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VisitBritain (VB) is the national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. It works with UK Trade & Investment as well as airlines, travel operators, global brands and the official tourism bodies for London, England,...

• Updated: 14 February 2023

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), medical treatment and other activities. Find out whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, or can visit without a visa.

• Overview

  You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study…

• Visit on business

  You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do the following business…

• Visit to study

  You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to: study at an accredited…

• Visit as an academic

  If you’re a scientist, researcher or academic you can: take part in formal…

• Visit for a paid engagement or event

  You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted…

• Visit for medical reasons

  You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to: have private medical treatment…

• If you're under 18

  You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and: you’ve made suitable…

• Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

  If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you…

• When you can extend your stay

  You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK…

Working with the EU in the tourism sector.

• Updated: 5 January 2021

Communiques relating to meetings held by the Interministerial Group for Tourism.

• Updated: 17 October 2025

This series brings together all documents relating to Tourism employment statistics

• Updated: 21 February 2013

The approach taken by DCMS when preparing and publishing statistics, including for tourism.

• Updated: 25 February 2013

Estimates of the productivity of tourism industries at the national level for the UK in 2015.

• Updated: 12 May 2016

VisitEngland (VE) is the national tourist board for England, responsible for marketing England to domestic and established overseas markets and for improving England’s tourism product. VE is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and...

• Updated: 14 February 2023

This article examines changes in employment in tourism industries over the period 2009-2013 based on infromation from the Annual Population Survey. The article focuses on change in employment characteristics of the tourism industries including part-time and full-time employment, underemployment, self...

• Updated: 1 September 2014

Estimates of the economic value of tourism within UK regions, sub-regions and local areas. Includes supply and demand data relating to tourism and tourism industries.

• Updated: 10 May 2016