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    Visa Guide · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

    UK Standard Visitor Visa - Visiting Family & Friends from Bangladesh

    Standard Visitor visa for temporary visits to family, relatives or friends in the United Kingdom, normally for up to 6 months.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The UK Standard Visitor Visa is the main visitor route used by Bangladeshi nationals travelling to the United Kingdom to spend time with family, relatives or friends. This page focuses specifically on genuine temporary family-and-friend visits under the Standard Visitor route, which normally permits a stay of up to 6 months.

    Applicants must show that they are genuine visitors, will leave the UK at the end of the visit, and can meet the reasonable costs of the trip through their own funds or credible sponsor support. The host relationship, accommodation and any financial support should be clearly evidenced. Regular visitors may choose 2, 5 or 10-year Standard Visitor validity, but each visit remains limited to a maximum of 6 months. Applications are completed online through GOV.UK, followed by the required identity and biometric process, usually through VFS Global in Bangladesh. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport / Travel Document: Valid passport or other travel document covering the intended stay in the UK. UKVI recommends providing a full copy of the passport, including pages showing previous travel and any official observations or amendments.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Copies of previous passport(s), visas and relevant entry/exit records to support the applicant's travel history and ensure consistency with the information declared in the application.
    3. GOV.UK Online Application & Checklist: Complete the Standard Visitor visa application online through GOV.UK, pay the applicable fee and follow the document checklist and identity instructions generated for the individual application.
    4. Cover Letter: Applicant's signed letter explaining who they are visiting, the relationship, intended dates, accommodation, trip funding and relevant personal circumstances. The information should remain consistent with the online form, host documents and supporting evidence.
    5. UK Host Invitation Letter & Relationship Evidence: Invitation from the family member or friend confirming the relationship, purpose and intended dates of the visit, where the applicant will stay, and any support the host will provide. Add appropriate evidence of the relationship or prior connection where relevant.
    6. Flight Reservation: Provisional flight itinerary/reservation showing travel dates, route, and flight details, consistent with the planned schedule. Payment is not necessarily required at this stage.
    7. Host Status & Accommodation Evidence: Where the host provides accommodation or sponsorship, provide evidence of their lawful status in the UK and the address where the applicant will stay. Relevant evidence may include a British passport, eVisa or residence evidence, together with suitable address, tenancy or ownership records where applicable.
    8. Sponsor Financial Support Evidence (where applicable): If the host or another sponsor will pay for travel, maintenance or accommodation, provide evidence showing what support is being provided, how it will be funded, the sponsor's financial capacity and the relationship to the applicant.
    9. Proof of Occupation: Documents confirming your current professional status and ties to your home country, such as employment certificates, leave approval, pay slips, salary statements, or business-related documents (e.g., Trade License, Incorporation Certificate, MOA, Form XII, IRC/ERC). These should be recent, consistent with your application, and clearly demonstrate your ongoing occupation and intent to return after your visit.
    10. Employer / Study / Business Supporting Letter: Where applicable, provide a letter confirming the applicant's role or enrolment, salary or relevant status, length of employment or study, approved leave and expected continuation after the visit. Self-employed applicants may provide current business evidence.
    11. Business/Company Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements for the last 6 months for business/company accounts, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    12. Company TIN & ITR: Copy of the employer/company TIN certificate and copies of the company Income Tax Return (ITR) for the last 3 tax years, along with the acknowledgement receipts.
    13. Personal Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements (personal and/or salary account) for the last 6 months, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    14. Personal TIN & ITR: Copy of the personal TIN certificate and Income Tax Return (ITR) for the last 3 tax years, along with the acknowledgement receipts.
    15. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    16. Civil Status Documents: Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, birth certificate, or family-related documents where applicable, especially when travelling with spouse or children.
    17. Minor Applicant Documents: For minors, provide birth certificate, parental consent, parent/legal guardian identification, proof of economic means of parents/legal guardian, and custody or guardianship documents where applicable. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm a Genuine Temporary Visit

    Check that the purpose is a temporary visit to family or friends, normally for up to 6 months, with a credible plan to leave the UK after the stay.

    Step 2

    Apply Online through GOV.UK

    Complete the Standard Visitor application online and pay the applicable fee: £135 for up to 6 months, or the relevant long-term fee for 2, 5 or 10-year validity. You can normally apply up to 3 months before travel.

    Step 3

    Prepare the Host & Relationship Evidence

    Arrange the invitation, relationship evidence, host's UK status, accommodation details and any sponsor support so the visit arrangement is clear.

    Step 4

    Upload Supporting Evidence

    Upload the passport copy, financial and occupation evidence, travel plan, sponsor documents and certified translations relevant to the application.

    Step 5

    Book the VFS Biometric Appointment

    After online application, follow the GOV.UK/VFS instructions to book the required appointment at an available UK Visa Application Centre in Bangladesh.

    Step 6

    Attend VFS & Complete Biometrics

    Attend as instructed to provide fingerprints and a photograph and complete the applicable identity, passport and document-handling steps.

    Step 7

    Review the Decision & eVisa

    If approved, follow the decision instructions, check the eVisa and permission details in the UKVI account, and ensure the current passport is correctly linked before travel.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    The relationship or visit purpose is not clearly evidenced

    How UnivEase helps

    We help organise the host invitation, relationship evidence and visit details so the application clearly explains who the applicant is visiting and why.

    Host accommodation or sponsorship is unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the host-status, address and financial-support evidence needed to show where the applicant will stay and what support will be provided.

    Applicant and sponsor finances do not align

    How UnivEase helps

    We help review the applicant's funds, sponsor capacity, trip costs and unusual transactions so the overall funding arrangement is presented consistently.

    The application does not show a genuine temporary visit

    How UnivEase helps

    We help cross-check home-country circumstances, employment or business ties, travel history and visit pattern so the file supports a credible intention to leave the UK.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    British High Commission, Dhaka
    Address: United Nations Road, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
    Telephone: +880 2 55668700
    Visa Queries: UKVI International Enquiry Service on GOV.UK
    Website: Click Here
    Access: Public access is by appointment only.
    Office Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

    Visa Application Centre

    UK Visa Application Centres, Bangladesh
    Locations: Dhaka; Sylhet; Chittagong-Peninsula (Premium Application Centre).
    Hours: Dhaka/Sylhet, Sun-Thu 08:30-15:00; Chittagong-Peninsula, Thu 09:00-15:00.
    Centre Fees: Dhaka free; Sylhet user-pays £76.50; Chittagong-Peninsula premium fee applies. Website: Click Here 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Prepare your UK Standard Visitor Visa for visiting family or friends with greater clarity.

    Get clear guidance on host and relationship evidence, sponsorship, funds, supporting documents, GOV.UK application, VFS biometrics, fees, processing time and eVisa steps before you apply.

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