General Visitor – Short Stay Visa

September 2010
This guide is for international students who wish to invite friends, dependants and non-dependant
relatives from outside the EEA, to visit them whilst they study on the UK, for example, to attend
their graduation ceremony.

If the visitors are from the EEA, this guidance does not apply to them.

This guidance explains what you will need to do if you want to travel to the United Kingdom (UK)
as a visitor, and what the Immigration Rules say. It is only a guide and your visitors should read the
guidance in full on the UKVISAS website at: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors
The UKVISAS web page is very comprehensive, answers many frequently asked questions and
has links to the correct application form.

This guide is produced by the International Students Advisory Service (ISAS) for information only.
ISAS does not have any involvement in your visitors applications (i.e. ISAS does not write letters of
invitation or offer any advice to your visitors).

For information on how to invite your spouse, children or civil partner as dependants on your
student visa, you should refer to the ISAS guide ‘Bringing your family to the UK’. You can
download the guide from the ISAS website at:
http://www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international/guides.shtml

Who is a dependant?

Under the Immigration Rules for students, dependants are:

 Spouse – legally married husband or wife.
 Children – under the age of 18 years old.
 Civil partner – same sex partner with whom you have registered a civil partnership in the
UK or other similar legal partnership in your country.

All other friends or relatives, unmarried partners, boyfriends or girlfriends are non
dependants and should apply as a general visitor.

Does my visitor need to apply for a visa before coming to the UK?

Your visitors will need a visa to visit the UK if they are a national of one of the countries listed in the
visa and transit ‘visa nationals’ page on the UKVISAS website:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals This list is subject to change so your
visitors should check this list when they are planning their visit.

My visitor does not need a visa before coming to the UK. What should they do?

If your visitor is not a ‘visa national’, they do not need a visa to enter the UK as a General Visitor,
but they will still need to show the immigration officer at the port of entry that they meet the
requirements for entry in this category. They should carry with them, in their hand luggage, the
same supporting evidence as if they were applying for a visa before leaving their home country.
Supporting evidence is listed on page 2.

What are the requirements for entry to the UK as a General Visitor?

International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)

In brief, your visitor must be able to show that they:

 are genuinely seeking entry as a general visitor for a limited period as stated by him/her,
not exceeding 6 months; and
 intend to leave the United Kingdom at the end of the period of the visit as stated by him;
and
 does not intend to take employment in the United Kingdom; and
 does not intend to produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including
the selling of goods or services direct to members of the public; and
 does not intend to undertake a course of study; and
 will maintain and accommodate himself adequately out of resources available to him
without recourse to public funds or taking employment; or will be maintained and
accommodated adequately by relatives or friends; and
 can meet the cost of the return or onward journey.; and
 is not a child under the age of 18.
 does not, during his visit, intend to marry or form a civil partnership, or to give notice of
marriage or civil partnership; and
 does not intend to receive private medical treatment during his visit; and
 is not in transit to a country outside the common travel area.

The Immigration Rules for visitors can be found in full on the UKBA website at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/part2/

How does my visitor make their application?

They will need to make their application online or complete the application form ‘VAF1A - General
visitor’. Details of how to get the application form are given on the UKVISAS website at:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors:

They will need to submit the following:

 Your passport or travel document.

 A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself. This should be:
o taken against a light-coloured background
o clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed
o printed on normal photographic paper, and
o full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for
cultural or religious reasons (but the face must not be covered).
 The visa application fee. This cannot be refunded, and you must normally pay it in the local
currency of the country where you are applying.
 Any supporting documents relevant to their application.

What supporting documents should my visitor include with their application?

They should include all the documents they can to show that they qualify for entry to the UK as a
visitor. If they do not, their application may be refused.

As a guide, they should include:

 bank statements, payslips, or some other evidence to show that they can pay for the trip
and that they have enough money to support themselves without working or getting any
help from public funds (evidence should cover a six month period), and
 evidence that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit (for example, a letter from
their employer to say that they have a job to return to).

International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)

What supporting documents should I send my visitor?

Because they will be visiting you in the UK, you will be their ‘sponsor’. As their ‘sponsor’, you
should send them the following to include in their application:
 a letter from you, explaining your relationship with them and the purpose of their visit. You
can use the attached example, adapted to your situation, and
 a copy of the bio-data page (the page containing your photograph) and the visa page in
your passport, or a copy of both sides of your Biometric ID Card, and
 If you will be supporting them financially during their visit, or paying for the cost of their visit,
you will need to send them your payslips, bank statements, or some other evidence to
show that you have enough money to support them, and
 An up to date letter from Academic and Student Administration department (C’Block, Aston
Webb Building) confirming your registration as a student, your course start and end date,
course details and graduation date.

You should post all your evidence to your visitor and keep a copy for yourself. You should also
advise your visitor to have a copy of all this evidence when they travel to the UK in their hand
luggage, so that they will be able to use it at passport control if required. If you will be meeting your
visitor at the airport or sea port, you should carry with you your copies of all the documents that
you have sent them.

How long will my visitor be allowed to stay in the UK for?

General visitor may be admitted for a period of up to 6-months. They will be prohibited from taking
employment.

International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)

Opening Hours (term time): Monday to Thursday Friday 9 am – 5.00 pm 9 am – 4.00 pm

Tel: 0121 414 8464 Email: ISAS@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Website: www.as.bham.ac.uk/international
International Reception, Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston,
Birmingham, B15 2TT.

Disclaimer

The information in this Information Sheet is given in good faith and has been carefully checked.
The University of Birmingham through ISAS, however, accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy.
This guide has been produced by the International Student Advisory Service (ISAS), Student Life
Division, University of Birmingham. It should be used for guidance purposes only and is not a complete
or authoritative statement of the UK Immigration rules. The University of Birmingham does not accept any
liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused to you as a result of any act or omission by you
following your use of this guide. It remains your sole responsibility to make proper enquiry and to take such
advice as you deem appropriate in relation to the application to you of the UK Immigration legislation, rules
and policy.
For full details of the UK Immigration Rules and Policy please refer to the UK Border Agency website:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
This guide may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the permission of ISAS, Student Life
Division, Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham Created on 17/12/09

Immigration advice and services regulated by the Immigration Services Commissioner

© This guide may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the permission of ISAS.

International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)

SAMPLE LETTER FOR INVITING FRIENDS AND NON-DEPENDANTS TO THE UK
Please note that this letter is an example only and should be adapted by you to suit your situation.

Visa Section Your address

British Embassy
City (e.g. Beijing) Date
Country (e.g. People’s Republic of China)

To whom it may concern,

Regarding: (Name of visitor(s), their date of birth, (dd/mm/yy), nationality)

I am writing to confirm that (name of visitor(s)) is my (friend, farther, mother, grandparent) and I would like to
invite (him/her/them) to visit me in Birmingham from (date) until (date). The purpose of their visit is (for a
short holiday/to visit me whilst I study in the UK/to attend my graduation ceremony).

I am a student at the University of Birmingham. I am due to complete my course in (month/year) and will then
graduate in (mid July/mid December – choose the relevant date). I have enclosed a letter from my University.

(If you will be funding your visitor during their stay include the paragraph below)

I confirm that I am (self funded/funded by my parents/funded by a sponsor) and I receive (£xx each
month/£xxx each year). I have enclosed evidence of this. I will be supporting (name of visitor(s)) during their
stay in the UK.

(If you will be providing your visitor with accommodation during their stay, include the paragraph
below)

I confirm that (name of visitor(s)) will be staying with me at my house in Birmingham during their stay. I have
enclosed evidence of my accommodation and my address is:

(write your address here)

(include your contract and/or letter from your landlord/agent)

(If your visitor(s) will be staying in a hotel or hostel, during their stay, include the paragraph below)

I confirm that (name of visitor(s)) will be staying at (write the hotel or hostel name here). I have enclosed
evidence of the booking and the address is:

(write the name and address of the hotel or hostel here)

(include evidence of the booking)

I would be very grateful if you would approve request for a UK visa so that (he/she/they) can visit me. I hope
the necessary visa arrangements can be made as soon as possible. Please find enclosed the following
evidence:

 Letter from University of Birmingham confirming my registration.

 A copy of my passport and current student visa and/or Biometric ID Card
 My financial evidence (if applicable).
 Evidence of my accommodation (if applicable).
 Evidence of hotel/hostel booking (if applicable).

Yours faithfully

(Your signature)
(Print your name)

International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)