United Kingdom · Visa guide
United Kingdom · Visa guideUnited Kingdom UK Standard Visitor Visa
The Standard Visitor visa — to visit the UK for tourism, holidays and visiting family or friends, for up to 6 months.
- ProcessingStandard service is usually around 3 weeks from a complete application
- Visa categoryUK Standard Visitor Visa
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United Kingdom UK Standard Visitor Visa — overview
The UK Standard Visitor visa lets Indian travellers visit the United Kingdom for tourism, a holiday, or to see family and friends. You can usually stay for up to 6 months. India is a visa-national country, so a Standard Visitor visa must be applied for and granted before you travel.
The application is made online on GOV.UK, with biometrics given at a UK visa application centre in India. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before travel. A Standard Visitor visa costs GBP 135 for up to 6 months; frequent visitors can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa valid 2, 5 or 10 years.
The decision turns on showing you are a genuine visitor — that you will leave at the end of the visit, can support yourself, and are not using frequent visits to make the UK your home. Lifeset Overseas builds the file so each of those is clearly answered.
7 items
Documents you need
Valid passport
A passport or travel document valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.
Proof you will leave the UK
Evidence you will leave at the end of the visit and not make the UK your main home through frequent visits.
Funds to support yourself
Bank statements and income proof showing you can support yourself and any dependants — or evidence of a sponsor who will.
Return / onward journey
Proof you can pay for your return or onward travel.
Travel plan
A travel itinerary and accommodation details; if visiting family or friends, the host's details and status in the UK.
Ties to India
Employer leave letter, business documents, or family and property evidence showing your reasons to return.
Previous travel history
Copies of previous visas and passport stamps strengthen a genuine-visitor case.
5 steps
How the process works
Typical processing: Standard service is usually around 3 weeks from a complete application — priority services are available at extra cost.
Step 1
Free eligibility review
We assess your profile against the genuine-visitor test and build a document checklist for your trip.
Step 2
Build and verify the file
Funds, ties-to-India evidence, the travel plan and purpose documents are prepared and cross-checked.
Step 3
Apply online on GOV.UK
The application is completed and paid on the official UK government website.
Step 4
Biometrics at the UK visa centre
You attend a UK visa application centre in India to give fingerprints and a photograph.
Step 5
Decision & passport return
UK Visas and Immigration decides the application and your passport is returned through the visa centre.
Transparent
Costs & fees
Item
Amount
Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months)
Payable online when you apply.
GBP 135
Long-term Standard Visitor visa
For frequent visitors — valid 2, 5 or 10 years; each stay still capped at 6 months.
Higher tiered fee
UK visa centre & optional services
Plus priority or super-priority service if you choose it.
Confirmed at booking
Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.
3 answers
Frequently asked questions
No. The Standard Visitor visa does not allow paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as self-employed, except for a specific permitted paid engagement. You also cannot claim public funds.
Usually up to 6 months per visit. A long-term Standard Visitor visa (2, 5 or 10 years) lets frequent visitors travel repeatedly, but each individual stay is still limited to 6 months.
Indian passport holders are visa-nationals — you must apply for and be granted a Standard Visitor visa before you travel. The UK ETA does not apply to Indian citizens.
Why it matters
Going it alone vs filing with us
On your own
- Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
- Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
- No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
- Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
- A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.
With Lifeset Overseas
- An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
- A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
- Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
- Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
- Every case handled by one consultant, end to end.
Refused before?
A refusal isn't the end
A refusal is not a permanent bar — but it only improves if the actual reason is found and answered, and nobody can tell you a second application will succeed. If a United Kingdom visa has been refused, we:
- Read the actual refusal letter and pinpoint the real gaps.
- Advise whether to pull the officer's notes (CAIPS / GCMS) for the true reason.
- Identify which part was weak — funds, employment, purpose or ties.
- Tell you honestly whether to reapply now or strengthen the file first.
- Refused? Your fee back, or a rebuilt application free — your choice.
Other United Kingdom visas
Settlement (Permanent Residence)
The UK has no direct PR visa. Permanent residence is Indefinite Leave to Remain, reached after years on a qualifying route such as the family, Innovator Founder or Skilled Worker route. We file the routes we are licensed for.
UK Business Visitor Visa
The Standard Visitor visa used for business — meetings, conferences, negotiations and trade fairs in the UK.
UK Short-Term Study Visit
The Standard Visitor visa used to study a short course of up to 6 months at an accredited UK institution.
UK Medical Visitor Visa
The Standard Visitor visa used to receive private medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
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United Kingdom visitor visa: get a straight answer before you pay the fee.
- Honest assessment
- Fixed all-in fees
- No handovers between staff
- Licensed in Patiala
Let’s discuss your case
Message us your travel month and who is paying. A consultant from our Punjab-licensed consultancy checks your ties and funds and tells you what to fix.