Genuine visitor test: what caseworkers look for (Appendix V)
The genuine visitor test asks whether you are truly visiting for a permitted purpose and will leave the UK at the end of your stay. Caseworkers weigh your ties, funds, immigration history and the credibility of your plans.
What "genuine visitor" means
You must genuinely intend to visit for a permitted activity, not work or settle, and must leave at the end of the visit. Your evidence should paint a consistent, believable picture.
Factors caseworkers weigh
Ties to your home country (employment, study, family, property), your financial circumstances, previous travel and immigration history, and whether your itinerary matches your funds and stated purpose.
Rules referenced
- Appendix V: Visitor, V 4.2(a)
Applicant must be a genuine visitor who will leave the UK.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prove I will leave the UK?
Show strong ties at home — a job to return to, studies, family responsibilities or property — alongside a clear, funded itinerary.