Visitor visa guidance
A holiday, a family reunion or a business visit starts with something you want to experience. Understanding the visitor route helps you plan that trip with clearer expectations.
A useful answer first
A Standard Visitor stay is usually up to six months. It can cover holidays, visiting family and permitted business activities. It is not permission to take an ordinary UK job or make the UK your home through repeated visits.
Spending a holiday with your children in the UK and moving to live near them are different plans. Start with the stay you actually want, rather than the fact that both involve family.
Be clear about the activities, length of the trip and how it will be funded. Those questions help distinguish a visit from a move.
Understand the length of a visit →Support that fits the question
A visitor review can examine how the purpose, finances, travel history and circumstances fit together. Agreed representation can then address preparation for that particular trip.
If you want to take a UK job or make a permanent move, start with the work or family guidance before choosing visitor assistance.
Before paid work begins, confirm the written service scope, professional fee and separate government or third-party charges. A focused review and full application representation are different appointments.
A client’s experience
Move Up helped a first-time applicant feel more confident and supported throughout the visa process.
Victoria · Paraphrased client feedback
One person’s experience, shared to help you understand the support. Your circumstances and outcome may differ.
Plan your costs
Government charges and professional help are separate costs. Start with the application that matches your circumstances.
Total for this application, including the listed charges
Fees reviewed Enquire for current fee
At your pace
An existing refusal or approaching expiry? Start with the time-sensitive matter.
Explore uk visitor visas
Choose a topic to see what each guide will help you understand.
Separate visa validity, the length of each intended stay and the pattern of travel you are planning.
Read this guide ↗Describe the planned meetings or activities and distinguish a business visit from taking employment in the UK.
Read this guide ↗Start with the passport held, travel purpose and itinerary before choosing which entry requirements to investigate.
Read this guide ↗Distinguish the validity of a visa from the permission for each visit when planning repeated travel.
Read this guide ↗Describe what employees will do during the visit so the travel purpose can be reviewed before arrangements are finalised.
Read this guide ↗Connect the purpose and intended length of a single trip with the evidence supporting it.
Read this guide ↗Check the itinerary, airport arrangements and onward travel when deciding which transit or visitor question applies.
Read this guide ↗Review the onward journey and whether border control is involved before selecting a transit application.
Read this guide ↗Make purpose, funding, accommodation and reasons to return consistent with the temporary visit being proposed.
Read this guide ↗Build the cost picture from the chosen application, professional service and any supporting document expenses.
Read this guide ↗Allow for preparation, appointments and any further enquiries when thinking about the travel timetable.
Read this guide ↗Review the visitor permission and circumstances before assuming that a stay can be extended.
Read this guide ↗Find more guides connected to this opportunity and the practical decisions around it.
Browse more uk visitor visas guidance ↗Your next conversation
Tell us what the trip means to you and what you hope to do. We can help you understand which questions need attention before building your application plan.
Talk to Move Up ↗Put your plans into context
Use a focused questionnaire to share the facts with Move Up.
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