Staytill

How long can you stay in the UK as a visitor?

Visa days · EuropeChecked Updated

United Kingdom 6 months

Visa days
6months as a standard visitor

As a standard visitor you can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.1

Routes
Depending on your nationality you apply for a visa, apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) that allows up to 6 months without a visa, or need neither.21
For
Standard visitors can come for tourism, business, study on courses up to 6 months, and other permitted activities.3
Not for
You must show you will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.4
Extension
If your permission is for less than 6 months, you may be able to extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.5
Longer stays
Applying to stay longer than 6 months is limited to listed cases, such as a patient receiving medical treatment.6
Overstay
Overstaying your permission counts as a breach of immigration laws, and a later application may be refused for it.78
Short overstay
An overstay of 30 days or less is disregarded if it began on or after 6 April 2017 and you left the UK voluntarily at your own expense.910

Questions people ask

How long can I stay in the UK as a visitor?

As a standard visitor you can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.1

Do I need a visa or an ETA?

Depending on your nationality you apply for a visa, apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) that allows up to 6 months without a visa, or need neither.21

Can I live in the UK through repeated visits?

You must show you will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.4

Can I extend a visitor stay?

If your permission is for less than 6 months, you may be able to extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.5 Applying to stay longer than 6 months is limited to listed cases, such as a patient receiving medical treatment.6

What happens if I overstay?

Overstaying your permission counts as a breach of immigration laws, and a later application may be refused for it.78 An overstay of 30 days or less is disregarded if it began on or after 6 April 2017 and you left the UK voluntarily at your own expense.910

Sources

4 laws and 6 official pages, each with its exact words
  1. GOV.UK, Standard Visitor · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.
  2. GOV.UK, Standard Visitor · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa
  3. GOV.UK, Standard Visitor · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.
  4. GOV.UK, Standard Visitor · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words you'll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
  5. GOV.UK, Standard Visitor: extend your stay · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.
  6. GOV.UK, Standard Visitor: extend your stay · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you're:
  7. Immigration Rules, SUI 11.4 · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words An applicant will be treated as having breached immigration laws if, aged 18 or over, they: (a) overstayed their permission
  8. Immigration Rules, SUI 11.3 · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words An application for entry clearance or permission may be refused where the applicant is, or has been, in breach of immigration laws
  9. Immigration Rules, SUI 11.5 · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words the person overstayed for 30 days or less, where the overstaying began on or after 6 April 2017
  10. Immigration Rules, SUI 11.5 · GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words where the person left the UK voluntarily, not at the expense (directly or indirectly) of the Secretary of State
Checked against Immigration Rules, Part Suitability on 26 Oct 2026 Updated 26 Oct 2026

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