The Standard Visitor route has no formal sponsor and no sponsor licence, so the support a host gives is practical. The host can write an invitation letter and can agree to fund and house the visit, and the Home Office may weigh that support when it decides the...
UK Immigration Guides and Insights
Expert insights across every UK immigration route we cover, from partner and family visas to settlement and British citizenship. Choose a topic below to see all the guides for it.
British CitizenshipNaturalisation, registration and becoming British.
Indefinite Leave to RemainSettling permanently after your qualifying period.
Spouse VisaJoining a British or settled partner in the UK.
Work VisaWorking in the UK across the main employment routes.
Visitor VisaVisiting the UK for family, tourism or business.
Student VisaStudying in the UK and the visa requirements.
News & UpdatesThe latest UK immigration rule changes and updates.
Fiancé VisaComing to the UK to marry, then switching to a spouse visa.
Unmarried Partner VisaApplying as a durable, unmarried partner of a UK sponsor.
NaturalisationBecoming a British citizen after settlement.
Spouse Visa ExtensionExtending your partner visa for the second stage.
Further Leave to RemainExtending your stay on family and other routes.
Latest UK immigration guides
Why would an unmarried partner visa be refused?
The genuine relationship requirement is the most evidence-heavy part of an unmarried partner visa. The couple must show a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership that has lasted at least two years before they apply. Where the evidence does not convince the...
What is the UK child visitor visa?
A child who visits the UK applies under the same route as an adult, with extra rules on consent and care. There is no longer a separate child visitor visa. A child under 18 now applies under the Standard Visitor route, with added requirements covering consent, travel...
Which UK visa do I need?
The visa a person needs depends on why they are coming to the UK, whether to work, join family, study, visit, or settle. The UK has a separate route for each purpose, and a person qualifies for a route by their reason for coming, not by choice. An application made in...
How do you extend a UK Ancestry visa?
A UK Ancestry visa is granted for five years, and an extension allows the holder to stay for another five. An extension is not automatic. The applicant must still meet the conditions of the route, including the requirement to work. A gap in valid leave, or a failure...
How much does a UK Unmarried Partner Visa cost in 2026?
For most couples, the cost of a UK Unmarried Partner Visa is one of the largest costs when starting a life in the UK. The cost is not a single fee but a combination of the Home Office application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, with further optional and...
Accountant’s certificate of confirmation for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa
A self-employed sponsor often has the income to meet the financial requirement comfortably, yet the evidence rules are where these applications are won or lost. The accountant's certificate of confirmation is one document within that evidence, and for many...
A guide to Appendix English Language
The English language requirement runs through many UK immigration routes, and Appendix English Language is the part of the Immigration Rules that sets out how that requirement is met for a defined set of them. It does not apply to every route, and it does not set the...
UK visa application supporting documents: a guidance overview
A UK visa application can be strong on the facts and still fail on the documents. The Immigration Rules require many requirements to be evidenced in a specified form, and a missing or incorrectly formatted document can be as fatal as not meeting the requirement at...
British Citizenship by Naturalisation: Frequently Asked Questions
Read about some of the common questions around British Citizenship by Naturalisation application and process. Get a free assessment today.
Not sure which route applies?
The Whytecroft Ford immigration team can confirm the right route for your circumstances and prepare the application end to end. To talk it through, call 0208 757 5751 or use the contact form.