Before you start applying for a UK visit visa, whether for yourself or for someone else, make sure you have all the necessary documents ready. These documents need to be uploaded if you’re applying online for a UK Visit Visa Application, or you can bring them with you if you’re using a biometric service to apply.
- Travel Document (Passport)
Your passport must be valid and up to date.
Ensure your passport has blank pages available for visa stamps. - If You Have a Sponsor
If someone in the UK is sponsoring your visit, you’ll need to provide the following documents:
a. Evidence of Financial Support: This is proof that the sponsor can afford to support both themselves and you during your stay. This includes:
The sponsor’s recent bank statements.
At least three months of payslips to show they have a regular income.
b. Proof of Relationship: If the sponsor is a family member or employer, you need to show how you are related. For example:
A birth certificate showing your relationship (e.g., parent-child, sibling).
c. Sponsor’s UK Documents: If the sponsor lives in the UK, provide a copy of their British passport or residence documents.
d. Invitation Letter: A letter from your sponsor explaining why you are visiting and what you plan to do during your stay in the UK.
e. Proof of the Sponsor’s Address: You need to show where the sponsor lives in the UK. This can be:
A bank statement or A utility bill or rent receipt showing the sponsor’s name and address.
f. Invitee’s Data Page: Include a copy of the photo page from your passport. This helps the UK authorities to know exactly who is visiting.
- If You Are Under 18
If you are a child under 18, you’ll need to provide extra documents:
Relationship Documents: You must show proof of your relationship with at least one of your parents or a guardian. This can be:
A birth certificate or adoption papers showing the names of your parents or guardians.
Parent or Guardian’s Passport Copy: Include a copy of the photo page of one parent or guardian’s passport. The passport should show their signature and passport number. This is needed if the parent or guardian is not applying for the visa with you.
- If You Are Over 18 but Still Depend on a Parent or Guardian
If you are over 18 but still depend on a parent or guardian, you will need to show additional documents:
Consent from Parent or Guardian: You must prove that your parent or guardian is aware of your travel plans and has given their permission for you to travel. This includes:
A signed letter from your parent or guardian detailing your travel plans.
The letter should also confirm that they approve of your trip and explain the purpose of your visit.
- If You Are Sponsoring Yourself
If you are paying for your own trip, you will need to provide:
Proof of Financial Support: Show that you have enough money to pay for your trip. This can include:
Bank statements showing your savings or income.
Proof of Ties to Your Home Country: You need to prove that you will return to your home country after your visit to the UK. This can include:
A letter from your employer saying that you have been given time off from work and when you are expected to return.
Other documents that show you have reasons to return home, such as property ownership or family commitments.
For more detailed information and to confirm which documents you need, always check the official UK government website here