Who is a Visa National?

Nationals or citizens from one of the following countries wanting to visit the UK will need to obtain a visit visa:

*Processes differ from standard applications

A non-visa national may apply for a visit visa, but is not required to unless they are:

(a) Visiting the UK to marry or to form a civil partnership, or to give notice of this; or

(b) Seeking to visit the UK for more than 6 months

What is a Visa National?

To explain what a visa national is, it's better to first look at what a 'non-visa national' is.

A non-visa national is a term used to describe citizens from a country who are, based on their country of citizenship, exempt from requiring a visitor visa when they wish to visit the UK for up to six months. There are currently 56 countries from which its citizens are exempt from this visa requirement.

Citizens from any other country are known as visa nationals. They must be granted a visa to visit the UK or even transit in the UK to travel to another country.

Visitor Visa Application

If you are a visa national you must apply for a visa even if you wish to visit the UK. You must complete your application from outside of the UK and you must be granted your visa prior to travel.

Applications can be made online and costs depend on the length of your visa.

Reasons for Visa Refusal

You may be denied entry to the UK and refused your visitor visa application if you have a past record of deportation and/or criminal convictions.

If you have provided false information or evidence you are also disallowed entry and you may be stopped from making future applications as well.

If your intend is not to visit the UK but to apply for another longer term visa once you arrive and the Home Office has a clear reason to believe this is the case, you will be denied entry. You should not aim to apply for other visas whilst you are present in the UK.

If you intend to work or study in the UK you should not apply for a visitor visa.

Applying for your Visitor Visa

You can generally easily apply for your visitor visa online. If for any reason this is not possible a friend or family member in the UK may be able to apply on your behalf.

If another person applies for you, you must still visit a visa application centre in person where your photographs and fingerprints are taken.