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Visa Traveler

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UK tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: September 9, 2023

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. UK tourist visa application is online but the rest of the process requires an in-person appointment for biometrics.

The UK or the United Kingdom is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To visit any of these four countries, you would need a UK tourist visa. UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months and you can stay up to 180 days in the UK.

The UK tourist visa application process is long and there is no status tracking. Make sure to start your UK visa process at least two months from your intended date of travel to the UK.

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UK TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter the UK

• Passport must be valid for the entire stay in the UK

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

Unlimited entry.

• This requirement will change from 01 Jan 2021 when UK will no longer be part of the EU
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

6-month entry

• You must carry all documents needed for a visitor visa to show at the port of entry if asked
• Visa is REQUIRED if you have a criminal record or refused entry into the UK before
• Anguilla (British territory)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bermuda (British territory)
• Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (Dutch territory)
• British Virgin Islands (British territory)
• Cayman Islands (British territory)
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands (British territory)
• Hong Kong
• Marshall Islands
• Montserrat (British territory)
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Island (British territory)
• San Marino
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Maarten
• St Vincent and The Grenadines
• Timor Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands (British territory)
• United States of America
• Vatican City

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Palestinian Territories
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• São Tomé and Principe
• Turkmenistan

Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) required nationalities

• United Arab Emirates

24-hour VISA-FREE entry at Heathrow airport

• Eligible to request a 24-hour VISA-FREE entry at London’s Heathrow airport if holding a valid visa from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or any EU/Schengen country
• Must be in transit to/from the country of visa (Ex: if holding a Canada visa, you must be in transit to/from Canada only)
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
• Applies to all nationalities

BONUS (FREE eBook Download): Travel 56 countries VISA-FREE with a visa from the US, Canada, Schengen, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or Singapore

UK TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

First, check if you need a visitor visa to travel to the UK in the “UK tourist visa requirements by nationality” section above.

Alternatively, you can check your eligibility and requirements on the UK gov website .

Validity of UK tourist visa

UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months from the date of visa issue.

Example: If your UK visa was issued on January 15, the visa will be valid until July 15. 

NOTE There have been instances where visas were issued with validity starting from the date of travel mentioned in the visa application. 

When to apply for UK visa

You can apply for a UK visa up to 3 months in advance.

Example: If you plan to visit the UK on April 15, you can apply for your UK visa on or after January 16.

Also, keep in mind that you must apply for your UK visa at least 3 weeks prior to your travel, otherwise, you may not receive your visa on time. There are no refunds if you receive your visa after your travel date. 

IMPORTANT The UK visa process can take up to 3 weeks and even longer in some cases. I strongly recommend applying for your UK visa at least 2 months in advance.

How long can you stay in the UK?

The UK tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in the UK. But if you stay that long continuously in the UK on a tourist visa, you will have serious trouble getting another UK visa in the future or entering the UK next time.

Here is my advice. Stick to the days you have mentioned in your UK visa application. A few days more or less is fine. But staying months on your UK tourist visa will pretty much look like you “live in the UK” rather than “vacation/holiday”. 

Application procedure

The UK visa application is online. You must apply for the visa online at the UK Visas and Immigration website

Below are the steps you will go through for your UK tourist visa application

• Go to the UK Visas and Immigration website
• Select your preferred language, type of visa, your country, nearest visa application center, etc
• Create a login using email and password
• Complete in the application form
• Sign the declaration
• Pay visa fee
• Submit the application
• Download and print the submitted visa application form
• Make an appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Attend the appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Submit your passport, visa application and supporting documents at the visa application center
• If applying from the US, Australia or New Zealand, mail your passport, visa application and biometrics receipt to your nearest visa application center
• Pickup/receive the passport when the visa decision is made

Below are some of the information you will provide in the application form

• Your travel dates to the UK
• Your hotel address and telephone number in the UK
• Your total estimated cost for the trip
• Your present home address and how many years you’ve lived there
• Your parents’ names and their dates of birth
• Your annual income
• Your travel history for the past 10 years
• Your employer details including the address and telephone number

Documents required

The following are the documents required for UK visitor visa application 

• Completed online visa application form with GWF number
• A passport-size photo (optional)
• If employed – an employment letter on company letterhead indicating your length of employment, salary, role, etc.
• If self-employed – a business registration document indicating your business name, date of business, etc.
• If student – a letter from the school/university on the letterhead indicating your enrollment, leave of absence, etc.
• Proof of funds ( bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months)
• Proof of legal residence (if applying from a 3rd country. you must submit a copy of your visa or residence permit of that country)

Do you need flight tickets and hotel bookings for the UK visa application?

UKVI has stopped asking for flight tickets and hotel bookings for UK visa applications. But some nationalities are still being asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

When you complete your online UK visa application, you will see a checklist of documents to be uploaded. Check if you are asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

Even if you are asked to submit your flight tickets and hotel bookings, you should not book any flights/hotel until your UK visa is approved.

For flights, get a price quote from British Airways which can be used as a flight itinerary for your UK visa application. Visa ticket booking agencies such as DummyTicket offer flight itineraries for the UK visa for $19, valid for 2-3 weeks.

For hotel, book a refundable or pay at check-in hotel on booking.com or Expedia . Cancel the booking after your visa is approved.

For more options, check out my detailed flight itinerary and hotel reservation articles.

Photo requirements

A passport-size photo is only required if are exempt from biometrics. All tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics. Your fingerprints and digital photos are taken during your biometrics appointment.

Since all tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics, a passport-size photo is not required. But, I suggest bringing one with you on the day of your biometrics appointment just in case.

Visa application fee

The UK tourist visa application fee is £95 GBP. You will pay this fee in your local currency. Due to exchange rates, you may end up paying about £2 – £5 GBP more.

You can use the UK home office visa fee wizard to find out the exact visa fee that you would need to pay in your local currency. 

If you are applying for a long-term UK tourist visa, below is the visa fee for 2, 5 and 10-year tourist visas. 

• 2 years: £361 GBP
• 5 years: £655 GBP
• 10 years: £822 GBP

Visa appointment

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to make a visa appointment at your nearest UK Visa Application Center . Visa Application Centers are run by either VFSGlobal or TLSContact in conjunction with UK Visas and Immigration.

On the day of the appointment, you will give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your original documents. You must bring all your original documents along with one photocopy of each including your passport.

Applicants from the USA, Australia (Adelaide and Hobart only) and New Zealand

You must give your biometrics at your nearest Biometric Enrollment Center and later send/post your documents to the nearest UK Visa Application Center.

During your online UK visa application, you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment at your nearest Biometric enrollment center.

• Biometric enrollment centers in the USA are run by the US Homeland Security.
• Biometric enrollment centers in Australia are run by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
• Biometric enrollment centers in New Zealand are run by Immigration New Zealand.

The biometrics appointment takes about 10-15 minutes. You will give your fingerprints and photo. You will receive an acknowledgment stamp on the biometric appointment confirmation.

You must then mail your original passport, visa application, biometric confirmation with the stamp, supporting documents and return postage to the UK Visa Application Center you have selected during your online visa application.

You will be notified via email when the UK Visa Application Center receives your documents.

Visa processing time

The UK tourist visa processing takes up to 3 weeks. There have been incidents where UKVI has taken over 2 months to process, especially when the visa applications are “not straightforward”.

UKVI considers a visa application “not straightforward” if additional information is required to process the visa. Additional information can be, verifying information, background check or requesting additional documents. UKVI usually notifies you in such cases and requests any additional documentation necessary.

Keeping such incidents in mind, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

If you have to travel sooner, you should purchase the “Priority Visa Service” while applying online. Or at least before you mail/submit your documents. This way your visa application will be processed within 5 working days.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE When I applied for my UK visa, the visa processing time was about 2 weeks. I had a planned trip to Canada before my trip to the UK. My trip to Canada was in 4 weeks, so I thought I had enough time to apply for my UK visa. However after I submitted my passport, the email confirmation said the visa process would take up to 4 weeks. I panicked. I went ahead and paid for the priority visa service. I panicked again. Then I emailed a formal visa withdrawal request, so I could at least get my passport back and make my trip to Canada. However, my visa was processed within 2 days of paying the priority visa service fee. Please do not make the same mistake as I did. Apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

Visa application status tracking

Online visa application tracking is NOT AVAILABLE on the UK Visas and Immigration website. To track your UK visa application status, you must use UK Visas and Immigration’s email or phone option, which unfortunately is NOT FREE.

UKVI charges for all phone and email inquiries. 

Below are UK Visa and Immigration phone, email details and charges.

PHONE Telephone: +44 2034811736 Available 24 hours from Monday to Friday Calls cost £1.37 per minute plus any international call charges

EMAIL Email communication must be initiated via Email UK Visas and Immigration Email inquiries cost £5.48. Follow-up emails after that are not charged. You will receive a response to your email within 2 working days.

You must give out your credit card information for billing when you start the phone inquiry. For email, you must fill out the payment form and then you can submit your email inquiry.

PERSONAL OPINION Email inquiries generally receive a standard response saying that your application is “in process”. Phone inquiries are slightly better and cheaper.

Priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK urgently, you can opt for the “Priority Visa Service”.  This service is expensive and may not be available in all countries. If available, you will see the option in your online UK visa application. 

• Priority visa service fee: £220 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 5 working days

Priority visa service must be purchased during your online visa application. This will ensure your visa is processed within 5 days.

Purchasing this service after you have submitted/mailed your documents will take much longer than 5 working days. You must first pay the fee on the Visa Application Center (VAC) website and then email the receipt to the Visa Application Center where you have submitted/sent your documents. It can take more than a day for the VAC staff to locate your packet and push it into the priority queue

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I purchased my priority service after I had mailed my documents. My visa application was approved within two days of buying the priority visa service.

Super priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK immediately, you can opt for “Super Priority Visa Service”. This service comes with a hefty price tag, so purchase this service only in super urgent, emergency cases. 

• Super priority visa service fee: £956 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 24 hours

Cancel your UK visa application

If you haven’t given your biometrics at the visa application center yet, you can cancel your UK visa application and get a full refund of your visa fee. The procedure to cancel your UK visa application depends on at what stage your application is in.

Application not submitted and fee not paid : If you haven’t paid your fee and haven’t submitted your application, there is a “Delete Application” option that will delete your current visa application.

Application not submitted but fee already paid : If you have already paid your fee and have not yet submitted your application, you can still delete your application but you may have to send a formal refund request in writing to the visa application center.

Application submitted, fee paid but haven’t given your biometrics : If you haven’t given your biometrics at VFS/BLS, you can cancel your application and request for a refund. The refunds take 4 weeks. 

Application submitted, fee paid, biometric given , and documents/passport already submitted: If you have already given your biometrics and submitted your documents/passport, you CANNOT cancel your visa application anymore. You can only WITHDRAW your visa application. You must email the visa application center a formal withdrawal request. Upon receipt of the withdrawal request, the visa application center will return/mail your passport back. Any visa fee and priority service fee paid are not refundable. 

IMPORTANT Even though UKVI says the refunds are processed in 4 weeks, it usually takes 8 weeks or even longer. There have been instances where applicants waited several weeks and some even gave up on their refunds. However, I have seen applicants having success in getting their refunds by reminding UKVI with phone calls or emails. It costs about $5 USD to email them, but it helps in getting your refund eventually. 

Withdraw your UK visa application

The UK visa application center keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process, which could be 3 weeks or more. There may be emergencies where you need to have your passport with you. The only way to request your passport back is by formally withdrawing your visa application. 

If you withdraw your application, the visa fee and any priority service fee you have paid are NOT refundable.

To withdraw a visa application, you must submit a withdrawal request along with the reason for the withdrawal to the visa application center via email. It might take up to 72 hours for the consulate to locate your packet and send it back to you.

You must first call/email the UK Visas and Immigration mentioning your intention to withdraw your application. They will guide you through the process of withdrawing your application. Usually, the UK visa application withdrawal request should be a signed document with personal information including the GWF number. This document must be printed and signed. It must be scanned and emailed to the visa application center. Below is a sample withdrawal request letter.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby request to withdraw my UK visa application. I understand that the visa fee is non-refundable. I also understand that my package may not be shipped for up to 72 hours.

Full Name of the Applicant: <name> GWF Number: <GWF number> Date of Birth: <date of birth> Nationality: <Nationality> Country of Residence: <Country of residence> Passport number: <Passport number> Type of Visa Applied: General Visit (up to 6 months) Biometric taken date:  <biometric date> Visa application centre’s address:  <address of the visa application center where you have submitted your documents> Contact number of the applicant: <Your phone number>

Priority Service Paid: <YES/NO> Priority Service Paid On: <Priority service purchased date>

Reason for Withdrawal: Emergency international travel has been scheduled. I need to have my passport in order to travel. Please return my passport as soon as possible. Thank you!

<Your signature here> Signed: <Your full name> Date: <date>

IMPORTANT Cancellation or withdrawal is NOT a refusal. It WILL NOT affect your future UK visa applications. You don’t need to mention it in your future UK visa applications either.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE UK

Entering the UK by air

At the immigration, the officers may ask you questions about your trip, how long you plan to stay, your next destination, etc. You may be asked to show your return/onward ticket and your hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use OnwardTicket to get proof of your onward ticket. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The immigration officer at Heathrow Airport asked me to show my return/onward ticket. I had a print of my onward ticket, so quickly took it out and gave it to the immigration officer.

Leaving the UK by air

If you are flying out of Heathrow Airport, make sure to arrive early. The airport is huge and you may have to take a bus from the gate to the flight.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is GWF number in UK visa application ?

GWF reference number is the unique visa application number that was provided to you on your visa application submission. You must provide your GWF number when calling or emailing UK Visas and Immigration. Without the GWF number, UK Visas and Immigration will not be able to provide you with a status update on your visa application.

What to do if my UK visa application is refused?

If your UK visa application is refused, the first thing is to understand the  reasons for your UK visa refusal . If the reason is due to missing information, proof of funds or documentation, make sure to fix these the next time you apply for your UK visa.

Write a detailed cover letter explaining the reasons for your previous visa refusal, missing information/documentation and any additional information/documentation that you have provided in the new application. This will help the ECOs cut to the chase and focus on the new information/documentation.

There is no “appeal” for UK visa. So, re-apply for your UK visa by making sure you have the new information, proofs and documents that were lacking previously. You must pay the visa fee again as the fee paid for your previous application was non-refundable.

If you do not know the reason for your visa refusal/denial, give at least 6 months before you apply for the visa again. 

Can I get my UK visa application fee refund if denied?

No. The visa fee and any priority service fee paid are non-refundable if your visa application is denied. The visa fee is also non-refundable in incidents where the visa is approved for less number of days than requested.

I’m planning to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip. Should I apply for my UK visa first or Schengen visa first?

If you plan to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa first. 

UKVI keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process and there is no visa status tracking. Calls and emails to customer service are charged. Even if you pay and contact, you will usually get a canned response. If your UK visa is refused, there is no “appeal”. You can only re-apply, which means you have to repeat the entire process again.

On the other hand, the Schengen visa application process is much streamlined. There is application tracking, customer service and appeal. 

I highly recommend applying for your UK visa first and get done with it. After that, apply for your Schengen visa. 

When applying for your UK visa, show a “UK-only” itinerary for your UK visa. This eliminates the need for submitting your Schengen visa, flights in/out of the Schengen region, etc. 

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. But, the visa application process is long and expensive. Apply at least 2 months in advance, and follow all the proper steps and documentation. Tourist visas are usually multiple-entry with 6 months validity.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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UK visas allow foreigners to visit, work or live in the UK. Applicants can apply for visas through the British consulate or embassy in the United States.

Depending on what country you are from, you may not require a visa, so it is important to check your eligibility before applying for a UK visa. IAS can help. Call us today on +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.

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• What is a UK Visa?

UK visas are documents given to applicants that allow you to visit, work or live in the UK within a given period of time. There are many types of visas available, and your reasons for travelling to the United Kingdom dictate what sort of visa you should apply for at any given point. You must ensure that your visa application has been approved before you travel.

Foreign nationals can obtain multiple different visas over the course of their time spent in the UK, to keep up with the changing nature of their personal requirements for staying in the country. The type of visa that you can obtain are dependent on:

• Your nation or territory of origin
• Your reasons for coming to the UK
• How long you plan to stay in the UK
• Your personal circumstances or specific skillset.

Pages Content

What types of visas does the united kingdom offer, who is exempt from applying for a uk visa, standard visitor visa, study in the uk visas, work in the uk, family visas, how to apply for a uk visa, what documents do i need for uk visa application, what do i do if my visa application was refused, how can ias help.

Examples of the types of UK visas you can apply for as a foreigner are:

• Transit visas
• Tourist and short-term visit visas
• Work and business visas

Investor Visas

• Study visas
• Family visas
• Residence visas, indefinite leave to remain , EEA residence permits
• Electronic Visa Waivers
• Asylum or humanitarian protection visas
• Stateless person visas
• Other visas.

If you are a U.S citizen, you do not need to apply for a short-term visitor visa. This means that if you plan to go to the UK for tourism, visiting friends or family, visiting for business purposes or medical purposes, then you will only need a valid U.S passport to travel.

If you plan to be in the UK for longer than six months, then you will need to apply for the visa most relevant to your circumstances and reasons for staying.

Below is a list of countries that don’t usually require a visa to visit the UK on a short-term basis (under six months). If you have dual citizenship with these countries then these will apply to you.

EU, EEA, Swiss and Commonwealth States

Visa-free entry is offered for up to six months for citizens from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, USA, and most Commonwealth states, so long as they present a valid passport at border controls. You can check whether you need a visa for the UK by using this government checker – please note this list is subject to change, and depending on your circumstances you may still need to apply for a visa. If you’re unsure, we can help – contact us today online or call us on +1 844 290 6312 .

The Common Travel Area (CTA)

The Common Travel Area is an agreement between the UK, the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), the Isle of Man and Ireland. It states that residents of these islands are allowed to travel, work, live and sometimes vote freely in each of these jurisdictions. Access to government benefits and health services are also available.

Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)

The electronic visa waiver program is available to nationals of certain Middle Eastern countries. You are eligible for an electronic visa waiver if you are from one of the following countries:

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates.

The EVW fee is £30 and allows you to visit the UK for up to six months for tourism, studying, business or medical treatment. If you are travelling for different purposes, you may need to apply for a visa instead.

Our expert team is here to provide you with the assistance and guidance you need to make your UK visa application a success. Contact Us

This is one of the most common visas that applicants can apply for. With this visa, you can do the following:

• Travel around the UK
• Visit friends and family
• Conduct business meetings or attend interviews
• Study short recreational courses
• Short-term volunteering
• Travel for medical purposes (£200)
• Travel for academic purposes (£200)
• Take part in a short-term school or university exchange programme.

You are not allowed to work on this visa. This Standard Visitor visa costs £100 and must be applied for within 3 months of travelling to the UK. Please note that if you are a U.S citizen, you do not need to apply for this visa as you enjoy exemption.

If you travel in and out of the country regularly, you can opt for a long-term Standard Visitor Visa instead, which allow you to be in the UK for up to 6 months each year.

If you plan to visit the UK to get married, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa or register a civil partnership.

Transit Visa

If you are travelling to another country but need to stopover in the UK for less than 48 hours, you can apply for a Standard Visitor Transit Visa instead, which costs £64. Again, U.S citizens are exempt from this requirement.

A student visa allows you to study in higher education institutions for the duration of your course. The institution must sponsor you and provide you with written confirmation of your placement on the course.

Usually, you can work on this visa too.

Child Student visas are available for children ages 4-17 who want to come to the UK to study at an independent school.

The cost of an adult or child student visa is:

• £363 to apply for a student visa from outside of the UK, or
• £490 to extend or switch to a student visa whilst in the UK.

Graduate visa routes are also available in the UK.

The UK offers long and short-term basis work visas to foreign nationals, and there are many different types of work visas available. Work visas allow you to work and live freely in the UK.

Visa holders may be able to apply for permanent residence ( indefinite leave to remain ) after a period of time working in the UK (typically after 5 years or longer, but some work visas offer the opportunity after 3 years).

The new Points-Based System (PBS)

The points-based system is a new immigration system deployed in 2021 that offers visa flexibility for skilled foreign nationals being recruited by UK companies.

In order to apply to work in the UK, all foreign nationals must achieve 70 points or higher to be considered in criteria including skills levels, salary levels, education level and English language skills.

Work Visas Available for Foreign Nationals

Some visas are temporary work visas, which allow you to work on a short-term basis in the UK. Generally, temporary work visas allow you to work for up to one or two years, so long as you continue to meet the visa eligibility requirements.

Below is a list of the type of work visas you can apply for:

• Overseas Domestic Worker visa
• Skilled Worker visa
• Health and Care Worker visa
• Global Business Mobility visas
• Representative of an Overseas Business visa
• Seasonal Worker visa
• Government Authorized Exchange visa
• Creative Worker visa
• Religious Worker visa
• Charity Worker visa
• International Agreement visa.

Investor visas are available to entrepreneurs looking to build a business in the UK or expand their business overseas.

• Start-up Visa
• Innovator Founder visa

Our team of expert advisors is ready to assist you every step of the way in obtaining your UK visa. Contact Us

If you have family members or a spouse living permanently in the UK, or family members who are British citizens, then you can apply for a family visa to live with them in the UK. This is also a route towards permanent settlement in the UK.

If you want to travel to the UK on a long-term basis to be with family, then you can apply for a family visa .

If you wish to visit family on a short-term basis and your country doesn’t qualify for visa-free entry into the UK, then you can apply for the short-term Family Visitor visa. This visa is also the best option if your family member is in the UK on a visa themselves.

If your family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If your family member was living in the UK before 31 December 2020, then you can apply for a free family permit, which allows you to live, work and study for up to 6 months in the UK.

The application process for applying for UK visas depends on which visa you are hoping to get. Most applications can be applied for online, or you can apply in paper form at the UK Consulate or immigration centre in your country of origin.

Each nation has a different relationship to the UK, and therefore there are unique opportunities available to different foreign citizens. If you have dual citizenship, it is recommended that you check out the visa options available to both countries. For example, if you have U.S and Irish dual citizenship, it may be better to make use of your Irish citizenship when travelling to the UK, due to Ireland being part of the Common Travel Area.

Waiting times for visa approvals vary from visa to visa – some take as little as one week, and others can take up to six months or longer, depending on how lengthy the application process is. It is therefore important to make sure you apply within a comfortable time frame before you travel.

Many applicants are eligible for more than one type of visa as their circumstances cover several scenarios. It can be difficult to know which visa is right for you. That’s where IAS can help. Contact us online or call us on +844 290 6312 for expert legal advice today.

In general, you will require the following documentation:

• A completed visa application form
• Two recent passport photos
• A valid passport with at least 3 months available before expiry
• Proof of financial means to be in the UK for the duration of your stay
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel receipt or a letter confirming your visit to a friend/relative
• Travel itinerary – including any festivals, tours, meetings or places you plan to visit during your stay
• Confirmation of visa payment.
• Depending on the visa you apply for and where you come from, you may also need to provide:
• Biometric information – especially for visas that allow you to be in the UK for longer than 6 months
• Tuberculosis test results
• UK visa invitation letter from your employer or educational institution
• Translations of relevant documents into English or Welsh.

Please note further documentation may be required depending on the visa that you apply for, and in some circumstances you may be required to attend an interview.

Sometimes, applications for visas are refused by the Immigration Office. There are various reasons why – sometimes it is simply down to an error in your application, such as submitting incorrect documentation. However, sometimes there may be a wider issue at hand, especially if you have been detained, have a significant criminal conviction or have ever entered or stayed in the UK illegally.

If your application is refused, you will receive a letter or email explaining the reasons for refusal. It should indicate further steps you can take if you wish to challenge the decision. Usually this will be in the form of:

• An administrative review, or
• Immigration decision appeal.

Finding the right visa for you can be a challenging process, particularly if your personal circumstances are complex. You may be eligible for more than one visa, and are not sure which one is the right visa for you. Perhaps your plans in the UK span several years and will require multiple different types of visas. Perhaps you are from a country that doesn’t require a visa for short-term purposes, but you are not sure whether you should still apply for a longer-term visa for your circumstances.

If you have already applied for a visa and have had your application refused, it can be especially challenging to know what to do next. Reviews and appeals can be expensive, and visa refusals are marked on your immigration record, which could cause issues in the future when applying for other visas, or even if you decided to apply for indefinite leave or citizenship.

This is why IAS exists – we have a team of expert immigration attorneys to support you with your visa applications and refusals, and can advise you on the best action to take so that you can feel confident that you will get the results you want, and can enjoy your time in the UK worry-free. Contact us today online or call us on +1 844 290 6312 .

Last modified on August 10th, 2023 at 6:59 am

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The Standard Visitor visa generally takes around 5 weeks to receive. Most other visas may take longer – some can take up to six months or longer. Application process times vary depending on which visa you apply for, and whether you will be required to provide additional documentation or attend an interview during the process.

It is therefore essential to apply with plenty of time between your application date and the date you plan to visit the UK, as you will not be able to enter the country without a valid visa unless you are from a visa-free nation.

Can I Apply for a UK Visa with a Criminal Record?

Applying for a UK visa with a criminal record negatively impacts your visa application process, however it does not necessarily mean that you will be refused a UK visa. Your chances of having your visa accepted depend on the severity of your conviction and punishment. If you committed a serious crime that involved a long prison sentence, then it will be more difficult to enter the UK.

Do US Citizens Need a Visa for the UK?

If you are from the United States and wish to travel to the UK for a period of six months or less, and don’t plan to earn money in the country during that time, than you will not be required to apply for a visa, as the U.S is listed as a visa-free nation for the United Kingdom.

However, if you plan to be in the UK for more than six months or are travelling for work, to study or for family reunion, then you will need to apply for either a long-term Standard Visitor visa, or the relevant visa that aligns with your circumstances.

Please note you will still require a valid passport within 3 months of the expiry date as well as any further documentation listed in the article above.

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The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé(e)) visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Visa applicants must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants applying for K visas. ( Note:   For K visa cases in process at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to October 7, 2013, review the limited exceptions explained in the FAQs below.) 

Review the Frequently Asked Questions for instructions about using the DS-160.

Access the online DS-160 by clicking: Consular Electronic Application Center website .

Important Notice to Visa Applicants: After you have completed the DS-160, you must take these next steps below:

• Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
• You must schedule a visa interview appointment.  (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you.) Visit the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.;
• Pay the visa application processing fee . Review country-specific instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website.

More Information

A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Facts on U.S. Visas

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Applying from the United States

• Applying from USA

The rules and regulations around entry to the United Kingdom for foreign nationals (including American citizens) are governed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Unlike the United States of America, the United Kingdom does not operate a ‘visa waiver programme’ and as such everyone who enters the UK (and who doesn’t have right of abode in the UK) will require a visa in order to stay in the UK.

The United States however, is included as one of the UK’s ‘designated countries’ and as such in many instances American citizens coming to the UK in a tourist or business visitor capacity will simply be able to apply for a visa upon arrival in the UK.

The UK has very precise definitions of tourism and business. American citizens seeking to enter the UK in any other capacity such as an intern (paid or unpaid), student, prospective student, spouse/fiancé/partner, parent, charity worker/religious worker, or American citizens coming to the UK to work (either paid or unpaid) or to marry, and all dependents in the preceding categories, are required to obtain UK entry clearance prior to entering the UK regardless of the duration of their stay.

Entry to the UK as a Tourist

UK Tourist Visas allow American citizens to enter the UK without the need for some of the more formal routes of immigration. Tourist visas are valid for any period of time up to a maximum of 6 months. To visit the UK in a tourist capacity you must be able to show that:

• you intend to visit the UK for no more than six months; and
• you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public 1funds.

Entry to the UK as Business Visitor

American business people seeking to come to the UK for short periods of time in order to carry out business related activities may be eligible to enter the UK as a Business Visitor. American citizens seeking to visit the UK as a Business Visitor should:

• be based abroad and not intend to transfer their base to the UK, even temporarily; and
• receive their salary from abroad, although it is acceptable for them to receive reasonable travel and subsistence expenses whilst in the UK; and
• not be involved in selling goods or services direct to members of the public; and
• not be replacing someone in the UK, including for temporary leave periods; and
• not be coming to the UK to do work placements or internships.

Entry to the UK for the Purpose of Marriage/Civil Partnership

If you are entering the UK for the purpose of marriage or forming a civil partnership, please see the following section of our site: ‘ UK Partner Visas for American Citizens ’.

Entry to the UK for the Purpose of Employment and Work

If you are entering the UK for the purpose of seeking employment or taking up work in the UK, you can find out more by visiting the section of our site titled ‘ UK Work Visas for American Citizens ’.

Entry to the UK for the purpose of study

If you are entering the UK for the purpose of study please see the section of our site titled ‘ US Citizens and Studying in the UK '.

Routes for Settlement in the UK as a US Citizen

There are several UK visa categories that can lead to settlement in the UK for an American citizen. These include:

• Unmarried Partner visa
• Spouse visa
• Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa
• Tier 1 Investor visa
• Tier 2 Work Permit
• Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer

All of the above visa categories can lead towards Indefinite Leave to Remain - an immigration status that is granted to a person who does not hold right of abode in the UK, but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on their stay and who is free to seek and take up employment or study in the UK without any restrictions.

Identify Cards for American citizens

Under the provisions of the Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations 2008, the UKBA also has begun mandatory issuance of identity cards to American citizens who apply for an extension of their stay in the United Kingdom as students or as the husbands, wives, or partners of permanent residents. Detailed information regarding UK identity cards for foreign nationals is available here .

Related Content

• UK Partner Visas for US Citizens
• UK Work Visas for US Citizens
• US Citizens & Studying in the UK

Stay in touch

The United Kingdom is amongst the most frequently visited destinations for travellers in the world. What adds to UK’s allure is its proximity with the Schengen region that opens up seamless tourism opportunities for travellers if they combine their UK travel with a visit to continental Europe, to behold its many brilliant landscapes and landmarks. In order to make your UK visa application process hassle-free and convenient, UK Visas and Immigration and VFS Global offer you an exclusive array of value-added services.

This is in addition to the Premium Lounge facility and the On Demand Mobile Visa services available at the UK visa application centres.

Choose from any of these time-saving services:

Keep Your Passport When Applying

If you need to apply for multiple visas, such as a UK / Schengen combination, or wish to make a short trip while waiting for your UK visa to be processed,

you will find the ‘Keep My Passport When Applying’ service at the UK Visa Application Centre very helpful. After enrolling your biometrics and submitting your visa application at the UK visa application centre, if you have opted for this service, your passport is handed back to you.

This is extremely useful if you want to carry on with another country’s visa application formalities, as this service allows you to keep your passport with you.

You can keep your passport with you until the UK embassy makes a decision regarding your visa, one way or the other.

Once the decision is made, you will be called once again to complete the procedures as required by the embassy.

The visa application centres of UK and Schengen countries are often conveniently located next to each other at the VFS Global centres. This facility enables applicants to finish the visa formalities of multiple countries along with that of UK in a single day.

Super Priority and Priority Visas

Need a visa at short notice? The Super Priority and Priority Visa services are options for those who need to travel urgently.

For Priority Visa applicants, the process takes 3–5 days, while for Super Priority Visa applicants, this speeds up to a single business day. Super Priority Visa Service is available at VFS Global’s UK visa application centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Do note that the eligibility for application for either of these services may vary.

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A Californian details the pros of living in England and how the culture compares to the US

• Andrea, 28, creates video skits about the differences between the US and the UK.
• She grew up in California, attended a university in England, and has officially lived in London since 2023.
• She likes London but thinks she'll someday move to a quieter place with lots of nature.

Andrea's move from California to England around a decade ago led to getting a university education, falling in love, and finding inspiration for US vs. UK videos that she creates.

Andrea, 28, said she felt she fit in better with English culture and knew she would want to try living somewhere other than Southern California, where she grew up.

"I really love that people don't take things so seriously and I always felt a lot of pressure to be the best in everything when I was in LA," Andrea, whose last name has been verified with Business Insider but left out for privacy, said.

As a teenager in California, Andrea was able to see what the UK could be like through the videos she watched created by what had been known as the "Brit Crew," which included YouTubers like Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes . "​​That was kind of my little way of being there but not being there," she said.

But Andrea eventually got to see what the UK was like outside a screen when she visited at 18 years old. She moved in 2015 to study at the University of Leicester, where she said she got a degree in applied psychology.

She met her now-husband while at university, and she went back to California after graduating, given her student visa expired. After pandemic-era travel restrictions were lifted, she would visit her partner in London, and she officially moved in 2023.

Andrea has also ended up creating a niche as a content creator. She makes short videos comparing the US and the UK and about culture shock as someone from California . Some examples of her content include a skit of work pep talks in the US vs. the UK , a series of "Things that are socially acceptable in England that might confuse Americans ," and a skit of menu item names in the US vs. the UK .

She ended up finding success highlighting the differences between the UK and the US . "I thought, well, that's kind of a cool way to share my story," she said.

Andrea enjoys getting to act and the whole process of making videos — from figuring out the lighting and writing a script to filming and editing. Andrea loves the community she has built. At the time of reporting, she has 145,000 followers on Instagram and almost 200,000 followers on TikTok .

She said one of her favorite things about being a content creator is running into fans. "Then it sort of puts a face to all these people that I don't know," she said. "I instantly feel a connection."

The pros and cons of living in England

As someone who loves being outdoors, Andrea finds the English countryside beautiful. She also loves English culture.

"I think that they tend to take things a little less seriously, which I do a lot in my skits," she said. "I just find so funny because I feel like growing up in the US, it was a little bit of a different outlook on life. It was more overt positivity."

She finds the UK is somewhat more relaxed than the "hustle and bustle" of the US.

She thinks the "fitness world is also very big in London," which she likes. Another positive is the public transportation in London and the city "being so compact that you could just walk places as well," unlike the sprawl of her native Southern California.

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The food selection is also a pro. "I'm a big foodie, so London's a really great place for that," she said, adding there's a big "variety of restaurants and places to try."

Then there are also the pubs. "I'm not drinking this year, but I love cozy pub culture," Andrea said. "It's something that I feel like you don't really get in America because it's so classically England. It's just very English to sit at a pub with a group of friends, have a drink, or go out for dinner and just sort of sit there for a bit."

She finds London a great place to live. However, London may soon no longer be calling. She and her husband are soon ready to move somewhere that's more quiet and has a lot of nature by the time they're in their mid-30s. She said her in-laws live in the countryside, and she loves taking walks near the cliffs and forests where they live.

"I love London, and I really would love to stay there a bit longer, but I think I'm definitely more of a countryside person," she said.

Andrea noted the weather could be a con at times. She said she loves cold temperatures and the rain in the fall and the start of winter, "but when it is freezing cold and cloudy from around January to March, it can get really depressing."

She finds it feels worse in London when "everything" is gray. However, she finds the spring and fall weather and "generally having seasons here makes up for that."

Andrea says she and her husband pay nearly £3,000 a month in rent for a London apartment. She said the area she lives in "is one of the more expensive places to live in London." She also noted they likely spend somewhere between £80 to £100 pounds a week on groceries.

"Everything's so expensive right now, so we really try to just make sure that we're not eating out and getting delivery when we don't necessarily need to," she said.

While she doesn't plan to move back to the US anytime soon, she said she's been feeling homesick lately and that she finds California to be "one of the most beautiful places in the world." She noted how California has so much to offer, and she misses camping in the state, the beaches, and her family.

She also misses how the US celebrates the holidays where it's "so in your face" but in a good way. Andrea said while "it's kind of becoming more like that here," she said "it's not the same where in America it's like every house is decorated so much for Halloween or you get a lot of presents for Valentine's Day."

Andrea's moving advice

Andrea said she gets asked a lot about how to get a UK visa. "And it's really difficult to sometimes give that advice because my situation is so unique in that I literally, I had a student visa, I happened to meet someone that I ended up marrying," she said.

She suggested that prospective movers visit the places for at least a month ahead of time as opposed to a couple of weeks.

"I think you don't really get to see that much in two weeks," she said. "You don't get to experience that much, and you don't really know what it's like to live there. I feel like a month at least allows that time to figure out if that's the place for you."

Andrea suggested that movers prioritize their mental health and taking care of themselves — something she wished she was told, too.

"I feel like that's something that's not really talked about very often when you're moving to a different country," she said. "It's all so exciting, and people are like, oh, it's so cool that you're moving to a different country. But most people don't realize that it's actually quite a big scary move, and it's taking you completely out of the norm of what you're used to and shifting everything."

Where have you moved to? Reach out to this reporter to share your moving experience at [email protected] .

Watch: A Brit and an American tried each other's McDonald's

• Main content

Money blog: Mobile game ads 'breaking advertising rules' on social media - as Beckham clip slammed

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Share your thoughts on any of the stories we cover in the box below.

Thursday 25 July 2024 09:59, UK

• Mobile game ads 'breaking advertising rules' on social media - as Beckham clip slammed
• Cineworld to axe hundreds of jobs and close 25 cinemas  
• Fans fume at 'disgusting' prices to see star of moment: 'Worse than Taylor Swift'
• 'Sure sign worst is behind us': High street lender offers mortgage deal under 4%

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Ask a question or make a comment

By Dan Whitehead , West of England and Wales correspondent

A six-acre island off the Devon coast - complete with private beach, fortifications and planning permission for a luxury hotel - has been put up for sale.

Drake's Island, just 600 yards from Plymouth, was used as a military defence for hundreds of years - with 18th-century cannons still in position and included in the sale.

The island - named after Sir Francis Drake who set sail from it to circumnavigate the globe in 1577 - has no fixed guide price but renovation costs are estimated at around £25m.

It takes less than 10 minutes to reach by boat and once on land there is military history everywhere.

From old barracks to artillery batteries complete with shell shafts and underground gun-powder stores.

"It has over 2,000 years of history - the first recorded building is 1135," current owner and local businessman Morgan Phillips says.

"It was its nuclear deterrent of its day, that's probably why the Spanish armada never came here."

Mr Phillips bought the island in 2019 for £6m and has worked on securing consent for a 43-bed hotel.

By Mark Kleinman , City editor 

Cineworld will this week unveil a sweeping overhaul that will cost hundreds of jobs and reduce its British footprint by at least a quarter.

Sky News has learnt that the cinema operator will publish details of a restructuring plan on Friday that will result in the closure of around 25 sites across the UK.

City sources said that around half a dozen Cineworld cinemas would begin a closure process immediately and close their doors for the last time later in the summer.

The precise number of job losses was unclear, although one source said it would be "at least in the hundreds".

Cineworld's public relations advisers at Hill & Knowlton failed to respond to enquiries.

By James Sillars, business reporter

There's a rush of listed companies reporting ahead of the peak summer holiday season.

Lots to go through this morning after a "super Thursday" dump of financial results.

We'll start with Unilever - the maker of consumer goods from Marmite to Dove soap.

There's evidence of a consumer backlash after years of price growth due to the impact of the war in Ukraine, with underlying sales growth missing estimates.

It reported a 3.9% rise versus an average forecast of 4.2%.

Underlying price growth for the quarter was 1%, behind market expectations of 1.6%.

Its shares were trading more than 7% higher at the market open, though.

Market analysts credited Unilever's update on profitability.

Lloyds Banking Group dropped 2% after reporting a 14% fall in first half pre-tax profits.

They came in at £3.3bn. The decline was largely explained by stronger competition in the mortgage market. Lloyds is the country's biggest home loan lender.

Just time to bring news from ITV.

It has credited Euro 2024 for a 10% lift in ad revenues over the first six months of its financial year.

ITV shares were down 5%, however, as overall revenue performance and guidance disappointed.

The wider FTSE 100 index plunged 0.8% at the open to 8,086.

Sentiment is being led by big declines in US tech stocks.

Weaker than expected results from Tesla and Google's owner Alphabet earlier in the week set the tone.

The Nasdaq suffered its worst session since December 2022 yesterday.

Away from stock markets, the cost of a barrel of Brent crude is heading back towards $80.

The price has declined from $87 at the start of the month on evidence of weak demand in China and renewed hopes for peace in the Middle East.

By Narbeh Minassian , news reporter

Adverts for mobile games across social media could be flouting regulations as an expert tells Sky News hundreds may be leaving out key details around in-app purchases.

The latest accused of falling foul of advertising standards was a  30-second clip promoting Coin Master  - a popular village-building and slot machine game - featuring David Beckham.

One such ad shared was seen at least once by up to 1.3 million unique viewers over a span of 10 days in April on TikTok alone, according to the social media app's own data.

While the game is clearly marked to include in-game purchases on the app store, the advert above left out this information entirely.

That's despite  Advertising Standards Authority guidance  stating firms "must not mislead the consumer by omitting material information".

A spokesperson for the ASA told Sky News they are aware some ads are "failing to make it clear when games contain in-game purchases".

Academic researcher into gaming regulations Leon Xiao submitted a complaint to the body about Coin Master, telling Sky News his research shows more than 90% of mobile game ads he examined on social media aren't disclosing in-app purchases.

"Consumers have been invited to download the game, supposedly for free, but when they made that decision they weren't given all the information to make an informed decision," he said.

"Some people, if they know there are loot boxes, maybe wouldn't download the game."

Games such as Coin Master, which involve slot machine gameplay and offer faster progress through real-life purchases, are "social simulated casino games", Mr Xiao said.

"You can spend money to buy virtual currency and then use that to basically play a slot machine, even if you do win, you cannot convert winnings back into real money," he said.

The ASA has confirmed it received a complaint about this Coin Master advert, but said it has been amended and considers the case "closed".

A version of the Coin Master advert appearing on social media in late May featured a caption stating the game contains in-app purchase, including random items.

Celebrities should take 'great care'

While Coin Master appears to have left out key detail in its social media advert, it included David Beckham as the star of the clip, playing the game and discussing it with two strangers.

Lord Foster of Bath, who is the chair of the House of Lords committee Peers for Gambling Reform, told Sky News he is alarmed by the use of celebrities.

"I am deeply concerned about the growth of games, which have direct appeal to children, containing in-app purchases and features linked to gambling, and the fact that this is not made apparent in the marketing of these games," he said.

"High profile figures and celebrities need to take great care when endorsing products that are not properly labelled and which could be very harmful to children.

"Much stronger regulation is needed in relation to games like these and the way they are advertised. Current codes are simply not working."

Tel Aviv-based company Moon Active is the developer behind Coin Master and paid for the advert.

A spokesperson for the firm said they were not aware of any complaints with the ASA.

"The live ads of our games in the UK include a disclosure that the games include in-app purchases as well as randomised items," they added.

"We are committed to ensuring our games are compliant in accordance with high industry standards."

Household names appear to have been a theme in their marketing in the UK, with avatars of Great British Bake Off stars Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith  featuring in an ad for Travel Town .

This game includes loot boxes - mystery chests containing a random selection of items that can be purchased with real money or credits built up within a game.

Once again, their presence was not made clear in this specific advert appearing on social media.

Link to gambling?

When playing Coin Master for the first time, the game's tutorial runs you through 20 spins - much like a slot machine - for the chance to win rewards and progress in the game.

Almost all 20 of these spins resulted in some kind of award when Sky News played.

Coin Master is far from unique in the use of slot-style games, and Mr Xiao believes games often "script" wins early on, which can "mislead you into thinking it's going to be like that".

"If you play slots in a casino, they can't guarantee you a big win on the first attempt," he pointed out.

Beyond the loot boxes, the game - like many others - offers rewards in a shop that can be bought using real money, from £1.79 up to £89.99 for a single purchase.

A  2022 report by the UK Safer Internet Centre  found 70% of young people aged between 8 and 18 who play games online have made a purchase, with 31% claiming to do so at least once a week.  

The  NSPCC warns  young people can be "captivated" by the process of opening a loot box and, without regulation, could "normalise gambling" from a younger age.

"The mystery element of a loot box can make it seem more exciting for young people, and companies often advertise that they contain rarer items," the charity adds.

"They're often designed using bright graphics, fireworks and sounds which can add another level of excitement and make it particularly enticing.

"This might encourage them to repeat purchases with the hope of unboxing something similar."

In a study  published on Science Direct last year , scientists in Spain reported a "positive relationship" between purchasing loot boxes and online gambling six months later - but the link requires "further study".

A Gambling Commission survey carried out by Ipsos Mori in 2020  reported 23% of children between 11-16  in England and Scotland purchase loot boxes.

As mentioned already, Coin Master is clearly and correctly labelled on the app store.

It's given a PEGI 18 rating, meaning it has an adult classification, which in this case is for simulated gambling and in-game purchases.

What does the ASA say?

While allegedly misleading adverts may be widespread across Meta and TikTok, the ASA told Sky News they "won't hesitate to ban ads that break our rules".

In March this year, three adverts on Facebook were banned for failing to properly disclose they contained in-game purchases.

These were  8 Ball Pool ,  RuneScape  and  Golf Clash .

An ASA spokesperson said: "We're aware that some ads are failing to make it clear when games contain in-game purchases and loot boxes.

"In 2021, we published new guidance on how these should be advertised.

"Following a 12-month review, this week [in May] we've made some updates to ensure that the guidance continues to give advertisers clarity on how the rules apply so that consumers aren't misled.

"Ads for video games need to make it clear when there are in-game purchases and loot boxes.

"They need to make it easy for players to understand how much they're spending on in-game transactions, and they must make it clear if a purchase is required to access certain content if that content is featured in the ads.

"Since first publishing the guidance, we've banned multiple ads for games that failed to properly disclose that they contained in-game purchases.

"We're continuing to monitor the situation, and we won't hesitate to ban ads that break our rules.

"We encourage anyone with concerns about ads they've seen to get in touch."

Representatives for Beckham, Hollywood and Leith were approached for comment.

For Savings Guide this week,  Savings Champion  co-founder Anna Bowes explains the benefits of having a monthly income account...

For some savers, the high increase in prices that we have experienced over the past few years means that they would like to dip into their savings to help make ends meet. 

There are savings accounts that allow you to take an income on a regular basis. 

This regular income can feel just like a pension or salary, as it can be paid directly into your bank account each month.

On the downside, not all accounts offer a monthly income, which means that the rate you can earn may be slightly lower than choosing the very best annual rate. 

At the moment, the difference is not enormous, as plenty of accounts do offer this facility. 

That said, if you can take the income annually rather than monthly, you may earn a little more, so think about it carefully.

Remember that if you do withdraw and spend all the interest, the initial deposit will be eroded by inflation over the years - five or 10 years ago £10,000 would have gone a lot further than £10,000 will today.

The recent pain of the rising cost of living, brought an unexpected positive for savers in the form of an increase in savings rates - and whilst the pain can't be completely erased, the fact that the amount of interest going into savers' pockets has gone up, may be able to ease some of it. 

At last, the amount of interest that can be earned is beating inflation, as the rate at which prices are rising has fallen sharply. 

But due to inflation easing significantly, a base rate cut is expected imminently and that is bound to have an impact on the interest rates offered to savers. 

If you can lock into a fixed rate bond now, whether to take income monthly, annually or not until maturity, you could protect yourself against any fall in interest rates in the meantime.

Dolly Parton has expanded her business empire yet again - this time with a wine range. 

The iconic country singer already has a range of products, including cake baking mixes, dog accessories and greetings cards. 

Now she has launched Dolly Wines with a Chardonnay, prosecco and rose. 

While the Chardonnay is currently available only in the US, her prosecco and rose are coming to the UK later this year. 

Reports have suggested her line will launch exclusively in Asda on 12 September in partnership with Accolade Wines, costing between £9.50 and £11 a bottle. 

In a post on Instagram, Dolly Wines says the products will be available this autumn. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to a new 20-year high , the latest data has revealed.

A total of 443,995 offences were logged by forces in the year to March 2024. 

That's up 30% from the 342,428 offences recorded during the same time last year. 

The figure is the highest since current records began in 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Shoplifting levels had already reached a 20-year high earlier this year - but the figures released today show the number of offences recorded has now risen even further. 

It comes as major retailers continue to raise concerns about the rising cost of theft. 

The new Labour government has vowed to tackle shoplifting and make assaulting a shop worker a specific criminal offence in a bid to deal with the rising problem. 

Primark has partnered with a disability advocate to expand its adaptive clothing range. 

The retailer has teamed up with Victoria Jenkins to introduce more disability-friendly products after it launches its first adaptive collection earlier this year. 

The lingerie collection featured four items with magnetic closures - a seam-free bra, lace bralette, brief and period pants. 

Ms Jenkins founded her own award-winning adaptive fashion brand, Unhidden, in 2016. 

" I am thrilled to be working with Primark as part of my mission to bring affordable adaptive fashion to the high street," she said. 

"By Primark recognising the needs of the disabled and chronic sick community and acting upon it in such a meaningful way is going to be life changing for millions of people, and I am excited to work with Primark to bring this to life." 

Further details of her partnership with the clothing giant are set to be revealed later in the year. 

Sending a child back to school this year will set parents back nearly £500 as they fork out for uniforms, stationary and tech. 

For many, the summer holidays are in full swing, but families are already planning their back-to-school spending. 

Market consultancy firm Gekko has found those with children in primary school will spend an average of £490.80 to get their little ones prepped for the school term. 

Those with teenagers will spend slightly less at around £422.90. and parents of young people entering college or sixth form will splash £390.20. 

This is how it works out... 

Overall, the amount spent will reach £2.3bn across the UK, Gekko said. 

However, with families still feeling the pinch on their finances, nearly three quarters of parents have said rising costs have made it much harder to afford school supplies. 

One third (33%) of parents will be drawing on savings, but others will rely on borrowing, with three in 10 putting costs on credit cards, and one in 10 even borrowing from family to foot the bill. 

Daniel Todaro, CEO at Gekko Group, said: "Back-to-school spending is looming large for parents - and with rising costs, it will be more expensive than ever this year. 

"The addition of laptops and tablets to the long list of requirements is an extra challenge due to both the cost and the technical specifications." 

Shares in Tesla have taken a hit after the electric vehicle maker published a 45% decline in quarterly profits and warned cost reduction targets were off track.

The stock fell 8% in after-hours trade, leaving it on track for a decline of almost 50% in the year to date, after the release of its second quarter earnings.

Chief executive Elon Musk, who cut 10% of the company's workforce at the end of April as part of a bid to reduce pressure on its bottom line, said its promised shift towards more affordable models was on track for early 2025 but proving more expensive than expected.

The cost of AI projects, including plans to produce and use humanoid robots, dragged too.

Net profits for the April-June quarter came in at $1.48bn - down on the $2.7bn figure achieved in the same period last year.

From a bumper income on the way for the Royal Family to the King's new solar panels and helicopters and Prince William keeping his Duchy of Cornwall team on their toes on WhatsApp, it's all come out in the annual royal finance report.

The annual accounts have shown the monarchy is set to receive a boost of more than £45m in its funding , with a 53% jump in its official annual income in 2025/2026 to £132m.

Rising profits from the Crown Estate to £1.1bn in 2023/2024 mean the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, which supports the official duties of the royal family, will stay at £86.3m in 2024/2025 but then jump to £132m the following year.

It's after Crown Estate financial figures showed profits were up this year - the sovereign grant is always based on funds two years in arrears.

Banks will have to protect customers' access to cash under new rules being introduced by the UK's financial watchdog.

The powers, which will be enforced from 18 September, will see greater obligations placed on banks and building societies to plug gaps in local cash access, the Financial Conduct Authority said. 

The move comes as Britain's high street lenders have shut thousands of branches across the UK in recent years, leaving many towns without any local branches. 

The rules will require them to act if difficulties in the provision of basic services, including the ability to bank cash, are found.

Lenders will also have to keep a service, including a branch or cash machine, open until such time as a replacement is identified or operational.

Failures to abide by the rules could ultimately lead to an unlimited fine, the FCA said.

Next has come under fire after introducing a charge for clothes hangers at its checkouts. 

The retailer has introduced the 15p fee across four of its stores in Bristol, Preston, Watford and Bishop Auckland - but it could be rolled out further if the trial is successful. 

Customers have taken to X to criticise the "shocking" charge, with some surprised to be faced with paying it after spending large amounts on clothes. 

One complained about receiving "poor customer service" after spending £149 on a suit and being told she could not have a hanger or a suit carrier. 

Next is not the only store to charge for hangers, though. 

Earlier this year, Tesco trialled a 10p fee for its hangers, and Matalan made the same move in 2023.

Sky News has contacted Next for comment. 

Nationwide has become the first major lender to introduce a mortgage deal for less than 4%. 

It has cut rates across its two, three and five year fixed rate products by up to 0.25% today, with its lowest rate now standing at 3.99%. 

The move has been praised by brokers, who say it's a sign that momentum in the mortgage market is picking up, but some point out that it will only benefit those with a large deposit. 

Here are some of the new rates available: 

New customers moving home

• Five-year fixed rate at 60% LTV with a £1,4992 fee is 3.99%
• Five-year fixed rate at 60% LTV with a £999 fee is 4.04% 
• Two-year fixed rate at 80% LTV with a £999 fee is 4.87% 

First-time buyers

• Five-year fixed rate at 85% LTV with a £999 fee is 4.55%
• Two-year fixed rate at 85% LTV with a £999 fee is 4.95% 
• Five-year fixed rate at 60% LTV with a £1,4992 fee is 4.34%
• Five-year fixed rate at 60% LTV with a £1,4992 fee is now 4.27% 
• Two-year fixed rate at 75% LTV with a £999 fee is now 4.79%

Graham Cox, director of Self-Employed Mortgage Hub, says: "Nationwide dropping rates below 4% is a sure sign the worst of the mortgage market woes are well and truly behind us. 

"After several months of steadily increasing rates, the last month has seen consistent mortgage rate cuts from all the major lenders," he told Newspage. 

"With a base rate cut likely in August or September, we could see a big jump in property transactions in the coming months." 

Emma Jones, the director of When The Bank Says No, adds: "The sub-4% mortgage is back. 

"Even though it will only be available to borrowers with bigger deposits or more equity, this is a big moment and shows the momentum picking up in the mortgage market." 

Nationwide says the cuts reinforce its position as "one of the most competitive lenders in the market" and it is aiming to maintain its support for all types of borrowers. 

Are you struggling because of high interest rates? Sky News is keen to hear from people who are due to refix their mortgages, are on variable rates or are trying to get on the housing ladder.

Email us your stories at [email protected]

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