United Kingdom Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees, Processing Time & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Most nationalities need a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for tourism, family visits, or short business trips. A Standard Visitor visa allows stays of up to 6 months per entry. A visa does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the port of entry.
the United Kingdom visa at a glance
- Government fee
- £115 (~$147) — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 3 weeks from biometrics submission (standard)
- Validity / stay
- 6 months · up to 6 months per entry
- Visa types
- 5
Do you need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Some nationalities can enter the UK visa-free for short stays. Check the UK Government visa-exemption list for your nationality before traveling. If your nationality is not on the visa-exemption list, you need a visa.
For verified entry rules by nationality, see:
the United Kingdom visa types
- Standard Visitor visa
- Tourism, family visits, short business trips — Up to 6 months per entry
- 2-year visitor visa
- Multiple visits over 2 years — Up to 6 months per entry
- 5-year visitor visa
- Multiple visits over 5 years — Up to 6 months per entry
- 10-year visitor visa
- Multiple visits over 10 years — Up to 6 months per entry
- Transit visa
- Passing through the UK to a third country — Per the transit rules
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for the UK depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. For Indian passport holders, the standard option is a Standard Visitor visa costing £115 (~₹12,500), valid for 6 months, with standard processing taking 3 weeks and no interview required — biometrics are submitted at a VFS Global center in India. For Filipino passport holders, the standard option is a Standard Visitor visa costing GBP 115 (~$147), valid for up to 6 months per entry, with processing taking 3 weeks.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter the UK visa-free for short stays — confirm whether your passport is included and whether any limit applies.
Visa-required nationalities need a Standard Visitor visa or another applicable category before arrival.
Long-stay, work, study, or residence requires a different category; this guide covers short-stay visitor entry only.
Documents required for a the United Kingdom visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passport6+ months validity from your intended travel date, 2+ blank pages.
- Completed online visa application formCompleted online visa application form.
- Passport photo45×35 mm, white background.
- Proof of travel itineraryProof of travel itinerary.
- Proof of accommodationProof of accommodation.
- Proof of financial means6 months of bank statements and 6 months of payslips.
- Employment letterEmployment letter.
- 3 years of income tax returns3 years of income tax returns.
- Flight reservationFlight reservation.
- If visiting family or friends: invitation letter and sponsor documentsIf visiting family or friends: invitation letter and sponsor documents.
the United Kingdom visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- £115 (~$147) — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- 6 months · up to 6 months per entry
- Official processing
- 3 weeks from biometrics submission (standard)
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a the United Kingdom visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check the UK Government visa-exemption list for your nationality. If you're exempt, you don't need this process.
Complete the online application on the official UK visa portal
Fill in your personal details, travel plans, and purpose of visit.
Pay the visa fee
£115 for a Standard Visitor visa. The fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied.
Book your VFS Global appointment for document submission and biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
VFS Global centers in India are located in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune, and Cochin.
Submit your documents at the VFS Global center
Bring your passport, printed application form, passport photo, and all supporting documents.
Wait for processing
the standard processing time is 3 weeks from the date you submit your biometrics. Priority service (5 working days) adds £250. Super priority (next working day) adds £956.
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check UK Government requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend VFS Global yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the UK Government portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into the United Kingdom is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or exemption stamp.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A Standard Visitor visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a Standard Visitor visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a the United Kingdom visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Insufficient financial proof
not enough evidence you can fund your trip.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Missing or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Frequently asked questions
the United Kingdom visa questions, answered.
More for your the United Kingdom trip
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.