Your location: United States Change

UK visa requirements

Probably the most common question we get asked: "What are the requirements when applying for a UK visa?" Well, let's try to understand.

Visa enquiry

UK visa requirements in the English version

Do you need a visa?

The first thing to check is whether you will even need a visa to the UK. Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa or you may be able to apply for an e-visa in a simplified process.

Well, I need a visa to the UK. What are the requirements?

You can start processing up to 3 months before your intended travel date ( i.e. the date on which you will be fingerprinted). Fingerprints are taken each time you apply for a visa, so applicant can only apply in person, even if the visa is for a child. A separate application form is filled out for each person travelling and the visa fee is paid. Even if you are travelling with your spouse and child and have listed them on your application form, they must complete their own forms and pay the visa fee. You can request a visa for 6 months, and for 2, 5 or 10 years (but the embassy has the right to issue a visa for a shorter period!).

For which purposes you can apply for a Standard visitor visa

This visa can be used for travelling, visiting friends and relatives, volunteering for up to 30 days, transit through the UK, business visits (e.g. attending exhibitions, negotiations, signing contracts), participation in school exchange programmes, studying on English language courses (up to 6 months) and other courses for up to 30 days, medical examinations.

What is forbidden to do on this type of visa

You cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company, live in the UK for long periods of time, or get married.

Document requirements

It must show the embassy that you will be leaving the UK at the end of your trip. Of course, the visa officer must ensure that you have enough money in your account to pay for your trip and all related expenses (and if your trip is being paid for by another person, similar requirements for their account).

What information the visa officer still needs from you in order to make a decision:

Expected dates of travel)
Where you will be staying during your trip
Details of your family (children/parents/spouse), place of residence in your country
Your employment details and income
Travel history for the last 10 years

For more details on the documents that may be required, please see here. You’ll also need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English.

Visa application milestones

Enquiry assessment

Purpose of the trip to the UK
Your immigration status in the English version?
Marital status
Travel history
Your income and who pays for the trip

This and much more will affect what documents to prepare. We examine your situation and draw up a tailored list of documents that will be required just in your case.

Docs for UK visa

We will send you a list of all necessary documents and samples so that you understand exactly what you need to collect. It is important not only to collect a complete package of documents, but also to check that everything meets the embassy’s requirements. Our specialist will check that everything is available and there are no questions regarding the prepared documents.

Submit application

Unlike other agencies, we fill in the embassy application form ourselves on your behalf, based on the documents you have collected. You no longer have to answer hundreds of questions yourself, our specialist will take care of everything.

Book an appointment

When the application is ready, we will send you access to pay the visa fee. After payment, we will book the day and time for biometrics. You will only have to come with your passport to take a photo and take fingerprints: this is done every time you apply for a visa.

Upload docs

We upload scans of all the documents you have collected to the UK embassy and send you confirmation of this. You will be assured that you have not forgotten anything, and you will not need to bring nothing more than your original passport to your submission.

How much does it cost

Professional

Full visa service

Custom documents list + samples
Review of your collected documents
Completion of your application form
Biometric appointment booking
Documents uploading
Unlimited consultations

$396 UK Embassy fee $146 included!

Visa enquiry

This is the price for a 6-month visitor visa only. To view prices for other visa types and durations click here.

We assist with all types of UK visas!

You can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to visit the UK for any of the following reasons:

for tourism
to visit family or friends
for child accompanied visits
for study up to 6 months

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. If you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period of time, you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor Visa which can be set for 2, 5, or 10 years.

About Visitor Visa

If you are planning to attend a short education course in the UK, such as an English-language course, vocational course, overseas course component, or for short-term research, medical, veterinary, or dentistry electives, you will need to apply for a short-term Student Visa.
You can study for up to 6 months (or up to 11 months if you are attending an English-language course).

About short-term Student Visa

If you are planning to take a full-time undergraduate- or graduate-level course in a UK school, college, or university, you will need to apply for a Student Visa (ex. Tier 4 General). There are specific requirements that apply to your specific course, the amount of money you need, your English level, and documents to apply for the visa.

About Student visa

You can apply for a Business Visa to visit the UK for any of the following reasons:

exhibitions, conferences, or any visits for which you have an official invitation
sports and entertainment events
medical services
academic research

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months (or up to 12 months if you are applying for an academic visit). If you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period of time, you can apply for a long-term Business Visa valid for a period of 2, 5, or 10 years.

About business visa

Fiancee visa (or Settlement Marriage visa): to come to the UK for a period of up to 6 months, register a marriage, and apply for a Settlement Spouse Visa within the UK.
Spouse visa: If you have already registered a marriage to a UK national, you can apply for a Spouse visa, which is issued for a period of 2.5 years and includes the right to work. It can be extended once in the UK and is a step toward receiving an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and UK citizenship.
EEA Family Permit / EU Settlement Scheme family permit: if your spouse is living and working in the UK and is an EU national but does not have UK citizenship.
Unmarried partners visa: if you are not officially married to a UK national but have lived together for two years.
Same-sex partners visa: If you are same-sex partners, have already registered a marriage to a UK national or, in the case of unmarried partners, you have lived together for two years.
Dependant child visa (or Settlement Child visa): if you want to bring your dependent child to the UK.

General work visa (Tier 2): can be applied for if the applicant has been offered a skilled job in the UK.
Temporary Worker visa (Tier 5): includes the Charity Worker visa, Creative and Sporting Visa, Government Authorised Exchange Visa, International Agreement Visa, Religious Worker Visa, Seasonal Worker Visa, and Youth Mobility Scheme Visa.
Permitted Paid Engagement visa: if you are invited to the UK as an expert in your profession for up to 1 month.

If you have been refused a visa, all is not lost! You can still get a Visa after Refusal. Our agency will help you understand the reasons why the refusal was given and help you prepare convincing grounds for an appeal.

Visa after refusal

So I'm in United States, where can I get my fingerprints taken?

In United States you can submit your UK visa application in:

Atlanta (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Boston (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Chicago (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Houston (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Los Angeles (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Miami (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
New York
San Francisco (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Seattle (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)
Washington (additional $499-2300 fee required to apply at this location)

How to track your visa application

How to book an appointment

How to contact application centre

Get professional paid visa help

Our team works provide online support only! However, if you would like to get help at an office, feel free to contact one of the locations above. Please note: there is no phone you can call for an Application centre to assist, you will have to come in person to speak with a staff member.

You're not in United States? Select the country where you are now.