Master prompt
Long-term visit visa strategy — 2 / 5 / 10 year multi-entry (UK)
Advise on whether to apply for Long-term Visit visa (2, 5, or 10 year multi-entry) vs single-entry Standard Visitor. Covers 6-month-per-visit cap, evidence of frequency-of-visits expectation, cost-benefit, and passport validity rule.
UKVisitor visaLong-term visit visa2 year5 year10 yearMulti-entryAppendix V
Advise [CLIENT_NAME] (age [CURRENT_AGE]) on whether to apply for a Long-term Visit visa (2, 5, or 10 year multi-entry) versus repeating single-entry Standard Visitor applications. Expected visit pattern: [EXPECTED_VISIT_FREQUENCY]. UK connection: [UK_CONNECTION]. Passport expiry: [PASSPORT_VALIDITY]. Prior history: [PRIOR_UK_HISTORY]. Budget profile: Value certainty.
§1 - LONG-TERM VISIT VISA FRAMEWORK (Appendix V)
What it is:
- A multi-entry Standard Visitor visa valid for 2, 5, or 10 years
- Each entry permits up to 6 months stay
- All other Standard Visitor conditions apply (Genuine Visitor test, no work, no public funds)
- NOT a residence visa; cumulative stay still subject to V 4.2(b) "not making UK main home"
What it is NOT:
- It does NOT permit longer than 6 months per visit
- It does NOT grant ILR / settlement
- It does NOT permit work or study beyond Visitor scope
- It does NOT exempt from cumulative-stay scrutiny
§2 - FEE COMPARISON (verify current UKVI schedule)
6 months single-entry Standard Visitor: GBP 127 // 2026-05 - verify
2 years multi-entry: GBP 475 // 2026-05 - verify
5 years multi-entry: GBP 848 // 2026-05 - verify
10 years multi-entry: GBP 1,059 // 2026-05 - verify
Break-even calculation (ignoring VFS service fee duplication):
- 2-year vs single: 475 / 127 = 3.74 - break-even at approximately 4 visits over 2 years
- 5-year vs single: 848 / 127 = 6.68 - break-even at approximately 7 visits over 5 years
- 10-year vs single: 1,059 / 127 = 8.34 - break-even at approximately 9 visits over 10 years
Add VFS service fees + biometrics renewal trips - each new application means a VFS appointment in [Indian city].
§3 - PASSPORT VALIDITY RULE
The visa CANNOT outlast the passport. UKVI will issue the visa only up to passport expiry minus a small buffer.
For [CLIENT_NAME] with passport expiring [PASSPORT_VALIDITY]:
- Compute time-from-application to passport expiry
- If passport expiry < 2 years away: applying for 5/10 year visa wastes money - get visa to passport expiry
- If passport expiry < 5 years: 10-year visa wastes the residual years
- Recommendation: renew Indian passport BEFORE applying for long-term Visit visa if cost-effective
§4 - DECISION MATRIX
Plot [EXPECTED_VISIT_FREQUENCY] against minimum-economic-visa-duration:
Pattern A - "1 visit every 2-3 years": single-entry sufficient
Pattern B - "1-2 visits per year, family-driven": 2-year multi-entry break-even after 2nd visit
Pattern C - "3+ visits per year, family + business": 5-year multi-entry strongly indicated
Pattern D - "Monthly business visits": 5 or 10 year multi-entry; consider Business Visitor framing
Cross-reference Value certainty:
- Cost-conscious + Pattern A or low-end B: single-entry
- Value certainty + Pattern B or C: 5-year multi-entry
- Premium + Pattern C or D: 10-year multi-entry (if passport supports)
§5 - EVIDENCE OF FREQUENCY-OF-VISITS EXPECTATION
The UKVI caseworker assessing a long-term Visit application looks for credible evidence that the applicant has a reasonable expectation of frequent UK travel. Submit:
(a) [UK_CONNECTION] documented:
- For family: UK relative's passport / BRP / Settled Status proof, address, birth/marriage certificates establishing relationship
- For business: UK business partner / counterparty letter, board minutes, contracts
- For property: UK property title / lease / council tax bill in applicant's name
(b) [PRIOR_UK_HISTORY] - clean record of timely departures:
- Copy each prior visa + entry / exit stamp
- Annotate "departed on [date], within authorised period"
- Explain any extension or unusual long stay
(c) Stated [EXPECTED_VISIT_FREQUENCY] - written narrative
- Pattern of expected visits (frequency, duration, purpose)
- Why long-term visa is needed (administrative convenience, family obligations, business cadence)
(d) Continuing Indian ties evidence (same as Standard Visitor):
- Employment / business
- Property
- Family
- Tax residency
§6 - CUMULATIVE STAY RISK (V 4.2(b) - "main home" test)
Even with a long-term Visit visa, the caseworker at every entry, and at every extension or re-entry, can refuse leave to enter if cumulative pattern suggests the applicant is making UK their main home.
Rule of thumb:
- Cumulative UK stay > 6 months in any rolling 12 months: refusal risk at border under paragraph 9.7.3
- Cumulative stay > 180 days per year across multiple years: scrutiny escalates
- Long-term visa does NOT shield from this scrutiny
Advise [CLIENT_NAME]:
- Plan visits so cumulative stay stays well below 180 days / year
- Document return to substantive Indian life between visits (employer presence, ongoing business)
- Avoid back-to-back near-6-month stays
§7 - PROCEDURAL DIFFERENCES
- Application form: same gov.uk online form; select Long-term Visit
- TB Test: REQUIRED for Indian applicants applying for > 6 months OR long-term visit visas in any duration
- Biometrics: same VFS process; biometrics valid for the duration of visa issued
- BRP: not issued (no BRP for entry clearance visitors)
- Each entry: officer at UK border has discretion to grant up to 6 months (or less); can refuse entry under paragraph 9.7
§8 - DECISION FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
State a single recommended option:
- "Apply for 2-year long-term Visit visa" - if Pattern B
- "Apply for 5-year long-term Visit visa" - if Pattern B-C and passport supports
- "Apply for 10-year long-term Visit visa" - if Pattern C-D and passport supports
- "Apply for single-entry Standard Visitor" - if Pattern A or passport expiry constrains
- "Renew passport first, then long-term Visit" - if passport expiry < visa duration
§9 - DOWNGRADE / SHORTER GRANT SCENARIO
UKVI may issue a shorter visa than requested:
- Applied for 10y, granted 5y - common where evidence of frequency is moderate
- Applied for 5y, granted 2y - similar
- Fee paid is NOT refunded for the difference
- Pay only for the duration the evidence credibly supports - applying for 10y on weak evidence wastes money
§10 - PROHIBITED USE PATTERNS (cause refusal at border)
Officer will refuse leave to enter if the pattern shows:
- "Living between two countries" - alternating long stays
- Working remotely for UK employer (paid or unpaid)
- Persistent visits coinciding with applications for inland switching attempts
- Pattern suggesting de facto settlement
Advise: NOT a backdoor for cohabitation, gradual relocation, or extended work trials.
End with: "DRAFT long-term Visit visa strategy advisory - for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify current UKVI fee schedule and Appendix V wording. The cumulative-stay rule under V 4.2(b) is regularly applied at the border - holding a 10-year visa does not guarantee admission for any specific visit. Not legal advice."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt