Services for Individuals

UK Tourist Visa

Those wishing to enter the UK for visiting purposes only are divided into two groups - visa nationals and non-visa nationals. If you visit the UK from a non-visa country there is no need for you to apply for a UK Visitor visa, providing that the entry clearance officer at the port of entry is convinced that you are entering the country for tourist purposes only.

If they are happy that your visit is purely recreational, you will be issued a UK Visitor visa at the port of entry on arrival. This visa is valid for a maximum stay of six months.

The UK Visitor visa also covers those entering the UK for business trips or for medical treatment.

The Business Visitor category allows visitors to come to the UK to carry out certain permissible business activities for example attending meetings or fact finding missions.

If a UK Visitor visa is granted for multiple entries into the UK, it can be issued for two, five or ten years. If you are travelling to the UK for medical treatment, you can ask for your six-month visa to be extended to cover the time period needed for you to complete your treatment.

Although this is an easily issued visa, there are certain requirements attached to the UK Visitor visa including:

• You must be able to prove that your visit to the UK is purely for tourist reasons only and that you are not intending to work whilst in the country;
• You must be able to support and accommodate yourself without having to resort to public funding (benefits);
• You must intend to return home at the expiry of your UK Visitor visa.

South Africans wishing to visit the UK are now required to obtain a UK Visitors visa before travelling. South Africans who have previously travelled to the UK on their current passport, will be exempt from this requirement. However, from mid 2009 they will also be required to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. South Africans travelling via the UK to another destination, will require a transit visa.

If you have family members settled in the UK, UK immigration services might question your intent to return to your country of origin at the end of your visa period. For a UK Visitor visa to be issued, it is important to note that not just your immigration history will be taken into account, but that of your family as well.

For more information on UK Visitor visas please call us on 0203 291 2711 or complete the form at the bottom of this page.