Visa for the United Kingdom from the Philippines: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. Philippine passport holders are not visa-exempt for the UK and must obtain a Standard Visitor visa before travelling. This visa covers tourism, visits to family and friends, and certain short business activities, for a maximum stay of six months per entry.

• Government fee135 GBP
• Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Gather a valid Philippine passport, evidence of sufficient funds (bank statements, payslips), proof of accommodation or an invitation, and a travel itinerary. Add anything that shows your ties to the Philippines: employment, study, family or property, all pointing to your return. The exact Standard Visitor visa fee should be confirmed on GOV.UK, as it is updated periodically.

You complete the application online on GOV.UK: create an account, fill in the form and pay the fee. You then book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in the Philippines to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your passport. Centres are mainly in Manila and Cebu; some offer paid priority services.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for the Philippines, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in the Philippines but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

The processing time starts from your biometrics appointment; check the indicative time published on GOV.UK and, if needed, the availability of a priority or super-priority service. Submit your application several weeks before your planned travel date. Do not book non-refundable tickets until a decision is issued, as some cases take longer than average.

Many applicants submit bank statements that are too thin or recently topped up with an unexplained deposit, which weakens the financial picture. Another mistake is a mismatch between the stated itinerary and the accommodation evidence. Finally, check that the form details exactly match your passport before paying, because corrections after submission are limited.