Visas for coming to the UK

Whether you need a visa to enter the UK depends on your:

• reason for visiting the UK

• country of nationality

• current location

How your application will be judged

Your visa application will be judged on criteria like:

• whether you can support yourself financially without help from the government

• whether you have a criminal record

Fees and procedures

Fees for processing your visa application range from £30 to £260, depending on the type of visa you need (fees are subject to change).  You can apply for a visa online at the UKvisas website, by post or in person at your local visa office. Visit the www.ukvisas.gov.uk to find out which kind of visa you need, how much it will cost, to download an application form to post, or to apply online.  You can also get an application form and advice from your nearest visa office.Important: You must send your visa application to the British embassy, high commission or consulate (new window) in the country where you legally live for processing. If there is no visa office in the country where you live, the UKvisas website will tell you where you should apply.  The only exception is a visit visa – you can apply for this at any full service visa-issuing office.

If you are a national of the United States, Canada or Australia, or live legally in those countries, you don't need to apply for a tourist visa to enter the United Kingdom. Visas, usually for visits of up to six months, are granted on entry, when you present your passport, as long as you satisfy the immigration officer that the purpose of your visit satisfies UK Immigration Rules. There is no charge for visas granted on entry.

Here are some other points about visas to be aware of:

The same rules apply to citizens of most, but not all, South American and Caribbean countries as well as Japan. Members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need a visa to visit, or live and work in the UK.

It is the delegate’s responsibility to obtain all of the relevant travel visas and fulfil any other travel requirements, laws and regulations of the British Government. The sponsors and the World Business Institute are not responsible for any arrangements with regards to visas,. We remind our delegates that the sponsors do not provide any  kind of assistance, other than issuing invitation letter, in respect of visa application and/or processing.