Visitor visa guidance
Visitor Visa Knowledge Centre
Understand the visitor requirements, the evidence that matters and the issues to address before applying or reapplying.
The evidence in context
A genuine visit. A clear explanation.
The purpose, finances, travel history and reasons to return should tell a consistent story. No single document or bank balance guarantees a visa.
Start with these topics
Eligibility & genuine visitor
What makes someone a genuine visitor?
The Home Office considers the purpose, funding and circumstances of the visit together—not a bank balance in isolation.
Read guidanceFinances & funding
How much money should a UK visitor show?
There is no universal minimum bank balance: the question is whether the visit is realistically funded.
Read guidanceCommon refusal reasons
Common visitor visa refusal reasons
Refusals can reflect concerns about the overall account, funding, ties abroad or previous immigration history.
Read guidanceVisitor visa vs family routes
Visitor visa or spouse visa: visiting versus joining a partner
The right route depends on the real purpose of the trip—not simply whether a spouse lives in the UK.
Read guidanceBrowse the guidance
27 topics
Eligibility & genuine visitor
Purpose, credibility, travel history and the intention to leave.
Eligibility & genuine visitor
What makes someone a genuine visitor?
The Home Office considers the purpose, funding and circumstances of the visit together—not a bank balance in isolation.
Read guidanceEligibility & genuine visitor
Showing an intention to leave the UK
Explain why the proposed stay is temporary and how it fits with your life outside the UK.
Read guidanceEligibility & genuine visitor
Explaining a family visit or tourism trip
A clear purpose and realistic itinerary help explain what you intend to do and who will fund it.
Read guidanceEligibility & genuine visitor
Business visitor activities and work restrictions
Some business activities are permitted, but a visit is not general permission to work in the UK.
Read guidanceEligibility & genuine visitor
Frequent visits: when does the UK look like your main home?
Repeated short stays are considered as a pattern, not just as separate visits within individual time limits.
Read guidanceEligibility & genuine visitor
Long-term visitor visas: validity is not permission to live here
A visa valid for several years allows repeat visits, subject to the conditions of each stay.
Read guidanceEligibility & genuine visitor
Previous refusals and immigration history
Past travel and decisions should be disclosed accurately and explained in context.
Read guidanceFinances & funding
Available funds, trip costs and financial evidence that fits your circumstances.
Finances & funding
How much money should a UK visitor show?
There is no universal minimum bank balance: the question is whether the visit is realistically funded.
Read guidanceFinances & funding
Personal funds, income and expenditure consistency
Your financial documents should explain ordinary resources and commitments, not just the closing balance.
Read guidanceFinances & funding
Unexplained bank deposits before a visitor visa application
A recent deposit is not automatically a problem, but its source and availability may need evidence.
Read guidanceFinances & funding
Large recent transactions and financial explanations
Explain unusual credits and debits so the financial picture matches the application.
Read guidanceFinances & funding
Accommodation, travel funding and a realistic visit budget
Show who will meet each main cost and how the proposed stay fits the available resources.
Read guidanceHome-country ties
Work, study, family and other commitments supporting a return home.
Home-country ties
Employment and business ties outside the UK
Explain genuine work or business commitments and why you will return to them after the visit.
Read guidanceHome-country ties
Family, study, property and other reasons to return
Home ties take different forms; focus on genuine responsibilities rather than a rigid document checklist.
Read guidanceSponsor evidence
Support from hosts without overlooking the applicant’s own requirements.
Sponsor evidence
Who can sponsor a UK visit—and what must the applicant still prove?
Genuine third-party support can fund a visit, but cannot replace the applicant’s own visitor requirements.
Read guidanceSponsor evidence
Sponsor invitations, immigration status and accommodation
A useful invitation explains the relationship, dates, accommodation and specific support offered.
Read guidanceSponsor evidence
Sponsor-funded visits: showing ability and intention to support
Identify what the sponsor will fund and whether that support is realistic alongside their own commitments.
Read guidanceCommon refusal reasons
Credibility concerns, evidence gaps and inconsistent information.
Common refusal reasons
Common visitor visa refusal reasons
Refusals can reflect concerns about the overall account, funding, ties abroad or previous immigration history.
Read guidanceCommon refusal reasons
Inconsistent information across applications and documents
Dates, finances, relationships and explanations should reconcile across the whole application.
Read guidanceCommon refusal reasons
Why the Home Office considers the whole story
Practical evidence should support a coherent temporary visit, rather than a disconnected document bundle.
Read guidancePrevious refusals & reapplications
Understanding a decision and preparing a properly explained fresh application.
Previous refusals & reapplications
What to do after a visitor visa refusal
Read the decision before deciding whether to reapply or seek advice on any available challenge.
Read guidancePrevious refusals & reapplications
Reapplying with stronger evidence after a refusal
A useful fresh application addresses the reasons for refusal rather than repeating the same bundle.
Read guidancePrevious refusals & reapplications
Rebuilding credibility after a visitor visa refusal
A credible new account is accurate, consistent and supported—not simply more emphatic.
Read guidanceVisitor visa misuse
Overstaying, work restrictions and the effect on later applications.
Visitor visa misuse
Visitor conditions, overstaying and repeated residence
Check the permission for your stay and do not use visitor travel as a substitute for residence.
Read guidanceVisitor visa misuse
Working as a visitor: why unpaid work can still be a problem
The activity itself matters; lack of payment does not automatically make work permitted.
Read guidanceVisitor visa misuse
How visitor misuse may affect future immigration applications
Overstaying, prohibited work or inaccurate information may matter beyond the original visit.
Read guidanceVisitor visa vs family routes
Temporary visits, joining a partner and the correct immigration route.
This is general legal information, not advice or an assessment of your eligibility. Your individual circumstances and the rules in force when you apply require consideration by a solicitor. No outcome is guaranteed.