Visitor visa for parents — multi-entry 2 / 5 / 10 year (Appendix V)

Appendix V: Visitor route is the most-used UK visa for Indian parents visiting children. Multi-entry 2/5/10 year visas allow repeated visits without re-applying.

For [PARENT_NAME] (age [PARENT_AGE]) visiting [UK_CHILD_NAME]:

§1 — STANDARD VISITOR VISA — APPENDIX V (100-120 words)

Appendix V Standard Visitor (V 1+):

Eligibility:
  ▪ Genuine visit to UK (tourism, family, business)
  ▪ Will leave UK at end of visit
  ▪ Adequate funds for visit + return
  ▪ Not seeking to live in UK

Maximum stay per visit: 6 months

Visa types:
  ▪ Standard Visitor — 6-month visa (single visit; up to 5 visits)
  ▪ Multi-entry 2-year — multiple visits, each up to 6 months
  ▪ Multi-entry 5-year — multiple visits over 5 years
  ▪ Multi-entry 10-year — multiple visits over 10 years (most generous)
  ▪ Family Visitor — overlay where visiting family member
  ▪ Marriage Visitor (limited 6 months for marriage purpose)

For Indian parents: typically apply for Standard Visitor with multi-entry option.

§2 — APPENDIX V REQUIREMENTS (120-150 words)

Application requirements (Appendix V 4):

  ▪ Valid passport with 6+ months validity
  ▪ Sufficient funds for trip:
    - Tourist accommodation OR family hospitality
    - Daily expenses (estimate GBP 50-100/day for tourist)
    - Return ticket
  ▪ Adequate accommodation in UK
  ▪ Genuine intention to leave UK at end of visit
  ▪ Strong ties to country of origin
  ▪ Not seeking to live in UK on Visitor visa
  ▪ Not employed in UK (limited business activities permitted)
  ▪ Not accessing UK NHS for free (if needed: pay privately)

For Indian parents:
  ▪ Pension / retirement income demonstrates ability to fund
  ▪ Property + family in India demonstrates ties
  ▪ Stable retirement / health condition shows no UK migration intent

§3 — MULTI-ENTRY 2 / 5 / 10 YEAR APPLICATIONS (150-180 words)

UKVI offers progressively longer multi-entry visas:

A. STANDARD 6-MONTH VISITOR:
  ▪ Fee: GBP 115 [VERIFY]
  ▪ Valid 6 months from issue
  ▪ One visit OR multiple within 6 months
  ▪ Common first application for Indian parents

B. MULTI-ENTRY 2-YEAR VISITOR:
  ▪ Fee: GBP 432 [VERIFY]
  ▪ Valid 2 years from issue
  ▪ Multiple visits within 2 years, each up to 6 months
  ▪ Suitable for parents visiting 1-2 times/year

C. MULTI-ENTRY 5-YEAR VISITOR:
  ▪ Fee: GBP 786 [VERIFY]
  ▪ Valid 5 years from issue
  ▪ Multiple visits within 5 years, each up to 6 months
  ▪ Recommended for retirement-stage parents

D. MULTI-ENTRY 10-YEAR VISITOR:
  ▪ Fee: GBP 985 [VERIFY]
  ▪ Valid 10 years from issue
  ▪ Multiple visits within 10 years, each up to 6 months
  ▪ Best for long-term family visits

For [PARENT_NAME] [PARENT_AGE]:
  ▪ If aged 55+ and retired with stable circumstances: 5 or 10-year recommended
  ▪ First-time application: typically 2-year multi-entry
  ▪ After successful first visit + return: upgrade to longer multi-entry

§4 — TIES TO INDIA — CRITICAL (150-180 words)

UKVI scrutinises return-intent. For [PARENT_NAME], strong ties to India must be evident:

A. PROPERTY:
  ▪ Owned property in India (deeds, valuation)
  ▪ Joint family home with continuing residence
  ▪ Investment property

B. FAMILY:
  ▪ Spouse residing in India (if applicable)
  ▪ Other adult children in India
  ▪ Grandchildren in India
  ▪ Siblings + extended family in India

C. EMPLOYMENT / BUSINESS:
  ▪ Continuing business interests (if not retired)
  ▪ Director / shareholder of Indian company
  ▪ Family business succession role

D. FINANCIAL:
  ▪ Indian bank accounts with sustained balance
  ▪ Indian investments (FDs, MFs, equity)
  ▪ Indian pension / retirement income

E. CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS:
  ▪ Religious community involvement
  ▪ Caste / community ties
  ▪ Cultural / linguistic identity

[TIES_TO_INDIA] expansion:
  ▪ List each tie with specific evidence
  ▪ Quantify (property value, investment amount)
  ▪ Document longevity

§5 — UK CHILD HOSPITALITY EVIDENCE (100-120 words)

For UK child supporting visit:
  ▪ Invitation letter from UK child confirming:
    - Visit purpose + duration
    - Accommodation provided
    - Financial support during visit
    - UK child's status + finances + immigration history
    - Relationship + photos

  ▪ UK child's evidence:
    - Passport (British / BRP / eVisa)
    - Employment / income evidence
    - UK accommodation suitable for parent
    - UK address evidence

  ▪ Indian parent's separate evidence:
    - Indian bank statement showing personal funds for trip
    - Pension / income evidence
    - Return ticket booked (one-way is suspicious)
    - Travel insurance

For [UK_CHILD_STATUS]:
  ▪ British citizen: strong support
  ▪ Settled: strong support
  ▪ Pre-settled / Skilled Worker: also acceptable

§6 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (100-120 words)

Document bundle:
  □ Application form (online via UKVI)
  □ Passport bio page
  □ Application fee (varies by length: GBP 115-985)
  □ Photo (UK passport-style)
  □ Invitation letter from UK family member
  □ UK family member's status documents
  □ Indian financial evidence (bank statements last 6 months)
  □ Property documents in India
  □ Family ties evidence (other children's details, family business)
  □ Travel itinerary (flight bookings, accommodation if separate)
  □ Travel insurance (recommended)
  □ Indian retirement / pension documentation
  □ TB test certificate (if 6+ months stay — though Visitor max 6 months means typically not required)

§7 — STRATEGIC NOTES (60-80 words)

For repeat Indian parent visitors:
  ▪ First application: apply for 2-year multi-entry
  ▪ After 1-2 successful visits: upgrade to 5-year multi-entry
  ▪ Pattern of full returns home + short visits: strong for 10-year
  ▪ Avoid: staying close to 6 months each visit (signals migration intent)
  ▪ Distance visits 6+ months apart (not back-to-back)

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Multi-entry 2/5/10 year visas are the practical solution for Indian parents visiting UK children regularly. Strong ties to India are essential — property + family + business + retirement income. UKVI looks for genuine visit pattern not de facto residence. Avoid staying close to 6-month limit each visit."