When you need to check
If you are planning a short visit to the UK, the first thing to confirm before you travel is whether you need pre-authorisation. The steps required depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit, and if you already hold a valid UK visa you may not need to take any separate step at all.
What to check, by purpose of visit
| Purpose of visit | What to check |
|---|---|
| Tourism · visiting family or friends | Whether your intended length of stay and return plans match your itinerary |
| Business trips · meetings | Whether the activity falls within the permitted range of business activities |
| Short-term study | Whether the length and type of course are permitted under your purpose of visit |
| Transit | Whether you will transit airside only, or pass through immigration control |
Order of preparation
- Confirm which steps apply to you, based on your nationality and purpose of visit.
- Check that your passport validity and personal details match the information on your application.
- Confirm your flights and accommodation only after you have received the decision.
Please note
As a rule, you should not begin your journey before you receive the outcome of your application. Processing usually takes less than 1 day, but it can take up to 3 working days.