Visa Document Requirements

This guidance explains the documents you may need to provide in support of your application to visit the UK.

All documents must be originals and not photocopies. Submission of these documents does not guarantee that your application will be successful and you should bear this in mind when making any bookings.

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 translated document must contain:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• the date of the translation
• the translator’s full name and signature
• the translator’s contact details

Documents to Provide

The following list of documents will be required by the UK government:

• previous travel documents/passports, which show previous travel.
• financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds available. These must clearly show that you have access to the funds, such as:
  • bank statements
  • building society book
  • proof of earnings such as a letter from employer confirming employment details (start date of employment, salary, role, company contact details)
  • where a third party (who is either in the UK or who will be legally in the UK at the time of your visit) is providing financial support to you e.g. a business, a friend or a relative, documents to show they have sufficient resources to support you in addition to themselves and any dependant family should be provided
• 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
• travel or holiday booking confirmation (can be email or copy of tickets) (see Flight Reservations for more details)
• details of employment or studies where you have stated in your application that you are either employed or in full-time studies. This could include:
  • 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
• if self-employed: business registration documents confirming the business owner’s name and the date the business started trading
• business activities – where you are coming to the UK in order to undertake activities relating to your occupation/employment outside the UK you should submit documents showing what you will be doing in the UK, including any letters from inviting organizations. For example:
  • any business activities, e.g. letter from your employer outlining the reason for your visit, who you will be meeting and details of any payment/expenses
  • for performances and entertainment visitors, whether you work in this area as a professional or amateur, and what and where you will be performing
• under 18s – we strongly recommend you submit the following information otherwise it may delay consideration of your application
  • a Birth Certificate or a legal document (such as adoption papers) showing the relationship between you and your parent or guardian
  • if traveling unaccompanied or with someone other than your parent or guardian you should provide:
    • a signed letter from your parent(s) confirming details of anyone accompanying you, and details of care and accommodation arranged in the UK
    • a copy of your parent(s) or legal guardian’s biographical page of their passport, which includes their signature and passport number if your parent(s) do not have a passport then you must provide another official document which bears their signature