Long-term Standard Visitor Visa
Many people plan to visit the UK on several occasions over a number of years and are looking for the convenience and security of not having to apply for a new Standard Visitor Visa before each trip.
A Long-term Standard Visitor Visa can be issued for as long as to ten years, offering the convenience and reassurance of being able to make multiple visits to the UK over a number of years on a single visa.
The eligibility criteria for a Long-term Standard Visitor Visa are similar to those for a Standard Visitor Visa or for visa-free visits to the UK.
When applying, you will need to provide the Home Office with evidence that:
- you have enough funds to support yourself (and any dependants travelling with you) for your whole stay
- you have a valid passport or other appropriate travel document for the entire duration of your planned stay
- you intend to leave the UK when your visit ends
- you are not planning to effectively live in the UK by making successive or frequent visits
- you have taken a tuberculosis test if you live in certain countries, or have lived in those countries within the previous six months
You will also need to specify how long you wish your visa to be valid: 2 years, 5 years or 10 years. You will be expected to prove that you meet the eligibility criteria for the full duration that you have requested, and the Home Office may decide to grant you a visa for a shorter time if they are not satisfied with the supporting evidence you have provided.
The Home Office fee for a Long-term Standard Visitor Visa depends on the duration of visa which you are applying for.
Applications for a 2-year visa cost £376; 5-year visas cost £670; while a 10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa will cost £837. No matter the length of the visa issued, the length of each individual visit is limited to six months. If you need to visit the UK for longer than six months, such as for medical reasons, you can speak to one of our qualified UK immigration advisors to discuss your options.
You will need to submit your application no earlier than three months before you intend to travel to the UK. As part of the application process, you will need to go to a visa application centre, where you will be photographed and have your fingerprints taken.
Any dependents will also need to submit their own application and have their own appointment at the application centre.