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You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

What you need to do

1. Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor.

2. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.

3. Check if you need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.

4. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one.

What you can and cannot do (鈥榩ermitted activities鈥�)

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:

• for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
• to see your family or friends
• to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• to pass through the UK to another country (鈥榠n transit鈥�)
• for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
• for certain paid engagements or events (a 鈥榩ermitted paid engagement鈥�) as an expert in your profession, for example to give lectures or perform
• to take part in a school exchange programme
• to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
• to study, do a placement or take an exam
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• for medical reasons

You cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you鈥檙e doing a permitted paid engagement or event
• claim public funds (benefits)
• live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you鈥檒l need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa

Check you meet the eligibility requirements

You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You must be able to show that:

• you鈥檒l leave the UK at the end of your visit
• you鈥檙e able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
• you鈥檙e able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• you鈥檒l not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home

You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you鈥檙e visiting the UK:

• to study, do a placement or take an exam
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• for a permitted paid engagement
• for medical reasons

Check if you need a visa to visit the UK

Depending on your nationality, you鈥檒l either:

• have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK
• have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa
• be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa or an ETA

You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

If you do not need a visa, you must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK. You may be asked questions at the UK border about your eligibility and the activities you plan to do.

If you have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa

You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.

A Standard Visitor visa costs 拢115 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do the following business activities:

• attend interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars
• negotiate and sign deals and contracts
• attend trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell things)
• get work-related training if you鈥檙e employed overseas and the training is not available in your home country
• give a one-off or short series of talks as long as they鈥檙e not for profit or a commercial event - you can only be paid for speaking at certain engagements or events (a 鈥榩ermitted paid engagement鈥�)
• carry out site visits and inspections
• oversee the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to your overseas company or organisation
• deliver training or share knowledge on internal projects with UK employees of the company you work for overseas
• install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on equipment, computer software and hardware, if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company or organisation

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

Doing activities as part of an overseas job role

You can do certain additional activities in the UK as a Standard Visitor, if you鈥檙e employed overseas as:

• an archaeologist
• an artist, entertainer or musician
• a bodyguard
• a camera operator
• a driver
• an internal auditor
• a journalist or correspondent
• a lawyer or expert witness
• a market researcher or analyst
• a personal assistant
• a pilot or cabin crew member coming to work in the UK under a 鈥榃et Lease Agreement鈥� approved by the Civil Aviation Authority
• a professor from an overseas academic institution
• a religious worker
• a scientist or researcher
• a seafarer (someone whose normal place of work is on board a ship)
• a sports person or sports official
• a tour group courier
• a translator or interpreter
• a member of a film crew, including actors, producers, directors or technicians
• a member of the production team supporting an artist, entertainer or musician
• a member of technical staff supporting an artist, entertainer, musician or sports person

Check the Visitor Rules for details of what you can do as a Standard Visitor in these job roles.

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

• study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses)
• do a short piece of research that鈥檚 relevant to your course overseas
• do an 鈥榚lective鈥� - an optional additional placement, if you鈥檙e studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery or dentistry
• sit an entrance exam, retake an exam or course module, or do a PhD oral exam (a viva)
• do an unpaid clinical attachment if you鈥檙e a graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school
• take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) test or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and any relevant extra eligibility requirements listed below
• prepare any required documents that prove your eligibility
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

If you鈥檙e visiting to study at an accredited institution

You must prove that:

• you鈥檝e been accepted onto a course provided by an accredited UK institution
• the course is no more than 6 months long (unless it鈥檚 a distance learning course)

The accredited UK institution cannot be an academy or state-funded school.

Distance learning courses

If you鈥檙e doing a distance learning course, your course can last longer than 6 months. This is because most of your study will happen outside of the UK.

You can visit the UK to do certain activities as part of your course, for example:

• attend induction weeks
• do face-to-face intensive learning
• have progress checks
• sit exams or assessments

If you want to study for more than 6 months

You鈥檒l need to apply for either a:

• Short-term study visa - for English Language courses up to 11 months
• Student visa - for courses run by licensed student sponsors
• Child Student visa - to study at an independent school if you鈥檙e between 4 and 17 years old

If you鈥檙e visiting to do a short piece of research

You must prove that:

• you鈥檙e at least 16 years old
• you鈥檙e already enrolled on a course overseas that is the equivalent of a UK degree
• you鈥檝e been accepted by a UK higher education institution to take part in research that鈥檚 relevant to the course you鈥檙e studying overseas

You can visit for up to 6 months to do your research.

Documents you must provide

You鈥檒l need to provide confirmation from your overseas course provider that the research or research tuition is part of, or relevant to, the course you鈥檙e doing overseas.

If you鈥檙e visiting to do an elective

You must prove that you鈥檙e:

• at least 16 years old
• already enrolled on a course overseas that is the equivalent of a UK degree - the course must be in medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery or dentistry
• doing an elective at a UK higher education institution as part of your course

You can visit for up to 6 months to do your elective.

Documents you must provide

Your UK higher education provider will need to give written confirmation that you will not be treating patients or being paid for the elective.

If you鈥檙e visiting to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post

If you鈥檙e an overseas graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school you can do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post for up to 6 months.

If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you will need to pass the PLAB test and apply to stay in the UK.

You must not treat patients.

Documents you must provide

You must provide written confirmation:

• of your clinical attachment or dental observer post offer
• that you鈥檝e not done a clinical attachment or dental observer post in the UK before

If you鈥檙e taking the OSCE or PLAB test

You can visit for up to 6 months to take the OSCE or PLAB test.

If you do not pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK for a further 6 months to retake the test.

If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay in the UK to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post. You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.

Documents you must provide

You must provide a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirming your OSCE test registration.

You鈥檒l need a letter from the General Medical Council confirming your PLAB test registration.

If you鈥檙e a scientist, researcher or academic you can:

• take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
• carry out research, either as part of your job or independently

If you鈥檙e a senior doctor or dentist you can also:

• take part in research
• teach (as long as it鈥檚 not a permanent teaching post)
• undertake clinical practice (as long as it鈥檚 not a permanent position)

You can also visit if you鈥檙e invited for certain paid engagements or events (a 鈥榩ermitted paid engagement鈥�) - for example, to give a lecture or be an academic assessor. You鈥檒l need to show you鈥檙e an expert in your profession.

If you want to visit for up to 6 months

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

If you want to visit for more than 6 months

All academic visits lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

You can:

• apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK that lasts for up to 12 months and costs 拢200
• visit for up to 6 months and apply to stay longer when you鈥檙e in the UK for a fee of 拢1,000 (you can stay up to 12 months in total)

You must meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and the additional eligibility requirements for academics. You must provide any required documents that show your eligibility.

Your partner and children can apply to stay with you for up to 12 months. They can apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance or visit for 6 months and extend their stay once in the UK.

Eligibility requirements if you want to stay longer than 6 months

You must prove you鈥檙e:

• highly qualified in your field of expertise - this will usually mean you have a PhD or higher
• currently working in that field of expertise at an academic institution overseas
• not filling a permanent teaching post

If you鈥檙e an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you鈥檙e visiting to do research or a formal exchange.

If you鈥檙e a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you鈥檙e visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.

Documents you may need

You need to show you meet the eligibility requirements, for example by providing a letter from:

• your employer outlining the dates of your sabbatical or exchange
• your employer outlining the research to be undertaken
• the UK host organisation confirming the arrangements for your research, exchange or clinical practice

Depending on where you come from, you may need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you鈥檒l need to take a TB test.

You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a 鈥榩ermitted paid engagement鈥�) if you:

• have a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client for a pre-arranged event or other permitted engagement
• can show you鈥檙e an expert in your profession
• are 18 or over

The engagement must be relevant to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country.

You can come to the UK for up to 6 months, but you must do the engagement in the first month.

You can be invited:

• as a professional artist, entertainer or musician
• as a professional sportsperson
• as a qualified lawyer - to represent a client
• to give a lecture or series of lectures
• to speak at a conference
• as an academic - to be a student examiner or assessor
• as an air pilot examiner

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

Who can invite you and what you can use to show you鈥檙e an expert depends on your profession.

Professional artists, entertainers or musicians

You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your profession including:

• performing
• talking about, presenting or launching your work to other professionals or the public
• giving lectures
• joining judging panels or debate panels
• taking part in professional conferences

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based:

• creative organisation, such as a gallery, university arts faculty, school or events venue
• agent or agency
• broadcaster

Your expertise and employment

The event or engagement must relate directly to your full-time profession.

You must be able to show you鈥檙e an established artist, entertainer or musician in your home country, for example:

• your published work
• publicity material for recent performances, screenings, concerts, talks, readings or exhibitions
• media coverage and reviews
• awards you鈥檝e received

Professional sportspeople

You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your sporting profession. For example, taking part in a sporting event.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based:

• sports organisation that organises or hosts sporting events or matches
• agent or agency
• broadcaster

Your expertise and employment

The event or engagement must relate directly to your full-time profession.

You must be able to show you鈥檙e an established sportsperson in your home country, for example:

• proof of recent performances, awards and media coverage
• media coverage
• awards you鈥檝e received

Qualified lawyers

You can be paid by a client to represent them in the UK at a court or tribunal hearing, arbitration or other form of legal dispute resolution.

You can also be paid to visit the UK to prepare for the hearing.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from your client, showing you鈥檝e been asked to represent them in the UK.

You must provide confirmation of your right of audience or 鈥榯emporary call鈥�.

Your expertise and employment

You may need to show that you鈥檙e a qualified lawyer, such as a practising certificate or certificate of good standing.

Lecturers

You can be paid to give a lecture or series of lectures about your area of expertise.

You cannot take a full-time or part-time teaching post for your host organisation.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based:

• higher education institution
• research organisation
• arts organisation, such as a museum, theatre, art gallery, arts festival or other arts venue

Your expertise and employment

Your work overseas must be relevant to the lecture or lectures that you鈥檙e giving.

You must be able to show you鈥檙e highly qualified in your area of expertise. For example, you can provide:

• a letter from your employer confirming where you work and your area of expertise
• examples of your published work
• evidence of lectures you鈥檝e already given

If you want to give a lecture on a subject not relevant to your current role, you may need to provide evidence of:

• any previous employment or posts held in this area
• publications on the subject
• other recognised qualifications

Speakers at conferences

You can be paid to speak at a conference or seminar.聽

Your invitation

You must have an invitation to speak from the organiser of a conference or seminar in the UK.

Your expertise and employment

You must be able to show that the conference or seminar is relevant to your area of expertise and profession in your home country.

Academic examiners or assessors

You can be paid to:

• examine or assess students
• chair or take part in selection panels

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK higher education institution or a UK-based research or arts organisation.

Your expertise and employment

Your work overseas must be relevant to the role you鈥檝e been invited to do.

You must be able to show you鈥檙e highly qualified in your area of expertise. For example, you can provide:

• a letter from your employer confirming where you work and your area of expertise
• examples of your published work
• evidence of lectures you鈥檝e already given

Air pilot examiners

You can be paid to examine UK-based air pilots, so they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of your country.

Your invitation

You must have an invitation from a UK-based approved training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Your expertise and employment

You must be able to show that you鈥檙e in full-time employment overseas with your country鈥檚 national aviation authority.

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

• have private medical treatment at a hospital or other medical facility
• have treatment at an NHS hospital, as long as the care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement
• donate an organ to a family member or close friend - this includes being assessed for suitability as a donor match

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and any relevant extra eligibility requirements listed below
• prepare any required documents that prove your eligibility
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

If you鈥檙e visiting for private medical treatment

You must prove that you:

• have a medical condition that needs private consultation or treatment in the UK
• have made arrangements for consultations or treatment
• have enough money or funding to pay for your treatment
• will leave the UK once your treatment is completed, or when your visa expires
• are not a danger to public health if you have an infectious disease, such as leprosy

Documents you must provide

You鈥檒l need a letter written by a , that confirms:

• the condition you have that needs consultation or treatment
• the estimated cost and likely duration of any treatment
• where the consultation and treatment will take place

If you鈥檙e visiting for treatment at an NHS hospital

You can visit the UK for treatment at an NHS hospital. Your treatment must be paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.

Documents you must provide

You must provide an authorisation form, issued by the government of your country, saying they will pay for your treatment.

If you鈥檙e visiting as an organ donor

You can only visit the UK to donate organs to:

• a family member who you鈥檙e genetically related to (for example your sibling or parent)
• someone you have a close personal relationship with (for example your partner or friend)

You must prove that the person you鈥檙e donating an organ to is legally allowed to be in the UK.

Documents you must provide

You鈥檒l need a letter from the lead nurse of the transplant team, a or a registered NHS consultant that confirms:

• you鈥檙e a donor match to the recipient, or you鈥檙e being tested to see if you鈥檙e a potential donor
• the recipient is genetically related to you, or in a close personal relationship with you
• when and where the transplant or tests will take place

The letter should be dated no more than 3 months before you intend to arrive in the UK.

If the recipient is not legally resident in the UK, you must provide their name, nationality and date of birth in your application.

If your treatment will last longer than 6 months

All visits for medical treatment lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

You can:

• apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you come to the UK - this lasts for up to 11 months and costs 拢200
• visit for up to 6 months and apply to stay for a further 6 months when you鈥檙e in the UK for a fee of 拢1,000

There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs 拢1,000 each time you do.

Depending on where you come from, you may also need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you鈥檒l need to take a TB test.

You may visit the UK if you鈥檙e under 18 and:

• you鈥檝e made suitable arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK
• you have written consent from your parent or guardian to travel to the UK (if travelling alone)
• you鈥檙e able to pay for your return or onward journey
• you have enough money to support yourself without working or getting help from public funds, or you have family and friends that can support you

Travelling alone

You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone over the age of 18).

Your parent or guardian will need to provide their:

• written consent for you to travel to the UK
• full contact details

They鈥檒l also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:

• the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with
• an address where you will be living
• details of your relationship to the person who鈥檒l be looking after you
• their written consent for you to stay with that person while you鈥檙e in the UK

If you鈥檙e not staying with a close relative

Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if you鈥檙e both of the following:

• under 16 (or under 18 if you have a disability)
• going to be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called 鈥榩rivate foster care鈥�)

You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.

The same rules apply to education exchange visits that last for more than 28 days, unless:

• you鈥檙e part of a group that is travelling and staying together, for example a school group
• you鈥檙e accompanied by an adult, for example a teacher

Travelling with an adult

You鈥檒l need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements. If you do not need a visa to travel, you鈥檒l need to prove this at the border.

If you do have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, you鈥檒l need to identify the adult travelling with you in your visa application.

If the person you鈥檙e travelling with is not your parent, you鈥檒l need to provide specific information about them in your application.

You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application. Their names will appear on your visa. The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. If you do not need a visa, you鈥檒l either:聽

• have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months
• be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa or an ETA

You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

Visa fees

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

	Fee	Maximum length of stay
Standard Visitor visa	拢115	6 months
Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons	拢200	11 months
Standard Visitor visa for academics	拢200	12 months
2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa	拢432	6 months per visit
5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa	拢771	6 months per visit
10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa	拢963	6 months per visit

Apply online

Once you鈥檝e started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

If you鈥檙e applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.

You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you鈥檝e saved it.聽

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Long-term Standard Visitor visas

You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If you鈥檙e under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.

You may be given a shorter visa than requested if UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) believe you cannot meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the visa you applied for.

You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or if your application is refused.

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

Documents and information you鈥檒l need to apply

You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in your passport for your Standard Visitor visa.

You鈥檒l need to provide the following information in your online application:

• the dates you鈥檙e planning to travel to the UK
• where you鈥檒l be staying during your visit
• how much you think your trip will cost
• your current home address and how long you鈥檝e lived there
• your parents鈥� names and dates of birth (if known)
• how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
• details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

• details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• your employer鈥檚 address and telephone number
• your partner鈥檚 name, date of birth and passport number
• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
• a certificate proving that you鈥檝e had a tuberculosis (TB) test if you鈥檙e visiting for more than 6 months

You need to provide additional documents if you鈥檙e visiting the UK:

• to study
• as an academic
• for certain paid engagements or events (a 鈥榩ermitted paid engagement鈥�
• for medical reasons

Proving your identity and providing your documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

At your appointment, you鈥檒l need to:

• prove your identity with your passport or travel document
• have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken
• provide the required documents that show you鈥檙e eligible for a Standard Visitor visa

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you鈥檝e applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you鈥檒l usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You can check to see if you can get your visa decision faster.

You鈥檒l get an email when the Home Office has made a decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

If you need to change or cancel your application

If you need to change something in your application after you鈥檝e sent it, contact UKVI.

You can ask to cancel your application. You鈥檒l only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.

You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.

You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you鈥檙e:

• a patient receiving medical treatment
• an academic and you still meet the eligibility requirements
• a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment

You must apply to extend your stay and pay the 拢1,000 fee regardless of your nationality.

You need to apply while you鈥檙e still in the UK and before your current visa or permission expires.

Fees

It costs:

• 拢1,000 to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor
• an extra 拢1,000 if you use the super priority service

You鈥檒l also need to have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken - there鈥檚 no fee for this.

If you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months

You may be able to extend your stay as long as the total time you spend in the UK is no more than 6 months. You must meet the eligibility requirements and pay the 拢1,000 fee.

For example, if you have been in the UK for 3 months, you can apply to extend your stay for 3 more months. This applies if you needed a visa to visit the UK and also if you did not need one.

If you need to stay longer for medical treatment

If you鈥檙e already in the UK, you can apply to stay for a further 6 months if you:

• have paid for any treatment you鈥檝e already had in the UK
• can and will pay the further costs of your treatment
• continue to meet the medical treatment eligibility requirements

There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs 拢1,000 each time you extend.

Documents you must provide

You must get a medical practitioner or NHS consultant who鈥檚 registered in the UK to provide details of your medical condition that needs further treatment.

If you鈥檙e having treatment at an NHS hospital under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, you will need to provide another authorisation form from your country鈥檚 government saying they will pay for your treatment.

If you need to stay longer as an academic

If you鈥檙e already in the UK and have permission to visit for less than 12 months, you can apply to stay for up to 12 months in total.

Your partner and children can apply to stay for up to 12 months too. They must have their own application and each pay the 拢1,000 fee.

You must prove you:

• are highly qualified in your field of expertise, for example you have a PhD or higher
• were working in that field of expertise at an academic institution overseas prior to your arrival in the UK
• are not filling a permanent teaching post

If you鈥檙e an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you鈥檙e visiting to do research or a formal exchange.

If you鈥檙e a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you鈥檙e visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.

If you need to stay longer to retake the PLAB test

If you鈥檙e already in the UK, you can apply to extend your stay for up to 6 months to retake the PLAB test.

You must provide written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you鈥檙e retaking the test.

If you want to do a clinical attachment or dental observer post

If you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay longer to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post.

You can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in total.

You must provide written confirmation:

• of your clinical attachment offer
• that you鈥檝e not done a clinical attachment in the UK before

You must not treat patients.

Proving your identity and providing your documents

When you apply, you鈥檒l be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).

You鈥檒l also need to submit the supporting documents that prove your eligibility. You can:

• upload your documents into the online service
• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

Apply to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor

Once you鈥檝e started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you鈥檝e saved it.聽

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

• do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
• do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you鈥檙e applying to extend your stay in the UK.

How long it takes to get a decision

If you use the standard service, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing your supporting documents and proving your identity.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

• by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday
• 2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You鈥檒l be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

• if your supporting documents need to be verified
• if you need to attend an interview
• because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If your application is successful

You鈥檒l get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You鈥檒l need to create a UKVI account.