Country hub
United Kingdom visas
Whether you need a visa to enter the UK, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or neither depends on your nationality, the reason for your visit and how long you plan to stay. The UK’s immigration system is run by the Home Office through UK Visas & Immigration. This hub explains the main routes — visiting, working and studying — in plain language and links to the official gov.uk sources so you can confirm exactly what applies to you before you travel or apply.
- Official informationFrom government sources
- Clear guidanceStep-by-step explanations
- Regularly reviewedKept up to date
Important information
Your exact requirements depend on your nationality, the reason for your visit and how long you plan to stay. Some travellers need a visa in advance, others need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and some need neither. Always confirm what you need with the official gov.uk checker before you travel or apply.
Find the right United Kingdom visa for you
Choose the category that matches your plans. Each route explains who it is for, what it covers and how to apply.
Visit
2 visa routesTourism, seeing family or friends, and short business trips.View visitor visasWork
UK Skilled Worker visaEmployment, skilled work and business routes.View work visasStudy
UK Student visaCourses, degrees and student exchanges.View study visasJoin family
UK family and other visa routesJoining a partner, parent or family member.View family visasUnited Kingdom visa overview
How to apply – in 3 simple steps
- Check eligibilityUse the quick checker to confirm which visa you need for your trip.
- Prepare documentsGather your passport, photos and supporting paperwork using our guides.
- Submit & trackSubmit your application and track its progress.
Apply for a United Kingdom visa
Start an application online and follow the guided steps.
Understanding the United Kingdom visa system
The UK’s visa and immigration system is run by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office. Whether you need permission to come to the UK — and what kind — depends mainly on your nationality, why you are coming (visiting, studying, working, joining family), and how long you plan to stay. There are three broad possibilities: you may need a visa (for example to work, study, settle, or if your nationality requires one to visit); you may instead need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a lighter-touch digital permission for eligible nationalities coming for short visits; or you may need neither (for example British and Irish citizens, or people who already have permission to live, work or study in the UK). The quickest way to be sure is the gov.uk “Check if you need a UK visa” tool.
United Kingdom visa purposes
The route you need depends on why you are coming. These are the main reasons people travel to United Kingdom.
Tourism & visiting
Holidays, sightseeing, or visiting family and friends.UK Standard Visitor visaBusiness visits
Meetings, conferences, interviews and other permitted business activities on a short visit.UK Standard Visitor visaWork
Skilled employment with an approved UK employer/sponsor.UK Skilled Worker visaStudy
A place on a course with a licensed education provider.UK Student visaJoining family
Living with a partner, spouse, child, parent or relative in the UK.UK family and other visa routesMarriage / civil partnership
Coming to marry or register a civil partnership, without settling afterwards.Transit
Passing through the UK on the way to another country.Long-term residence
Staying permanently after qualifying on an eligible route.Explore United Kingdom visa types
Every United Kingdom route we cover, with a short summary of who it is for.
UK Standard Visitor visa
The UK’s general visitor visa for tourism, business, short courses of study and medical treatment, usually allowing stays of up to 6 months.
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
A digital travel authorisation linked to your passport for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays in the UK. It is not a visa.
UK Skilled Worker visa
A work visa that lets you come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer who sponsors you.
UK Student visa
The visa for people aged 16 or over coming to the UK to study at a licensed student sponsor, such as a university or college.
UK family and other visa routes
An overview of the wider set of UK visas — including family visas and other work routes — with a link to the full official list on gov.uk.
United Kingdom visa documents
Most UK applications are made online. The documents you provide prove who you are, why you're coming and that you meet your route's requirements.
- Valid passport or travel documentMust be valid for the whole of your stay.
- Your online applicationMost UK visa and ETA applications are made online via gov.uk.
- Identity & biometricsYou'll usually give a photograph and fingerprints to prove your identity.
- Proof of funds / financial evidenceRequired on many routes (for example Student and work routes).
- Accommodation & travel detailsWhere you'll stay and your plans while in the UK (visitor routes).
- Sponsorship / employment evidenceWork routes need a Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved employer.
- Study evidence (CAS)The Student route needs a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed sponsor.
- Relationship evidenceFamily routes need proof of your relationship with someone in the UK.
- English-language evidenceRequired for many work, study and family routes.
- TB test certificateRequired for applicants from certain countries staying 6 months or more.
- Previous immigration historyDetails of past UK visas, travel and any refusals may be needed.
United Kingdom visa eligibility & requirements
Requirements vary significantly by route and by your circumstances. These are common considerations, not a single checklist — always confirm against your specific route on gov.uk.
- Financial / maintenance requirements
- Several routes require you to show enough money to support yourself (and pay course fees on the Student route). Family routes have their own financial requirement.
- English-language requirements
- Work, study and family routes commonly require you to speak, read, write and understand English, often with approved evidence.
- Sponsorship (Certificate of Sponsorship)
- Skilled Worker applicants must have a job with a Home Office-approved UK employer and hold a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Points-based system (work & study)
- Work routes such as the Skilled Worker visa award points for a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor, an eligible occupation and a qualifying salary.
- Immigration history
- Previous visas, overstays or refusals can affect eligibility.
- Biometrics
- Applicants generally provide a photograph and fingerprints and prove their identity.
- TB testing
- Required if you're coming for 6 months or more and have lived in a listed country; some exemptions apply.
- Genuine visitor / student / worker tests
- Routes assess whether your intentions are genuine and permitted (a visitor generally cannot work or claim public funds).
- Relationship requirements (family routes)
- Family visas require evidence of a genuine, qualifying relationship with someone in the UK.
United Kingdom visa fees & costs
When to apply for your United Kingdom visa
Long-term residence & settlement in United Kingdom
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also called settlement, is how you settle in the UK. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and it’s usually a step towards British citizenship. There is no single path: the route you qualify under and the qualifying period vary. Many work routes require around five years in the UK; some routes are shorter, and long-residence and family routes have their own rules. Check the settlement route that applies to you on gov.uk.
UK Visa Guidance & Resources
Plain-language guides to applying for a UK visa or ETA, each linking to the official gov.uk sources you should confirm your own requirements against.
Core UK visa guidance
- How to apply for a UK visa or ETAA plain-language overview of how to apply for a UK visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), with links to the official gov.uk pages.
- Check if you need a UK visa or ETAHow to check whether you need a UK visa, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or neither, using the official gov.uk checker.
- UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) explainedHow the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) works — who needs one, journeys and validity, and how it differs from a visa — with the official gov.uk guidance.
People also asked
Do I need a visa or an ETA to visit the UK?
It depends on your nationality and why you’re coming. Some people need a visa, some need an ETA, and some need neither — use the gov.uk checker to be sure.
What's the difference between a visa and an ETA?
An ETA is a lighter-touch digital permission for eligible nationalities on short visits; a visa is a fuller application usually needed for longer stays or purposes like work, study or family. An ETA does not guarantee entry.
How long can I stay as a visitor?
On a Standard Visitor visa you can usually stay for up to 6 months.
How much does a UK visa cost?
It depends on the route, length of stay and whether you use priority services, and the Immigration Health Surcharge may apply to longer stays. Check the current fee on gov.uk.
How long does a decision take?
It depends on the route and can take longer if checks or an interview are needed. Apply in good time and don’t book travel until you have a decision.
What documents do I need?
A valid passport is essential; beyond that it depends on the route (for example proof of funds, sponsorship or a CAS, relationship evidence, English-language evidence, sometimes a TB test).
Can I work on a visitor visa?
No — the Standard Visitor visa doesn’t allow regular paid work. For work you need a work route such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Can I study in the UK?
For longer courses you generally need a Student visa (a place with a licensed sponsor). Short courses may be possible as a visitor.
Can I bring my family?
On some routes yes — Student and work routes may allow a partner and children to join you, subject to eligibility. Family routes exist specifically to join a family member.
When should I apply?
As early as you reasonably can — allow enough time, and you don’t need to book travel before applying or before a decision is made.
Can I extend my stay?
Some routes allow extensions and others don’t (a Marriage Visitor visa can’t be extended; work and study routes often can). Check your route on gov.uk.
Can I switch to a different visa route?
Switching is possible in some cases but not all, depending on your current visa and the route you want. Check the specific route’s rules on gov.uk.
Where do I apply?
Most UK visa and ETA applications are made online through gov.uk; you may also need an appointment to give biometrics.
Who runs the UK's visa system?
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office.
Official sources