Standard Visitor visa

Standard visitor overview 

It is possible to undertake some study for up to six months if you are in the UK as a Standard Visitor.

For example; it is possible to do a study abroad semester at the University of Westminster or to retake a module or re-sit exams as a Standard Visitor.

Currently, there are three different groups of nationalities with different requirements for entry to the UK.

• Visa nationals
• Non-visa nationals
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) nationals

The requirements prior to arrival in the UK are different for each of these groups

Some nationals are required to apply for entry clearance (a visa) prior to arriving in the UK as a Standard Visitor. These are Visa nationals. 

Other nationals may be able to enter the UK and obtain entry as a Standard Visitor at the UK border without needing to apply for a visa beforehand. These are Non-visa nationals.

A small number of non-visa nationals who do not require a visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travel to the UK. These are ETA Nationals.

Note: ETAs will be a requirement for all Non-visa nationals by 2 April 2025.

Before choosing to study as a Standard Visitor, please carefully read the information in these webpages and the related links to ensure this is possible and appropriate for your circumstances.

It is very important to check if you require a visa or an ETA and if so, obtain it prior to travel to the UK. See the section entitled 'Do you need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa?' below.

Note: The ‘Short-Term Study’ visa route is limited to individuals who wish to study an English language course that is 6 to 11 months long and is not an option for studies at the University of Westminster.

Types of study as a Standard Visitor

You can study at the University of Westminster as a Standard Visitor if you are aged 16 and over and you are:

• Studying a short course (six months or less) with no work or internship
• Taking a one semester Study Abroad programme which is less than six months and does not include an internship or work placement and will form part of your overseas course
• Returning to the UK to re sit an exam, retake a module where the University has been unable to issue you with a CAS for a Student visa
• Take an oral (viva) examination for part of your PHD qualification at the University of Westminster
• Complete a period of research for less than six months

Researching in the UK for less than six months

You can come to the UK as a Standard Visitor to undertake a short period of research at the University of Westminster if you are already enrolled on an overseas degree course.

To be eligible:

• Your course in your home country must be equivalent to a UK degree 
• You must be carrying out the research at the University of Westminster
• Your research must form part of, or be relevant to the course you are studying overseas
• You will be required to provide a letter from your overseas education provider that confirms the course you are currently studying overseas and confirms that the research you will undertake in the UK relates to this course
• Your overseas education provider must have a formal partnership with the University of Westminster for this purpose
• You must obtain an ATAS certificate if relevant for your course

What are the main conditions for a Standard Visitor?

You must:

• Have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, and be able to pay for your return or onward journey out of the UK. Please see the Visitor guidance for further details on this condition.
• Show that you are a genuine visitor who will undertake one of the permitted activities
• Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
• Hold a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance  if required for your course of study

If aged 16 or 17 there are additional requirements, please seek further advice before applying, contact Student Advice.

You must not:

• Do any kind of work, business activity, work placement, work experience, self-employment, or professional activity during your studies in the UK
• Undertake any of the other prohibited activities
• Apply to switch into any other immigration category while you are in the UK
• Continue studying in the UK after your immigration permission as a Standard Visitor has come to an end. If you want to study full time in the UK you will need to return home and apply for a Student visa, or apply for a different visa under the appropriate immigration category

You will not:

• You will not be entitled to free National Health Service health care, you must take out private medical insurance from your home country before you come to the UK
• You will not be eligible for exemption from Council Tax (unless resitting or retaking an exam on a full-time degree)
• You will not be able to use this visa to study in the UK for extended periods through frequent and successive visits, or intend to make the UK your home.

Please seek advice if you have been in the UK with a Standard Visitor immigration status recently.

Do you need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa?

Visa nationals

Nationals of some countries are required to apply for entry clearance (a visa) before arriving in the UK as a Standard Visitor.

These are sometimes referred to as Visa nationals for visits to the UK of up to 6 months.

A visit visa must be applied for from outside the UK (but does not have to be in your country of normal residence. Note this important difference compared to a Student Visa).

To find out if you need a visit visa to enter the UK as a visitor, check the Visa nationals List on the Gov.uk website.

Please read the sections below for more information on applying for a Standard Visitor visa and supporting documents for the application.

Non-visa nationals

Nationals of some countries can arrive in the UK and obtain entry at the UK border as a Standard Visitor without requiring a visa.

These are sometimes referred to as non-visa nationals for visits of up to 6 months.

To find out if you need a visit visa to enter the UK as a visitor, check the Visa nationals List on the Gov.uk website.

Non-Visa nationals can, in most cases, enter the UK as a standard visitor without a visa by requesting permission to enter as a visitor at the UK border by seeing a UK Border Force officer.

Note: Even if you are a Non-Visa national you must still met the requirements of entry to the UK as a Standard Visitor. You may be required by a UK Border Force Officer to demonstrate that you meet the requirements for entry as a Standard Visitor.

Please see the section entitled What documents do you need as a Standard Visitor? for more information on suggested evidence to have available upon your arrival to the UK.

Note: Some Non-Visa nationals currently require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travelling to the UK as visitors. From 8 January 2025 all Non-Visa nationals not from Europe will require an ETA prior to travelling to the UK as visitors. From 2 April 2025 all Non-Visa nationals, including those from Europe, will require an ETA prior to travelling to the UK as visitors. 

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK government has introduced a requirement of an Electronic Travel Authorisation for non-visa nationals prior to travelling to the UK. This is different to a visa.

Currently only a small number of non-visa nationals who do not require prior entry clearance (a visa) to travel to the UK, do require an Electronic Travel Authorisation. 

The UK government is rolling out the requirement of an ETA to all non-visa nationals by 2025.

What is an ETA?

An ETA provides an individual with permission to travel to the UK. It is not permission to enter the UK and the holder of an ETA will need to obtain permission to enter on arrival at the border in the UK (but without the need for a visa) usually by seeing a Border Force Officer at passport control.

An ETA is required for travel to the UK as a visitor (including for study) for up to 6 months, but once granted, an ETA will be valid for 2 years from the date of issuance or until the expiry of the holder’s passport used in the ETA application, whichever is sooner.

A person holding a valid ETA may make multiple journeys to the UK, for the purpose of seeking permission to enter on arrival as a visitor, during the validity.

Who needs to obtain an ETA?

Since 1 February 2024 nationals of a small group of countries have needed to apply for and obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK.

 This requirement is currently only for nationals , of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia need to apply for an ETA prior to travelling to the UK.

The ETA requirement will be rolled out to other non-visa nationalities throughout 2024 and 2025 by their addition to the Immigration Rules Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation.

8 January 2025: Expansion of ETA requirement to rest of the world (Non European countries)

All Non-Visa nationals (except those from European countries) will require an ETA prior to travelling to the UK as a visitor from 8 January 2025 (with applications open for this group of nationals from 27 November 2024). This group includes nationals ofAustralia, Canada Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea and the United States of America among others.

2 April 2025 Expansion of ETA requirement to all Non-Visa nationals including Europeans

All Non-Visa nationals, including nationals of all EU member states, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland will require an ETA prior to travelling to the UK as a visitor from 2 April 2025 (with applications open for this group of nationals from 5 March 2025).

Note: ETA nationals who are legally resident in the Republic of Ireland do not need to apply for an ETA to travel to the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months.

How do I apply for an ETA?

The easiest way to apply for an ETA is by using your phone and downloading the UK Government ‘UK ETA’ app. Alternatively, if you are unable to download the app, you can apply online at Gov.uk.

The application costs £10, you will need to take a photo of your passport and of your face and you will be asked to complete a short set of questions about yourself. You will need access to your email and to your original passport and the application process is quite quick and simple.

You can expect a decision on your ETA application within 3 working days (although often this will be much quicker). Your ETA is linked to your passport, so if you change your passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA

In the unlikely event that your ETA is refused, there is no appeal or administrative review process, but you have the option of applying for entry clearance (a visa) instead. In the case of an ETA refusal, please contact the Student Advice team for guidance.

What documents do you need as a Standard Visitor?

A full list of supporting documents can be found on the supporting documents page on Gov.uk website.

Listed below are some of the documents you will need to support your application for a Standard Visitor visa.

Note: Even if you are a Non-Visa national and you plan to enter the UK without a visa, you should still have these documents available to you in case you need to show a UK Border Force Officer that you meet the requirements to enter as a Standard Visitor.

• A current passport or other valid travel identification document 
  • (valid for the whole of your stay in the UK)
• Evidence of your Studies at the University of Westminster
  • An unconditional offer letter from the University of Westminster. This letter will confirm that we are a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance and hold a Student sponsor licence and will confirm the details of your course
  • If you are retaking a module or resitting an exam as a standard visitor you will need a letter from the Visa Compliance Team at Westminster University confirming your student status
  • If undertaking a period of research at Westminster, you will need a letter from your overseas education provider which confirms details of your current course there and that the research you will undertake at University of Westminster relates to those studies
• Evidence of your finances, that you can support yourself during your trip, eg bank statements or payslips.
  • You will need to show that you can pay the tuition fees for your course, accommodation and living expenses.
  • The visitor guidance does not state how much money you must have, however using the Student Route maintenance figures as a guide only, it would be reasonable to show that you have the equivalent of £1,334 per month for the duration of your studies
  • It is advisable that the evidence clearly shows where the funds came from.
• Previous travel documents/passports, which show previous travel

You may also need to show evidence of:

• what you will be doing in the UK, the reason for your visit and whether any costs are being met by a third party, including any letters from inviting or sending organisations
• previous study in UK or your country of residence, eg academic certificates, references or transcripts
• if you have a financial sponsor, evidence of their occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies (which shows they can afford to sponsor your visit as well as maintain their regular expenses)
• evidence of relationship and consent to sponsor you financially. For example; birth certificate and a consent letter from your parent
• if you are under 18 you will need additional documents, seek advice before submitting your application
• links in your home country, for example, evidence that you are a student in your home country (if applicable), your employment contract or a letter from your employer (if applicable), evidence of your address in your home country (for example: tenancy agreement or mortgage papers), business registration documents or self-employment evidence
  • Confirmation of legal residence, if you are not a national of the country in which you are applying or your right to reside there is not included in your passport
• English language qualifications, eg certificates or awards

Note on supporting documents, including passports:

• Wherever possible, digital images of supporting documents should be taken of the original (not of copies)
• If you submit a document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. See Visit visa guidance for more details
• You need a page in your passport that is blank on both sides for your visa.
• Your passport should be valid for the full duration of your stay in the UK.

How and where to apply for a Standard Visitor visa

Visa nationals

If you are a national of a ‘visa national’ country, you must apply for your visa before coming to the UK.

You can find a list of visa national countries in the Appendix Visitor, Visa National list of the Immigration Rules on Gov.uk. You cannot apply for a Standard Visit visa from inside the UK.

See section below, ‘Applying for a Standard Visitor visa prior to travelling to the UK’.

EU/ EEA Nationals and other Non-visa nationals

If you are a Non-visa national (a nationality not on the visa national list) you can seek entry on arrival to the UK without requiring a visa. You will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when your nationality is added to the ETA requirement.

You have the option to apply for your Standard Visit visa before coming to the UK (see application process below), or obtain visitor permission at the UK border, please see information below on arriving in the UK.

We advise that you apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you are a non-visa national and you have had previous UK immigration refusal, breach of UK immigration rules, deported or otherwise required to leave the UK.

If you are planning to obtain a Standard Visitor permission upon entry to the UK at the UK border, we advise that you travel with your supporting documents in your hand luggage; see the information on documents required above.

You can be refused entry if the UK Border Force Officer is not satisfied that you meet the conditions for entry as a Standard Visitor as explained above.

If you obtain permission as a Standard Visitor at the UK border and you travel outside of the UK during your course, your permission expires upon your departure from the UK (Common Travel Area).

Upon your return to the UK, you can obtain new permission as a Standard Visitor at the UK border. You will need to meet the Standard Visitor requirements each time you re-enter the UK.

For each re-entry to the UK, we advise that you carry evidence of your studies at the University of Westminster (your student status or enrolment letter or your offer letter if you have not yet enrolled), your financial evidence and other relevant documents in case you need to refer to them if questioned by a UK Border Force Officer.

You could be refused entry if the Immigration Officer is not satisfied that you still meet the conditions for a Standard Visitor visa.

If you enter the UK via Ireland there is usually no immigration personnel. You may also not encounter border control officers if you enter the UK via eGates, where permitted. In both cases, if you have not applied for your visa before travelling, you will in most instances automatically have permission to be in the UK as a Standard Visitor for six months. You will need to keep evidence of your travel to the UK e.g. flight tickets to show the date you entered the UK, as you may need this to enrol, and you will also use this date to calculate when your six months will expire.

Applying for Standard Visitor visa prior to travelling to the UK

To start, go to the Standard Visitor visa page on Gov.uk.

You apply online, unless you are applying from North Korea. To access the application form, you need to create an online account. The visa application fee is currently £100.

You can apply for a visa up to three months before your date of travel to the UK, and you should get a decision on your visa within three weeks.

Remember, you can access detailed information on the application process, eligibility and documents required on the Gov.uk website. You can also find more information on UKCISA's website.

Please see a detailed guide to the Visa application process:

Standard visitor visa application guide (PDF)

If you have questions about this guide or the application process, email [email protected].

Arriving in the UK

When you are preparing for your arrival in the UK you may have questions about what to bring and what to expect. Please see the UKCISA website for useful information on how you should prepare.

Many passengers arriving at the UK border will need to see a Border Force Officer at passport control where you will need to show your passport (and visa if required) for inspection.

A Border Force Office may ask you questions about your intentions for entering the UK. You should answer any questions and we would advise that you have readily available documents about your studies, your finances and other evidence that you meet the Standard Visitor requirements in case you need to refer to them.

Entering the UK using e-gates

It is also important to be aware of the eGates when arriving in the UK. The eGates, also known as ePassport gates, are automated self-service barriers located at immigration checkpoints at UK airports. They are an alternative to seeing an Immigration Officer/Border Force Officer.

You can enter the UK via the eGates if you are aged 18 or over and hold a current passport (with a biometric chip) from an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA

Registered travellers can also use the eGates.

More information on e-gates and arrival at the UK Border can be found on the Gov.uk website.

Students who apply for entry clearance (a visa) before travelling

All nationalities can apply for Entry Clearance as a visitor before travelling to the UK, If you are a Visa National you must apply for your Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK, you can find a list of who is a visa national on the Gov.uk website

If you apply for entry clearance before you travel to the UK, you will be given a visa vignette (sticker in your passport). This sticker will confirm the duration of your visa and your visa conditions. It is important that you enter the UK on or after the date your Standard Visit visa begins.

If you enter the UK before the start of your Standard Visitor visa, You may be asked to leave the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) and return during the validity of your visa (as stated on your vignette/sticker).

If you enter the UK using an eGate and you do not receive an entry stamp in your passport we advise that you keep evidence of your flight tickets as proof of the date you entered to the UK. You will need this evidence in order to enrol on your course.

EU nationals and Non-visa nationals

If you do not have prior entry clearance (a visa) and are planning to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor visa, you can use the eGates (if you are able to use them) or see an Immigration officer/official (Border Force Officer) on arrival at the airport.

If you use the eGates, you will enter the UK as a Standard visitor but will not receive a stamp in your passport. In such case, please retain a copy of your flight booking and boarding card for proof of the date and method of your arrival in the UK. This is the only way to ensure you do not stay in the UK for more than six months, and you will need this evidence to enrol.

Plan on working in the UK while studying?

If yes, the Standard Visitor visa is not the right visa for you. You cannot do paid or unpaid work in the UK under the Standard Visitor visa.

Visit our Student Visa page for further information.

Attending graduation or visiting the UK after my visa expires

If you are planning to return to the UK for a holiday or to attend your graduation ceremony then you may be able to apply for the Standard Visitor visa.

If you are making a Standard Visitor visa application to attend your graduation ceremony you will also need to provide evidence that you have been invited to your graduation. You can request a letter confirming this from the Student Lifecycle Office by emailing [email protected]. You can find out more information on our Graduation page.

A full list of supporting documents for a Visit Visa can be found on the supporting documents page on Gov.uk website.

Can my family members use this visa to visit me in the UK?

Yes If your friends and family would like to visit you in the UK this may be to attend your graduation or for a general visit, they can also apply for the Standard Visitor visa.

You may need to send them some of the relevant documents to submit with their application. Below is a list of some of the documents that you or your friends and family may need.

• a photocopy of your passport bio data page
• a copy of your current student visa for the UK (this may be a vignette in your passport or a copy of your Biometric Residence Permit card)
• Enrolment letter which shows proof of your student status or a letter that confirms you have been invited to your Graduation Ceremony (see above how you can obtain this letter)
• an invitation letter from you (the University does not provide invitation letters)
  • You should write a letter for the attention of the ‘Entry Clearance Officer’ and address it to the British Embassy or Visa Application Centre where you friend(s) or family member(s) is/are applying. You should include all of the following information in the letter: o Full name and date of birth of the proposed visitor(s)
  • Their relationship to you (for example, parent, brother, friend etc)
  • Reason why they want to come and visit you (for example, to attend your graduation ceremony, for a holiday)
  • How long the proposed visitor intends to stay in the UK and if known, the proposed arrival date of the visitor
  • Where they intend to stay while in the UK. If they intend to stay with you, you should provide your full home address details
  • When they are expected to end their visit and return home

There are a number of extra documents required depending on individual circumstances, please refer to Gov.uk for supporting documents guidance.

You can find processing times on the Gov.uk site.