A UK tourist visa is a necessary requirement for any foreign traveler visiting the UK from a country without a visa waiver agreement. This must be acquired before travelling to or entering Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

The easiest way to visit the UK for leisure and tourism purposes is with a UK eTA visa waiver. Electronic travel authorization can be easily obtained online 72 hours prior to arrival for eligible citizens who meet the requirements.

The only other exception is for citizens of Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, who can visit the UK for tourism with an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW). This document that allows a single entry can also be obtained online and used for tourism purposes.

However, for travelers from ineligible countries, without a visa waiver agreement, a visa will be required. The EVW authorization allows the holder to travel to the UK and stay for 6 months. The eTA, on the other hand, can be used for multiple trips of a few months at a time.

Which UK Tourist Visa Do I Need?

There are 2 ways to apply for a tourist visa depending on your nationality:

  • For those eligible for a UK eTA or UK EVW, whose applicants will need to complete an online form before travelling to Great Britain
  • For visitors from other countries, who must book an appointment at a UK embassy or consulate to obtain a travel visa. Supporting documentation will be required and an approved visa decision is normally made within 3 weeks

What documents are required to obtain a British tourist visa?

Foreign tourists traveling to the UK must meet a number of requirements in order to obtain an eTA, EVW, or travel visa.

These prerequisites include:

  • Submission of valid identification documents, such as passport
  • Provide an accommodation address during your stay in the UK
  • Provide details of your travel itinerary in Great Britain
  • Payment of visa fees

In the case of a visitor visa, you may need to provide additional documents to support your application, especially if you are traveling for medical treatment.

Who needs a tourist visa to travel to the UK?

At the moment, anyone travelling to the UK from a country without a visa waiver agreement needs a visa or visa waiver to enter. All nationalities, with the exception of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and non-visa nationals (NVNs), must travel on a standard travel visa to visit Britain for tourism.

Standard visas granted for tourism purposes are valid for a maximum of 180 days from the date of arrival of the traveler in the UK. Citizens of the 4 countries mentioned above are eligible for an Electronic Visa Waiver (UK EVW).

Is it possible to extend a UK tourist visa?

A standard UK travel visa can be extended if the applicant’s total time spent in the UK is less than 6 months. For example, visa or visa waiver holders who have traveled to the country with a document valid for 3 months, can extend their stay for an additional 3 months.

However, foreign nationals visiting the UK for tourism purposes can only stay in the UK for up to 180 days at a time. To stay longer in the UK or to work, they will need a different type of visa.

In most cases, the UK government can provide a biometric residence permit for those who need to stay longer than 6 months. However, these are normally granted with the initial visa and do not always have to be applied for separately.

This should not apply to the soon-to-be-introduced UK eTA. This visa waiver is only intended for short trips and instead allows the holder to enter the UK multiple times during its validity for periods of 90 days at a time.