Tourist Standard Visitor
Reasons you can visit the UK as a standard visitor.
What reasons can I visit the UK as a Standard Visitor?
- Tourism
for a holiday or to see family and friends
to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example, a dance course - Business or work
for a business trip, interview or meeting
for activities as part of an overseas job
as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
for an event related to your job that you will be paid for - Study
to do a short course of study, placement or an exam
to take part in a school exchange programme
to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course - Medical reasons
- Other
to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
What reasons can’t I visit the UK as a Standard Visitor?
- do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK for long periods of time by taking multiple, reoccurring visits
- marry or register a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership. For this, you can apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.
Last updated
15 May 2024