Tourist Visit
Travel to the UK for tourism and leisure – explore attractions, visit family or friends, and enjoy stays of up to 6 months.
Validity
- Stay up to 6 months per visit
- Long-term multi-entry visas available (2, 5 or 10 years)
- Maximum stay is still 6 months on each trip
At a glance
- Holidays, sightseeing and leisure travel
- Visit friends or family and attend personal events
- Short recreational study (up to 30 days)
- No work or long-term residence permitted
About the visa
The Tourism & Leisure Visit Visa (part of the UK Standard Visitor rules) allows overseas visitors to come to the UK for holidays, sightseeing and leisure. Typical activities include visiting attractions, exploring cities, and spending time with friends or family.
This route is strictly for short-term tourism. It does not allow work, long-term residence, or repeated successive visits designed to live in the UK.
Eligibility & permitted activities
To qualify, you must be a genuine visitor who:
- Will leave the UK at the end of your visit
- Has sufficient funds and suitable accommodation
- Only takes part in permitted visitor activities
- Has strong ties to your home country (employment, study, family or commitments)
Examples of permitted activities
- Sightseeing and visiting UK tourist attractions
- Spending time with friends or family
- Attending cultural events, concerts or festivals as a visitor
- Taking a short recreational course (up to 30 days, non-work related)
What you can / cannot do
You can
- Visit the UK for holidays, sightseeing and leisure
- Stay with friends/family or in hotels and other accommodation
- Attend social or cultural events as a visitor
- Take a short recreational study course (up to 30 days)
You cannot
- Do paid or unpaid work for a UK business
- Access public funds or state benefits
- Use successive visits to effectively live in the UK
- Switch into another visa category while in the UK
Process
A typical application involves:
- Apply online via GOV.UK and pay the fee (£115 for up to 6 months)
- Book and attend biometrics at a visa application centre
- Submit supporting documents, usually including:
- Passport/travel document
- Evidence of travel purpose (e.g. itinerary or bookings)
- Proof of funds (bank statements, payslips, or sponsor support)
- Accommodation details (hotel booking or host letter)
- Evidence of ties to your home country (employment, study, family commitments)
- Decision: normally 2–3 weeks (priority services may be available)
Common refusal reasons
- Insufficient proof of funds or unclear accommodation arrangements
- Weak evidence of ties to the home country (risk of overstaying)
- Vague or inconsistent travel purpose
- Travel pattern suggests attempt to live in the UK via frequent visits
