Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
If you're under 18
You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and:
- you’ve made suitable arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK
- you have written consent from your parent or guardian to travel to the UK (if travelling alone)
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey
- you have enough money to support yourself without working or getting help from public funds, or you have family and friends that can support you
Travelling alone
You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone over the age of 18).
Your parent or guardian will need to provide their:
- written consent for you to travel to the UK
- full contact details
They’ll also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:
- the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with
- an address where you will be living
- details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you
- their written consent for you to stay with that person while you’re in the UK
If you’re not staying with a close relative
Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if you’re both of the following:
- under 16 (or under 18 if you have a disability)
- going to be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called ‘private foster care’)
You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.
The same rules apply to education exchange visits that last for more than 28 days, unless:
- you’re part of a group that is travelling and staying together, for example a school group
- you’re accompanied by an adult, for example a teacher
There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Read the guidance for more information.
Travelling with an adult
You’ll need to show that your parent or guardian consents to your travel and accommodation arrangements. If you do not need a visa to travel, you’ll need to prove this at the border.
If you do have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, you’ll need to identify the adult travelling with you in your visa application.
If the person you’re travelling with is not your parent, you’ll need to provide specific information about them in your application.
You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application. Their names will appear on your visa. The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.