You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You must be able to show that:
• You’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
• You’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
• You’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• You’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK:
• To study, do a placement or take an exam
• As an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• For medical reasons

The rules on what you’ll need to enter the UK may be different if you’re travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

Depending on your nationality, you’ll either:

• Have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK
• Be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa

You can check if you need a visa before you apply.
If you do not need a visa, you must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK. You may be asked questions at the UK border about your eligibility and the activities you plan to do.

If you’ve previously been refused entry to the UK or have a criminal record, you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa (even if you do not need one).

You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.
A Standard Visitor visa costs £100 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

You can pass through the UK to another country on a Standard Visitor visa. If transiting is your only reason for coming to the UK, you can apply for a Visitor in Transit visa instead for £64.