What Is the UK Visit Visa?

The UK Visit Visa (Standard Visitor Visa) allows Pakistanis to enter the United Kingdom for up to 6 months for:

• Tourism & leisure
• Family or friends visit
• Business meetings, conferences
• Medical treatment
• Short courses or exams
• Marriage visit (not settlement)

UK Visa on Arrival for Pakistani Passport Holders (Special Case)

If a Pakistani national holds a valid U.S. visa and is traveling to or from the United States, they may request a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for the UK at immigration. This is not guaranteed and is entirely dependent on the UK immigration officer’s discretion.
To be considered, the traveler’s transit time must be more than 8 hours and less than 24 hours, and they must request permission to exit the airport and explore the UK during transit.

Processing Time (Pakistan Updated 2025)

• Normal processing: ~3 weeks
• Often faster: 6–10 days (even for refusals & approvals)
• Priority service: 5 working days
• Super Priority: Next working day

Note: Processing time depends on volume, documents quality & travel history.

Visa Validity & Duration of Stay

• Standard Visit Visa: 6 months stay
• Long-term visas available for: 2, 5 & 10 years
  (You can stay max 6 months per visit)
• Medical visit: Up to 11 months
• Academic visit: Up to 12 months

Types of UK Visit Visas (For Pakistani Applicants)

The UK Standard Visitor Visa covers multiple visit categories:

Tourism & Sightseeing

• Family & Friends Visit
• Business Visit (Meetings, Conferences)
• Short Study (Courses under 6 months)
• Medical Treatment Visit
• Child Visitor
• Marriage Visitor Visa
• Academic Visit

All categories use the same online application, but documents differ.

UK Visit Visa Fee

Fees are paid online in GBP during application.

Eligibility Requirements (Pakistani Citizens)

You must prove:

• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit
• You can afford your trip without public funds
• You have strong home-country ties (job, business, studies, family, property)
• You are not trying to live in the UK through frequent visits
• Your purpose of travel is genuine

Allowed vs. Not Allowed Activities

✔ Allowed

• Tourism
• Meeting family/friends
• Business meetings, conferences, training
• Short study up to 6 months
• Medical treatment
• Attend exams (PLAB, OSCE)
• Give unpaid lectures
• Attend trade fairs (no selling)

✖ Not Allowed

• No job or paid work
• No selling goods/services
• No accessing public funds
• Cannot marry (without Marriage Visitor Visa)
• Cannot start long-term study
• Cannot live in the UK through repeated visits

Change of Status (Inside the UK)

You cannot convert the UK Visit Visa into:

• Work visa
• Student visa
• Spouse visa
• Skilled worker visa

You must return to Pakistan to apply for another category.

Required Documents (2025 Updated Checklist)

A complete UK Visit Visa file includes:

Personal Documents

• Valid passport (6 months minimum)
• Old passports (mandatory)
• 2 photos
• CNIC copy
• Family Registration Certificate (if applicable)

Financial Evidence

• 6-month bank statement (signed & stamped)
• Salary slips / business documents
• Property proof (if available)
• Tax returns (if available)

Travel & Purpose Proof

• Travel plan (itinerary)
• Hotel booking / accommodation proof
• Return flight reservation
• Purpose letter (tourism, family, business etc.)
• Invitation letter (if visiting someone)

Additional (Case-Specific)

• Medical documents (for treatment)
• Exam confirmations (PLAB, OSCE)
• Business meeting confirmations
• Marriage registration notice (for marriage visa)

Step-By-Step Application Process (Pakistan Updated)

STEP 1 — Online Application (GOV.UK)

• Form fill & submission
• Upload documents (optional)
• Pay visa fees

(No paper form is accepted.)

STEP 2 — Appointment at Gerry’s / VFS

Centers: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Mirpur
At your appointment you will:

• Give biometrics
• Take digital photo
• Submit passport
• Submit documents (if not uploaded online)

STEP 3 — Documents Submission Options

You can choose:

1. Self-upload online (FREE)
2. Submit at Gerry’s / VFS (Paid scanning service)

STEP 4 — Home Office Decision

Decision is emailed & passport returned with visa sticker.

11) Travel Frequency & Important Tips

• Don’t book non-refundable flights before visa approval
• Strong home-country ties improve approval chances
• Show a clean transaction history
• Keep your purpose consistent with your documents
• Always provide truthful information
• Apply 3 months before travel
• Appointments in Pakistan usually available within days
• We can help with early appointments depending on availability

UK Visa Refusal, Pre-Action Protocol & Judicial Review

If your UK Visit Visa is refused:

You do NOT get a right of appeal

BUT you can challenge the refusal through:

✔ Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) – Highly Effective

If you believe the visa officer:

• Misunderstood your documents
• Applied wrong refusal grounds
• Ignored evidence
• Made an unfair judgment

Then you can file a Pre-Action Protocol letter.
Often, refusals get overturned without court.

✔ Judicial Review (JR)

If PAP does not resolve it, you can file a Judicial Review in:

• Upper Tribunal
• High Court

This must be done within 3 months of refusal.

How We Help (Travel Agency Service)

We assist with:

• Full file preparation
• Document guidance
• Strong cover letter drafting
• Travel plan, hotel booking, insurance
• Early appointment assistance
• Visa refusal review
• Pre-Action Protocol drafting
• Business visit documentation
• Long-term visit visa applications

We do not guarantee approval — but we prepare your file to the highest professional standard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do Pakistanis need a Visit Visa for the UK?

Yes, all Pakistani citizens must apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa.

2. How long does the UK Visit Visa take from Pakistan?

Usually 3 weeks, but sometimes decisions come within 7–10 days.

3. Are appointments available quickly?

Yes, appointments at Gerry’s / VFS are normally available within days.

4. Can I extend my UK Visit Visa?

Only in medical, academic, or exam-related cases.

5. Is the UK Visit Visa refundable if refused?

No, visa fees are non-refundable.

6. Can I work in the UK on a Visit Visa?

No. Working is strictly prohibited.

7. Can I challenge a refusal?

Yes — by Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) or Judicial Review.