Convince the immigration officer about these –

• That you will be leaving the UK at the end of the trip.
• That you are capable of supporting yourself and dependents for the duration of the visit.
• You can pay for your onward or return journey and any such other costs during the trip.
• You are having proof of any business or other activities that you plan to do in the UK as permitted by the Visitor Rules.

• You will only need this to come to the UK for a visit like on holiday, attend a meeting or see family.
• You will leave the UK at the end of each visit.

Failing to convince on these aspects can give you a visa for a shorter period than requested. The application fee is not refundable when you get a shorter visa.

Your visa may also get cancelled and get a long-term ban if you have repeatedly been living in the UK for extended periods.

You will have to prove that you are highly qualified within your field of expertise.

While on sabbatical leave from the home institution and visiting the UK on a letter of invitation –

• You should take part in a formal exchange with a UK counterpart.
• You should carry out your research.
• Or, you should take part in someone else’s research, teaching, or clinical practice. This should however not involve filling a permanent teaching post.

You should be able to prove that –

• You are having a medical condition that requires private treatment or consultation in the UK.
• You have made or paid for treatment or consultation.
• You have enough money to pay and can support yourself without using public funds.
• You can pay for your onward or return journey.
• You will leave the UK after the treatment is completed or when your visa expires.

You are not having any infectious disease nor are you a danger to public health.

You will have to fulfil these visa requirements to come to the UK as an organ donor –

• You are a family member and genetically related to the recipient (a parent or sibling).
• You have a close personal relationship with the recipient (a friend or spouse).

It is also required to be proved that the organ receiving UK passport holder is legally allowed to live in the UK.

You can apply for a visitor in Transit Visa if you are not a national from EEA or Switzerland and will leave the UK within 48 hours.

• You can apply for the Direct Airside Transit Visa if you are not going through UK Immigration Control.
• You will however have to differentiate between whether you plan to go through UK Border Control.

You can also apply for a long-term multiple entry Transit Visa if you can prove that you frequently need to pass through the UK over long periods.

This type of visitor visa allows you to get married in the United Kingdom.

You will have to apply for this type of visa if you plan to:

• Register a civil partnership or get married in the UK.
• Give notice of a civil partnership or marriage in the UK.
• Not stay or settle in the UK after marriage or civil partnership.

You can directly apply for a Standard UK Visitor Visa if you wish to convert your civil partnership into a marriage.

A visa is needed for people belonging to specific nationalities. If you are an EEA citizen, a Swiss Citizen, or a Commonwealth citizen, then you are excluded for obtaining the visa type.

According to your purpose of visit, you need to choose the right type of visiting visa.

After choosing the right visa path, you need to start your application process by entering your information.

You must submit every document that will be useful to support your process. Failure in providing the required documents can sometimes lead to a slow visa process or even rejection.

Now you need to make an appointment online and get a print of the email confirmation. And, this has to be taken with you to the visa application centre along with the supporting documents.

You will be asked various questions regarding your journey as a visa applicant. You will also be asked to provide your biometric information. This will include your photograph and fingerprints.

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

You might be able to stay for longer if:

• You’re coming to the UK for private medical treatment - up to 11 months (£190 fee)
• You’re an academic on sabbatical and coming to the UK for research - you, your spouse or civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months (£190 fee)

If you’re staying in the UK as an academic or to receive private medical treatment for longer than 6 months, you must apply for a biometric residence permit.

You might be able to get a visit visa for up to 30 days if you’re a Chinese citizen visiting under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement.