August 27, 2026
Planning to visit family in London, attend a business meeting in Manchester or explore the UK? Pakistani applicants should be aware of two key changes: the Standard Visitor visa fee has increased to £135, and successful applicants now receive a digital eVisa instead of a passport visa sticker.
This guide covers the UK visit visa requirements for Pakistani citizens, the supporting documents required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the application process from Pakistan.
Key Takeaways: UK Visit Visa from Pakistan 2026
- Visa fee: £135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months, or £506, £903 and £1,128 for 2, 5 and 10-year long-term visas.
- Processing time: about 3 weeks after identity verification and document submission, or around 5 working days with the £500 priority service, if the centre offers it.
- Application: made online on GOV.UK up to 3 months before travel, followed by biometrics at a visa application centre in Pakistan. Applicants keep their passports after the appointment.
- Decision: approved applicants receive an eVisa, which they access through a UKVI account.
- Financial evidence: there is no fixed minimum bank balance, but applicants must show they can afford the trip and will leave the UK at the end of their visit.
What Is the UK Standard Visitor Visa?
The Standard Visitor visa allows visitors to stay in the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, family visits and permitted business activities. Pakistani citizens must obtain this visa before travelling, as they are not eligible for the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Permitted activities | Prohibited activities |
Tourism and visits to family or friends | Paid or unpaid work for a UK company, or self-employment |
Business meetings, conferences and interviews | Living in the UK through frequent or successive visits |
Recreational courses of up to 30 days | Claiming public funds |
Volunteering with a registered charity for up to 30 days | Marrying or registering a civil partnership, which requires a Marriage Visitor visa |
Private medical treatment, for stays of up to 11 months |
Source: GOV.UK Standard Visitor visa.
Who Is Eligible for a UK Visit Visa from Pakistan?
Any Pakistani citizen can apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa, but the application must meet four requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). According to GOV.UK, the applicant must show that they:
- will leave the UK at the end of the visit
- can support themselves and any dependants during the trip, or have someone funding them
- can pay for the return or onward journey, or have someone funding it
- will not live in the UK through frequent or successive visits or make it their main home
The passport must also be valid for the whole stay. UKVI assesses each application individually, usually by reviewing evidence of employment, income, family and property in Pakistan, and no single factor guarantees approval. Applicants under 18 must also show suitable arrangements for their travel in the UK, along with consent from a parent or guardian.
UK visit visa refusals usually cannot be appealed. Get your bank statements and documents checked before you pay the £135 fee. Check my UK visa file on WhatsApp
UK Visit Visa Requirements: Documents Checklist for Pakistani Applicants
UKVI does not publish a fixed checklist, but its official guide to supporting documents sets out what it expects. Every application needs a valid passport and evidence of funds, while employment, sponsor and identity documents strengthen the case.
Essential documents:
- a passport valid for the whole stay, plus previous passports showing travel history
- bank statements or proof of earnings that clearly show access to the funds and their source
- a TB test certificate from an approved clinic, only for stays of more than 6 months
Supporting documents by applicant type:
- Employed applicants: a letter on company letterhead stating the role, salary and length of employment, ideally confirming approved leave, along with recent salary slips
- Business owners: business registration (NTN, SECP or sales tax), FBR tax returns and business bank statements
- Freelancers: client contracts, recent invoices and payment records such as Payoneer or bank transfers
- Students: a letter from the school or university confirming enrollment and authorized leave
- Sponsored visits: a letter from the UK host specifying the support provided, evidence of the relationship, the host’s UK immigration status where applicable and proof that they can fund the visit
- Identity and family ties: the original CNIC, the NADRA family registration certificate (FRC) and property records, where relevant
Documents not in English or Welsh need a full, independently verifiable translation. Each translation must include the translator’s confirmation of accuracy, the date, and their name, signature and contact details.
How Much Bank Balance Is Needed for a UK Visit Visa?
UKVI does not set a minimum bank balance for a UK visit visa. Instead, officers check whether the cost of the trip is reasonable for the applicant’s income, savings and regular commitments in Pakistan, such as rent, loan payments and family support.
Bank statements should be recent and show a regular income, such as monthly salary credits or business receipts, and the figures should match the income declared in the application form. If most of the balance was deposited shortly before applying, officers may check where the money came from.
If a sponsor is paying for the trip, they must be named in the application, with evidence that they can support both themselves and the applicant. Funds from a sponsor who is not declared are not counted.
How to Apply for a UK Visit Visa from Pakistan in 5 Steps
You apply online through GOV.UK, then give your biometrics at a VFS Global visa application centre in Pakistan.
- Choose the right visa: select a 6-month Standard Visitor visa for occasional trips, or a 2, 5 or 10-year long-term visa for frequent travel. Each stay can last up to 6 months on any of these visas.
- Apply online: complete the form on official website and pay the fee, no earlier than 3 months before your travel date.
- Book an appointment: choose a VFS Global centre in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi or Mirpur. The Mirpur centre charges an extra fee.
- Attend the biometrics appointment: give your fingerprints and a photo and submit your supporting documents. You get your passport back the same day.
- Get the decision: UKVI usually emails a decision within 3 weeks of your appointment. If your visa is approved, create a UKVI account to view your eVisa.
Every family member, including children, needs a separate application, fee and appointment.
UK Visit Visa Fees from Pakistan in 2026
A 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs £135, up from £127 before 8 April 2026. Fees are set in pounds, so the rupee amount depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay.
Visa type | Fee | Maximum stay per visit |
Standard Visitor (6 months) | £135 | 6 months |
Visitor for private medical treatment | £234 | 11 months |
Long-term visitor (2 years) | £506 | 6 months |
Long-term visitor (5 years) | £903 | 6 months |
Long-term visitor (10 years) | £1,128 | 6 months |
Source: GOV.UK, Home Office immigration and nationality fees from 8 April 2026.
For a faster decision, you can pay £500 extra for priority service, with a decision usually within 5 working days. Super priority costs £1,000 extra, with a decision usually by the end of the next working day. Not every visa application centre offers these services, so check with VFS Global before booking. Optional VFS services, such as the premium lounge, also cost extra.
The visa fee is not refunded if your application is refused.
How Long Does a UK Visit Visa Take from Pakistan?
UKVI usually decides a visit visa application within 3 weeks of the biometric appointment. Priority service usually gives a decision within 5 working days and super priority by the end of the next working day, if your visa application centre offers it.
Processing may take longer if UKVI needs to verify your documents, requests more evidence (such as proof of funds), or invites you to an interview. If you plan to travel around Eid or the summer holidays, apply as soon as the 3-month window opens.
Why Are UK Visit Visas Refused for Pakistani Applicants?
A refusal usually means the officer is not satisfied that the applicant is a genuine visitor, someone who will leave the UK at the end of the visit, has a permitted purpose and can pay for the trip. Common reasons include:
- Large recent deposits with no explanation, or funds that do not match the declared income
- Weak evidence of employment, business or family ties in Pakistan
- An unclear reason for the visit, or a trip length that does not match the applicant’s work leave or personal circumstances
- Details in the application form that differ from the supporting documents
- An undeclared previous visa refusal from the UK or another country
If UKVI finds that an applicant used deception, such as false documents, any UK visa application they make in the next 10 years will be refused.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK visit visa fee in Pakistan in 2026?
A 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs £135. Long-term visit visas cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years.
How much bank balance is required for a UK visit visa from Pakistan?
UKVI sets no minimum balance. The trip cost must be reasonable for your income, savings and commitments in Pakistan, and your bank statements should match the income declared in your application.
Should I apply for a 2, 5 or 10-year UK visit visa?
A long-term visa suits frequent visitors, and each stay is limited to 6 months. For a first application, a 6-month visa is usually safer, because if the officer has concerns, they can issue a shorter visa and keep the full fee.
Do Pakistani citizens need an ETA or a visa for the UK?
Pakistani citizens need a Standard Visitor visa. The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is only for nationals who can visit without a visa, and Pakistan is not on that list.
Can I get a UK visit visa from Pakistan without travel history?
Yes. Travel history is not the only factor UKVI considers, and first-time applicants can be approved with clear financial evidence and strong ties to Pakistan.
Apply for Your UK Visit Visa with AIRCS Group
AIRCS Group helps Pakistani applicants prepare a complete UK visit visa file, from the document checklist and bank statement review to the online application.
Send your profile on WhatsApp for a review, or book a consultation at our Islamabad, Rawalpindi or Faisalabad office.
