Amin K. Excellent service. QC responded promptly, provided me with thorough, precise and easy to follow advice. Exactly what I needed when I was stressing about my daughter's citizenship status. Thank you so much.
Visiting the UK, and which visa you need
Most visitors come to the UK on a Standard Visitor visa or, if their nationality doesn’t need a visa, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You can usually stay up to six months per visit for tourism, family visits or short study. You can’t work, and you can’t live in the UK through frequent or back-to-back visits.
- Up to 6 months per visit
- Visa or ETA, by nationality
- No regular work allowed
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Compare ways to visit the UK
Most visitors use the Standard Visitor visa. If your nationality doesn’t need a visa, you apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation instead.
Comparison table, scroll sideways to see every route
| Requirement | Tourism and family Standard visitor | Seeing family or friends Family visit | Marrying in the UK Marriage visitor | Meetings and conferences Business visit | No visa needed ETA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Tourists and people on short trips | People visiting family or friends in the UK | People marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK | People coming for meetings, conferences or other permitted business | Eligible nationals visiting the UK without a visa |
| What you apply for | Standard Visitor visa | Standard Visitor visa | Marriage Visitor visa | Standard Visitor visa | Electronic Travel Authorisation |
| Longest stay | Up to 6 months per visit | Up to 6 months per visit | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months per visit | Up to 6 months per visit |
| Long-term option | 2, 5 or 10 years; up to 6 months per visit | 2, 5 or 10 years; up to 6 months per visit | No | 2, 5 or 10 years; up to 6 months per visit | Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry, whichever is sooner |
| Can work | No* | No* | No | No* | No* |
| Typical decision time | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | Usually within 1 day; allow 3 working days |
| Full guide | Standard visitor guide | Family visit guide | Marriage visitor guide | Business visit guide | ETA: how it works |
*Visitors cannot take ordinary UK employment. Limited permitted business activities, paid engagements and incidental remote work may be allowed under Home Office visitor rules. Processing times are estimates, not guarantees.
What every visitor must show
These apply whether you need a visa or an ETA. Caseworkers look at your whole travel history, not just this trip.
- A genuine visit
You’ll visit for a permitted purpose and leave at the end of it.
- Ties to home
Work, study, family or property that you’re returning to.
- Funds for the trip
Enough money to cover travel and your stay, from you or someone supporting you.
- No ordinary work, limited study
Visitors can’t take regular work, and study is limited to certain courses.
- Your travel history
Previous visas, refusals and overstays all count.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
If your nationality doesn’t need a visa to visit, you need an ETA before you travel instead. It’s a short online application, not a visa, and it covers the same visitor activities.
- Who needs one. Most visa-free nationals, including many from Europe, North America and Australia. Irish citizens and people with UK permission don’t.
- How to apply. Online or in the UK ETA app, with your passport, a photo and a few questions.
- Cost and validity. £20 per person. Usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
- How quickly. Most decisions come within 3 working days. Apply before you book travel.
- What it doesn’t do. It doesn’t let you work, and it doesn’t guarantee entry. Border Force still decides at the border.
- If it’s refused. You’ll need to apply for a visitor visa instead. There’s no appeal.
Inviting a family member or friend?
An invitation letter and evidence of your support can help, but they don’t replace the visitor’s own evidence.
- Your invitation letter. Who you are, your status, the reason for the visit and where they’ll stay.
- Your support. If you’re paying, evidence that you can afford it.
- Their ties at home. The most important evidence still comes from the visitor.
- Previous refusals. Address the earlier reasons directly in the new application.
What a UK visit costs
Visitor visas don’t carry the Immigration Health Surcharge, so the application fee is the main cost. Longer visas cost more but let you visit repeatedly.
Worked example
Standard visitor visa, up to 6 months
Application fee £135 per person
Each person travelling applies separately, including children.
| Visa | Fee | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard visitor | £135 | 6 months |
| Long-term visitor | £506 | 2 years |
| Long-term visitor | £903 | 5 years |
| Long-term visitor | £1,128 | 10 years |
| Marriage visitor | £135 | 6 months |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation | £20 | 2 years |
Home Office fees per applicant, from the 8 April 2026 schedule.
How we can help
From a first application to a refusal, at a fixed fee agreed before we start.
Application checking You prepare it, a regulated adviser reviews it before you submit. See what’s included → Visa application package We prepare and submit your application from start to finish. See what’s included → Visa appeals If you’re refused, we assess the merits and represent you. See what’s included →
What our clients say
What individuals, families and businesses say about working with QC Immigration.
Amin K. 
Monya R. QC have been invaluable throughout Home Office procedures for Tier 2 /ILR applications. The entire team is dedicated, professional and responds swiftly to queries. The application process was straightforward thanks to QC's skilful team. Highly recommended.
Danille D.
Once again, QC Immigration managed to help me with my visa extension. Without them, I'd have to deal with the stress of doing the application on my own. We made the right choice of continuing to work with QC Immigration. Thank you so much!!!
Mary
Outstanding service! QC provided precise, easy to follow advice and support throughout my permanent residence application process. The team is friendly, very professional, with invaluable in depth knowledge and advice that made the all process a pleasant experience. Highly recommended!
Ching-Fei L.
QC Immigration handled our application in a way that was truly professional, clear and to the point. They explained all the options and procedures clearly to us and showed great respect for our privacy. The whole process was trouble-free and the result successful! Great value for money!
Jessica C.
The are truly amazing and lovely as well as extremely professional. They not only helped us with all the paper work but also were supportive when we were worried and getting anxious. I will definitely contact them again when the next step comes and I highly recommend them.
Warwick B.
QC guided me from application to naturalisation and passport with efficiency, knowledge, patience and care. They were recommended to me by a prestigious Law firm and I recommend them to you...
Anna R.
Having engaged QC Immigration to support my citizenship application I could not have been more satisfied with the service. My case was handled consistently by the same person. Ligia guided me through the process and made it all very simple. Any questions I had along the way were answered promptly. I have been putting off my application for years feeling overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved. With QC Immigration support I was able to secure a successful outcome quickly and with no stress whatsoever. Charge for the service was very reasonable considering the quality of support and the responsiveness.Read the full review
Diego G.
Xiaohan was so helpful with the process and we got accepted!
Tala A.
My partner and I had a great experience with QC. Both Dorota and Ninder were professional and attentive. I’d definitely work with them again.
Scott C. I recently engaged the services of QC Immigration to assist me in getting my first British passport. I applied from outside the British Isles and my situation was somewhat complex. Ninder and Dorota from QC treated me with the utmost of professionalism and courtesy. They took the time to review and explain my situation, and guide me through the steps of the application process, ensuring that my application stayed on track. With their expert assistance, my application was processed smoothly by HMPO and I received my new passport with no issues. I would highly recommend the services of QC Immigration to anyone who needs assistance navigating immigration, citizenship, or a VISA application to the UK.Read the full review
Maria R. We couldn’t be happier with QC Immigration. My partner and I applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa from Italy and received the decision in only 5 days after the biometrics appointment: truly incredible. Dorota followed us with exceptional kindness and professionalism, always available and supportive despite the large amount of documents we had to prepare. A special thank you also to Ninder! We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the entire process. We are over the moon and extremely grateful. Absolutely recommended!Read the full review
Nicholas S.
QC Immigration successfully secured British Citizenship through descent for my son. It was by no means guaranteed, but their extremely thorough approach and direction ensured that everything was done clearly and successfully. A special thanks to Ligia W. who supervised the whole process with patience and diligence. Many thanks! they are extremely good at what they do and they deliver!Read the full review
Anamaria C. I am deeply grateful to Ninder J. for her invaluable support regarding my son’s citizenship application. After waiting for over a year without progress, she kindly advised me to reach out to our regional MP for assistance. Thanks to her guidance, the application was successfully reviewed and resolved. What stands out most is that Ninder offered this advice freely, without charging, simply as a gesture of good citizenship and genuine care. Her professionalism, generosity, and commitment to helping others truly impressed me. I wholeheartedly recommend Ninder J. to anyone seeking honest, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal guidance. Her support made a real difference for my family, and I will always be thankful.Read the full review
Holland W.
Just an amazing experience with this team and their information, service and advice have been amazingly helpful.
Nikul K.
My experience with QC Immigration was outstanding. Ninder provided the most accurate and straightforward guidance. She explained every detail with great clarity and honesty, which made the whole process easy to understand and stress-free. Her expertise and professionalism are truly impressive. I’m very thankful for her support and would strongly recommend QC Immigration to anyone who wants reliable and clear immigration adviceRead the full review
Solomon P. Good service 👍
Ramzi H.
I want to thank QC Immigration, especially Dorota, and Ninder for their great support. My case wasn’t easy at all – I had received a refusal with a 10-year ban because the Home Office considered one of my documents suspicious. It was a very stressful time, but Dorota took over my application and handled everything with so much care and attention. She always explained things clearly, kept me updated . What really makes Dorota special is not only her professionalism, but also her passion and the way she genuinely cares. She fought hard for fairness in my case. After months of waiting, I finally received a positive outcome, and I am sure this wouldn’t have happened without her. I’m truly grateful to Dorota. If you are looking for someone who is not only highly professional but also kind, supportive, and truly dedicated, I can’t recommend her enough.Read the full review
Emilie W.
Competent, empathetic and knowledgable support and guidance through my application for a student visa !! A special thank you to Sara and Xiaohan who supported me through it and who was always quick with answers.
Hakunawadi P.
The team is exceptionally professional, and meticulous. No excuses. I would recommend them to anyone in need any day. Thank you very much.
Questions about visiting the UK
For route-specific questions, see each guide.
Visa nationals need a visitor visa before travelling, and most other nationalities, including many from Europe, North America and Australia, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation instead. Irish citizens need neither. Check before you book, because airlines check before you board.
Usually for short and temporary periods only. A long-term visitor visa lasts two, five or ten years but still limits each visit to short and temporary periods only. If your visits add up to living in the UK, future applications or entry can be refused, so space trips sensibly.
No. Visitors can’t take a job or do work for a UK organisation, paid or unpaid. Some business activities are allowed, such as meetings, conferences and negotiating deals. Remote work for an overseas employer has its own limits, so check before you rely on it. Check if your paid work qualifies under a Permitted Paid Engagement visa instead.
Only on a marriage visitor visa, not a standard visitor visa. You must leave after the wedding and can’t switch to a spouse visa from inside the UK. If you plan to live together in the UK, a fiancé(e) visa or spouse visa may suit you better.
Generally, no. Visitors can’t switch to most other routes from inside the UK, including partner, work and study visas. You normally apply from outside the UK. There are limited exceptions, so ask us before you travel if you think your plans may change.
Visitor refusals usually have no right of appeal. A right of appeal can only be obtained in very limited circumstances. You can apply again, addressing each reason in the refusal letter with stronger evidence, or in limited cases challenge the decision by judicial review. Don’t reapply with the same evidence.
Tell us what you need help with
A regulated adviser reviews your situation and comes back with an honest next step within one working day.
- An IAA-regulated UK immigration adviser reviews your case.
- A personal reply with your next step, within one working day.
- No payment required. Fixed fees if you proceed.
- 4.9 on Google
- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
- 7,000+ clients helped
- Fast-track support
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