In UK terms this is a Standard Visitor application — there is no formal “sponsorship” visa. As the UK-based host you can provide supporting evidence (an invitation letter, proof of accommodation, and—optionally—financial support), but the visitor must qualify in their own right.
What the visitor must show (in plain English)
- Genuine visitor: coming for a permitted reason (tourism, seeing family/friends) and will leave at the end of the visit.
- Funds & accommodation: has enough money for the trip without working in the UK; accommodation is arranged (hotel or staying with you).
- Ties to home country: reasons to return (job, studies, family responsibilities, property/tenancy, ongoing commitments).
- Immigration history: previous travel that makes sense for their circumstances (helpful but not mandatory).
What visitors can and can’t do
Allowed
- Tourism, visiting family/friends, short business meetings, short courses at approved providers (limited).
- Usual stay is up to 6 months per visit.
Not allowed
- Work, paid or unpaid (beyond very narrow exceptions); no freelancing or volunteering that isn’t clearly permitted.
- Living in the UK for extended periods through frequent or back-to-back visits.
- Marriage/civil partnership unless applying as a Marriage Visitor (separate route).
- Access to public funds.
Your role as the UK-based host
You can improve the application with clear, concise evidence:
- Invitation letter with your identity, address, relationship, purpose of visit, intended dates, and accommodation plan.
- Proof of your status in the UK (eVisa/BRP share code or status screenshot; British passport bio page if a British citizen).
- Accommodation evidence (tenancy agreement or council tax/bill + brief permission letter). Hotel bookings also fine.
- Optional: a support letter stating you will cover some/all costs (plus bank statements and recent payslips to prove it).
Keep it simple. Over-explaining or stacking irrelevant documents can make the file harder to assess.
Documents checklist
From the visitor
- Passport (valid for the period of travel).
- Online application form and visa fee receipt.
- Travel plan (intended dates, places to visit) — do not buy non-refundable tickets before a decision.
- Funds evidence: recent personal bank statements (typically 3–6 months), payslips, or other income proof.
- Ties to home: employment letter/contract & recent payslips; student letter/timetable; family responsibilities; property deeds/tenancy; return/onward intentions.
- Previous travel (if any): visas/stamps or scans.
- If a minor: birth certificate; consent letters from parent(s)/guardian(s); who they will travel with and who will care for them in the UK.
From you (the UK host)
- Invitation letter (template below).
- Proof of identity & status: British passport page or eVisa/BRP details (plus share code/status screenshot if using an eVisa).
- Accommodation: tenancy agreement/mortgage statement/council tax or utility bill; short permission to stay note.
- If offering financial support: brief support letter + last 3 months bank statements and recent payslips.
Do’s and don’ts
Do
- Keep explanations consistent across form, letter, and documents.
- Use realistic budgets (accommodation, food, local travel, sightseeing).
- Show specific ties (approved leave with return date; exam schedule; lease end date; dependent care).
Don’t
- Submit fake or unverifiable documents.
- Claim to fund the trip if your statements don’t support it.
- Plan repeated 5–6 month stays; that looks like living in the UK via visits.
Application flow (high level)
- Online form (create UKVI account, complete Standard Visitor application).
- Pay fee and book biometrics at a visa application centre (outside the UK), or follow in-app steps where available.
- Upload documents (visitor’s + host’s supporting files). Follow file size/format guidance.
- Biometrics appointment (fingerprints + photo; centres vary by country).
- Decision: collect passport with vignette (if issued) or receive instructions (timelines vary by location/service).
- Travel: carry copies of the invitation/support letters and key documents in hand luggage. At the border, answer questions plainly and consistently.
Tip: Multi-year visit visas exist, but each visit is still limited to 6 months (unless otherwise stated). The visitor must leave on time.
Common refusal reasons (and how to avoid them)
- Unclear purpose/itinerary → Provide a short, credible plan (dates, where staying, who with).
- Insufficient funds → Show statements with enough balance for trip + return; explain any large recent deposits.
- Weak ties to home country → Include employer/student letters with dates; property/tenancy proof; dependent care responsibilities.
- Inconsistent answers → Ensure letter, form, and evidence align (dates, addresses, relationships).
- History of long/frequent UK stays → Explain how this visit is short and different; show firm return plans.
Template — Invitation letter (host in the UK)
Copy, paste, and adapt the placeholders.
[Your full name] [Your UK address] [Email] | [Phone] [Date] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to invite [Visitor’s full name, DOB, passport number], my [relationship e.g., mother/friend/cousin], to visit me in the United Kingdom from [intended start date] to [intended end date] for tourism and to spend time with family/friends. I am a [your status: British citizen / ILR holder / Skilled Worker visa holder], currently living at [your full address]. I will host [Visitor’s name] at my address for the duration of their stay [or: “They will stay at (hotel name/address)”]. During the visit we plan to [brief outline of activities/places]. [If supporting financially:] I will contribute to [which costs, e.g., accommodation/food/local transport] and have enclosed my recent bank statements and payslips as evidence of means. [Visitor’s name] intends to return to [home country] on [return date] due to [employment/study/family/property commitments]. They will not work or access public funds in the UK. Enclosures from me: • Proof of identity & UK status (e.g., British passport page / eVisa/BRP details) • Proof of address/accommodation (tenancy, council tax, or utility bill) • [If applicable] Financial support evidence (recent bank statements and payslips) Kind regards, [Signature if printed] [Your full name]
FAQs
Is there a minimum bank balance?
There’s no fixed amount. The visitor must credibly cover the entire trip (travel, accommodation, daily costs) without working. A short, realistic budget plus recent personal bank statements (typically 3–6 months) works best.
Do we need to buy tickets before applying?
No. Provide an intended itinerary and dates. Buying non-refundable tickets before a decision is risky. Only purchase after approval.
Can a friend (not family) visit?
Yes. Explain the relationship briefly and, if helpful, include light evidence (photos over time, messages, previous trips). Keep it proportionate.
Can multiple family members apply together?
Yes, but each person is assessed on their own merits. Include evidence relevant to each applicant (funds, ties, purpose).
How long can a visitor stay? Can they extend while in the UK?
Typical visits are up to 6 months at a time (even on multi-year visit visas). Extensions from inside the UK are very limited; plan for the visitor to leave on time.
Can visitors work, freelance, or volunteer?
No paid or unpaid work (beyond narrow exceptions). Volunteering is restricted. Stick to permitted visitor activities (tourism, seeing family/friends, limited business meetings, short courses at approved providers).
Can I host someone in a rented property?
Generally yes, if your tenancy allows guests. Provide a brief permission note plus proof of address (tenancy agreement/council tax/utility bill). Hotels/short-lets are also fine.
Do visitors need travel insurance?
It’s not mandatory but strongly recommended. It can cover medical costs, cancellations, and lost baggage. Include the policy confirmation if purchased.
What if the application is refused?
Standard Visitor refusals usually don’t have a formal appeal route. You can re-apply, directly addressing the refusal reasons with clearer evidence. Consider getting advice if unsure.
What should the visitor carry at the UK border?
Passport (and visa if issued), invitation letter, proof of accommodation, funds evidence, and return/onward plans. Answer questions briefly and consistently: purpose, where staying, how long, how funded, and when returning.
Is a multi-year visit visa a 2–5 year stay?
No. A multi-year visa allows multiple visits, but each visit is still limited (usually up to 6 months). Frequent long stays can look like living in the UK via visits and risk refusal.
What’s the difference between Standard Visitor and Marriage Visitor?
Marriage Visitor is a specific route to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK without staying long-term. If marriage is the main purpose, apply under Marriage Visitor instead of Standard Visitor.
Information only — not legal advice. If circumstances are unusual (complex finances, previous immigration issues, minors travelling without both parents, medical treatment visits), consider speaking to an OISC-registered adviser.