Often referred to as a ‘standard visitor visa’ or ‘UK tourist visa’, a visitor visa enables foreign nationals to visit the United Kingdom as a tourist, for study, or for business purposes for a period of up to 6 months. However, unsuccessful applications are common, especially when individuals don’t know how best to approach the process and give themselves the best chance of success. Many people don’t know the circumstances under which they need a UK visitor visa and many don’t know how to evidence their application properly.
If you need help getting a visa to visit the UK, our immigration lawyers can advise you through the process and provide assistance in complex cases, particularly where you have faced past refusals.
Anyone can apply to visit the UK, but some nationalities require prior entry clearance (a visitor visa) before travelling to the UK, even for a short period. Those who don’t, still need to apply for an ETA before travelling.
A visitor visa is required by a visa national who is wishing to visit the UK. The list of visa nationals can be found in paragraph VN.1 of the Immigration Rules, or we can give you some clarity on the matter - just contact our team.
Non-visa nationals, such as an EU national or US national, must apply for an ETA before their arrival. Should they be unable to apply for an ETA, because of a criminal offence or other reason, they too will need to apply for a visitor visa.
Your visitor visa application will be assessed based on the following requirements:
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Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities detail exactly what a visitor visa holder is allowed to do during their time in the UK.
This includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
As a holder of a standard UK visitor visa, you cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, marry or register a civil partnership, or live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits.
You can apply for a UK visitor visa via the UK government website, or through the support of UK immigration experts like us at Latitude Law. To do so, you’ll be asked a number of questions about your nationality, reason for visit, ties to your home country, travel plans and financial situation.
You’ll also have to pay an application fee of £127 each time you apply – the payment is taken when you submit your application.
All applicants should know that the Home Office are believed – this is not officially stated – to consider applications differently based on the nationality of the applicant and length of proposed visit. Applications from certain countries are treated much more harshly. Applicants looking to stay for more than 2 weeks will receive a more detailed inspection.
It is very difficult to challenge a refused visit visa, this is discussed in detail below. Everything should be prepared carefully to make the strongest possible application to give you the best chance of success at your first attempt (which is where we come in).
You’ll need a few documents to apply for a UK visitor visa. These include:
You might also be required to provide an invitation from a UK company for business purposes, or details of planned activities and travel plans.
Check out our blog outlining in detail the documents required to apply for a UK visitor visa.
A UK visitor visa can be extended but only if the initial application was for less than 6 months, and to a maximum of 6 months. For example, if your initial application was for 3 months, then you can apply to extend your stay for a further 3 months.
To do this, you need to apply before your current permission expires, and you’ll need to continue to meet the requirements for your travel visa.
If you need to remain in the UK after your visitor visa expires you should contact Latitude Law as we may be able to make an application under a different, human rights, route.
Visitor visa applications from certain nationalities have become notorious for their high rates of refusal. We specifically see high numbers of refusals for visitor visa applications made by citizens of countries that produce substantial refugee flows, and often find that visitor visa applications made by elderly applicants, or persons financially dependent on their UK-based family members, are extremely difficult.
To ensure the best chance of success in a visit visa application – especially for what may be termed problem countries - it is vital that strong evidence of the applicant’s circumstances in their home country is provided.
Applicants need to create a picture of what their life at home is like and highlight the reasons that they will return to that country. In this regard, applicants must submit proof of their employment, property owned and family members in their home country. Evidence of studies or engagement with places or worship and other social groups is helpful too.
A cover letter can also be very helpful to draw the decision maker’s attention to the evidence provided and how this meets the relevant immigration rules.
Let Our Immigration Lawyers Secure you a UK Visitor Visa
Ultimately, challenging a refusal decision requires an application for Judicial Review. This is an expensive and time consuming process and the nature of Judicial Review means it is poorly suited to challenging refusals. Even if you win, the end result is that the Home Office have to withdraw and remake their decision – they can still refuse you again.
As the mechanism of challenge is so weak it is vital that applications are prepared with all possible supporting evidence. You should apply with every shred of support possible so that the application is as strong as possible.
Even still, well evidenced applications are frequently refused by Home Office teams that are set on finding any reason at all to refuse. Many applicants need to at least engage with the Judicial Review process to get a successful decision from the Home Office and, even then, some will not be successful.
If you have a UK sponsor, engaging with their local MP may be helpful if the Home Office have withdrawn a decision for reconsideration following Judicial Review proceedings.
Content Correct as of September 2025
As the requirements for a UK visitor visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your supporting documentation is compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.
Immigration law can be complex, which is why it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Latitude Law's solicitors are experts in assisting you with your application to visit the UK.
To avoid the risk of refusal as far as possible, we would recommend that legal advice is taken at the earliest opportunity; ideally, before your first attempt at a visit visa application to ensure the best chance of success. Our experience in these applications allows us to consider your circumstances in detail and suggest evidence which can be provided that you may not have considered previously.
Our visitor visa services include:
We are available to provide legal support and guidance at every stage of the application process, doing everything we can to give you the best possible chance of a successful application for temporary UK residence.
Latitude Law is proud to be consistently recognised by globally respected legal directories for our expertise in both corporate and personal immigration. We are featured in The Times Best 250 Law Firms in England & Wales 2025, Chambers & Partners UK & High Net Worth 2025, Legal 500 2025, and Lexology 2025 - each highlighting firms that demonstrate exceptional professionalism, specialist knowledge, and success in complex immigration matters. These independent endorsements distinguish us from other law firms and act as a kitemark of our integrity, quality, and commitment to outstanding client service.
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