This comprehensive guide walks you through every section of the UK visa application form with sample answers and a filled PDF example. Whether you're applying for a Standard Visitor visa for tourism, family visits, or business, you'll learn exactly how to answer critical questions like "give details of the main purpose of your visit" and "how much money are you personally planning to spend." The UK visa application is completed entirely online through the official gov.uk portal—there is no downloadable PDF form to fill out beforehand.
How to Fill UK Visa Application Form Online in 2026
The UK visa application form is completed entirely online through the official gov.uk application portal. There is no separate PDF form to download and fill out beforehand—the online system generates a PDF summary of your application only after you complete and pay for your submission. This PDF can then be downloaded for your records and to take to your biometrics appointment.
What is the UK Visa Application Process?
The UK visa application process involves completing an online form, paying the visa fee (£127 for a 6-month Standard Visitor visa), booking a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre, submitting your supporting documents, and waiting for a decision (typically within 3 weeks).
The application form collects information about your travel plans, personal details, employment, finances, family, travel history, and background. Each section must be completed accurately, as inconsistencies between your form answers and supporting documents can lead to refusal.
- Step 1: Create an account on gov.uk and start your online application
- Step 2: Complete all sections of the UK visa application form
- Step 3: Pay the visa fee (£127 for 6-month Standard Visitor)
- Step 4: Book your biometrics appointment at a visa application centre
- Step 5: Attend appointment with passport and supporting documents
- Step 6: Wait for decision (typically 3 weeks for standard processing)
UK Visa Application Fees 2026
The UK visa fees depend on the type and duration of visa you're applying for. For Standard Visitor visas:
Give Details of the Main Purpose of Your Visit and Anything Else You Plan to Do on Your Trip
For this question on the UK visa application form, provide a clear, specific statement of your primary reason for visiting (tourism, family visit, business meeting, etc.) followed by a brief itinerary of planned activities. Include specific dates, locations, and any events or people you will visit. Your answer should be 2-4 sentences that match your supporting documents.
This is one of the most important questions on the UK visa application form, appearing in the Travel Information section. Visa officers use your answer to assess whether your visit qualifies under the Standard Visitor visa requirements and whether you have genuine intentions to return home after your visit.
Sample Answers for "Main Purpose of Your Visit"
The table below provides sample answers for different visit purposes. Your answer should be tailored to your specific circumstances and must align with your supporting documents and itinerary:
Sample UK Tourist Visa Itinerary
A detailed itinerary strengthens your application by demonstrating genuine tourist intentions. Below is an example 13-day itinerary that could support a UK visa application form:
- Day 1-4: London – Tower of London, British Museum, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, West End theatre
- Day 5: Day trip to Oxford – University colleges, Ashmolean Museum
- Day 6: Family visit in [City] – staying with relatives
- Day 7-8: London markets – Borough Market, Camden Market, Covent Garden
- Day 9: Day trip to Bath – Roman Baths, Bath Abbey
- Day 10: Day trip to Cotswolds – scenic villages and countryside
- Day 11-12: London museums – Natural History Museum, Science Museum, shopping at Oxford Street
- Day 13: Departure from London Heathrow
Your itinerary should include specific dates matching your flight bookings and hotel reservations. For permitted activities during a UK visit, always ensure your plans fall within what is allowed for visitors.
How Much Money Are You Personally Planning to Spend on Your Visit to the UK?
Calculate your total estimated expenditure including accommodation, flights, food, transport, activities, and a contingency amount. For a 2-week trip, £1,500-£3,000 per person is typical depending on your accommodation choices and activities. Your stated amount should be realistic and supported by bank statements showing you can afford the trip.
This question in the Employment, Income, and Accommodation section of the UK visa application form helps visa officers assess whether you have adequate funds for your visit. The amount you state must be consistent with your trip duration, planned activities, and the bank statements you provide as financial evidence.
Estimated UK Visit Costs by Trip Duration
What is the Total Amount of Money You Spend Each Month?
Calculate your regular monthly outgoings including rent/mortgage, utilities, food, transport, loan repayments, and other living expenses. This figure should be realistic and consistent with your income and lifestyle. If your monthly expenses are £2,000 but your income is £2,500, you demonstrate disposable income for travel.
This question helps visa officers understand your financial stability and disposable income. Your monthly expenditure should be significantly less than your monthly income, showing you have surplus funds for travel without financial hardship.
Sample Budget Breakdown for UK Visa Application
Below is an example breakdown for a 13-day family trip (2 adults, 3 children) that could be used in the UK visa application form:
- Accommodation: £3,250 (£50/night per person × 5 people × 13 nights)
- Flights: £3,000 (£600 per person round trip × 5 people)
- Local Transport: £650 (trains, tubes, taxis)
- Food & Dining: £1,950 (£30/day per person × 13 days)
- Attractions: £1,000 (museum entries, tours, theatre)
- Entertainment: £1,000 (shows, events)
- Shopping & Contingency: £1,650
- TOTAL: £12,500
Sample Filled UK Visa Application Form PDF Example
The following example demonstrates how a completed UK visa application form appears, using the fictional case of Arun Kumar, a self-employed agriculturist from New Delhi applying for a Standard Visitor visa for a family trip with his wife Kiran and three children. This sample shows the key information entered in each section of the application.
Application Summary Section
The summary section is automatically generated after completing the UK visa application form. It contains the applicant's key details, application type, fees paid, and GWF reference number:
APPLICANT NAME: Arun Kumar
GWF NUMBER: GWF041163715
PASSPORT NUMBER: HF51441XY
COUNTRY OF NATIONALITY: India
DATE OF BIRTH: 16 February 1976
TYPE OF VISA: Standard Visitor visa
SERVICE OPTION: Priority service
DURATION: 6 months
TOTAL FEE: £627 (£127 visa + £500 priority)
UK Visa Application Form Sections Explained
The UK visa application form is divided into several sections that must be completed accurately. Here's what each section requires:
1. Travel Information
This section covers your planned travel dates, the main reason for your visit, whether you're travelling alone or with others, and the details of your itinerary. You'll answer the critical "give details of the main purpose of your visit" question here.
Date you will arrive in the UK: 18 August 2026
Date you will leave the UK: 31 August 2026
Calculated duration: 13 days
Main reason for visit: Tourism, including visiting family
Travelling as part of organised group: No
Main purpose: For holidays and sightseeing with family – detailed itinerary attached
2. Personal and Passport Information
You'll need to provide your full name as it appears in your passport, date of birth, nationality, residential address, and contact details. If you have a national identity card, you should include those details as well.
3. Family Details
This section captures information about your spouse/partner, dependent children, and parents. For anyone travelling with you, you'll need their passport details. This information helps establish your family ties and reasons to return to your home country.
4. Employment, Income and Accommodation
Here you'll provide details about your employment status, annual income, savings, planned expenditure for the trip, and monthly outgoings. You'll also specify where you'll be staying in the UK. This is where you answer the questions about money planning to spend and monthly expenditure.
Employment status: Self-employed
Job title: Landlord - decision making and managerial
Annual income: £53,886 GBP
Savings: £61,348 GBP
Amount planning to spend on visit: £12,500 GBP
Monthly expenditure: £3,718 GBP
Will anyone be paying towards the cost: No
5. Travel History
You must disclose all travel to the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, and Schengen countries in the past 10 years. Critically, you must also declare any previous visa refusals, deportations, or immigration issues. For guidance on disclosing past refusals, see our guide on UK visa refusal reasons.
6. Other History, Convictions and Medical
These sections ask about criminal history, war crimes involvement, terrorism connections, previous work in armed forces or government, and whether you've received medical treatment in the UK before. Most applicants will answer "No" to most questions in this section.
7. Extra Information and Declaration
The extra information section allows you to provide additional context about your application. Use this space to explain anything unusual, such as gaps in employment or changes in circumstances since a previous application. Finally, you must read and agree to the declaration confirming all information is accurate.
- The UK visa application is completed entirely online—there is no blank PDF form to download
- Be specific when describing your purpose of visit and planned activities
- Your financial figures must be consistent with your bank statements
- Always disclose previous visa refusals—non-disclosure can result in a ban
- Download your completed application PDF after payment for your records
For detailed guidance on the UK visa processing time after biometrics, including how long decisions take and what happens if there are delays, see our comprehensive processing time guide. If your application is taking longer than expected, our guide on UK visa delays explains your options.
For more information on the official application process, visit the gov.uk Standard Visitor visa application page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a blank UK visa application form PDF?
No, the Home Office does not provide a blank UK visa application form PDF for download. All UK visa applications must be completed online through the official gov.uk portal. You can only download a PDF copy of your completed application after you submit it and pay the visa fee. This PDF is for your records and to take to your biometrics appointment.
How do I answer "give details of the main purpose of your visit"?
Provide a clear, specific statement of your primary reason for visiting (tourism, family visit, business) followed by a brief description of planned activities. Include dates, locations, and any events or people you will visit. For example: "Holiday and sightseeing in London from 15-29 July 2026. Plan to visit Tower of London, British Museum, with day trips to Oxford and Bath. Detailed itinerary attached."
How much money should I say I'm planning to spend on my UK visit?
Calculate your realistic total expenditure including accommodation, flights, food, transport, activities, and contingency. For a 2-week solo trip, £1,500-£3,000 is typical; for families, £5,000-£15,000 depending on group size and accommodation choices. The amount must be supported by your bank statements showing sufficient available funds.
What is a GWF number on the UK visa application form?
A GWF number is a unique 12-character alphanumeric reference (e.g., GWF041163715) assigned to every UK visa application. It is generated when you submit your application and is essential for tracking your application status, contacting UK Visas and Immigration, and all correspondence about your case.
How do I fill in the travel history section?
List all travel to the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, and Schengen countries in the past 10 years. Include approximate dates, duration, and purpose for each trip. You must also disclose any previous visa refusals for any country—failing to declare refusals is considered deception and can result in a 10-year re-entry ban.
How long does UK visa processing take after submitting the application?
Standard processing for UK visitor visas typically takes 3 weeks from the date you provide biometrics. Priority service (£500 extra) aims for a decision within 5 working days, and Super Priority service (£1,000 extra) aims for next working day. Processing may take longer if additional checks are required or during peak periods.
Can I save my UK visa application and complete it later?
Yes, you can save your UK visa application and return to complete it later by signing into your gov.uk account. This is useful as the form is lengthy and you may need time to gather all required information. However, don't leave it too long—ensure your travel dates and plans remain valid when you submit.
What happens if I make a mistake on my UK visa application form?
If you notice a mistake after submitting, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as soon as possible to request a correction. Minor errors may be clarified at your biometrics appointment. However, significant inconsistencies between your form and supporting documents can lead to refusal. For complex errors, professional immigration solicitors can advise on the best course of action.