Visitor visas are the most common type of visa issued by the Home Office to people looking to enter the UK. While those looking to work in the UK will generally need a work visa to do so, there are many reasons why someone may be able to enter the UK as what British immigration authorities refer to as a ‘Standard Visitor’.
Permitted activities for Standard Visitors to the UK include tourism, visiting friends or family, attending business meetings or events, receiving medical treatment, and studying at a recognised and accredited institution for less than 6 months.
Some people will qualify for visa-free travel to the UK providing they are visiting for less than six months. However, UK immigration rules mean that citizens of over 100 countries will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance of travel regardless of the purpose of their visit.
Those who are intending to visit the UK multiple times over a period of years may be eligible to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor Visa.
Whatever your plans for visiting the UK, it is important to make sure you understand what visa you may need before you travel. Our qualified UK immigration solicitors are available to discuss your unique circumstances, identify which visa is right for you and any family members and help you submit the strongest possible application to UK Visas & Immigration.
Demetris Demetriou
Demetris is a dual-qualified lawyer in the UK (Solicitor) and Cyprus (Advocate) with 10+ years of experience in UK immigration. He completed his legal studies at University College London and City University London. Over the course of his career, he held key roles as Head of Immigration at Legal 500 firms and within the Big4, overseeing teams of 15+ fee earners handling 2000+ applications annually.
Demetris went on to co-establish his firm in London and continues to offer innovative solutions and strategic immigration planning to multinationals, SMEs, and private clients.
He personally represented 1500+ clients in 30+ visa routes including investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, sole representatives, students, family visas, global talent, UK ancestry, administrative reviews and appeals. Demetris has managed corporate relocations, conducted immigration law training and implemented post-Brexit immigration policies for corporate clients.
Demetris has been featured in various events and publications focusing on UK immigration, notably at the Cambridge Network, the Westminster Policy Forum and most recently at DGEMS, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.
If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.
Tatiani Preifelt
Tatiani has a wealth of expertise in global mobility and corporate immigration. Her ample skills were acquired within leading immigration practices including three out of the Big4 firms in both the UK and Sweden. Tatiani went on to co-establish her firm in London where she continues to advise clients predominantly in corporate, business and skilled work migration.
Having personally relocated to 10 different countries, Tatiani understands the importance of an expedient and successful immigration process and takes pride in delivering a seamless experience to her clients as well.
Over the course of her career, she has assisted over 500 individuals and businesses to obtain the appropriate visa permits in the UK.
Her awarded academic work at The University of Oxford, The London School of Economics, and at The Geneva University is in the fields of Political Science, International Human Rights Law, and Global Migration Governance.
She regularly provides immigration training and has recently participated as a speaker and panellist at DGEMS 2023, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.
If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.