Standard Visitor / ETA
Visit the United Kingdom
Short stays in the UK as a visitor. Some nationalities need a Standard Visitor visa; others may need a UK ETA instead.
Standard Visitor vs ETA
Depending on nationality, short tourism or permitted business visits use either a Standard Visitor visa or a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). These are different products with different forms and fees. Confirm your nationality on GOV.UK before you apply for either — airline check-in staff will often ask.
What you can and cannot do
Visitor permission is for genuine temporary visits. Paid work for a UK employer is not allowed. Some business visitor activities are narrowly defined; remote work for a foreign employer still sits in a grey area of personal circumstances and tax — do not assume “tourist remote work” is risk-free. Study of more than a short recreational course usually needs a Student visa.
Evidence and timing
Be ready to show funds, accommodation, and travel plans consistent with your stated purpose, plus ties that support departure. ETA is usually faster than a visitor visa, but both can be refused. Check current GOV.UK processing times before locking hotels or events.
Fees and official next step
Visitor visa and ETA fees are published on GOV.UK and change. Pay only through official channels. Start with the Standard Visitor and ETA guidance pages linked below, then use Entryora’s visa checker as a secondary hint.
Practical research path
Read this Visit the United Kingdom (Standard Visitor / ETA) starter for orientation, then open the official apply or information URL linked from the page. Confirm whether your nationality, purpose, and travel dates still match the product family — visit routes are easy to confuse with neighbouring permits that share marketing language. Use Entryora tools only as a second pass after you know which government page owns the live rules.
- Copy the official product name into your notes before you compare blogs.
- Re-check fees, biometrics, and appointment systems on the authority site.
- Do not treat this starter as a prediction of approval or boarding.
Eligibility snapshot
- Genuine visit for tourism, family, or permitted business activities
- Enough money to support yourself without working
- Intent to leave at the end of the visit
Documents
- Valid passport
- Visitor visa or ETA, depending on nationality
- Proof of funds and travel plans if asked
Fees, stay, and work
| Fees | Visitor visa and ETA fees are set on GOV.UK and change. Verify before you pay. |
|---|---|
| Timeline | ETA is usually faster than a visitor visa. Check current GOV.UK processing times. |
| Stay | Standard Visitor stays are often up to 6 months. The decision notice controls the date. |
| Work rights | Paid work for a UK employer is not allowed on a visitor stay. |
| Path to PR | Not a permanent residence route on its own. |
Apply on the official site Document checklist Back to United Kingdom