The UK long term visitor visa allows frequent travellers to visit the United Kingdom multiple times over 2, 5, or 10 years without applying for a new visa each trip. Whether you're visiting family, attending business meetings, or making regular tourist trips, a long term visitor visa offers convenience and cost savings compared to repeated 6-month applications. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about UK long term visitor visas in 2026, including eligibility requirements, current fees, how to choose the right duration, and whether first-time applicants can apply for multi-year visas.
Understanding the UK Long Term Visitor Visa
The long term visitor visa—officially called the Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa—is an extended validity version of the UK's standard visitor visa. Rather than applying for a new 6-month visa before each trip, holders of a long term visitor visa can enter the UK multiple times throughout the 2, 5, or 10-year validity period. This makes it ideal for people with ongoing reasons to visit, such as family connections, regular business activities, or frequent tourism.
The key principle to understand is that the visa validity period and the maximum stay per visit are completely separate. A 10-year visa doesn't mean you can stay for 10 years—it means you can use the visa for 10 years, with each individual visit limited to a maximum of 180 days (approximately 6 months). This distinction is crucial and often misunderstood by applicants.
What Is a Long Term Visitor Visa UK?
A UK long term visitor visa is a multiple entry visa valid for 2, 5, or 10 years that allows you to visit the United Kingdom repeatedly without applying for a new visa each time. Each visit is limited to a maximum of 180 days, and you cannot work, study long-term, or access public funds. It's designed for people with ongoing, credible reasons for frequent UK visits.
The long term visitor visa falls under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules, which governs all visitor categories. You'll see "C-VISIT" on your visa vignette, indicating visitor status—the same designation as a standard 6-month multiple entry visa. The only difference is the validity period printed on the vignette.
Who Should Apply for a Long Term Visitor Visa?
Long term visitor visas are designed for people who need to visit the UK frequently over an extended period. You must demonstrate a credible, ongoing reason for repeated visits—not just a desire to have a long visa for convenience.
- Parents of UK residents: Regular visits to children and grandchildren settled in the UK
- Business professionals: Ongoing meetings, conferences, or business relationships requiring frequent travel
- Property owners: Managing UK property investments or holiday homes
- Regular tourists: Established pattern of UK tourism with clear ongoing interest
- Cultural connections: Attending regular events, alumni activities, or professional associations
Certain purposes are generally not suitable for long term visitor visas. If you need to get married, receive regular medical treatment, or take professional exams, specific visa categories exist for these purposes. See our guides on marriage visitor visas and UK medical visas for these situations.
UK Long Term Visitor Visa Fees 2026
UK long term visitor visa fees for 2026 are: 2-year visa £475, 5-year visa £848, and 10-year visa £1,059. Compare this to £127 for a standard 6-month visa. Optional priority service costs £500 extra, and super priority costs £1,000 extra where available.
The UK visitor visa fees increase with validity length, but longer visas offer better value for frequent travellers. Consider how many trips you'll realistically make over the visa period when deciding which duration offers the best cost-effectiveness for your situation.
As the table shows, a 10-year visa costs just £105.90 per year compared to £254 per year if you applied for two 6-month visas annually. However, the upfront cost is higher, and there's risk if your circumstances change—you won't receive a refund if you no longer need the visa. For faster processing, priority visa services are available in most countries.
Can I Apply for a 2 Year Visitor Visa UK for the First Time?
Yes, first-time applicants can apply for a 2 year UK visitor visa, but approval is more challenging without prior UK travel history. You must demonstrate a compelling, ongoing need for frequent visits and provide strong evidence of ties to your home country. Entry Clearance Officers are more cautious with first-time applicants requesting long-term visas.
There's no rule preventing first-time visitors from applying for a 2-year visa, but practical considerations make approval more difficult. Without a track record of UK visits and compliance with immigration rules, Entry Clearance Officers have less evidence that you'll use the visa appropriately. Your application faces higher scrutiny than someone with an established visiting history.
When First-Time 2-Year Applications Succeed
First-time applicants are more likely to receive a 2-year visa when they can demonstrate:
- Clear ongoing purpose: Visiting children who have recently moved to the UK, starting a new business relationship
- Strong home country ties: Substantial employment, property ownership, dependent family members
- Solid financial position: Bank statements showing consistent savings and income over extended periods
- Good travel history elsewhere: Previous travel to Schengen countries, USA, Canada, or Australia demonstrates immigration compliance
- Credible future travel plans: Specific dates and reasons for planned visits over the next 2 years
5 Year and 10 Year UK Visitor Visa Requirements
A 5 year UK visitor visa is suitable for established visitors with 3-4 previous compliant trips. The 10 year visitor visa is typically reserved for regular visitors with extensive travel history, very stable circumstances, and strong ongoing reasons for frequent UK visits—often parents of British citizens or long-term business travellers.
Longer-duration visas require progressively stronger evidence because Entry Clearance Officers must be confident your circumstances will remain stable throughout the entire validity period. A 10-year visa means predicting your situation a decade into the future—changes in employment, family circumstances, or financial position could affect whether you remain a genuine visitor.
How Long Can You Stay in the UK on a 10 Year Visa?
Despite what many people assume, a 10-year visa does not allow a 10-year stay. You can stay for a maximum of 180 days (approximately 6 months) per visit—exactly the same as a 6-month or 2-year visa. The 10-year validity simply means you can make visits over that period without reapplying.
Furthermore, Appendix V 4.2(a) states that visitors must not "live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits." Even with a 10-year visa, spending more time in the UK than your home country, or taking back-to-back 6-month trips, will likely result in questions at the border and potential visa cancellation or entry refusal.
How to Apply for a Long Term UK Visitor Visa
Apply online through GOV.UK, select your preferred visa duration (2, 5, or 10 years), pay the fee, attend a biometric appointment, and submit supporting documents. The process is identical to a standard visitor visa—you simply choose a longer validity option during the application. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks.
The application process for a long term visitor visa is the same as the standard visitor visa. When completing the online application form, you'll be asked to select your preferred visa duration—this is where you choose 2, 5, or 10 years instead of the standard 6 months.
- Valid passport (must remain valid for entire visa duration requested)
- Previous passports showing UK and international travel history
- Bank statements (6 months minimum, showing stable funds)
- Employment letter or business registration documents
- Property ownership documents or long-term lease agreements
- Evidence of family ties in home country
- Explanation of ongoing reason for UK visits over the requested period
- Invitation letter if visiting family (with sponsor's immigration status)
For comprehensive document guidance, see our UK visa supporting documents checklist. If someone in the UK is sponsoring your visit, ensure they review the sponsor requirements and provide appropriate documentation.
Processing Time and Priority Options
Standard processing time is approximately 3 weeks (15 working days) from your biometric appointment, the same as a 6-month visa. Longer validity doesn't mean longer processing—the assessment criteria are identical. Priority service (£500 extra) typically delivers a decision within 5 working days, while super priority (£1,000 extra) offers next-working-day decisions where available.
Long Term Visitor Visa UK for Parents
Parents of UK residents are ideal candidates for long term visitor visas because visiting children and grandchildren provides a clear, ongoing reason for repeated trips. Applications should include proof of the family relationship, the UK-based child's immigration status, and evidence that the parent will return home after each visit.
Parents visiting children in the UK represent one of the most common and successful categories of long term visitor visa applicants. The family connection provides an obvious ongoing reason for frequent visits, and Entry Clearance Officers understand that grandparents want to spend time with grandchildren, particularly around birthdays, holidays, and school events.
Key Documents for Parent Applications
- Relationship proof: Birth certificates linking parent to UK-resident child
- Child's UK status: Copy of British passport, ILR documentation, or current visa
- Invitation letter: From child explaining accommodation arrangements and visit purposes
- Financial evidence: Parent's pension, savings, investments, or child's sponsorship undertaking
- Home country ties: Property ownership, other family members, community involvement
Retired parents often have strong applications because their circumstances are highly stable—pension income continues regardless of travel, property ownership is established, and visiting grandchildren provides a compelling reason that's unlikely to change over 5 or 10 years. However, even parents must demonstrate they won't effectively live in the UK; the intention must genuinely be to visit rather than relocate.
Avoiding Overstay and Compliance Issues
Parents with long term visas must be careful not to overstay. If circumstances change—such as illness preventing travel—apply promptly for a visit visa extension rather than simply overstaying. Extension fees are £1,000, and applications should be submitted before the current leave expires. Overstaying—even by a few days—can affect future applications and potentially trigger re-entry bans.
- Long term visitor visas (2, 5, 10 years) all allow the same 180-day maximum stay per visit
- First-time applicants can apply for 2-year visas but face higher scrutiny—consider starting with 6 months
- 10-year visas offer the best per-year value (£105.90/year) but require very stable circumstances
- Parents of UK residents are ideal candidates due to clear ongoing visiting reasons
- Spending more time in UK than home country risks visa cancellation and entry refusal
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Long Term Visitor Visa
How long can I stay in the UK with a 2-year visitor visa?
With a 2-year UK visitor visa, you can stay for a maximum of 180 days (approximately 6 months) per visit. The 2-year validity means you can make multiple trips over that period, but each individual visit is limited to 180 days. You cannot extend this by leaving briefly and returning immediately—frequent long stays will raise concerns about whether you're effectively living in the UK.
Can I apply for a 10 year UK visitor visa as a first-time applicant?
While there's no rule prohibiting first-time applicants from requesting a 10-year visa, approval is extremely unlikely without an established UK travel history. Entry Clearance Officers need evidence you'll comply with visa conditions over a decade—without prior visits demonstrating compliance, they have no basis for this confidence. First-time applicants should typically start with a 6-month visa and build a track record before applying for longer durations.
What is the difference between a 6-month and 2-year UK visitor visa?
The only difference is the validity period—how long you can use the visa before it expires. Both visas allow the same 180-day maximum stay per visit, both are typically multiple entry, and both have identical conditions regarding work, study, and public funds. A 2-year visa costs £475 compared to £127 for 6 months, but saves money if you plan multiple trips because you don't need to reapply.
Do I need a good travel history to get a long term UK visitor visa?
Travel history isn't a formal requirement, but it significantly strengthens your application. Previous compliant visits to the UK demonstrate you understand and follow immigration rules. Travel to other countries with strict visa requirements (Schengen, USA, Canada, Australia) also helps by showing you're a genuine traveller who returns home. Without travel history, you'll need exceptionally strong evidence of ties to your home country and a compelling ongoing reason for UK visits.
Can I work or study on a long term UK visitor visa?
No—long term visitor visas have the same restrictions as standard visitor visas. You cannot undertake paid or unpaid employment, and you cannot study for more than 30 days (or 6 months on a Short-term Study visa). You also cannot access public funds such as benefits or NHS treatment (except emergency care). Violating these conditions can result in visa cancellation, removal from the UK, and future entry bans.
What happens if my long term visitor visa is refused?
If your application is refused, you'll receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons. There's no right of appeal for visitor visa refusals, but you can apply again immediately with a stronger application addressing the concerns raised. The refusal goes on your immigration record and must be disclosed on future applications. This is why it's often safer to apply for a shorter visa first if your case is borderline—a refusal affects future applications more than starting with a shorter duration.
Is a 5-year or 10-year UK visitor visa worth it?
The value depends on your travel frequency and how stable your circumstances are. A 10-year visa costs £1,059 (£105.90/year), while two 6-month visas per year would cost £254/year. If you'll visit at least annually for 5+ years and your circumstances are stable, longer visas offer significant savings plus convenience. However, you won't receive refunds if you can no longer travel, so consider whether your situation might change before committing to a longer duration.
Can I switch from a visitor visa to a work or family visa while in the UK?
Generally no—most immigration categories prohibit switching from visitor status within the UK. You typically must return to your home country and apply for the new visa from there. Limited exceptions exist, such as switching to a spouse visa if you entered specifically to marry or if you married during a genuine visit (with specific conditions). Attempting to switch when prohibited can result in refusal and affect future applications. For detailed rules, consult the Immigration Rules or seek professional advice.