The short version
- Standard Visitor visa: £135, up to 6 months.
- Long-term: £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years), £1,128 (10 years).
- Medical or academic visitor visa: £234.
- Decision: usually within 3 weeks.
- From the USA? You usually need an ETA, not a visa; ETA photo $6.95.
Visitor visa fees
Each family member applies and pays separately.
The rules
- A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 and covers stays of up to 6 months. gov.uk
- Long-term Standard Visitor visas cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years, with stays of up to 6 months per visit. gov.uk
- The visitor visa for medical reasons and the one for academics cost £234 each. gov.uk
- A Visitor in Transit visa, for those only passing through, costs £74.50. gov.uk
How to apply and how long it takes
The 3 weeks start once your identity and documents are in.
The rules
- A Standard Visitor visa decision usually comes within 3 weeks of applying online, proving your identity and providing your documents. gov.uk
- You apply online before travelling and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. gov.uk
- The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. gov.uk
FAQ
How much is a UK visitor visa in 2026?
£135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months; long-term visas cost £506, £903 or £1,128 for 2, 5 or 10 years. Source: official pages "Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor - GOV.UK" and "Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa - GOV.UK", checked on Nov 3, 2026.
How long does a UK visitor visa take?
Usually within 3 weeks after you apply online, prove your identity and provide your documents. Source: official page "Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa - GOV.UK", checked on Nov 3, 2026.
Where this information comes from
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
- Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor - GOV.UK gov.uk · checked Nov 3, 2026
- Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa - GOV.UK gov.uk · checked Nov 3, 2026
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.