A UK visitor visa allows a person to visit UK and study there for up to six months. It also covers people coming to the UK for medical treatment and those passing through the UK.

This visa is for an individual wishing to travel for a period of up to six months to the United Kingdom. Whether the trip is for 1 week or 5 months a visitor visa will be required.

Visitor visa holders are prohibited from working, paid or unpaid, during their visit in the United Kingdom.

All visitors to the United Kingdom, whether for business or social reasons, can only stay for six months. If you are given permission to stay for less than six months, you can apply to extend your stay in the United Kingdom for up to six months in total. People from certain nationalities are able to apply for different visas to extend a trip in the United Kingdom.

There are some basic requirements of the visa you must satisfy if you are to be considered for the business visitor visa to the United Kingdom.

These are:

• you only want to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months
• you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit
• you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds.

What do I need to make my application?

You will need:

• a completed application form VAF1- Non-settlement
  
• your passport (this must be valid for the whole period of your visit)
  
• two recent passport sized photographs of yourself, 45 mm x 35 mm in size with a white background
  
• the visa fee, which is non refundable, and must normally be paid in the local currency of the country where you are applying

• evidence of funds, for example bank statements or payslips, to show that you can pay for the trip and have enough money to support and accommodate yourself and any dependants adequately without working or help from public funds
  
• Sponsorship letter or hotel booking.
  
• Details about the person who is sponsoring eg his employment details, his bank details and his status in the UK.