Tourist visa to England

Obtaining a tourist visa to the United Kingdom is one of the most popular requests that lawyers of Prikhodko & Partners Law Firm deal with. Migration law in general is one of the important areas of our work. Therefore, we focus on topics related to this area of jurisprudence not only at the level of Ukraine but also in the international dimension. In particular, we are talking about visas to other countries that are in demand among Ukrainians. Let’s talk about the UK.

What are the types of visas to the UK?

There are different types of visas to the UK. These are the following types:

1. student visa, which is suitable for those who are going to study;
2. transit visa for those who are traveling through the UK in transit;
3. seasonal worker visa;
4. a visitor visa, which will be optimal if you are traveling at the invitation of friends or relatives;
5. business visa (or, as it is also called – business);
6. visa for children;
7. tourist visa.

We will consider the tourist visa in more detail. It is intended for visiting the UK for tourist purposes and is multiple entry. It can be issued for a period of 6 months to 10 years. You are allowed to stay in the UK for up to 180 days per year.

Above, we have considered different types of visas for a reason, so that the distinction between them is clear. If a person travels to the UK on a tourist visa, he or she will not have the right to be employed in this country during the period of his or her stay. For work purposes, either a business visa or a seasonal worker visa is required, depending on the specifics of your professional self-realization.

It is important to know that upon expiration of the visa, you must leave the country to avoid problems with illegal stay. It is not possible to extend your visa while in the UK. Therefore, you should carefully plan your trips to avoid such a problem.

Can I be refused a visa to England?

Yes, cases of refusal are quite common. Let’s look at the common reasons why this can happen. So, among them:

• inaccurate data in the visa application form or its incorrect completion;
• fictitious documents submitted for visa application;
• incomplete package of documents required for obtaining a visa;
• criminal record, affiliation of the applicant with terrorist groups;
• lack of sufficient funds required for the trip;
• deportation or refusal to issue visas due to violation of migration laws;
• insufficient evidence to prove a proper connection with Ukraine or another state where the applicant resides.

Let’s focus on the last point to make it clear. Such evidence is needed to ensure that the authorized persons responsible for issuing the visa have sufficient grounds to understand that the applicant will not remain in the UK illegally when his or her tourist visa expires.

What documents are required to apply for a visa?

The list of documents required for a UK visa will depend on its type. The main documents are:

• a valid passport and copies of previous passports, if any
• bank statements;
• certificates from the place of work or study, registration of a sole proprietorship;
• additional documents proving a connection with the country of residence, as mentioned above.

Each of the documents has certain requirements. Therefore, we will tell you about them in more detail when advising you on the preparation of a package of documents.

Do I need to take an English test?

This question is quite common. If you are not applying for a student or immigrant visa, you do not need to take an English test. This means that you will not be required to do so when applying for a tourist, visitor, or business visa.

Clients also often ask whether a medical examination is required before applying for a visa. It also depends on the type of visa. If it’s a short-term visa for up to 6 months, you don’t need a doctor’s certificate. If you need assistance in applying for an immigration visa rather than a tourist visa, we will advise you on the requirements for a medical examination.

How can we be of service?

The team of Prikhodko & Partners Law Firm offers the following services in obtaining a British visa:

• Advising on general legal aspects related to visa application.
• Advising on the package of documents required for the visa.
• Legal support of the visa application procedure.

When you are accompanied by professional lawyers in applying for a visa, it is much easier to achieve the desired result and avoid refusals. Fill out the form on the website and our lawyer will contact you shortly.