UK Visas and Immigration
Guidance
Visiting the UK: guide to
supporting documents
Updated 1 February 2024
Contents
1. Travel document (passport)
2. Demonstrating personal circumstances
3. If you have a sponsor
4. If you’re a child (under 18)
5. Visiting for business purposes
6. Attendees of business-related events or conferences
7. Intra-corporate visits
8. Wet lease arrangements
9. Visiting for training, research or paid engagements
10. Visiting for private medical treatment
11. Visiting for your marriage or civil partnership
12. Passing through the UK in transit
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13. Documents you should not use as evidence
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© Crown copyright 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visitor-visa-
guide-to-supporting-documents/guide-to-supporting-documents-visiting-the-uk
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To visit the UK, you need to show that you’re a genuine visitor.
You can do this by providing evidence that:
you’re coming to do a permitted activity – see Appendix Visitor:
Permitted Activities (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules)
you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
you’re able to support yourself and any dependants for the duration
of your trip
you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other
costs relating to your visit
Wherever possible, digital images should be taken of original
documents, not copies.
If you submit a document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be
accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by
the Home Office. Each translation must contain:
confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of
the original document
the date of translation
the translator’s full name and signature
the translator’s contact details
You do not need to provide multiple copies of the same documents if
you’re applying as a family or group at the same time.
If you’re applying to visit the UK as part of a Chinese tour group, you
should read the specific guidance for ADS visitors
(https://www.gov.uk/ads-visa).
Further information about coming to the UK as a visitor can be found
in Appendix V: Visitor (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules) of
the Immigration Rules and in the Visitor Guidance
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visit-guidance).
Submitting or presenting any of the documents listed below does not
guarantee that your application for a visit visa or entry at the border
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will be successful. You should bear this in mind when making any
bookings, particularly if you need to apply for a visitor visa before you
travel to the UK.
1. Travel document (passport)
You must provide a valid passport or other travel document with all
applications and when travelling to the UK. Your passport must have
at least 1 page blank if you use it to apply for a visa.
Some passport holders (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-
are-acceptable-travel-documents-for-entry-clearance-ecb08/ecb08-what-are-
acceptable-travel-documents-for-entry-clearance#ecb82-states-not-
recognised-by-hmg) may need to provide alternative evidence of their
identity and nationality.
2. Demonstrating personal
circumstances
If you are intending to visit the UK you will need to show that you are a
genuine visitor who is coming to the UK to undertake a permitted
activity, that you will leave at the end of your visit and that you have
sufficient funds for yourself and any dependants to cover all
reasonable costs in relation to your visit.
It is recommended that you provide information about your
circumstances in your home country and details of the activity that you
will be doing in the UK.
The following provides information about the types of documents that
you might want to provide to help us consider your application against
the Immigration Rules for Visitors (Appendix V: Visitor
(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules)). This list is not
exhaustive.
if you are coming to the UK to do activities relating to your
employment or study outside the UK (e.g. attending business
meetings, performing as a musician or taking part in an educational
exchange), you may want to provide documents detailing:
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what you will be doing in the UK, the reason for your visit and
whether any costs are being met, including any letters from
inviting or sending organisations
circumstances in your home country, including documents that
demonstrate your employment or student status, such as
a letter from your employer on company headed paper,
detailing your role, salary and length of employment
a letter from your education provider, on headed paper,
confirming your enrolment and leave of absence
business registration documents or recent invoices that confirm
on-going self-employment
copies of previous passports showing evidence of travel to other
countries
confirmation of legal residence, if you are not a national of the
country in which you are applying or your right to reside there is not
included in your passport
financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds
available. These must clearly show that you have access to the
funds, such as:
bank statements which detail the origin of the funds held
building society books which detail the origin of the funds held
proof of earnings, such as a letter from your employer confirming
employment details (start date of employment, salary, role,
company contact details)
3. If you have a sponsor
If someone else (your sponsor) is providing your travel, maintenance
or accommodation you should provide evidence showing:
what support is being provided and whether it extends to any
dependent family
how this support is being provided
the person supporting you has enough funds to adequately support
themselves and their dependents
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the relationship between you and the sponsor, for example if they’re
your family member or your employer
the person supporting you is legally in the UK (if applicable), for
example if they have a British passport or residence document
4. If you’re a child (under 18)
You should show a legal document showing the relationship between
you and at least 1 of your parents or guardians, for example a birth
certificate or adoption papers.
You should show a copy of the photo page of at least 1 parent’s or
guardian’s passport, including their signature and passport number, if
they’re not also applying for a visa.
If you have a different family name to your parent/guardian, you may
be asked to provide evidence of your relationship. Evidence you can
provide may include:
a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship to your
parent or guardian
a divorce or marriage certificate for your parent or guardian
4.1 If you’re not travelling with your parent or
guardian
You should provide additional documents to show that your parent or
guardian is aware of your travel plans and that they give you
permission to enter the UK. Your application may be refused if you
don’t.
You should provide a signed letter from your parent or guardian
confirming your travel arrangements, including:
your parent or guardian’s consent for you to travel to the UK
who’s travelling with you – you’ll need to provide their passport
number if they’re an adult
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who’ll look after you while you’re in the UK
how you’ll travel to the UK
If your parent or guardian does not have a passport, you should
provide another official document that includes their signature
5. Visiting for business purposes
If someone else (your sponsor) is providing your travel, maintenance
or accommodation you should provide evidence showing:
what support is being provided and whether it extends to any
dependent family
how this support is being provided
the relationship between you and the sponsor, for example if they’re
your family member or your employer)
the person supporting you is legally in the UK (if applicable), for
example if they have a British passport or residence document
6. Attendees of business-related
events or conferences
If you are attending a business event or conference, you should
provide a letter of invitation from the organiser of the event you are
attending.
7. Intra-corporate visits
If you are visiting the UK to work with your UK based colleagues you
should provide a letter from your employer confirming this, and if this
will involve working with clients, your employer should confirm that this
is not the main purpose of your visit.
8. Wet lease arrangements
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If you are a pilot or cabin crew member travelling to the UK to work
temporarily under a wet lease agreement, you should provide a letter
from your employer confirming that you are employed by them and
that a wet lease agreement is in place.
9. Visiting for training, research or
paid engagements
9.1 Academics coming to undertake research (12-
month visa)
You should show that you’re highly qualified and working in your field
at an academic or higher education institution. For example, you could
provide:
a letter from your employer outlining the research to be undertaken
a letter from the UK host organisation confirming the arrangements
for your research or exchange
You should check if you need a TB test (https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa).
You should check if your family members need a TB test
(https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa) if you’re bringing them to the UK with
you.
9.2 Performers at one or more permit-free festivals
You may want to provide a letter of invitation from the organisers of
each event, including the dates of your performances and details of
any payments you’ll receive.
9.3 Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board
(PLAB) test and Objective Structured Clinical
Examination (OSCE) test
You’ll need to provide a letter from the General Medical Council or
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Nursing and Midwifery Council confirming your test.
9.4 Work-related training – unpaid clinical
attachments and dental observer posts
You’ll need to provide confirmation of your offer to undertake a clinical
attachment or dental observer post, that it involves no treatment of
patients and that you’ve not previously undertaken this activity in the
UK.
9.5 Study
You should provide an acceptance letter from your course provider
confirming the details of the course.
9.6 Study – medical electives
You must provide written confirmation from your UK Higher Education
provider confirming you have been accepted to undertake an elective
relevant to your course of study overseas.
9.7 Study – research placements
You must provide confirmation from your overseas course provider
that the research or research tuition is part of, or relevant to, the
course you’re doing overseas.
9.8 Permitted Paid Engagements
You’ll need to provide an invitation letter showing why you’re carrying
out the engagement and how long it’s for from a relevant UK-based
organisation, such as:
a Higher Education institution
an organisation in the creative arts or entertainment industries
a sports organisation, agent or broadcaster
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a research organisation
an aviation training organisation regulated by the United Kingdom
Civil Aviation Authority (https://www.caa.co.uk/home)
a client, if you are a lawyer
the organiser of a conference or seminar confirming your invitation
to speak at their event
You should provide evidence of professional status in your home
country or expertise, depending on the engagement.
9.9 Lecturers or examiners
You can provide:
the names or details of your publications in your field of expertise
dates and times of lectures you’ve given in that field
a letter from your employer confirming where you work and your
area of expertise
9.10 Entertainers/artists/sports people
You can provide:
dates and times of performances, screenings, concerts, talks,
readings and exhibitions
details of any awards you’ve received
proof of recent performances
9.11 Air pilot examiners
You should provide evidence showing you’ve been invited by an
approved training organisation. They must be based in the UK and
regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority
(https://www.caa.co.uk/home/).
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9.12 Lawyers
You’ll need to provide evidence that you’re a qualified lawyer, for
example a practising certificate or equivalent document.
You should also show you’ve been invited to represent a client in the
UK court, for example confirmation of your right to audience, or
‘temporary call’ (where required).
10. Visiting for private medical
treatment
If you’re applying to visit the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor, you
should read the specific guidance for S2 Healthcare Visitors
(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enter-the-uk-as-an-s2-healthcare-
visitor#information)
10.1 Private Medical Treatment
You’ll need to provide a letter written by a doctor or consultant
(https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/the-medical-register/a-
guide-to-the-medical-register), that includes:
details of the condition requiring consultation or treatment
estimated cost and likely duration of any treatment
details of where the consultation or treatment will take place.
If you are coming to the UK to receive medical treatment as part of a
reciprocal healthcare arrangement between your country and the UK,
you must provide an authorisation form from that country.
You should check if you need a TB test (https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa) if
you’re applying for an 11 month visa.
If you’re applying to extend your stay in the UK to receive private
medical treatment you must show:
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a letter explaining your medical condition from a registered medical
practitioner
you’ve met the costs of the treatment you’ve already received
If you’re applying to extend your stay in the UK to continue receiving
medical treatment as part of a reciprocal healthcare arrangement
between your country and the UK, you must provide an authorisation
form from that country which authorises further treatment.
10.2 Organ donors
You’ll need to provide a letter from either the lead nurse of the
transplant team or a GMC-registered specialist (https://webcache.gmc-
uk.org/gmclrmp_enu), dated no more than 3 months before you intend to
arrive in the UK, confirming:
you’re a confirmed match to the recipient with whom you have a
genetic or close personal relationship, or you’re being tested to
determine whether you are a potential donor
when and where the transplant or tests will take place
You should show the intended recipient is legally resident in the UK,
such as a copy of their British passport or residence permit. You
should provide the intended recipient’s name, nationality and date of
birth if they are not legally resident in the UK and are applying for a
visa at the same time.
11. Visiting for your marriage or civil
partnership
You must apply for a marriage or civil partnership visitor visa to enter
the UK to marry, form a civil partnership, or give notice of this.
You should provide evidence that you intend to give notice, marry or
form a civil partnership during your stay, for example an appointment
confirmation with a registrar or booking confirmation for your
reception. If you’ve been married or in a civil partnership before, you
should provide documents to show that you are free to marry or form a
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civil partnership.
You must be over 18.
12. Passing through the UK in transit
You should provide evidence that:
your outward journey from the UK has been confirmed and is within
48 hours of arrival, for example travel booking confirmation
you can enter the country you’re travelling to, for example a valid
visa or residence permit
Further information can be found on the Visitor in Transit visa pages
(https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa) or in the Transit Guidance
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transit-guidance).
13. Documents you should not use as
evidence
Some types of documents are less useful as evidence in visit
applications. These include:
bank statements or letters issued more than 1 year before the date
of application
credit card statements
driving licence
educational certificates that are not listed as required for your visa
evidence of car ownership
personal photographs
notarial certificates
business cards
hotel bookings
flight bookings (unless transiting)
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photocopies of bank cards
certificates relating to leisure activities, for example sports trophies
travel insurance
sponsor’s utility bills
sponsor’s council tax bills
You may be asked to provide additional information by a decision
maker.
All content is available under the Open Government
Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated © Crown copyright
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