VISITORS
At Lexify Solicitors, we provide expert legal advice and representation for individuals seeking to enter the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa. Whether you’re visiting for a holiday, business meetings, family purposes, or private medical treatment, we ensure your application is strong, compliant, and tailored to your individual circumstances.
What Is a Standard Visitor Visa?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa allows non-UK nationals to visit the UK for a variety of short-term reasons, including:
•Tourism and holidays
•Visiting family or friends
•Attending business meetings, conferences or training
•Receiving private medical treatment
•Participating in short recreational courses
Most visitors can stay in the UK for up to six months. In cases involving private medical treatment, a longer stay may be possible.
Long-Term Standard Visitor Visas
We also assist clients in applying for long-term Standard Visitor Visas, valid for:
•2 years
•5 years
•10 years
While these visas offer multiple entry over several years, each visit must not exceed 6 months.
What Are the Different Periods of Leave for UK Visitors?
The type of visitor visa you apply for determines how long you can stay in the UK:
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Home Office Application Fee | £1,321 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 per year |
| Total IHS for 2.5 years | £2,587.50 |
| English Language Test (if needed) | ~£150 |
| Document Translation (if needed) | £60–£85 per page |
What Can and Can’t Visitors Do in the UK?
Permitted activities for visitors are listed under Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities, and may include:
•Tourism
•Visiting family or friends
•Business meetings, conferences, or negotiations
•Short-term study (under 6 months)
•Private medical treatment
•Academic research or teaching (for eligible academics)
•Marriage or civil partnership ceremonies
Not permitted:
•No paid or unpaid work
•No access to public funds
•No enrolment on long-term study courses
•No intent to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
Can I Extend My Visitor Visa?
In most cases, visitor visas cannot be extended beyond the standard 6-month limit. Exceptions include:
•If your original visa was issued for less than 6 months
•If you are in the UK on a medical treatment visa, you may apply to extend for an additional 6 months
Our legal team can assist with preparing your extension request under these limited circumstances.
What Documents Are Required for a Visitor Visa?
While your passport is a mandatory document, we strongly recommend including additional supporting evidence to demonstrate:
•Your intention to return home after your visit
•Your ability to financially support yourself during your stay
These may include:
•Bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
•Proof of employment or self-employment
•Letter of invitation (for family visits)
•Medical letters (for treatment visits)
•Travel itinerary and accommodation bookings
What Should I Do If My Visitor Visa Is Refused?
Since appeal rights were abolished in 2013 for most visitor visas, any new application must be prepared very carefully, particularly with the reasons for the previous refusal in mind. We help clients:
•Respond to refusals
•Prepare stronger reapplications
•Ensure full compliance with current immigration rules
Can I Appeal a Visitor Visa Refusal?
No, there is no direct right of appeal. However, you may:
•Apply for an Administrative Review within 28 days (fee: £80)
•If this fails, consider Judicial Review, which must be handled with expert legal representation
We provide strategic advice on whether to pursue a review or make a fresh application.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Decision?
The Home Office aims to process visitor visa applications within 3 weeks from the date of biometric enrolment. Processing times may vary depending on the applicant’s country of residence.
What Are the Suitability Requirements?
The Home Office now applies strict suitability criteria to all visitor visa applications, including those from EU nationals. Entry must be refused if:
•The applicant has been convicted of a criminal offence (even minor) within the last 12 months, regardless of the sentence
•Older convictions may still lead to discretionary refusal
It’s crucial to disclose all past convictions and obtain legal advice before applying.
How Lexify Solicitors Can Help You
At Lexify Solicitors, our expert immigration solicitors offer clear, practical legal support for all types of UK Student Visa applications and post-graduation immigration options. Whether you’re applying for a Student Visa for the first time, switching from another visa category, or looking to remain in the UK after completing your studies, we provide strategic, end-to-end guidance tailored to your situation.
We begin by carefully assessing your eligibility and advising you on the most appropriate visa route. Our team can assist you in preparing a fully compliant application and will draft a detailed legal representation to demonstrate how you meet the requirements set by the Home Office. We also support clients wishing to switch into the Student Visa category from another UK immigration route or extend their stay through post-study options such as the Graduate Route, the Skilled Worker visa, or the Innovator Founder visa.
Our goal is to ensure that your application is strong, accurate, and professionally presented to give you the best chance of approval. From initial consultation to submission, we are here to make your immigration journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.