Great Britain
TOURIST AND BUSINESS VISA TO THE GREAT BRITAIN
Types of visas:
Tourist visa (Standard Visitor Visa) - for visiting the country for tourism purposes.
Business visa - for business meetings, conferences or other professional events.
Timeframe:
Processing of documents - 7 working days (filling in all forms, making an appointment for an interview);
Visa issuance: 15 working days.
Required documents:
For a tourist visa:
International passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of application);
Proof of financial solvency (bank statements for 6 months or a certificate of employment with salary).
Confirmation of the purpose of the trip: hotel reservations, airline tickets, travel itinerary.
Additional documents:
Marriage certificates, birth certificates of children;
Real estate documents (if any).
IMPORTANT! Personal presence is mandatory for the submission of biometric data.
For a business visa:
An invitation letter from a British company (with the purpose and duration of the visit).
Proof of professional status:
A certificate from the place of work or registration documents of the company the candidate represents.
Financial documents:
Bank statements (personal or corporate).
Proof of accommodation:
Hotel reservation or other accommodation for the period of stay.
General application procedure:
Online application form;
Payment of the visa fee;
Making an appointment for biometrics and uploading documents online;
Submission of documents at the visa centre;
Waiting for the decision:
Standard processing time: about 15 working days.
After the decision is made, you will be notified of the need to collect your passport and visa.
How can I increase my chances of getting a visa?
Provide financial evidence (bank statements, income statements).
Show ties to your home country (work, family, property).
Prepare a clear travel itinerary (booking tickets, accommodation).
Avoid previous rejections, as this may influence the decision.
If the candidate is a frequent traveller, it is best to consider a 2-year or 5-year visa, but this requires a visa history and evidence of the need for frequent travel.
Basic requirements for a 2-year visa
Visa history - preferably at least one short-term visa to the UK or Schengen/American visas.
Proof of frequent travel - explain why you need a multiple-entry visa (e.g. regular travel, visiting relatives, participating in events).
Financial solvency - provide bank statements, income statement, real estate documents.
Ties to your home country - have a stable job, business, family (to confirm that you do not plan to stay in the Great Britain illegally).