General Visitor Routes and Rules

Guidance on the UK’s general visitor routes and the rules that apply — the Standard Visitor visa for tourism, family and business, the long-term and multiple-entry options, the Electronic Travel Authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, and the US B1/B2 visitor visa for those heading to America too.

General Visitor Routes & Rules

Most short trips to the UK use the Standard Visitor visa, covering tourism, family visits and permitted business for up to six months, with 2, 5 and 10-year long-term options for frequent travellers. Visa-exempt nationals need an ETA instead, and many UK visitors also need a US B1/B2. Our guides cover each route and what visitors may and may not do. Browse them below.

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Africa (6) Americas & Oceania (5) Business Mobility (6) Central & Eastern Europe (11) Child Routes and Rules (4) Dependants & Joining Family (6) Documents & Eligibility (11) East & Southeast Asia (5) Eurasia (5) Fees & Costs (8) Financial Requirements (4) General Visitor Routes and Rules (8) Human Rights & Compassionate Routes (8) Middle East (6) Northern Europe (5) Other Work Visas (6) Processing, Timelines & Extensions (9) Refusals, Appeals & Bans (17) Settlement & Citizenship (18) Skilled Routes (4) South Asia (5) Southern Europe (6) Special Visit Routes (4) Study Routes and Rules (5) Talent & Investor (5) Temporary Worker (9) Visa Interviews (5) Western Europe (8)