know the work will be done right, with my business interests at the forefront of their considerations.

The partner in charge, Mark Chapman, was exceptional. Our issues were unique and we had to change direction several times, but the team always responded well, bringing in the new specialist skills as needed. I think that is the standout quality; adaptability.

The advice and guidance provided to us by the corporate and commercial team at Herrington Carmichael has proved invaluable over the past few years. The team work closely together to provide a consistently high standard of work and sound legal advice. They are available when we need them, exceptionally knowledgeable and approachable. Knowing our company so well, they can provide high-quality legal advice that is suitably tailored to our commercial needs and risk appetite.

My experience of working with Cesare and his team has been a pleasure, the advice was clear, precise and commercially astute and the draft contracts etc were delivered to a very tight programme. We appreciated the attention to detail whilst always being mindful of the agreed budget.

Working with Cesare and the team at Herrington Carmichael on a recent commercial contract has been a very positive experience for us at Ecrebo. The team were professional, knowledgeable and able to pick up on specific nuances relative to our business very quickly. We are pleased with the end result and would recommend the team at HC.

Mark and the team at Herrington Carmichael guided us through a period of high complexity and ambiguity at launch. They simplified our situation, offering clear and straightforward advice, which has laid the foundation for our growth. I would recommend the team to anyone seeking advice on cross-border commerce.

We’ve had an outstanding experience working with Herrington Carmichael who have been instrumental in helping our business protect its registered trade marks. From day one, they demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of brand protection and took a thorough, strategic, and practical approach to securing our intellectual property

Mark, Edie, and the team were excellent throughout our software company demerger. At the outset, the scope of work was not entirely clear, but they took the time to explain the legal aspects of the process and provided a clear shopping list of the documents that might be needed, together with quotes for each item. This helped us understand the importance and cost of each piece of work and decide what to prioritise and in what order. They then supported us with key documentation, including a new EULA for one of the newly created company's products and novation agreements to transfer customers and suppliers to the new entities. Their advice was clear, practical, and commercially focused throughout, and they handled the whole process with professionalism and efficiency. I would have no hesitation in recommending them.

Excellent level of service provided by Alex, Joel and the team. Our sale was not particularly straightforward, quality advice provided in a timely manner. I am not sure we could have completed our sale without them. Would highly recommend!

A big thank you to Alex and his team in particular Melissa who worked diligently and at all times looked to serve our best interests. They were constantly available to provide reassuring advice through a sometimes difficult transaction and fraught period. Despite the tight deadlines and significant workload I was delighted with their performance.

We have worked with Alex Canham and Melissa Deutrom at Herrington Carmichael on two separate acquisitions together with numerous general corporate activities. We have always found them to be highly responsive, timely and accurate. We would definitely recommend them to other financial services companies like ours.

Ed manages to combine the legal and practical aspects of a disposal with consummate ease and it certainly makes my life a lot easier knowing that he is dealing with the legals on my behalf!

Both Alex Canham and Edward Beedham provide clear advice and are very responsive which is invaluable when dealing with time pressured situations.

We were very impressed with the service provided by Herrington Carmichael. Michelle & Siddhartha were highly responsive and provided clear, professional advice throughout the process of our director's loan conversion. Their support with our company secretarial requirements was excellent, and we would highly recommend their services.

We have been with Herrington Carmichael for many years and we always receive excellent and timely advice, as well as all the practical support necessary to run our small limited management company efficiently. Charges are clear and reasonable. It’s always easy to communicate and replies are swift and helpful. Named individuals take a personal interest.

Mimosa Court Residents Company Limited

Having worked closely with Yavan and the team for several years now, this re-finance project was particularly important for Futura – allowing us to continue with our steep growth trajectory without compromising our focus on service excellence and continual improvement. In such a fast-paced environment, it is essential for us to work with key strategic partners like Herrington Carmichael, who have a deep understanding of our business, people and aspirations.

We instructed the banking team at Herrington Carmichael on a complex and difficult banking transaction with a tight turnaround. Yavan and Chris met the challenge and they helped us to understand the key sticking and contentious points with great clarity, and simplified the process for us. Chris and Yavan had a consistent focus on our end goal throughout, and worked hard to help us achieve it. It has been a real pleasure working with them, and I would not hesitate to recommend them!

Yavan and team supported us through the process ensuring we had the right level of guidance and regulatory control for every decision through this process, we felt fully supported and couldn’t have achieved the outcome without them.

We appointed Herrington Carmichael to act for us in the sale of our Chartered Financial Planning business. From the outset we were impressed with Alex and Lucinda's professionalism. This impression was backed up by helpful and knowledgeable support from them and their team throughout the sale process. All aspects of the sale discussions were dealt with carefully and efficiently resulting in a satisfactory outcome for us as sellers.

We would like to express my thanks for the work carried out by Alex, Lucinda and the entire team at Herrington Carmichael during a recent transaction.....Their clear communication, thoroughness, and proactive approach ensured the transaction was completed as smoothly and efficiently as possible. It was a pleasure working with them. They went above and beyond to safeguard our interests and provide clear guidance. We felt supported at all times, thanks to their commitment and expertise. Based on our experience, we would have no hesitation in recommending Alex, Lucinda and the entire team at Herrington Carmichael to others seeking a reliable, knowledgeable, and dedicated legal resource.

Client

First class service, with great communications all along, I liked the way the DD report came in under a traffic light style format to highlight those higher risk areas, and when the pressure was on at the very end, Beth and Chris went above and beyond to make sure this one could happen on Tuesday. We (well, Chris and Beth) got it over the line by lunchtime on Tuesday. Thank you once again, Team Herrington, for the professional, human, and reassuring approach.

Simon Arnold
Finance Director, Grundon Waste Management Ltd
The firm has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is able to handle all types of issues that I have presented to them. They are easy to contact and you certainly feel looked after and that you are in capable hands.

Insights

Get valuable insights from our articles.

Cyber security, personal data privacy protection, secure online banking, and encrypted digital transaction safety Concept. Businessman using smartphone and laptop with shield and padlock icons.

UK Cryptoasset Authorisation: Are You Ready?

The UK’s new cryptoasset regulatory regime is coming into force on 25 October 2027, bringing a wide range of digital…
New Row House Construction

Development Viability and the Challenge of Delivering New Homes

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has highlighted what many developers have been experiencing for some time: development viability is becoming…
Teamwork process, business people working pointing laptop comput

Navigating Cookie Choices: Consent, Pay Models and the DUA Act’s Compliance Landscape

As businesses operating online services continue to rely on data-driven ways to efficiently target their audience and advertise, there has…

Meet our experts

Dedicated professionals ready to assist you.

Usof Shah PNG
Usof Shah
Legal Director
Neelu-Gurung-PNG
Neelu Gurung
Paralegal

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your most pressing questions about our services and processes.

You can:

  • travel/tour
  • see family and friends
  • volunteer for a maximum of 30 days with a registered charity
  • pass through the UK as part of your travel to another country
  • attend certain business acitivies, like a meeting or interview
  • attend certain permitted paid engagements as an expert in your profession
  • take part in a school exchange programme
  • do a recreational course for a maximum of 30 days, like a dance course for example
  • study, take an exam or do a placement
  • visit as an academic, senior doctor or a dentist
  • for medical reasons, such as receiving treatment

You cannot:

  • do paid or unpaid work unless you have a Permitted Paid Engagement visa
  • claim public funds/benefits
  • live in the UK by utilising multiple visas and visits
  • get married or register a civil partnership, or give notice thereof, as you will need a Marriage Visitor visa

You must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • You will leave the UK and have reason to do so
  • You are able to financially support yourself and your dependants during the trip, or have a financial sponsor willing to vouch for you
  • are able to pay for your journey after leaving the UK
  • will not be living in the UK for long periods using a visitors visa

Please note that there may be additional entry requirements for some of the permitted activities, such as study or academics.

There are still many EU nationals that do not requirement a visa to enter the UK on a short-term basis. However, be prepared to show that you meet the eligibility requirements at the border if asked.

You can apply 3 months before you intend to travel to the UK.

You can apply for a long-term standard visitor visa that allows you to enter the UK multiple times over the duration of the visa.

Standard Visitor visa: £115 for 6 months
Medical reasons: £200 for up to 11 months
Academics: £200 for up to 12 months

Long-term visitors visas:

You can only stay for 6 months per visit.

2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa: £400

5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa: £771

10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa: £963

If you intend to bring family members with you, each individual must apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

If your partner and child are unable to apply for themselves, you have the option to submit a Standard Visitor visa application on their behalf. However, each family member must attend their individual appointment at a visa application centre

The visa is usually valid for 6 months. Unless you have the long-term visa.

Yes. You will need to attend an appointment at your nearest visa centre to have your photograph taken and to submit your fingerprints. This is for your visa.