Applying for a visa to live in or visit the UK often requires you to review and meet specific eligibility criteria. These are different for every type of visa on offer, but one consistent requirement is that you have sufficient funds to take care of yourself (and any family members or other dependents applying as part of your visa) during your stay. This is because most visas do not grant visitors access to public funds, and if the permitted activities under your visa route don't allow you to work, you won't have a way to earn money that can support you during your stay in the UK.

These financial requirements differ not only in terms of how much money you need to have, but factors like how long you have held the money in your bank account. In some cases, you may need to meet a particular income threshold, although this typically only applies if you are coming to live in the UK for work.

With this said, most people who are entering the UK on a Visitor visa will not need to meet a minimum income threshold or show that they have a particular amount of money saved to support them financially during a UK visit. Here, the experts at Latitude Law explain the circumstances under which you need a visit visa to come to the UK, the financial requirements that you may need to meet, and the process to apply for a Visitor visa.

When do you need a Standard Visitor visa?

Many people can travel to the UK for short periods without needing a visa, including those coming from visa-exempt countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and the EU's member states. A full list of the exempt countries can be found on the government website. You will be able to spend up to six months in the UK without a visa, after which you would need to apply for a relevant visa in order to remain.

Even if you are exempt from a visa, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.

Travellers from non-exempt countries will need a visa to travel to the UK for any reason, although there are limits on what you can do under the Standard Visitor visa route. Permitted activities include:

●      Tourism: coming to the UK on holiday or visiting family and friends.

●      Business: attending meetings, interviews, conferences, or signing contracts.

●      Short-term study: taking a course lasting up to six months (or up to 11 months for an English language course).

●      Academic visits: for academics coming to undertake research or accompany students.

You can also travel to the UK for up to 11 months for private medical treatment under a related but separate visa category, the Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons. You will need to provide evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visa's validity, and financial documents or other evidence to support your application.

What are the financial requirements for a UK visit visa?

There is no fixed financial eligibility requirement or minimum amount of money that a visitor must have to enter the UK on a Standard Visitor visa. However, you must be able to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay without working or accessing public funds. This includes having enough money to cover your accommodation, food and expenses while in the UK, and your ability to pay for a return journey; if you cannot afford to leave the UK at the end of your visit, you may not be granted the visa.

The Visa Officer will examine your anticipated expenses for the trip, and compare them to your recent financial situation. They will consider whether your claimed income is credible, and the expenditure on your trip is in line with it.

As well as proving that you have sufficient funds held to support you during your stay and meet any relevant financial commitments, you will also need to pay costs relating to your application. The application fee is £115 for a single visit of up to six months, although two, five and 10-year options are also available for a higher cost, which can enable successive visits.

You may be asked to provide evidence such as the following to support your visit visa application:

●      Bank statements (usually covering at least six months) showing sufficient funds.

●      Payslips.

●      A letter of financial support, if someone else is covering your expenses, together with proof of their finances (eg six months’ bank statements).

●      Accommodation details (hotel bookings, invitation letters from family/friends confirming they will accommodate you).

If the Home Office believes you do not have enough money to support yourself or your financial documents appear inconsistent, your visa may be refused. It can help to have a solicitor review your application and the relevant supporting documents to maximise your chances of success. We can also advise you on how much money you need to meet Home Office requirements, taking into account your income and outgoings.

What is the UK Visitor visa application process?

Before you apply, you should confirm that you need a Standard Visitor visa based on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. It may be that you do not need a visa, or that you need a different type of visa for the activities you want to undertake during your UK visit. Visa rules can be complex, but our immigration law experts can discuss your needs and advise you on choosing the right visa route.

If you are confident that the Standard Visitor visa is the right option, gather the documents you will need to prove that you are a genuine visitor who meets the legal requirements. Evidence and documentation you may need to provide include. 

●      A valid passport or travel document that has at least one blank page and is valid for the duration of your stay.

●      Proof of the purpose of your visit, such as:

•       A travel itinerary.
•       Hotel bookings or a letter of invitation from a UK resident.
•       Business-related documents if attending meetings.
•       Acceptance letter if visiting for study (up to six months).

●      Financial evidence showing that you can support yourself during the trip, such as:

•       Bank statements from the last six months (you and your sponsor where applicable).
•       Payslips or proof of employment.
•       A sponsor’s letter (if someone else is covering your expenses).

●      Accommodation details, such as a booking confirmation.

In some cases, you may also need to provide previous passports and visas, medical documentation or other documents according to your personal circumstances. You will be prompted to submit these documents during the application process so, if you are not sure, speak to a solicitor or gather as much evidence as you can. It is also worthwhile to have a solicitor review your documents before you submit them. Our team can confirm whether your evidence meets the required thresholds and gives you the best chance of success 

Once you have gathered the relevant evidence, you can fill in an application form online. You may need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre near you in order to present your documents and have biometric information recorded, which can be arranged at this time. You will also pay your fee when you submit your application.

After submitting the application, attend your visa application centre appointment with your documents. You will have your fingerprints and a photograph taken. At this stage, you must wait for a decision to be made, which can take up to three weeks. In some locations, a priority service is available that can deliver a decision more quickly. If you are concerned about timing, you can apply for your visa up to three months before you travel.

You will be notified of the decision by email and, if you are successful, you will be able to travel to the UK. If it is refused, you will receive an emailed notice explaining the reasons for refusal. Our team can advise you of your options in these cases, which may include challenging the ruling or reapplying, but note there is no right of appeal against a visit visa refusal; re-application is often the best way forward

Compliance with the Immigration Rules is vital when planning a visit to the UK, as failing to secure a visa can present significant disruptions. In many cases, your only option will be to apply again, which can interrupt travel plans and prevent you from travelling. Our solicitors will review your application and advise you on whether you need bank statements, financial documents or other kinds of evidence to maximise your odds of success.

Get in touch with Latitude Law today for advice on securing a UK Visitor visa or start the application process. Call Latitude Law today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.