Who this service is for
Tourists, people visiting family or friends, and others making short permitted visits to the UK. If you are planning to study, see our study abroad service instead.
General application considerations
- A standard visit is usually up to 6 months.
- You can apply online no earlier than 3 months before you travel.
- You must attend an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity and give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).
- GOV.UK states you usually get a decision within 3 weeks of your appointment, and you may be able to pay for a faster decision.
- You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do activities permitted for visitors.
Common documentation categories
The exact documents depend on your circumstances and the official checklist at the time you apply. Applications commonly involve:
- A passport valid for your whole stay
- Travel dates, accommodation details and an estimate of trip costs
- Information about your income and who is paying for the trip
- Your travel history for the past 10 years
- Employer, business or study details
- Details of family in the UK, if visiting them
- Certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh
How Consult Cell assists
- An eligibility discussion based on the official requirements for United Kingdom
- A personalised document checklist for your situation
- Guidance on presenting your travel purpose, funds and ties clearly and truthfully
- Itinerary and travel-planning guidance
- A full review of your application before submission
- Interview preparation, where an interview applies
Important limitations
Who decides: visa decisions are made solely by the relevant embassy or immigration authority. We provide guidance and application support; we do not guarantee outcomes.
- We do not book or guarantee appointment slots, and we cannot speed up government processing.
- Government fees are paid to the relevant authority or its appointed service provider and are separate from any consultancy fee.
- Every statement and document in your application must be genuine. We will not prepare or submit false information.
Frequently asked questions
How early can I apply for a UK visitor visa?
GOV.UK states that the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
How long can I stay as a UK Standard Visitor?
Usually up to 6 months per visit. Some specific visitor categories allow longer stays, as set out on GOV.UK.
Can I work on a UK visitor visa?
No. Visitors may only do the activities permitted under the visitor rules. Check GOV.UK for the full list.
Official sources
Rules change. Always confirm requirements on the official pages below before you pay any fee or submit an application.
Information on this page was last checked against these sources on by the Consult Cell team.