UK Tourist Visa Costs
UK tourist visa costs vary by visa type, duration, and application method, with standard visitor visa costs ranging from £100-200 for single entry visas to £363-490 for long-term visitor visas allowing multiple entries over extended periods. Understanding UK tourist visa costs, application requirements, and processing times helps international travellers plan UK visits while managing visa application expenses. From short-term visitor visas to long-term multi-entry visas, UK visa system offers various options for international tourists.
✈️ UK tourist visa represents essential travel document for non-EEA nationals visiting UK for tourism, family visits, or business purposes requiring careful application planning and fee payment. Evaluating whether standard or long-term visa provides best value, understanding application requirements and processing times, and knowing when to apply helps optimize visa costs while ensuring successful UK visit approval.
How Much is a UK Tourist Visa?
Standard Visitor Visa (6 months): £100 for standard visitor visa allowing single or multiple entries for up to 6 months. Standard visitor visa costs £100 for tourism, family visits, or business purposes. Includes online application and standard processing time.
Long-term Visitor Visa (2 years): £363 for 2-year visitor visa allowing multiple entries for up to 2 years. 2-year visitor visa costs £363 for frequent UK visitors requiring multiple visits over extended period. Includes comprehensive visa validity and multiple entry benefits.
Long-term Visitor Visa (5 years): £655 for 5-year visitor visa allowing multiple entries for up to 5 years. 5-year visitor visa costs £655 for regular UK visitors requiring long-term visa validity. Includes extended visa validity and multiple entry benefits.
Long-term Visitor Visa (10 years): £822 for 10-year visitor visa allowing multiple entries for up to 10 years. 10-year visitor visa costs £822 for frequent long-term UK visitors requiring maximum visa validity. Includes maximum visa validity and comprehensive entry benefits.
Priority Visa Service: £250 for priority visa service providing faster processing within 5 working days. Priority service costs £250 in addition to standard visa fee, while super priority service costs £956 for next-day processing. Priority services reduce processing times but increase total costs.
Additional Services: £50-200 for additional services including visa application centre fees, biometric appointments, and document translation. VAC fees vary by location, biometric appointments may cost £19.20, and document translation costs £50-200 depending on document volume. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs.
For example, standard visitor visa at £100 with priority service at £250 totals £350, while 10-year visitor visa at £822 provides long-term visa validity for frequent visitors.
Real-World Examples:
UK Visas and Immigration in London: Standard visitor visa from £100, 2-year visitor visa from £363, priority service from £250. Official UK visa processing service with comprehensive application support and processing options.
VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Manchester: Standard visitor visa from £100, 5-year visitor visa from £655, biometric appointment from £19.20. Visa application centre with comprehensive visa services and application support.
Visa Application Centre in Birmingham: Standard visitor visa from £100, 10-year visitor visa from £822, super priority service from £956. Professional visa application centre with fast-track processing and comprehensive services.
TLScontact in Edinburgh: Standard visitor visa from £100, priority service from £250, document translation from £50. Visa application centre with comprehensive visa services and translation support.
Local Visa Agents in Glasgow: Visa application assistance from £100, document preparation from £150, comprehensive visa services from £300. Professional visa agents with application support and document preparation services.
Factors that Affect UK Tourist Visa Costs
📅 Visa Duration and Validity
Standard 6-month visa costs £100, while 2-year visa costs £363, 5-year visa costs £655, and 10-year visa costs £822. Visa duration significantly affects costs, with longer validity visas commanding higher prices. Visa duration directly impacts cost per month of validity and value proposition.
⚡ Processing Speed and Priority Services
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £250 for 5-day processing, and super priority service costs £956 for next-day processing. Processing speed significantly affects costs, with faster processing commanding premium prices. Priority services reduce waiting times but increase total application costs.
📍 Application Location and Method
Online application costs standard visa fee, while application centre fees may add £50-200 depending on location and services. Application method and location affect total costs, with premium locations commanding higher fees. Application location significantly impacts convenience and costs.
📄 Additional Services and Documentation
Biometric appointments cost £19.20, while document translation costs £50-200, and application assistance costs £100-300. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs. Documentation requirements and support services can add £100-500 to standard visa fees.
🎯 Visa Type and Purpose
Standard visitor visa costs £100, while business visitor visa costs same fee, and transit visa costs £35. Visa type and purpose affect costs, with specialized visas commanding different fees. Visa purpose directly impacts application requirements and costs.
How to Save Money on UK Tourist Visa
📅 Choose Appropriate Visa Duration
Standard 6-month visa costs £100 for single trip, while 2-year visa costs £363 providing better value for multiple visits. Evaluate your travel frequency and choose appropriate visa duration. Appropriate selection can save £100-400 on visa costs by avoiding unnecessary long-term visas.
⏰ Apply Early for Standard Processing
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £250 for faster processing. Applying early allows standard processing without premium fees. Early application can save £250-956 on priority service fees.
📄 Prepare Documents Yourself
Self-preparation costs £0 additional fees, while professional assistance costs £100-300 for application support. Preparing documents yourself eliminates professional fees. Self-preparation can save £100-300 on visa application costs.
🔍 Compare Application Centres
Application centre fees vary by location—compare multiple options to find best value. Some centres offer lower fees or better services. Comparing centres can save £50-150 on application centre fees.
✅ Ensure Complete Application
Complete applications avoid delays and additional costs, while incomplete applications may require resubmission fees. Ensuring complete and accurate applications prevents additional expenses. Proper preparation can save £100-300 on reapplication or correction fees.
FAQs
How much does a UK tourist visa cost?
UK tourist visa costs £100-822 depending on duration and type, with standard 6-month visitor visa costing £100, 2-year visitor visa costing £363, 5-year visitor visa costing £655, and 10-year visitor visa costing £822. Additional services including priority processing may add £250-956 to total costs.
How long does UK tourist visa processing take?
Standard UK tourist visa processing takes 15-30 working days, while priority service provides 5-day processing for £250 additional fee, and super priority service provides next-day processing for £956 additional fee. Processing times vary by application complexity and peak periods. Apply early to allow standard processing time.
What documents are required for UK tourist visa?
Required documents include valid passport, completed visa application form, recent photographs, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, financial evidence, and supporting documents. Document translation may cost £50-200 if required. Ensure all documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays and additional costs.
Can I get UK tourist visa faster?
Priority service provides 5-day processing for £250 additional fee, while super priority service provides next-day processing for £956 additional fee. Faster processing is available for urgent travel needs but increases total visa costs. Consider standard processing if time allows to save on priority fees.
How can I reduce UK tourist visa costs?
Choose appropriate visa duration, apply early for standard processing, prepare documents yourself, compare application centres, and ensure complete application. These strategies can save £100-956 on UK tourist visa costs. Standard processing and self-preparation provide largest savings opportunities for visa applications.
Conclusion
UK tourist visa costs range from £100-822 depending on visa duration, processing speed, and additional services, requiring careful application planning and fee management for successful UK visit approval. Strategic visa planning—choosing appropriate visa duration, applying early for standard processing, preparing documents yourself, comparing application centres, and ensuring complete applications—saves £100-956 while ensuring successful visa approval. UK tourist visas provide access to UK for tourism and visits, making them essential for international travellers. Compare visa costs with other travel expenses like passport renewal or travel insurance when planning UK visits. With proper planning and application preparation, UK tourist visas can be obtained effectively ensuring successful UK visit without excessive financial burden. ✈️
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Alan Frost |
| Grew up in and live in Birmingham. Writer, publisher, editor, EFL teacher, composer. |
