Visitor Visa or Short Term Visa?

Choose a UK visit or short stay visa 

Standard Visitor Visa 

Apply for this visa if you want to visit the UK on holiday or to see your family and friends, do business, take part in sports or creative events, or receive private medical treatment.  
  • Can work - No in most cases  
  • Can study - Yes (up to 30 days) but not as the main reason for your visit  
  • How long you can stay - Up to 6 months, usually  
  • Cost - £95 (for 6 months) 

More information on a Standard Visitor Visa can be found online at GOV.UK. 

Short-term Study Visa 

Apply for this visa if you are doing a short course of study or training in the UK. 
  • Can work - No 
  • Can study - Yes 
  • How long you can stay - 6 or 11 months 
  • Cost - £97 for 6 months, £186 for 11 months 

Further information on a Short Term Study Visa is available on GOV.UK

Visa to pass through the UK in transit 

Apply for this visa if you need to pass through the UK on your way to another country.
 
How long you can stay and how much the visa costs depends on whether you pass through UK border control.

More information on Visa's to pass through the UK in transit on GOV.UK

If you go through border control 

  • Can work - No 
  • Can study - No 
  • How long you can stay - 48 hours 
  • Cost - £64 

If you do not pass through border control 

  • Can work - No 
  • Can study - No 
  • How long you can stay - Your onward journey should be within 24 hours  
  • Cost - £35 

Permitted Paid Engagement Visa 

You might be able to apply for this visa if you have been invited to the UK to do paid work as an expert in your profession. 
  • Can work - Yes (if it is related to your main job or area of expertise)  
  • Can study - Yes (up to 30 days) but not as the main reason for your visit  
  • How long you can stay - Up to 1 month  
  • Cost - £95  

More details on Permitted Paid Engagement Visa's available on GOV.UK.  

Marriage Visitor Visa 

Apply for this visa if you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK, even if you don’t usually need a visa to visit the UK. Check everything you need to do to get married in the UK
  • Can work - No 
  • Can study - in most cases Yes (up to 30 days) but not as the main reason for your visit 
  • How long you can stay - Up to 6 months  
  • Cost - £95  

Further details on Marriage Visitor Visa's can be found on GOV.UK 

Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa 

Apply for this visa if your child attends an independent fee-paying day school in the UK and you want to stay with them.  
  • Can work - No 
  • Can study - No 
  • How long you can stay - 6 or 12 months  
  • Cost - £516  

Further details on Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa's on GOV.UK  

Visit the UK in a Chinese Tour Group 

Apply for this visa if you are a Chinese citizen that is coming to the UK as part of a tour group through the approved destination status agreement (ADS). 
  • Can work - No 
  • Can study - No 
  • How long you can stay - Up to 30 days  
  • Cost - £95  

More details on Visiting the UK in a Chinese Tour Group can be found on GOV.UK. 

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