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UK visitor visa types and how long they last
A UK visitor visa lets you come to the UK for up to six months at a time for tourism, family, business meetings or short study. You choose its length: a standard 6-month visa, or a long-term visa valid for 2, 5 or 10 years for repeat trips. Marriage, paid engagements and transit have their own visitor visas.
- Valid 6 months to 10 years
- Up to 6 months per visit
- Fee from £135
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Compare UK visitor visa types
The 6-month standard visitor visa covers most trips. If you visit often, a long-term visa saves reapplying, but each stay is still limited to six months.
Comparison table, scroll sideways to see every route
| Requirement | Standard visitor 6-month visitor visa | 2, 5 or 10 years Long-term visitor visa | Wedding in the UK Marriage visitor | Invited and paid Permitted paid engagement | Passing through Transit visa | No visa needed ETA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid for | 6 months | 2, 5 or 10 years | 6 months | Standard Visitor permission, normally up to 6 months | For eligible airside transit or passage through UK border control | 2 years or until your passport expires |
| Longest single stay | 6 months | 6 months per visit | 6 months | Up to 6 months; engagement must take place within the first 30 days | Airside: no UK entry; landside: up to 48 hours | 6 months per visit |
| Best for | A single trip or a few trips close together | Frequent visitors with a strong travel history | Marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK | Eligible professionals invited for a qualifying paid engagement | Changing flights on the way to another country | Eligible travellers visiting the UK without a visa |
| Can you be paid by a UK source? | Generally no, except permitted payments and expenses* | Generally no, except permitted payments and expenses* | No | Yes, for the arranged engagement | No | Same visitor payment rules; ETA does not authorise employment* |
| Fee | £135 | £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years), £1,128 (10 years) | £135 | £135, if a Standard Visitor visa is required | £41.50 airside; £74.50 landside | £20 |
| Typical decision time | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | Usually within 1 day; allow 3 working days |
| Full guide | 6-month visitor visa guide | Long-term visitor visa guide | Marriage visitor guide | Permitted paid engagement guide | Ask about this route | ETA: how it works |
*Visitor rules allow limited exceptions to UK-source payment restrictions, including specified permitted paid engagements and reasonable expenses. An ETA is not a visa or permission to undertake general employment. Fees shown are based on the Home Office fee schedule effective 8 October 2026; confirm before publication.
What every visitor visa application looks at
The same tests apply whichever type you choose. Long-term visas are judged more strictly on your travel history.
- A genuine visit
A permitted purpose, and a clear plan to leave at the end of each trip.
- Ties to home
Work, study, family or property you’re returning to.
- Funds
Enough money for the trip, from you or a sponsor, with bank evidence.
- Your travel history
Previous UK and other visas, how you used them, and any refusals or overstays.
- The right visa type
Applying for the wrong type is a common reason for refusal.
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.
What a UK visitor visa costs
Visitor visas don’t carry the Immigration Health Surcharge, so the application fee is the main cost. Each person travelling pays separately, including children.
Worked example
Long-term visitor visa, 5 years
Application fee £903 per person
Priority processing is available in some countries for an extra fee.
| Visa | Fee | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| 6-month visitor visa | £135 | 6 months |
| Long-term visitor visa | £506 | 2 years |
| Long-term visitor visa | £903 | 5 years |
| Long-term visitor visa | £1,128 | 10 years |
| Marriage visitor | £135 | 6 months |
| Paid engagement | £135 | Up to 1 month |
| Transit visa | £41.50 | Up to 48 hours |
| 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 UK visitor visas
For route-specific questions, see each guide.
Only if you visit often and have a strong record of using visas properly. A long-term visa costs more and is judged more strictly. If it’s refused, the refusal stays on your record, so a first-time visitor is usually better applying for six months.
No. Each visit is still limited to a short and temporary stay, and you can’t live in the UK through repeated visits. Border Force can refuse entry if your pattern of trips suggests the UK has become your main home.
Rarely. You can usually only extend up to the six-month maximum, and only in limited situations such as private medical treatment or a delayed return for reasons outside your control. Plan your dates before you travel.
A paid engagement visa, if you’re invited by a UK organisation to do an activity in your field and be paid for it. A standard visitor visa doesn’t allow payment beyond expenses. ETA holders can do paid engagements under the same rules.
It depends on your nationality, whether you pass through UK border control and the documents you already hold. Some travellers with valid visas for certain countries are exempt. Check before you book a connection through the UK.
Visitor refusals don’t usually carry a right of appeal. You can apply again with stronger evidence that deals with each reason in the refusal letter, or in limited cases challenge it by judicial review. Reapplying with the same evidence rarely works.
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.
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