UK Tourist Visa Fees — Everything to Know in 2026

The UK tourist visa costs £115 for a Standard Visitor Visa valid for 6 months (UK Home Office, April 2026). A UK tourist visa is required by nationals of approximately 103 countries not on the UK’s visa-exempt list. Citizens of the USA, EU, Canada, and Australia do not need a full UK tourist visa — they apply for a UK ETA (£20) instead. This guide covers every cost and step for a UK tourist visa application.

You complete the application online through the UKVI portal. Then comes a biometric appointment at an authorised Visa Application Centre — either VFS Global or TLScontact. Plan ahead. Start six to eight weeks before you travel. The process works the same way no matter which country you apply from. See UK ETA for eligible nationalities.

Who Needs a UK Tourist Visa?

A UK tourist visa is required by nationals of countries not on the UK’s visa-exempt list, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and approximately 100 other nationalities. US, EU, Canadian, and Australian nationals do not need a full UK tourist visa — they enter on a UK ETA or with a valid passport. Check your eligibility at the official UKVI visa checker on gov.uk.

Read also: UK visa application: step-by-step guide to the Standard Visitor Visa

According to the UK Immigration Rules, the Standard Visitor Visa permits stays of up to 6 months per visit. It covers tourism, visiting family and friends, short business meetings, and attending conferences. What it won’t do: paid employment, long-term study, or settlement. Use it for unauthorised activities and you risk removal and a future ban.

UK Tourist Visa Fees in 2026 — Full Price Table

These fees are set by the UK Home Office and reviewed each April. For 2026 they are: £115 for a 6-month Standard Visitor Visa, £432 for a 2-year multi-entry, £771 for 5 years, and £963 for 10 years. Every fee is non-refundable — even if you’re refused.

UK Tourist Visa Type	Validity	Fee (2026)	Best For
Standard Visitor	6 months	£115	One-off or occasional visitors
Long-Stay Visitor (2 year)	6 months/visit	£432	2–4 trips per year
Long-Stay Visitor (5 year)	6 months/visit	£771	Frequent visitors
Long-Stay Visitor (10 year)	6 months/visit	£963	Regular multi-trip travellers
Transit Visitor	48 hours	£35	Airport stopover only

On top of that, Visa Application Centre service charges add £55–£85 per person. Priority processing adds £250. All in, expect roughly £170–£200 for the standard 6-month visa once VAC charges are counted. See full UK travel visa fees breakdown and the official UKVI fee schedule on gov.uk (2026).

Documents Required for a UK Tourist Visa

A UK tourist visa application requires: a valid passport (6+ months’ validity beyond travel dates), completed VAF1A online form, bank statements for 3–6 months, proof of employment or income, confirmed accommodation and return flights, and two passport photographs. Additional documents strengthen the UK tourist visa application and reduce the risk of refusal.

• Valid passport with at least 1 blank visa page
• Completed VAF1A application (gov.uk)
• 3–6 months’ bank statements showing consistent balances
• Employment letter, recent payslips, or business registration
• Hotel booking confirmation or UK address
• Return or onward flight booking
• Two recent passport photographs
• Certified translations of non-English documents

See documents required for a UK tourist visa for the complete official list. For the official wording, check UKVI document guidance on gov.uk.

How to Apply for a UK Tourist Visa in 2026

Apply for a UK tourist visa online at gov.uk, complete the VAF1A form, pay UK tourist visa fees, book and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest authorised Visa Application Centre, and track your decision online. Standard processing takes approximately 3 weeks. Over 90% of straightforward UK tourist visa applications are decided within this window (UKVI, 2026).

1. Go to gov.uk/apply-uk-visa and create an account
2. Select Standard Visitor and complete the form (45–60 minutes)
3. Pay the application fee online — £115
4. Book a biometric appointment at VFS Global or TLScontact
5. Attend with originals and copies of all supporting documents
6. Track your UK tourist visa decision with your reference number

UK Tourist Visa Processing Times

Standard UK tourist visa processing takes approximately 3 weeks from biometric enrolment (UKVI, 2026). Priority processing (5 working days) adds £250. Super-priority (24-hour decisions, where available) adds £1,000. Processing extends to 6–8 weeks during peak summer periods. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel; 8 weeks is safer during busy periods.

Never book non-refundable travel before approval comes through. You can submit the application up to three months ahead of your trip. Apply early — it locks in your biometric slot, and availability at busy Visa Application Centres runs out fast. Read our guide on how long UK visa processing takes.

UK Tourist Visa Financial Requirements

There is no fixed minimum bank balance for a UK tourist visa. However, UKVI assesses whether you have sufficient funds to cover your trip. As a practical guideline, showing consistent balances of £1,000–£2,000 per planned month in the UK is generally considered adequate (based on 2026 application patterns). UK tourist visa applications where funds appear recently deposited or borrowed are more likely to be refused.

Self-employed applicants should add business bank statements and tax returns. Pension statements, investment accounts, and property deeds also help supplement employment income. Paint as full a financial picture as you can. See also applying for a 2-year visit visa.

UK Tourist Visa — Refusal Reasons and How to Avoid Them

The leading reasons for UK tourist visa refusal are: insufficient financial evidence, vague or unconvincing purpose of visit, weak ties to home country, undeclared previous visa refusals, and incomplete documentation. Understanding these factors enables a stronger UK tourist visa application. A well-prepared UK tourist visa file with thorough evidence is substantially more likely to succeed.

To reduce refusal risk on your UK tourist visa:

• Provide 6 months of bank statements (not just the minimum 3)
• Include a cover letter explaining your purpose of visit and itinerary
• Show evidence of strong ties to your home country
• Declare all previous UK or other country visa refusals
• Use only certified translations for non-English documents

If refused, see UK tourist visa refusal reasons and how to appeal. Reapplication is permitted immediately with stronger evidence.

UK Tourist Visa — Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a UK tourist visa cost in 2026?

£115 for a Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) per person (UK Home Office, April 2026). UK tourist visa fees for multi-entry: £432 (2 years), £771 (5 years), £963 (10 years). All non-refundable.

How long does a UK tourist visa take?

Approximately 3 weeks standard processing. Priority (5 working days) adds £250. Apply at least 6–8 weeks before travel.

How long can I stay in the UK on a tourist visa?

Up to 6 months per visit. Even a 2-year or 10-year UK tourist visa limits each individual stay to 6 months.

Can I extend a UK tourist visa?

Only in exceptional circumstances such as a medical emergency. Routine extensions are not granted. See how to extend a UK visa.

Do US citizens need a UK tourist visa?

No. US citizens use the UK ETA (£20) instead of a full UK tourist visa. See UK ETA requirements.

Can children travel on a UK tourist visa?

Children need their own UK tourist visa at the same cost (£115 per child). Both parents must consent if one parent is not travelling. See UK visa for children.

Is travel insurance required for a UK tourist visa?

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. The NHS is generally not free for visitors. Medical cover of at least £1 million is advised.

What bank balance do I need for a UK tourist visa?

No fixed minimum, but showing consistent balances of £1,000–£2,000 per planned month in the UK is generally sufficient. Funds must be genuinely yours.

How does the £115 charge stack up internationally? It is competitive — Schengen visas run €80–€90, and the US B-2 costs $185. So Britain stays affordable on visa cost alone for 2026 travel. One permit covers all four nations, too: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, throughout the six-month stay.

Last updated: June 2026

Keep certified copies of everything you submit. Clean financial records going back six months before you apply make a real difference to your chances.

The application system has been heavily modernised in recent years. According to the UK Home Office (2025), over 90% of visitor visa applications are now handled entirely online, with digital notifications at each stage. Applicants track their status in real time through the UKVI portal. The same digital process applies to every nationality, regardless of where you live.