Required Documents for UK Visa

What are the Required Documents for a UK Visa?

In 2025, Europeans can travel to the UK provided that the required documents for the UK visa application are fully provided and the UK visa procedures are carried out in accordance with the procedure.

While European citizens holding ordinary (maroon) passports, special (green) passports and service (grey) passports are required to obtain a visa for their travels to the UK, European citizens holding diplomatic (black) passports are exempt from UK visas for travels not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period.

UK visa application documents may vary depending on the type of visa requested, the applicant’s travel purpose, the person’s accommodation and travel alternatives, and the person’s employment status.

What are the Required Documents for a UK Visa?

The documents required for a UK visa are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport with at least 1 blank page and valid for 3 months beyond the end of your planned trip to the UK is required.
  • UK visa application form: Depending on the type of visa applied for, the application form on the Gov.Uk website must be filled out completely online in English by the applicant.
  • Biometric photo: Two color photographs, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, with clear facial features, taken within the last 6 months are required.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid by credit card during online application.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant must submit a bank account statement translated into English for the last 6 months, showing that he/she can cover the travel expenses.
  • Pay slip: Pay slips translated into English for the last 6 months must be submitted.
  • Sponsorship petition: If the travel expenses are covered by the mother, father or a third party sponsor, a sponsorship petition must be submitted stating that the applicant’s expenses in the UK will be covered by the sponsor and including information such as how the stated expenses are covered and the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant.
  • Accommodation documents: Reservation documents for the hotel or short-term rental sites such as Airbnb where accommodation will be provided during the stay in England must be submitted. If going to England with an invitation, the address of the inviting person and a passport photocopy are required.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation documents containing the departure and return information of the transportation vehicle to be used must be declared.
  • Documents required according to employment and professional status: Depending on the employment status of the applicant, different UK visa documents such as employment declaration, employer letter, service record may be requested.
  • Documents required according to the purpose of travel: Depending on the purpose of the trip to the UK such as business, education, visit, tourism, treatment, different documents such as a letter of intent, student certificate, full identity register copy are required.UK visa documents may be requested.

The documents required for a UK visa application may vary depending on the applicant’s purpose in the UK, employment status, age, retirement, etc., and different documents may be requested from individuals.

What are the UK Visa Documents for Employees?

UK visa documents for employees are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport with at least 1 blank page and valid for at least 3 months after the end of the planned trip is required.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form on the Gov.Uk website must be completed online in person in English, depending on the type of travel.
  • Biometric photo: 2 color biometric photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken within the last 6 months are required.
  • UK visa fee: The UK visa fee must be paid during the online application.
  • Sponsorship petition: A sponsorship petition must be submitted stating that the expenses of the trip to England will be covered by the sponsor if the travel expenses are covered by the sponsor and including information on how the expenses specified in it will be covered.
  • Accommodation documents: If accommodation is provided at a hotel in the UK, hotel reservation documents are required; if accommodation is provided on short-term house rental sites in the UK, reservation documents from the specified websites are required; if going to the UK with an invitation, the address of the inviting person and a passport photocopy are required.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation documents containing the departure and return information of the transportation vehicle that will provide transportation to the UK are required.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant must submit a bank account statement for the last 6 months to prove that he/she has sufficient financial resources for the duration of his/her trip.
  • Pay slip: The applicant must submit a stamped and signed pay slip for the last 6 months.
  • Work permit: An employer-signed work permit must be submitted, which includes a description of the applicant’s work, indicates that the company is aware of the trip, and indicates the date range of the trip to the UK.
  • Service record: A QR barcoded service record showing detailed insurance history, which can be found on the SGK or e-government website, must be declared.
  • Job Entry Declaration: A job entry declaration with a QR barcode, which can be obtained from the applicant’s company, must be declared.
  • Employment contract: If the applicant is not a SSI insured, a notarized employment contract proving the employment contract with the company he/she works for must be submitted.
  • Additional income documents: The applicant must declare additional income such as title deed, vehicle license, additional account statements.

The documents required for a UK visa may vary depending on the purpose of the employee’s visit to the UK; for example, if the applicant is invited to an event such as a fair or business congress, a commercial invitation must be submitted that includes information such as the name of the inviting company and the duration of the fair.

How to Write a UK Visa Permission Application?

The UK visa permission petition must be addressed to the UK Consulate and must include that the company the applicant works for has approved the person’s travel to the UK and that they are aware of this travel. When writing an employer letter for a UK visa, the person’s name, surname, company name, company official’s name and surname, hotel information if the hotel accommodation is provided by the company, must be included.

The UK visa employer letter must be written on the company’s letterhead, and the company stamp must be affixed at the end of the letter and signed by a company official.

How to Get Social Security Service Statement for UK Visa?

SGK service statement for UK visa is created through a service provided by Social Security Institution via e-government and can be printed with barcode.

The screenshot from which you can obtain the SGK Service statement, which can be accessed via the e-government website, is given below.

What are the UK Visa Documents for Business Owners?

UK visa documents for business owners are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport that is valid for 3 months after the expiry date of the requested visa, is not older than 10 years and has at least 1 blank page is required.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form on the Gov.Uk website must be filled out and signed personally by the applicant by giving correct answers online in English, depending on the type of travel to be made.
  • Biometric photo: Two color biometric photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken within the last 6 months, showing the entire face clearly, are required.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid by credit card during online application.
  • Sponsorship petition: If the applicant has a sponsor, a sponsorship petition must be written and declared stating that the person’s expenses can be covered during the trip to the UK.
  • Accommodation documents: The applicant’s hotel or short-term home rental website reservation information must be declared. If the applicant is traveling to the UK by invitation, the address of the inviting person and a passport photocopy must be declared.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation documents containing the departure and return dates of the vehicle to be transported must be declared.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant must submit a bank account statement for the last 6 months to prove that he/she has sufficient financial means to travel to the UK.
  • Certificate of activity: An certificate of activity must be obtained from the chambers where the applicant’s company is registered and declared.
  • Trade registry record: A photocopy of the trade registry gazette, which includes information that the applicant is the founder or partner of the company, must be submitted.
  • Current tax plate: A photocopy of the tax plate for the last year must be declared.
  • Additional income documents: Documents such as the applicant’s title deed, vehicle license, rental income, additional account statements must be declared.

UK visa documents for company owners may vary depending on the company owner’s purpose for visiting the UK.

What are the UK Visa Application Documents for Civil Servants and Public Officials?

UK visa application documents for civil servants are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the end date of your planned trip to the UK, is not older than 10 years and has at least 1 blank page is required.
  • UK visa application form: Depending on the type of travel planned, the UK visa application form on the Gov.Uk website must be filled out digitally. The UK visa application form must be filled out completely, with correct answers, and in English by the applicant.
  • Biometric photo: 2 biometric photos measuring 35 mm wide and 45 mm long and not older than 6 months are required.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid during online application.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant must submit a bank account statement translated into English for the last 6 months.
  • Pay slip: The applicant’s stamped and signed pay slip for the last 6 months must be submitted.
  • Sponsorship petition: If the applicant has a sponsor, a sponsorship petition must be written and declared stating that the person’s expenses can be covered during the trip to the UK.
  • Accommodation documents: Reservation documents must be obtained from the hotel or short-term home rental sites in which the person will be staying in the UK and declared. If going to the UK with an invitation, the address and passport information of the person inviting must be declared.
  • Transport documents: Reservation documents for transport to and from the UK must be declared.
  • Work permit document: A signed and stamped work permit document must be submitted by the applicant civil servant, which includes a description of the work he/she does, shows the approval of the authority, and indicates the travel dates.

If a UK visa is requested by civil servants, the specified documents must be submitted; however, if there are events such as organizations, fairs, business meetings that civil servants will attend in the UK, the documents requested for civil servant UK visas may change.

What are the UK Visa Documents for Retirees?

UK visa documents for retirees are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of your trip to the UK, has been issued within 10 years and has at least 1 blank page must be declared.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form must be filled out according to the type of travel via the official website for UK visas, the Gov.Uk website. The UK visa application form must be filled out by the applicant in English, online, and with correct answers.
  • Biometric photo: 2 colour biometric photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken less than 6 months ago are required.
  • UK visa fee: The application fee for a UK visa must be paid during the online application.
  • Sponsorship petition: If the applicant has a sponsor, a sponsorship petition must be written stating that the expenses of the trip to the UK will be covered by the sponsor.
  • Accommodation documents: Reservation documents containing accommodation dates must be obtained and declared from hotels or short-term home rental sites where accommodation will be provided in the UK. In case of going to the UK by invitation, the address and passport information of the person inviting the applicant is required.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation information including the departure and return dates of the transportation vehicle to be used for the trip to the UK must be declared.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant must submit the last 3 months’ retirement and personal bank account statement.
  • Retirement certificate: A retirement certificate with a QR barcode showing the retirement status, accessible via e-government, must be created and declared.
  • Additional income documents: Additional income documents such as vehicle license, real estate lease agreement, title deed, additional account statements must be declared.

The documents required for retirees when obtaining a UK visa may vary depending on the purpose of the trip to the UK. Documents such as a current tax certificate and service statement may be added to the documents required for a UK retirement visa, depending on the purpose of travel.

How to Get an SGK Pension Certificate for UK Visa?

The SGK retirement document for the UK visa can be obtained by creating a retirement record, which is a service of the Social Security Institution, via e-government. During the SGK retirement document creation phase, the QR barcode document creation option on the page should be selected.

The SSI retirement document creation page is shown below.

What are the Required UK Visa Documents for Farmers?

The required UK visa documents for farmers are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport is required that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended return date from the UK, is not older than 10 years and has at least 1 blank page.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form, which can be accessed via the Gov.Uk website, must be completed online by the applicant personally in English.
  • Biometric photo: 2 colour biometric photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken not earlier than 6 months, must be declared.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid by credit card during online application.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant’s last 6 months bank account statement in English must be submitted.
  • Pay slip: The applicant’s last 6 months’ pay slip, stamped and signed, must be submitted.
  • Sponsorship petition: If the trip to England is made with a sponsor, a sponsorship petition must be written and declared stating that the travel expenses will be covered by the sponsor.
  • Accommodation documents: The reservation documents provided by the hotel or short-term home rental sites where the person will stay during their trip to the UK must be submitted. If you are going to the UK with an invitation, the address and passport information of the inviting person is required.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation documents containing the departure and return information of the vehicle that will provide transportation must be declared.
  • Detailed travel program: A detailed travel program that includes detailed information about the trip to England must be created and declared. The detailed travel program must include information such as locations to be visited in England, places to stay, and organizations to be attended.
  • Farming certificate: A current farming certificate showing the applicant’s farming income, which can be obtained from the chambers of agriculture, must be declared.
  • Additional income documents: Additional income documents such as title deed, vehicle license, additional account statements must be declared.

What are the documents required for a UK visa for unemployed people?

UK visa documents for unemployed people are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport is required that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended return date from the UK, is not older than 10 years and has at least 1 blank page.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form, which can be accessed via the Gov.Uk website, must be filled out online or by printing in person by the applicant in English.
  • Biometric photo: 2 colour biometric photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken not earlier than 6 months, must be declared.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant’s bank statement for the last 6 months must be submitted.
  • Accommodation documents: The reservation documents provided by the hotel or short-term home rental sites where the person will stay during their trip to the UK must be submitted. If you are going to the UK with an invitation, the address and passport information of the inviting person is required.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation documents containing the departure and return information of the vehicle that will provide transportation must be declared.
  • Population registration copy: A fully documented population registration copy with QR barcode, accessible via e-government, must be declared. If the applicant has a sponsor for his/her travel to the UK, the degree of relationship must be visible in the population registration copy of the first degree relative.
  • Additional income documents: Additional income documents such as vehicle license, title deed, passive income source, additional account statements must be declared.
  • UK visa sponsorship petition: The applicant must submit a signed, legible petition stating that he/she will be supported by a first degree relative during his/her travel to the UK, including the return dates and a guarantee statement. The first degree relative who will cover the applicant’s expenses during the UK travel must declare all income documents completely.

How to Write a UK Visa Sponsorship Application?

The UK visa sponsorship petition must be addressed to the UK Immigration Department officials. The UK visa sponsorship petition must include a statement that the applicant’s travel to the UK will be financially supported by a first-degree relative of the applicant, and travel dates must be included. The UK visa sponsorship petition must be signed and stamped, and the sponsor’s name, address, occupation, UK immigration status (if any), date of birth, and contact information must be stated in the petition; and the applicant’s name, date of birth, contact information, address, and relationship with the sponsor must be stated.

The first degree relative who will cover the UK visa applicant’s expenses during his/her travel to the UK must submit all income documents as if he/she had applied himself/herself.

What are the UK Student Visa Documents?

UK student visa documents are listed below.

  • Passport: A passport must be declared that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned end date of the trip to the UK, has been issued within 10 years and must have at least 1 blank page.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form must be filled out online by the applicant in English, depending on the type of travel, on the Gov.Uk website, which is the official website for UK visas.
  • Biometric photo: 35 mm wide, taken within the last 6 months
  • Two colour biometric photographs, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken not earlier than 6 months, must be declared.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid during online application.
  • Bank account statement: The applicant’s last 6 months bank account statement must be translated into English and submitted.
  • Pay slip: If the applicant is employed, he/she must submit a stamped and signed pay slip for the last 6 months.
  • Accommodation documents: The reservation documents provided by the hotel or short-term home rental sites where the person will stay during their trip to the UK must be submitted. If you are going to the UK with an invitation, the address and passport information of the inviting person is required.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation documents containing the departure and return information of the vehicle that will provide transportation must be declared.
  • Power of Attorney: Applicants who are under 18 years of age must submit a power of attorney document signed by both their mother and father. Since students under 18 cannot apply alone, the power of attorney form must be signed and declared by both attorneys. If the parents are divorced, a custody decision is required.
  • Consent: Original and photocopy of notarized consent from both mother and father, obtained within the last 6 months, is required. If parents are separated, a custody decision is required.
  • Population registration sample: A fully documented population registration sample that can be created via e-government must be created and declared with a QR code. The degree of relationship of the first degree relative who sponsors the applicant student for the UK trip must be visible in the population registration sample.
  • Student certificate: The original student certificate, which can be obtained from the school where the applicant student studies, is required.
  • Student permit: The student permit document, which is written on a letterhead and must be obtained from the institution where the applicant student is studying, must be submitted, confirming the student’s registration and the absence permit indicating that the student has sufficient absences.
  • UK visa sponsorship petition: The applicant must submit a petition that states that the student’s expenses during the UK trip will be covered by a first degree relative, with a legible and wet signature, including the return dates and a guarantee statement. The sponsor must declare all income documents completely as if he/she were applying on his/her own.

What are the UK Visa Documents for Minors Under 18?

UK visa documents for minors under 18 years of age are given below.

  • Passport: A passport valid for 3 months or more after the end date of your planned trip to the UK, issued within the last 10 years and with at least 1 blank page is required.
  • UK visa application form: The UK visa application form must be completed completely in English, either online or by printing from the Gov.Uk website. If the application cannot be made in person, a power of attorney form signed by the applicant and a photocopy of the identity of the person receiving the power of attorney must be submitted.
  • Biometric photo: 2 colour biometric photos measuring 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken within the last 6 months are required.
  • UK visa fee: UK visa fee must be paid and receipt must be submitted.
  • Accommodation documents: Reservation information for the hotel or short-term home rental sites where accommodation will be provided in the UK must be declared. In case of going by invitation, the address and passport information of the inviting person must be declared.
  • Transportation documents: Reservation information including departure and return dates of the transportation vehicle on which the trip to the UK will be made must be declared.
  • Birth certificate: The applicant’s birth certificate, which can be obtained from the provincial or district population directorates and includes information such as place of birth, date of birth, mother’s and father’s name, must be declared.
  • Power of attorney: A power of attorney must be declared, which must be signed by both the applicant’s mother and father. If the parents are divorced, a custody decision is required.
  • Consent: The original and photocopy of the notarized consent form from the applicant’s mother and father must be declared. If the parents are separated, the custody decision must be declared.
  • Population registration sample: A fully documented population registration sample accessed via e-government must be created and declared with a QR code by filling in the comments section. The degree of kinship of the first degree relative sponsoring the applicant for the UK trip must be visible in the population registration sample.
  • UK visa sponsorship petition: A sponsorship petition stating that the applicant’s travel expenses to the UK will be covered by a first degree relative, legibly signed, including departure and return dates and a guarantee statement, must be submitted. The first degree relative sponsoring the applicant’s travel to the UK must attach all income documents to the application in full.

If the person travelling is a minor, documents proving that their parents or legal guardian have given their consent for the trip are the most important documents for UK visa applications for those under the age of 18.

What is the UK Visa Document Upload Process?

UK visa document uploading process can be done in two different ways; with the support of a staff member at the visa application center, for a fee, or with individual uploading via the UK Immigration application, free of charge; visa applicants must choose which method they will use to declare their documents during the application.

Applicants who upload their documents via the UK Immigration application using the individual upload method need to go to the visa application centre only for biometric procedures and passport delivery, and the people working at the application centre do not provide any support to applicants regarding UK visa document uploading or document control.

How to Apply for UK Visa Self Service?

UK visa self-service application; After selecting the self-service appointment, applicants can upload their application documents to the system from their online accounts.

In order to upload documents in the UK visa self-service application, it is necessary to open the e-mail confirmation from Gov.Uk, log in to the application, enter the password, click on the document delivery and biometrics procedures, and click on the green upload button after being directed to the TLScontact account.

How to Prepare Required Documents for a UK Visa?

The documents required for a UK visa must contain accurate information, must not be damaged, and must fully meet the criteria set by the UK Visas and Immigration Department.

The documents required for the UK visa must be carefully checked before submission and if there are any deficiencies, the documents must be completed.

Do documents for a UK visa need to be in English?

Documents for a UK visa must be in English or Welsh. If the documents are not in English or Welsh, translations are required; translated documents must include the translator’s confirmation that they are an accurate translation of the original document, the date of translation, the translator’s full name, signature and contact details.

rsscanadaimmigration.com UK visa consultancy services cover all sworn translation and notary approval processes.

How to Fill the UK Visa Form?

The UK visa form is filled out online via the Gov.Uk application portal.

In the UK online visa application form, personal information such as the applicant’s name, address, e-mail, contact information, the reason for the visit to the UK, and travel dates must be filled in completely.

Although the UK visa application form can be viewed in other languages, the questions in the UK visa application form must be answered in English only.

What are the UK Visa Photo Dimensions?

UK visa photo dimensions must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm long.

2 photographs required for the UK visa; must be taken within 6 months and meet biometric requirements such as clear face appearance, white or light background, UK visa photo size .

An example of a biometric photograph required for a UK visa is shown below.

How to Write a UK Visa Application Form?

The UK visa application petition must be written to the UK Visa and Immigration Department, including the reason for travel to the UK, entry and exit dates to the UK, a planned route for activities in the UK, places to stay in the UK, and employment status.

The visa application form is not one of the mandatory documents for UK visa applications; however, the UK visa application form must be attached to the application documents in order to support the application.

How to Write a UK Visa Invitation Letter?

A UK visa invitation letter is written by a UK citizen or a person legally resident in the UK to a foreigner with whom they have family ties or friendships, inviting them to stay in their home.

In the invitation sample for a UK visa, the inviting person’s full name, date of birth, address in the UK, telephone number; the visitor visa applicant’s full name, date of birth, address, telephone number, relationship with the host, purpose of travel to the UK, dates and how long they plan to stay in the UK should be written and a UK invitation letter should be signed.

What Should the British Visa Bank Statement Be Like?

The UK visa bank statement must clearly show the applicant’s monthly salary and financial commitments for the last 6 months. The applicant must not have large cash deposits other than their own salary and the total amount of money in their bank account must be at least twice the proposed UK travel expenses.

Although the balance that the applicant must have in his/her bank account is not clear, each application is evaluated individually and the amount that the applicant must have in his/her bank account may vary depending on the visa type.

If the applicant has a sponsor who will cover the expenses of the trip to the UK, the bank account statement for the UK visa must be declared by both the applicant and the sponsor.

Is a Certified Public Account Copy Required for a UK Visa?

A certified copy of the population registration certificate for the UK visa is required for all family visa types such as family reunification, partner, fiancé, dependent visas.

A certified copy of the population record can be obtained through the population record copy document query process, which is a service provided by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs via e-government.

Is Health Insurance Required for UK Visa Application?

For UK visa applications, health insurance is not mandatory for short-term trips of up to 6 months, but it is recommended.

In case of any health problem or emergency during your stay in the UK, health services can be used; however, the amounts to be paid for health services can be very high.

For UK visa applications made under the consultancy of rsscanadaimmigration.com, UK travel health insurance with an affordable price guarantee is provided by the rsscanadaimmigration.com insurance department.