Requirements & Conditions
You can apply for a 10-year Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa, provided they meet all UKVI eligibility criteria.
1. Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, the applicant must satisfy UKVI that they are a genuine visitor. This includes demonstrating:
- Clear purpose of travel (tourism, family visits, business meetings, medical visits, etc.)
- Credible reason for regular visits over the 10-year period
- Strong ties to their home country (employment, business ownership, family, property, financial commitments)
- Intention to leave the UK after each visit
- No intention to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- Good immigration history (UK and international)
- No previous violations of UK immigration rules
UKVI assesses these factors carefully for long-term visas.
2. Financial Requirements
The applicant must show:
- Sufficient funds to cover travel, accommodation, and living expenses during each visit
- Evidence of stable income or business revenue
- Bank statements, tax returns, salary slips, or business documents
UKVI must be satisfied that the applicant can support themselves without working or accessing public funds.
3. Visit Limitations
A 10-year visa does not allow continuous residence in the UK.
- Maximum stay per visit: 6 months
- Frequent long stays may lead to cancellation if UKVI believes the applicant is trying to live in the UK.
4. Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Valid passport
- Completed online visa application
- Appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre
Supporting documents:
- Purpose of travel explanation
- Employment or business documents
- Financial evidence
- Family ties documentation
- Travel history
- Any additional documents relevant to the applicant's profile
Documents and information you'll need to apply
You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.
You'll need to provide the following information in your online application:
- the dates you're planning to travel to the UK
- where you'll be staying during your visit
- how much you think your trip will cost
- your current home address and how long you've lived there
- your parents' names and dates of birth (if known)
- how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
- details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed
Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:
- details of your travel history for the past 10 years
- your employer's address and telephone number
- your partner's name, date of birth and passport number
- the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
- the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
- a certificate proving that you've had a tuberculosis (TB) test if you're visiting for more than 6 months
You need to provide additional documents if you're visiting the UK:
- to study
- as an academic
- for certain paid engagements or events (a 'permitted paid engagement')
- for medical reasons
- You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh
5. Who Should Apply for a 10-Year Visa?
This visa is suitable for applicants who:
- Travel frequently to the UK
- Have family members in the UK
- Attend regular business meetings or events
- Have a long-term pattern of legitimate travel
UKVI may issue a shorter visa (2 or 5 years) if they believe the applicant does not meet the 10-year eligibility standard.