UCL STUDENT AND REGISTRY SERVICES

Student Immigration Advice and Compliance Team

Standard Visitor Visa for friends and family visiting the UK

Initial information

The Standard Visitor Visa allows you to visit the UK for a maximum of 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3

months before you travel to the UK. You should ensure that you give yourself plenty of time to make your

intend to enter the UK) otherwise UKVI will start the visa from the date they issue the visa.

 Make sure you supply sufficient evidence to support your application. It is your responsibility to

ensure you provide enough evidence to satisfy you that you meet the visitor rules (Appendix V).

 Decision making can be subjective so you should not give UKVI a reason to doubt the validity of your

application.

Non-Visa Nationals

If you are a non-visa national you can ask for a Visit Visa Stamp upon entry to the UK from the Border Officers.

You can check whether you are a non-visa national on the UKVI website. You will still need to show that you

You will need to make your application online via Access UK. If you are from North Korea you will have to

make a paper based application. You apply online using the following link: https://visas-

immigration.service.gov.uk/visa-type

When you apply you will need to do the following:

 register an account with UKVI

 complete the online application form

 pay for the application- check visa fees in your country of application here

 make an appointment to have your biometrics taken at a visa application centre. You will have your

fingerprints and photograph taken.

 Current passport and/or travel documents- You need a blank page in your passport for your visa. Your

passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.

 Proof of finances - to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit. This includes the cost of the

return journey and cost of planned activities. We suggest you have available at least £1,265 for each

month of your intended visit. You can use bank statements. You can additionally provide your family

member/friend in the UK’s bank statements etc.

 Proof of earnings such as a letter from your employer confirming employment details- start date of

employment, salary, role, company contact details and/or payslips for 6 months.

 Accommodation and travel details- confirmation of accommodation booking. If you will be staying

with your family member/ friend for the duration of their stay in the UK you should provide proof of

 A copy the biometric page of your family member/friend’s passport and a copy of their visa.

 A statement of student status, confirming your family member/friend’s studies at UCL. They can

obtain this from the Student Centre, Gordon Street.

 Other socio-economic evidence to show that you have a strong link to your home country and intend

to return such as details of your employment or studies where you have stated in your application

that you are either employed or in full-time studies. This could include:

- a letter from your employer on company headed paper, detailing your role, salary and length of

employment and that you have been granted annual leave to visit the UK

- a letter from your education provider, on headed paper, confirming your enrolment and leave of

absence

If you have any further questions about how to make this visa application please contact the Student

Immigration Advice Team using the contact form.

Immigration regulations are subject to change at short notice and therefore we cannot guarantee that a visa

application will be successful if all the above documents are provided. UCL cannot accept responsibility for

any decisions made by the UK Visas and Immigration.

telephone number and

e-mail address>

<Relative’s name and address>

Re: Visitor application for: <Full name of visitor; Date of Birth; Nationality>

I am currently studying / have recently completed the <course details> programme at University College

London from <date> to <date>. I attach evidence of my student status including a [Visa Letter / University

letter*] on University headed paper.

I am currently in the UK on a student visa and my current permission to stay in the UK is valid until <date visa

expires>. I enclose copies of my passport and [UK student visa / biometric identity card*].

I have arranged suitable accommodation for you in my home at <address in UK> and have enclosed a [copy of

the tenancy agreement / letter from landlord*]. OR

This includes:

 Original bank statements for at least the last 28 days

 my payslips*

 a letter from my sponsor confirming my sponsorship*

<Signature>

<Student’s name>