How to prepare a UK visitor visa for relatives or friends

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Check the appropriate route

For a short visit to family or friends, consider the Standard Visitor route ↗. First check whether the visitor’s nationality requires a visa or ETA. The host’s UK status does not automatically give a relative permission to enter.

Visitor permission is for a temporary trip. Repeated visits must not become permanent residence. If the purpose is living with family, working or marrying, check the relevant route separately. Describe the actual purpose instead of labelling everything tourism.

Prepare the applicant’s own circumstances

Set out dates, duration, accommodation, activities and a realistic budget. Explain how the trip fits the applicant’s circumstances and how travel and living costs are covered. An invitation does not replace evidence about employment, pensions, family, study or other circumstances outside the UK.

UKVI’s supporting-document guidance ↗ recommends evidence of purpose, personal circumstances and accessible funds. Submit relevant records. A large folder of unrelated certificates cannot resolve inconsistent dates or income figures.

Explain support from the host

An invitation should describe the relationship, purpose, dates, accommodation and specific support: housing, tickets or daily costs. Include evidence of the host’s lawful UK status and ability to provide that support. Identify costs the visitor will meet personally.

Make the amounts consistent with the form. If the host funds everything, the evidence should explain the money rather than merely promise to cover all costs. There is no universal account balance guaranteeing visitor approval. Explain substantial recent deposits and access to the funds.

Submit separate applications

GOV.UK ↗ allows applications from three months before travel. The current standard six-month visa fee is £135. Each family member needs a separate application and fee. Check the current charge and biometric arrangements before paying.

Provide full, independently verifiable translations for documents not in English or Welsh. Check names, passports, previous refusals and travel history before submission. Save the form, uploads and appointment confirmation.

The normal decision indication is three weeks after the necessary application steps, but delays are possible. Avoid non-refundable travel based on an assumed guaranteed decision date. Long-term visitor visas also normally limit each visit to six months and do not provide a right to live permanently in the UK.