How do I qualify to come to the United Kingdom as a visitor?
You must be able to show that:
- you only want to visit the country for up to six months;
- you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit; and
- you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds.
Remember, if you are a visa national you will need a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
What are public funds?
If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA);
- Income support;
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit;
- a social fund payment;
- Child benefit;
- Housing benefit;
- Council tax benefit;
- State pension credit;
- Housing and homelessness assistance;
- Attendance allowance;
- Severe disablement allowance;
- Carer's allowance;
- Disability living allowance;
Can I extend my stay as a visitor?
A visitor can only stay for six months. If the Home Office gave you permission to stay for less than six months, you can apply to extend your stay, up to six months in total.
How do I apply?
You will need to complete an application form. Applications (except those for asylum and work permits or under European Community law) will not be valid unless they are made on the appropriate application form. You can get copies of application forms from the IND website.
To apply for further leave to remain, get form FLR(O).
If you are in any doubt as to which form you should use you could telephone the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766 or ask in our forums
You should send the completed form to the Home Office, by post, before your permission to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all the documents you will need to send with your application and where you should send it.
If you need to travel urgently, you can apply in person at one of the Home Office public enquiry offices.
All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason why you cannot produce them with your application. We will not normally accept photocopies.
Can I do business during my visit?
You can do business in the United Kingdom either as a tourist or in connection with your work or business overseas.
You cannot:
- do paid or unpaid work;
- produce goods or provide services in the United Kingdom; or
- sell goods and services to members of the public.
You can:
go to meetings with United Kingdom businesses or negotiate and enter into contracts with them;
go to trade fairs, conferences and classroom training; and
enter as a visitor if you are a sports person or entertainer coming to the United Kingdom for a trial or audition, or for a personal appearance which does not involve a performance.
A visitor can only stay for six months. People who regularly visit the United Kingdom for business can apply for a multiple-entry visa as a visitor that is valid for two or five years.
How do I qualify to come to the United Kingdom for private medical treatment?
You must be able to show that:
- you have made satisfactory arrangements for the consultation or treatment you need;
- you have enough money to pay for any treatment and to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds; and
- you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your treatment.
How do I apply to extend my stay to have, or continue to receive, private medical treatment?
You can apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate or in person at one of the public enquiry offices. You should apply before the date your permission to stay ends.
You should complete application form FLR(O) and send it with:
- your passport;
- a letter from a general practitioner who is a consultant for the NHS or who is in the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council, confirming that satisfactory arrangements for private medical treatment have been made, how long the treatment will last and, if your treatment has already started, how it is progressing;
- evidence that you have paid for your treatment; and
- evidence that you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself and to pay for further treatment (such as your bank statements or savings account book).
Medical Treatment on the National Health Service (NHS)
Visitors are not allowed to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to receive free medical treatment from the National Health Service (NHS). You will be charged for any treatment you receive. Make sure you have enough medical insurance to cover your stay.
You can get more information from the Department of Health:
How do I qualify to enter the United Kingdom when I am travelling to another country?
You must be able to show that:
- you are travelling to a country outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland (this is known as the Common Travel Area);
- you can continue to another country where you will be guaranteed entry;
- you have a confirmed travel ticket for your final destination; and
- you will leave for your intended destination within 48 hours of arriving in the United Kingdom.
People who live in certain countries or territories need a visa to pass through the United Kingdom. You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Write to:
Visa Correspondence Section
UKvisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.
General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361
Do I have to register with the police?
If you have to register with the police, the Home Office will stamp this requirement in your passport. You must register within seven days of arriving in the United Kingdom.
To register, you will need your passport and two passport-size photographs of yourself. If you are staying in the Metropolitan Police Area, you should take these to the Overseas Visitors Records Office, Ground Floor, Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, SE1 1LH between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. If you are not staying in the Metropolitan Area, you should contact your local police force for the address and opening hours of other police registration offices. You will have to pay a fee for registering with the police.
