Quick answer
A Standard Visitor visa lets you come to the UK for a short stay, for example to see family, for a holiday or on business. Whether you need one depends on your nationality. You can apply up to 3 months before you travel, and the Home Office usually decides within 3 weeks. We prepare the application and the evidence with you.
On this page
What we do for you
- Confirm whether you need a visa, and that a visitor visa covers what you plan to do in the UK
- Help you show the reasons you will leave at the end of your visit, such as your work, studies or family at home
- Check that your bank statements and any sponsor's letter show you can pay for the trip
- Complete the online application with a covering letter that explains the visit
- If you were refused before, deal with each reason in the new application, or tell you if another route, such as a spouse or partner visa, fits what you want to do
The rules for visitors are on GOV.UK, and its visa checker tells you whether you need a visa.
What it costs
| Visit visa application | Our legal fee: typically £750 to £950 |
|---|---|
| VAT | Where VAT applies it is charged at 20%. Whether it applies depends on residence and immigration status, and we tell you when we confirm our fee in writing. |
What our fee includes
- An initial meeting, advice on your route and a document checklist
- Reviewing your documents and evidence
- Preparing the application and the written arguments that support it
- Submitting the application
- Advising on the decision
We confirm our fee in writing before we start. Our published fee ranges, and what they cover, are on our fees page.
Not part of our fee: Home Office fees, and any biometric, priority-service, translation or interpreter charges, expert or barrister fees, and extra work caused by incomplete information, further-evidence requests or interviews. Home Office fees are set by the government and change, so we confirm any third-party cost and get your authority before we pay it. The current Home Office visa fee is on GOV.UK.
How it works
Getting your application ready typically takes 2 to 6 weeks from the day we have your documents. You can apply up to 3 months before you travel.
- Do you need a visa?
You tell us your nationality, who you are visiting and why. We confirm whether you need a visa and send you a written quote.
- Your documents
We send you a list for your visit, such as bank statements, a letter from your employer and your host's details, and check each one.
- Online form and fee
We complete the online application with a covering letter. You check it and pay the Home Office fee.
- Your appointment
You go to a visa application centre to prove your identity and have your fingerprints and photo taken.
- The decision
The Home Office usually decides within 3 weeks. If you are refused, we go through the reasons with you.
Typical Home Office processing time (Home Office estimate, not guaranteed): Usually 3 weeks from your appointment, applying from outside the UK. Faster decisions are offered in some countries (GOV.UK, checked 8 October 2026).
Who oversees your application
Oliverta Mediu
Partner — Immigration & Family
Oliverta leads the firm's immigration work.
What clients say
Firm-wide reviews across all our services.
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Regulated by the SRA SRA No. 605949, view our record
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CQS accredited Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme
Where we act
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Leicester office 3rd Floor, St George's House, 6 St George's Way, Leicester LE1 1QZ 0116 393 0334
Immigration in Leicester
Questions visitors ask
Do I need a visa to visit the UK?
It depends on your nationality and why you are coming. The government's visa checker on GOV.UK tells you in a few questions. If it says you need a visa, we can help with the application.
How long does a decision take?
The Home Office says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks of your appointment, and some countries offer a faster service for an extra fee (GOV.UK, checked 8 October 2026). You can apply up to 3 months before you travel, so there is time to apply early.
Why are visitor visas refused?
Common reasons are that the Home Office is not satisfied you will leave at the end of your visit, that you can pay for the trip, or that the visit is for something a visitor is allowed to do. Gaps in bank statements, money paid in shortly before the application, and a vague account of the trip can all count against you.
How much do you charge for a visit visa application?
Our legal fee for a visit visa application is typically £750 to £950, excluding VAT. The Home Office visa fee is separate, set by the government and paid by you. You get our fee in writing before we start.
Can someone in the UK sponsor my visit?
Yes. A family member or friend in the UK can support your application with a letter and evidence of their status and address, and can pay for or host your stay. You still need to show that you will leave at the end of the visit.
My visit visa was refused. Can you help?
Yes. Most visit visa refusals have no right of appeal, so the usual step is a new application that deals with each reason given. Send us the refusal letter and your previous application, or call our London office on 020 7063 9040 or our Leicester office on 0116 393 0334.
Helpful guides
Planning a visit to the UK?
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