This category is for Applicants who wish to visit friends and family or come to the UK for a holiday.

Non-European nationals who wish to enter the UK as visitors must have permission to do so, unless they are the national of a listed country to which an exemption applies.

When the country exemption applies, an Applicant need only apply for leave to the Immigration Officer at the UK port of entry unless:

visiting the UK to marry or to form a civil partnership (or give notice of this); or
seeking to visit the UK for more than 6 months.
INITIAL APPLICATIONS
A Visit (Standard) Visa for Tourism and Leisure Applicant will need to demonstrate a genuine intention to visit the UK. This means that the Applicant:

will leave the UK at the end of their visit
will not make the UK their home for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
is genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes
will not undertake any prohibited activities set out in the Visitor routes
must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds.
PERMITTED ACTIVITIES
Visit (Standard) Visa for Tourism and Leisure holders are allowed to undertake certain permitted activities such as:

tourism and leisure
volunteering for a UK Registered charity
studying (providing this is incidental and lasts no more than 30 days)
prospective entrepreneurial activities in specified circumstances
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
Visit (Standard) Visa for Tourism and Leisure holders are not permitted to:
undertake work which amounts to filling a role or providing short-term cover for a role within a UK based organisation.
receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK except in limited circumstances
undertake more than 30 days’ non-incidental study in the UK.

FUNDS
Visit (Standard) Visa for Tourism and Leisure Applicants and any dependants must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover the all costs associated with the visit either personally or via third parties, without recourse to public funds. Any third party support must be from a person who is legally present in the UK and who has a relationship with the Applicant.

DURATION OF STAY
A Visit (Standard) Visa allows an Applicant to stay in the UK for up to 6 months during its validity.

HOW WE CAN HELP
Our experienced lawyers can help Applicants, family members or dependants to:

Make an initial application

Challenge decisions by way of Administrative Review or other appeal process

We will assist by:
Obtaining the complete facts of a case
collecting relevant documents
advising the best solutions
preparing the application (including completion of forms)
preparing covering submissions
submitting the application(s) to the relevant authority
communicating with the relevant authority until a decision is made
advising about rights and entitlements following a decision an application
providing follow up support and services
CONTACT US
DESCARTES SOLICITORS is recognised as one of the leading multi-practice firms in the UK. Our specialist immigration team works closely with individuals to apply for a Visit (Standard) Visas for Tourism and Leisure. Please contact our lawyers on 0208 995 3556/0844 556 9901 or e-mail info@descartessolicitors.co.uk.

LINK TO UKVI GUIDANCE
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules