This visa category is sought after by nationals of foreign countries who intend to come to the United Kingdom for a short period. The need to make an application under this category depends on the nationality of the individual, the length of stay and the purpose of the visit. Under the Visitor’s Visa category exists a number of specific visitor’s visa types that grants the applicant entry for the purpose of holidays, visitations, marriages, short term study and many others.
The validity period for visitor’s visa is generally 6 months but in some special cases, the applicant might be granted leave for longer periods of up to One, Two, Five or Ten years. The long term visa holder is however expected to stay in the United Kingdom for 6 months at a time except in the cases of Parents of children at school and Academic visitors.
Individuals who intend to enter the UK for reasons such as tourism, holiday or to visit family are to apply for the General visitor visa. Under this category, family members are not authorized to make an application as a dependant, as such it is required that all family members seeking to make an entry to the UK make a separate application as a General Visitor.
The applying individual must, however; The applicant must:
Seek actual entry into the UK as a general visitor for not more than six months; or 12 months for archaeological excavation visits in the UK.
Vacate the UK on concluding the period of the visit
Accommodate and support themselves as well as any dependant applying with them without having to seek support from public sources.
Some of the things the applicant is not permitted to do include:
Be employed in the UK
Work as a self-employed person
Study whilst in the UK
Give notice or marry in the UK or be registered in a civil partnership
Receive private medical care.
travel to another outside EEA
In a situation where an individual is granted leave to enter the UK for less than six months, he/she can be granted an extension on application to remain; making their stay up to a total of six months.