This section describes the different types of visitor visa, and helps you to choose the right one for your circumstances. It also explains what you are allowed to do while you are in the UK as a visitor.
If you come to the UK as a visitor, you are normally allowed to stay here for a maximum of 6 months.
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Tourism and visiting friends
If you want to visit the UK as a tourist or to stay with friends in the UK, you should apply to come here as a general visitor (or as a child visitor if you are under 18).
There are restrictions on what you can do in the UK in these visitor categories. For example, you cannot get married.
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Visiting family
If you want to visit members of your family in the UK, you can apply to come here as a family visitor (or as a child visitor if you are under 18).
If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you cannot come as a visitor.
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Visiting to do business
If you want to do business in the UK, you should apply to come here as a business visitor (or as a child visitor if you are under 18). This includes academic visitors, and doctors undertaking clinical attachments or the PLAB test.
If you want to come to the UK as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), and you need to spend time here first in order to hold discussions and secure funding, you can apply for a visa as a prospective entrepreneur.
If you want to come to the UK as a visitor to do short-term, fee-paid activity you can apply for a visa as a permitted paid engagement visitor.
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Visiting to study
If you want to study in the UK for up to 6 months (or up to 11 months if you will be studying an English Language course), and you will not work while you are here, you can come here as a student visitor (or as a child visitor if you are under 18).
If you intend to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system, but you have not completed the arrangements for your course of study, you might be able to apply for a visa as a prospective student.
If you have a child aged under 12 who will be studying in the UK under Tier 4 (Child) of the points-based system, you can apply to accompany them as a parent of a child at school.
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Visiting as a sportsperson
If you want to take part in any sporting events in the UK, you might be able to come here as a sports visitor or a visitor undertaking permitted paid engagements (or as a child visitor if you are under 18).
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Visiting for other reasons
If you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK, and you intend to leave the UK soon after the ceremony, you should apply to come here as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership.
If you want to receive private medical treatment in the UK, you should apply to come here as a visitor for private medical treatment.
Dr. Zahur-ul-Haq is managing the organization Zahaq Associates (Pvt) Ltd. as a Managing Director since 1997. Due to his Dynamic education background and relations with leading institutes have made Dr. Zahur as one of the Leading Education & Immigration Consultant in Pakistan.