11/05/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2021 11:04
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Updated 5 November 2021
UK's tourism landscape has been stunted since the onset of the pandemic on account of the travel restrictions put in place by the UK government.
However, as rules are changed and restrictions reconsidered, international travel to the UK seems to be on the rise again.
So, is the government issuing tourist visa right now? Has international travel resumed in the country? Here's all you need to know about the UK tourist visa.
Do I need a UK tourist visa?
The UK visa policy allows visa-free entry for up to six months to citizens of several countries, most of which are EU and Commonwealth states. If you are not from the countries included in the visa exemptions, then you will have to apply for a standard UK tourist visa. For stays longer than six months as well as trips during which you will work, everyone needs a visa regardless of their nationality.
The following countries will need a UK tourist visa for entry into the country:
Please note that in the case of Vatican City only holders of service and emergency passports will need a visa. On the other hand, in the case of Venezuela, if you have a valid Venezuelan biometric passport with an electronic chip, you do not need a visa.
You can also check if you need a visa from here.
What types of tourist visas are available?
There are two types of Standard Visitor Visa available in the United Kingdom:
Short term Visa
You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months on a Standard Tourist Visa. You might be able to stay longer if:
Long term Visa
You can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that lasts 2, 5 or 10 years if you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. If you're under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.
Documents required
To apply for a Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa, you have to provide the following documents:
What is the processing time of the Standard Visitor visa application?
The decision on your UK visitor visa will take no longer than 8 weeks if you apply by post. However, the decision can be made on the day you apply by using the premium service.
A longer period may apply for taking a decision if further documentation is required.
What is the fee for the Standard Visitor visa?
A Standard Visitor visa costs £95. If a short term visa is extended for up to 11 to 12 months, the fee is £190.
The fee for a long-term Standard Visitor visa depends on its length:
How do I apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa?
Complete the online application form
If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK. Usually, the UK visa online application form contains questions on personal information as:
Collect the required documents
As a part of your UK visa application, you should submit some mandatory required documents to support your case.
You must provide a passport or travel document. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and must contain a blank page for your visa. You'll be told what other documents and information to provide when you apply online. You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
You'll need to provide the following information:
You might also need to provide:
Schedule a UK visa appointment
After making the appointment online, print the email confirming the details of your appointment, and take the required documents with you to the UK visa application centre or VFS that you have chosen to attend.
The documents required in the original must be submitted in original. Make sure that the documents are as required because sometimes even a little mistake can cause a lot of trouble. Please note that the appointment must be made in your name, not in someone else's.
Attend the UK visa interview
When you attend the UK visa application centre, you will need to provide your biometric information, which includes a photograph and a digital scan of your fingerprints.
Every applicant who is submitting a visa application must attend the visa application centre in person, including children. Applicants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
UK visa application denial
Even the smallest mistake can lead to the rejection of your UK visa application by the UK Home Office. The rejection can take place due to some of the following reasons:
How can I appeal against a UK visa denial?
When your UK visa application gets rejected you will be notified about the reasons for it being rejected. If you feel that the decision has not been taken justly, then you can appeal against the visa denial.
To appeal against the visa denial you'll need to follow certain steps:
However, if the decision is still not changed, you can file a new application by correcting the previous mistakes.
Can I extend my UK Standard Visitor visa?
Yes, you can apply for an extension of your Standard Visitor Visa only when:
If you're staying in the UK for longer than 6 months, you must collect your biometric residence permit when you arrive. You may also have to take a tuberculosis test as part of your application depending on your origin point.