UK Visitor Visas - Apply From Canada
The UK Visitor Visa is a short stay visa that generally allows the holder to stay in the United Kingdom for a time period of just six months or less.
If you would like further information on applying for the UK Visitor Visa from Canada, contact Total Law for assistance with your application. Speak to one of our expert immigration advisers today. Call +1 844 290 6312 or use the online contact form to get in touch.
Page Contents
- What is the UK Visitor Visa?
- Eligibility for UK Visitor Visa
- Categories of the UK Visitor visa
- Required Documents for the UK Visitor Visa
- Additional Documents For Professional/ Academic Visitors
- Additional Required Travel Documents For Private Medical Treatment Visas
- How To Apply for UK Visitor Visa
- Costs and Fees of the UK Visitor Visa
- The UK Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa
- Can I Extend My Visitor Visa?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do Canadians Need a Visa For UK?
The UK Visitor visa (also known as the Tourist visa) is a short-term visa for individuals travelling to the UK for tourism, visiting family, obtaining medical treatment, or for business purposes.
If you hold a valid Canadian passport, you do not require a visitor visa for international travel to the United Kingdom.
However, if you live in Canada via a different type of visa or immigration allowance, are from a UK visa-required country and do not hold a valid Canadian passport per the government of Canada, you will need to follow the immigration rules set by UK Visas and Immigration and apply for a valid visa.
Eligibility for the UK Visitor Visa
In order to be eligible for a UK Visitor Visa, you must be able to provide evidence of the reason for your travel to the UK as well as proof that you do not intend to stay for a period of longer than six months. You must also show that you do not plan to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits .
You must also be able to prove that you have the financial ability to fund your journey to and from the country and have available funds to support yourself during the time you will be in the UK.
Because there are several different categories of UK Visitor Visas the rules for eligibility do vary slightly. In general, you will need to be able to provide comprehensive, detailed evidence that supports your need for a short-term visa and proves your intention to return to your home country.
Immigration rules are strict and the most common reason for rejection of a UK Visitor Visa application is the lack of sufficient supporting documentation.
Categories of the UK visitor visa
Some of the categories for UK Visitor Visa include:
Standard visitor visa
The standard visitor visa allows you to visit family and friends, tour the United Kingdom and perform other approved activities. This is the “general” visitor visa for the UK.
Student Visitor Visa
A Student Visitor Visa is different from a Student Visa in that the Student Visitor Visa is specifically designed for those students who will be visiting the UK for a period of six months or less. This is best for individuals who are planning to study short-term courses or qualifications in the UK.
Child Visitor Visa
A Child Visitor Visa can be used for individuals who plan to visit family or friends or take part in an exchange or study program if they are under the age of 18 years old.
Visitor In Transit Visa
A Visitor In Transit Visa is for when you will be stopping over in the UK for 48 hours or less on your way to another country and you plan to leave the airport during this time. You must be able to provide sufficient evidence of your reason to do so as well as your travel plans.
Business Visitor Visa
You can be eligible for a Business Visitor Visa whether you are employed or self-employed. The Business Visitor Visa is not for those doing paid work in the UK. It is for individuals who plan to visit for six months or less in order to attend business conferences or training, negotiate deals or sign contracts, or other short-term business purposes.
It is important to ensure that you meet the specific eligibility requirements for this visa and that you don’t require a dedicated work visa, which would require a different application and have different criteria.
Medical Treatment visa
This allows those from Canada to travel to the UK to receive medical treatment in a private facility or hospital, of which the treatment is paid for by the visa applicant or privately through other means such as family and friends.
Academic Visitor visa
The Academic visitor visa allows foreign nationals to come to the UK to carry out research during a sabbatical or partake in formal exchange arrangements. You may also be able to teach or undertake temporary clinical practice if you are a senior doctor or dentist.
Permitted Paid Engagement visa
This visa type allows individuals to visit the UK to carry out certain paid engagements or events. You must have a written invitation from a UK based organisation or client and you must prove that you are an expert in your profession. There are also a variety of additional criteria you must meet based on your specific profession.
Required Documents for UK Visitor Visa
The documents required will vary depending on the basis of your visa. Generally, you will need to submit:
- Two standard size passport photographs
- Your current and valid passport with at least one blank page. It must be valid three months after your travel date
- Proof of financial stability. You will need to provide documents and evidence that show you have the means to financially support yourself while in the UK. This can be six months of bank statements or payslips from your employer
- Information on your accommodations in the UK. This can be the identification information and address of a person you are staying with or a family member in the UK
- A detailed travel agenda showing your plans while in the UK. This should show the dates and locations of events that you will attend while in the UK as well as the dates of your travel to and from the country.
- Prior passports and documentation of previous travel history over the period of 10 years prior to your application
- Proof of ties to your home country and evidence that you plan to return
- Employment information if applicable
- The receipt of the visa application fee
- Criminal history documentation if applicable
- Academic and professional certificates if applicable
- Certified translations of any documents that were not originally in English
Additional Documents For Professional/Academic Visitors
- A letter from your employer in your home country confirming that you are traveling to the UK in order to complete research. The letter should confirm your dates of travel and the purpose of your trip.
- A letter from the hosting institution or organization in the UK confirming the reason for your travel.
Additional Required Travel Documents For Private Medical Treatment Visas
- Evidence that you have paid the complete cost of your medical care or treatment in the UK
- A letter from your doctor or healthcare professional confirming the need for your medical treatment in the UK. This letter must state the length of time needed for treatment as well as the cost and location where you will receive medical care
- If you are applying for an extension of the visa, you will be required to obtain another letter stating the reason that the medical care must be continued in the UK as opposed to other sites
How To Apply for a UK Visitor Visa
You must apply for this visa within 3 months of when you plan to travel. First, check that you meet the eligibility requirements necessary to apply and gather the documentation needed.
Then you will fill out the online application for the UK Visitor Visa online. Once you have submitted your visa application, you will need to schedule an appointment and attend an interview.
You will also need to have your biometric information taken (fingerprints and a photograph) if you are staying in the UK for longer than six months. You will need to make an appointment and pay a small fee at an application centre. Visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.
Costs and Fees of the Visitor Visa
There are varying fees depending on which category of Visitor Visa you are applying for. It is important to estimate all costs involved with your trip as you will need to prove your financial stability in order to be eligible to apply. The following are some examples of application fees:
- The application fee for a UK Visitor Visa is generally £127
- For private medical treatment for 6 to 11 months, the UK Visitor Visa application fee is £220
- For an academic to do research for up to 1 year, the UK Visitor Visa application fee is £220
- A long-term visa application fee for 2 years (6 months per visit) is £475
- A long-term visa application fee for 5 years (6 months per visit) is £848
- A long-term visa application fee for 10 years (6 months per visit) is £1059
- A visa extension is £1,100 when applying through the post
Note that you may incur additional fees from third parties used in order to obtain documentation for your visa application, or for expedited visa application services.
The UK Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa
A long-term visitor visa can be granted for validity periods of 2, 5, or 10 years in certain cases. This visa is typically issued to individuals who require to be in the UK for temporary visits on a regular basis.
Note that even with these long-term visitor visas, you will only be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time per visit.
To be eligible to apply for a long term visitor visa you would need to provide evidence of regular temporary visits to the UK and proof of your intention to leave the UK and return to your home country or another country at the end of the visa period.
Call +1 844 290 6312 or use the online contact form to get in touch with us for assistance with applying for a UK Visitor visa or advice.
Can I Extend My Visitor Visa?
There are a few certain instances where you will be able to extend your Visitor visa.
One of these is if you were granted a visit for less than 6 months and wish to extend it to up to 6 months.
You can only normally extend your visit beyond 6 months if one of the following applies to you:
- You’re receiving medical treatment
- You’re an academic and you still meet the eligibility requirements
- You’re a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment
You must apply for an extension while you’re in the UK and before your current permission expires.
All extensions come with an application fee of £1,100.
Advice Package
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must apply for the UK Visitor Visa within the 3 months and up to 48 hours before you plan to travel to the UK. You cannot apply earlier than 3 months from your date of travel. Usually, you will receive a decision on your visa application within about three weeks from when you submit your application and all documents. You may be able to pay an additional fee at a visa application centre to expedite the process.
The UK Visitor Visa normally lasts up to 6 months. However, you may be able to apply for a visa that lasts up to 11 months or 12 months if you’re applying for medical reasons or as a visiting academic, respectively.
You may also be able to extend your Visitor visa in certain cases, as outlined in the section above.
Although it is frustrating, UK Visitor Visas are frequently denied. This can be due to various reasons but most commonly is caused by a lack of sufficient documentation provided by the applicant. Depending on your situation, you may be able to appeal the refusal decision. If you would like assistance following the denial of your UK Visitor Visa, whether for business, study, family visit, or any other category, you can contact Total Law for assistance with your application. Speak to one of our expert immigration advisers today. Call +1 844 290 6312 or use the online contact form to get in touch.
