UK Standard Visitor Visa vs ETA in 2026: Who Needs Which, Fees, Documents and Refusals

A Nigerian, Indian or Filipino traveller pays £135 for a six-month UK Standard Visitor visa and waits around three weeks for a decision. An American, Canadian, Brazilian or EU traveller pays £20 for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, usually approved within days on a phone. Which one you need depends almost entirely on your passport.

Since 2025, every visitor who does not need a visa must hold an ETA before travelling to the UK, including Europeans. Airlines check it at boarding. For visa nationals, nothing has changed: you still need a full visitor visa, and the refusal rates for some countries remain high.

This guide explains who needs what, what each costs as of October 2026, and how to build an application that does not get refused.

In this guide

1. UK Visitor Visa and ETA at a Glance
2. Do You Need a Visa or an ETA?
3. The ETA: How It Works
4. The Standard Visitor Visa: What You Can and Cannot Do
5. Visitor Visa Fees in 2026
6. Documents Checklist
7. How to Apply for a Visitor Visa, Step by Step
8. Why UK Visitor Visas Get Refused
9. Moving From Visitor to Another Visa
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Before You Apply

UK Visitor Visa and ETA at a Glance

Do You Need a Visa or an ETA?

The UK splits the world into two groups:

• Visa nationals must apply for a visitor visa before travelling. Most countries in Africa, South Asia and parts of the Caribbean and Latin America are on this list, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Jamaica.
• Non-visa nationals do not need a visa for visits of up to six months but must get an ETA. This group includes the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and the Gulf states, among others.

The list changes. Several countries have been moved onto the visa list in recent years after rises in asylum claims or overstays. Always use the official "Check if you need a UK visa" tool on gov.uk before booking.

The ETA: How It Works

The ETA is not a visa. It is a digital permission linked to your passport.

1. Download the official UK ETA app or use the gov.uk service.
2. Scan your passport and take a photo of your face.
3. Answer questions about criminal history and past immigration problems.
4. Pay the £20 fee.
5. Most people get a decision by email within three working days, often much faster.

Once approved, the ETA lasts two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can use it for multiple trips of up to six months each. Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies.

The Standard Visitor Visa: What You Can and Cannot Do

The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings, short courses and medical treatment.

You can usually stay up to six months on each visit. If you hold a long-term visa, you still cannot stay more than six months at a time, and caseworkers check whether your pattern of visits looks like you are living in the UK.

Visitor Visa Fees in 2026

Fees rose on 8 April 2026. The six-month fee is confirmed on gov.uk. Long-term visa fees below are as reported after the April 2026 increase; check the official fee schedule before paying.

No Immigration Health Surcharge applies to visitors, but you will pay for any NHS treatment you receive. Buy travel medical insurance.

Documents Checklist

There is no single mandatory document list, but strong applications usually include:

• Passport valid for your whole stay, plus old passports showing travel history
• Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing steady income, not one large recent deposit
• Payslips and an employer letter confirming your job, salary, approved leave and return date
• Business registration and tax documents if you are self-employed
• Proof of property, family ties or studies at home
• An itinerary and accommodation details (hotel booking or host's address)
• If visiting family: an invitation letter, copy of the host's passport or UK status, and proof of their address
• If someone else is paying: their bank statements and a letter explaining the relationship
• Tuberculosis test certificate only if you plan to stay more than six months (not usually needed for visitors)

Translate any document not in English or Welsh.

How to Apply for a Visitor Visa, Step by Step

1. Check you need a visa using the gov.uk tool.
2. Apply online on gov.uk, no earlier than three months before you travel.
3. Pay the fee online.
4. Book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre in your country.
5. Upload or bring your documents.
6. Wait for the decision, usually around three weeks after your appointment. Peak seasons, especially June to August, can take longer.
7. Collect your passport with the visa vignette.

Why UK Visitor Visas Get Refused

Most refusals come down to one question: will this person leave at the end of their visit? Caseworkers look at your circumstances as a whole.

The most common reasons

• Weak ties to home. No stable job, property, family responsibilities or ongoing studies.
• Unexplained money. A large deposit just before applying, with no explanation of where it came from. Caseworkers call this "funds parking".
• Trip cost out of proportion to income. A £4,000 trip on a £300 monthly salary raises doubts.
• Inconsistent information. The employer letter says one salary, the bank statements show another.
• Previous immigration breaches. Overstays in the UK or elsewhere, or past refusals not declared.
• Vague purpose. "Tourism" with no plan, or a family visit with no details about the host.
• False documents. This leads to a ban of up to 10 years. Never submit fake bank statements or letters.

There is no right of appeal for a visitor visa refusal in most cases. You can reapply with stronger evidence, and the refusal letter tells you exactly what the caseworker doubted. Address each point directly.

Moving From Visitor to Another Visa

You cannot switch from a visitor visa to a work or study visa from inside the UK. You must leave and apply from home. If your real plan is to work, look at the Skilled Worker visa or, for farm work, the Seasonal Worker visa. Never accept a "visit visa job" offer, since working on a visitor visa is illegal and can lead to removal and a ban.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a UK visitor visa in 2026?

A six-month Standard Visitor visa costs £135 after the 8 April 2026 increase. Long-term visas for 2, 5 or 10 years cost more, roughly £506 to £1,128. Non-visa nationals pay £20 for an ETA instead.

Do I need an ETA if I have a UK visa?

No. If you already hold a valid UK visa or live in the UK legally, you do not need an ETA. The ETA is only for nationals who can visit without a visa.

How long is a UK ETA valid?

An ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. You can make multiple visits of up to six months each during that time. If you get a new passport, you need a new ETA.

Can I work in the UK on a visitor visa?

No. You can attend meetings, conferences and interviews, but you cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company. Working illegally can lead to removal and a long ban.

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

There is no fixed amount. You must show you can pay for your trip and support yourself without working, and that your finances look stable. Regular income matters more than a large balance.

Can I appeal a UK visitor visa refusal?

Usually not, unless the refusal breaches your human rights. You can reapply at any time with better evidence. Read the refusal letter carefully and answer every concern it raises.

Before You Apply

• Use the gov.uk visa checker to confirm whether you need a visa or an ETA.
• Gather at least three to six months of genuine bank statements and an employer letter that matches them.
• Apply early, especially for summer travel, and never pay an agent who promises a "guaranteed" visa.
• If you also plan to visit North America, compare our US B1/B2 visa guide and Canada visitor visa guide.