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Applying for a Standard Visitor visa

If you’ll be studying in Liverpool for six months or less, a Standard Visitor visa could enable you to join us for a short period of study. Standard Visitor visas may also be suitable for any friends and family who are visiting you in Liverpool.

Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa from overseas, before travelling to the UK, or you may be eligible to apply on arrival. 

A Standard Visitor visa could be suitable if you’re:

  • Spending a semester studying abroad in Liverpool or attending our international summer school
  • Required to resit some of your exams and you don’t already have a Student visa
  • Attending your graduation ceremony and you don't already have a Student visa. This might apply if you postponed your original graduation date
  • A PhD student who needs to re-enter the UK to attend your viva.

It won't be suitable if you're:

  • Joining a course that's longer than six months
  • Studying a Pre-Sessional English course.

If your friends and family are planning to visit you in Liverpool, they may also require Standard Visitor visas. You can typically stay in the UK for up to six months as a Standard Visitor.

If you are planning come to the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends or for short term-study and don’t have a visa yet, you may be able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation instead.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

What is an ETA?

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) provides permission for certain non-visa nationals to travel to the UK and this should be applied for before you travel. An ETA is not a visa itself and does not give you permission to enter the UK but rather just permission to travel.

You can apply for an ETA if you plan to come to the UK for a period of six months or less. You will not be able to work during your stay in the UK but can come to the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends or for short term-study

If you already have a valid UK visa, such as a Student visa, then you should not apply for an ETA.

Who should apply for an ETA?

This is aimed at non-visa nationals who do not currently hold a valid UK visa, such as a Student visa, and who want to travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or friends or for short term study.

There will be a phased introduction by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) meaning more nationalities should apply for an ETA before travelling to the UK in 2025.

You can see the full list of nationalities who can apply for an ETA now and later in 2025 on GOV.UK.

Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

How do I apply?

To apply for an ETA, you can:

  • Apply online via GOV.UK
  • Apply using the UK ETA app. This can be downloaded on Android or Apple devices.

You should apply for your ETA with the passport you intend to travel with as applications will be directly linked to this passport.

An ETA application costs £10 and is needed for each individual travelling, including children.

You should get a decision on your ETA application within three working days.

How to travel with an ETA

Once you have been granted your ETA, you must travel with the passport you used to apply for your ETA, so that you have valid permission to travel to the UK.

If you change your passport details after being granted an ETA, you'll need to make a new ETA application with your new passport details.

What if my ETA is refused or cancelled?

Please contact our International Advice and Guidance team for advice if your ETA application is refused or cancelled. You can email the team at iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk.

There's no right to appeal the decision or an option for an Administrative Review, however you may be able to apply for entry clearance or re-apply for a new ETA

External sources for advice

If you have any questions about an ETA, please feel free to email the International Advice and Guidance Team at iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk.

Joining one of our Pre-Sessional English courses?

A Standard Visitor visa won’t be suitable if you’re joining one of our Pre-Sessional English courses, even though some of these courses are less than six months.

  • You can apply for a Student visa if you’re joining a Pre-Sessional English course for six, 10, 12 or 20 weeks
  • You can apply for a Student visa or Short-term study visa if you’re joining a Pre-Sessional course for 30 or 40 weeks.

Please see our Applying for a Student visa from overseas page for more information.

Supporting documents

The documents you'll need as evidence for a Standard Visitor visa depend on the purpose of travel to the UK. Choose from the options below to see the documents required to visit the UK as a Standard Visitor.

You'll need these documents whether you have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK or you're eligible to apply on arrival.

Travelling to Liverpool for a short period of study

If you’re studying with us for up to six months, the documents you’ll need to prepare to apply for a Standard Visitor visa include:

  • A current passport that’s valid for the length of your proposed visit
  • Proof of study, such as an offer letter or enrolment status letter. If you’re returning to the UK to re-sit exams or attend your viva, you should request a letter confirming this by emailing the Student Administration team at examsenq@liverpool.ac.uk
  • Evidence of sufficient funds for your visit. There’s no official minimum amount although most guides recommend £70+ per day. An assessment will be made based on the information provided and likely travel and living costs for your intended stay
  • If you’re studying certain areas in science, engineering or technology, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate may be required, unless you’re from a country classed as exempt
  • Evidence of parental consent if you’re under 18
  • Evidence that you intend to return home at the end of your visit.

Friends or family visiting you in Liverpool

If your friends or family are planning to visit you in Liverpool and any of them require a Standard Visitor visa, they’ll need to prepare the following documents:

  • A current passport that’s valid for the length of their proposed visit
  • An enrolment status letter which confirms details of your course. Alternatively, if they're visiting to attend your graduation, you can request a graduation status letter, once you’ve enrolled for your ceremony, by emailing gradenq@liverpool.ac.uk
  • A letter of invitation from you, outlining their relationship to you, the reasons for their visit, and how long they intend to stay 
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport
  • A copy of your current Student visa/biometric residence permit
  • Evidence of suitable accommodation arrangements
  • Evidence of sufficient funds for their visit. There’s no official minimum amount although most guides recommend £70+ per day. An assessment will be made based on the information provided and likely travel and living costs for their intended stay
  • Evidence of parental consent if they’re under 18 and travelling alone (without someone over the age of 18)
  • Evidence that they intend to return to their home country.

How to apply

Application arrangements vary depending on whether you’re what the UK Government refer to as a 'visa national' or 'non-visa national'. 

  • Visa nationals - you'll usually need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa from overseas, before travelling to the UK
  • Non-visa nationals - you can apply upon arrival in the UK.

You can use the interactive tool on GOV.UK to check if you, or any friends or family visiting you, need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa prior to travelling. 

Check if you need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa from overseas

Alternatively, you can view the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) list of visa nationals. If you’re from a country that isn’t on this list, you’ll be classed as a non-visa national.

Visa nationals

You’ll need to apply online at GOV.UK from overseas. If you're in North Korea, you must make a paper-based application using the VAF1D application form.  

The earliest you can apply is three months before you travel. The cost of a Standard Visitor visa, when applying from overseas, is £115.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll usually need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre to submit your original documents and have your fingerprints and photo taken.

If your application is successful, a vignette will be added to a blank page in your passport. You can then travel to the UK during the validity period of your vignette, where your visa will be stamped and activated by a UK Border Force Officer upon arrival.

Apply for a Standard visitor visa

Please note, nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates can apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), instead of a Standard Visitor visa, for permission to enter the UK.

Non-visa nationals

If you’re a non-visa national, you can usually apply for a Standard Visitor visa upon arrival in the UK. You’ll need to present your passport to a UK Border Force Officer. There's no fee for a Standard Visitor visa when you're applying on arrival.

Relevant supporting documents may still be requested from non-visa nationals so you should have these with you, in your hand luggage, ready to show, if asked to do so.

Certain non-visa nationals can use eGates on arriving at a UK port or airport. This includes nationals of any EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States.

If you use eGates, you’ll enter the UK as a Standard visitor but won’t receive a stamp in your passport. You should retain a copy of your flight booking and e-ticket or boarding card as proof of your date of arrival in the UK.

If you have any queries about applying for a Standard Visitor visa, or if your application is refused, you can get in touch with our International Advice and Guidance team by emailing iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk.

Medical health insurance

It's important to be aware that Standard Visitors are not entitled to free health care while in the UK. If you or your friends or family visit the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, you’ll need to arrange medical health insurance for the length of your stay.