UK Visitor Visas for US citizens
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The UK Visitor Visa involves several different categories of visitors. These include tourists, business visitors, and students. For citizens of the United States, it is not typically necessary to obtain a UK Visitor Visa before entering the UK. US citizens are known as non-visa nationals, meaning they can enter and remain in the UK for up to six months before needing a visa.
For non-US nationals, a Visiting Visa for the UK will most likely be necessary before you can visit for any period of time. They can be granted for up to six months and will grant fewer rights than other visa types (you cannot bring dependents with you on this visa, for example).
How can IAS Help?
The requirements for UK Visitor Visas can be strict and applicants need to provide substantial evidence they will leave the country at the end of your stay, many visas are rejected for lack of evidence.
IAS has a team of lawyers experienced in receiving good results from the Home Office. Our team knows the common pitfalls often made on Visitor Visa applications. We will help complete your applications form in full to ensure that these are avoided.
You will also receive a Letter of Representation with your application. This is a document written by your lawyer on the merits of your application and why it should be accepted. To find out more, call +1 844 290 6312 or use our online form to contact an expert lawyer.
What are the New Visitor Visa Rules for the UK 2025?
In 2025, the UK government extended the requirement for many visitors to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they want to visit the UK from today.
Under the new UK Visitor Visa rules if you do not require a Visitor visa to travel to the UK, are not a UK or Irish passport holder or have the right to work/settle in the UK already, you probably need to apply for an ETA to visit the UK.
The ETA scheme was first introduced in 2023 for non-European nationals, including visitors from the US and Canada.
Permissible Activities on a UK Visitor Visa
When travelling to the UK on a short stay visa there are conditions on what you do while in the UK. You should not undertake any activities that are not permitted on a UK standard visitor visa otherwise you could breach immigration laws.
| Activity | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Travel through the country as a tourist | Yes |
| Visit your family or friends in the country | Yes |
| Receive medical treatment | Yes |
| Perform certain business activities such as take part in meetings or attend trade fairs | Yes |
| Study or research for up to six months, take a test, or do an elective placement | Yes |
| Participate in a student exchange programme | Yes |
| Take a short recreational course, the duration of which must not exceed 30 days | Yes |
| Take part in certain permitted paid engagements or events as a professional expert | Yes |
| Visit as a scientist, researcher, academic, senior doctor or dentist | Yes |
| Volunteer with a registered charity for up to a month | Yes |
| Transit through to another country | Yes |
| Work in the UK ,even if unpaid, as an employee or as a self-employed person | No |
| Claim benefits or access UK public funds | No |
| Get married or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage/civil partnership | No |
| Study long-term | No |
Who is eligible for a Standard UK Visitor Visa for US citizens?
Your eligibility will be based on what you intend to do while in the UK and which category you fit under. You will also need to prove that you can support yourself while in the UK and that you can afford your return or onward journey.
The General UK Visit Visa can be used by those who come to visit friends or as tourists with no professional engagements.
You will need a UK Visitor Visa if you are traveling:
- To visit friends or family
- As a tourist
- For business purposes
- To get married
- To receive specialist medical treatment
Types of Visitor Visas
The Standard UK Visit Visa has replaced the many Visitor Visas that the UK used to operate. This includes:
- Family Visit Visas
- Business Visitor Visas
- Prospective Entrepreneur Visas
- Entertainer Visitor Visas
- Sportsperson Visit Visas
- Permitted Paid-engagement Visitor Visas
- Student Visitor Visas
- Visitor in Transit Visas
- Special Visitor Visas
- Child Visit Visas
- Marriage Visitor Visas
These categories are still used to classify your activities during your stay but will all be applied for under the Standard Visitor Visa.
How Much Does A UK Visitor Visa Cost?
| Visitor Visa Type | Application Cost | Duration of Stay |
| Standard Visitor Visa | £127 | 6 months |
| Long-term Standard Visitor Visa for 2 Years | £475 | 6 months each visit |
| Long-term Standard Visitor Visa for 5 Years | £848 | 6 months each visit |
| Long-term Standard Visitor Visa for 10 Years | £1059 | 6 months each visit |
| Standard Visitor Visa for Medical Reasons | £220 | 11 months |
| Standard Visitor visa for Academics | £220 | 12 months |
| Priority Visa Service (Optional) | £500 | Get a decision within 5 working days |
| Super Priority Visa Service (Optional) | £1000 | Get a decision by next working day |
What Documents Do I Need For a UK Visitor Visa?
To prove your eligibility for the UK visitor visa you will need to submit a range of documents to support your application. These may include:
- Proof you plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit and do not plan to stay for more than six months. This can be in the form of a travel or hotel booking.
- Evidence of any activities you intend to perform in the UK, including business and other activities such as an invite to a trade fair or a letter from a family friend
- Finance documents to show you can afford your inward and outward journeys, including flights.
- Bank statements to show sufficient funds to support and house yourself and any dependents throughout your stay without accessing public funds.
Any paperwork must be accompanied by a certified translation if it is not originally in English or Welsh.
How Long Does It Take To Process a UK Visitor Visa?
How Long Does a UK Visitor Visa Take to Process?
You can submit your visit visa application to the Home Office up to three months before travelling to the UK. On average it takes UK Visit Visa applications around three weeks to be processed. You are advised not to book any travel until you have your visa confirmed.
If you require your application to be decided urgently then you can opt for priority services: the Priority Service and the Super Priority Service at an extra cost.
- Priority Service – Processed within 5 working days – £500
- Super Priority Service – Processed in a single working day – £1000
How to Apply for a UK Visitor Visa?
In most cases you should apply online for a UK Visitor Visa and it must be applied for before travelling to the UK.
If you require a UK Standard Visitor Visa you should follow this process:
- Create an account on the Home Office website
- Gather your supporting documents and other relevant information
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit the form along with certified copies of required supporting documents
- Pay the visa fee
- Book an appointment at a UK visa application centre (VAC) near your location in your home country
- Submit your passport and supporting documents at the VAC on your appointment date and provide your biometric information. In some countries you may be required to attend an visa interview.
For more help in applying for a UK Visit Visa contact +1 844 290 6312 for support and the latest information.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on September 27th, 2025 at 5:27 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Standard UK Visit Visa is usually granted for a period of six months. It will not usually be possible to extend this type of visa unless your original visa was granted for less than six months. If this is the case, you may be able to have it extended up to the six-month limit.
In some cases, such as business visits, you may be able to receive a Visiting Visa for the UK which lasts for one, two, five or 10 years. If this is the case, each individual visit cannot exceed the six-month limit.
If you need or would like extra time in the UK, you will have to leave the UK after six months and reapply in your country of origin to enter again. This application cannot be made from within the UK. If you need to enter the UK for more than six months, you may need to apply for a different type of UK Visa. Use our Visa Wizard for help if you are unsure of which type of visa you need.
If you are in the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa, it is not usually possible to apply for a different type of visa. There may be some exceptional circumstances in which you might be able to apply for Further Leave to Remain, but this would be in very rare cases.
If you are in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa and have decided to stay in the UK with your British partner, you cannot apply for a Spouse Visa straight away. You will need to leave the UK and apply from your country of origin.
If you would like to marry and stay in the UK, the Fiancé Visa may be a more relevant application to make.
Since the UK Visit Visa has so many categories, it can be difficult to decide which you fit into. You can use our Visa Wizard for advice or book an advice session to discuss it with an attorney.
The UK Visitor Visa is often denied because of a lack of evidence about the nature of your visit or your reasons to return home. Using our services will mean that your application is clear to the Home Office, making a positive result more likely.
Our services include:
- Assessing your eligibility and advising you on the correct Visit Visa category;
- Checking your documents to ensure you meet the requirements;
- Writing a Letter of Representation. Your attorney will produce this document to go along with your application;
- Corresponding with the Home Office until they make a decision;
- Completing your application forms in full.
Call the lawyers at IAS on +1 844 290 6312 or use our online contact form for more advice or for application assistance.