Visit the UK for a holiday or to see family or friends 

Find out what you need to do if you are visiting the UK for a holiday or to see family or friends. 

Step 1: Check if you need a visa 

Depending on the country you are from, you might be able to visit the UK without a visa or by applying for a visa waiver. 

• Check if you need a visa 

Step 2: Apply for a visa 

Find out how to apply for a Standard Visitor visa £95 to £822 

There is a different way to apply if: 

• you are a Chinese citizen visiting as part of a tour group 

• you want to stay in the UK with your family for more than 6 months 

Or apply for an EEA family permit 

You may be able to visit on an EEA family permit if you have a family member who is a citizen of: 

• an EU country 

• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland  

Check if you can apply for an EEA family permit 

Or apply for a visa waiver 

Apply for a visa waiver if you have a passport from: 

• Kuwait 

• Oman 

• Qatar 

• the United Arab Emirates 

Apply for a visa waiver £30 

Step 3: Check what you can bring with you 

• Check what you can bring with you 

• Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK 

Step 4: Check what you need to show at the UK border 

• Check what you need to show at the UK border 

For further information on visiting family in the UK see GOV.UK's website.