VISIT THE UK

A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, or UK ETA, is an advance permission to travel to the United Kingdom. It is required by specified non-visa nationals who wish to travel to the UK as visitors, transit passengers passing through UK border control, or Creative Workers seeking entry under the Creative Worker visa concession.

The UK Standard Visitor Visa enables individuals to travel to the United Kingdom for a short stay, usually for up to six months. It is designed for those visiting the UK for activities such as tourism, to see family or friends, to undertake business activities, to study on a short course, or to receive private medical treatment. Unlike other visa categories, the UK Standard Visitor Visa does not provide a route to settlement, nor does it allow for work, long-term study or marriage in the UK. 

The Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa is intended for individuals who wish to travel to the UK to marry, form a civil partnership, or give notice of their intention to do so.

The UK Transit Visitor Visa enables foreign nationals to lawfully transit through the United Kingdom on their way to a third country. Whether transiting airside without passing through UK border control or landside by entering the UK briefly before continuing onward travel, travellers must comply with UK immigration requirements during their stopover.

The Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short-term stay for the purpose of visiting friends and/or family or for a short holiday.

The Business Visit Visa is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for the purpose of carrying out a permitted short-term business activity.

The Study Visit Visa is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a period of study, an elective relevant to a course of study abroad or a period of research (or research tuition) that will last up to 6 months.

The Creative Visit Visa is for amateur and professional artists, entertainers and musicians (and their personal and technical staff) who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted creative activities for a period of up to 6 months.

The Sports Visit Visa is for amateur and professional sportspersons (individuals and teams), technical or support staff of sportspersons and sports officials who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted sporting activities for a period of up to 6 months.

The Religious Visit Visa is for overseas religious workers who wish to visit the UK to preach or undertake pastoral work, unpaid, for a period of up to 6 months.

The Science and Academia Visit Visa is for scientists, researchers and academics who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted unpaid science or academic activities for a period of up to 6 months or, for certain academics, for a period of up to 12 months.

The Work-related Training Visit Visa is for overseas graduates from medical, dental or nursing schools, employees of overseas companies or organisations and employees of overseas based training companies who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted unpaid work-related training activities for a period of up to 6 months.

The Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa is for individuals who wish to receive private medical treatment, act as an organ donor or be assessed as a potential organ donor to an identified recipient in the UK.

The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visit Visa is available to certain professionals and experts who wish to visit the UK in order to undertake a paid engagement relating to their expertise and occupation.