UK visas overview community wiki to avoid duplicates

Question

We are getting a lot of UK visa questions here and the high number of already existing questions and answers makes it hard to keep track at times. Let's create a community wiki to track all the canonical questions which can be used to close-vote repeating questions, similar to the Schengen one.

I've created two community wiki answers below, please feel free to extend them.

Answer 1

Suggested Syntax:
**Question**
- [link to dupe] (possibly comments)

Visa requirements at application stage

• Transit visa to UK required if I already have valid business visa for UK

• Is there a way to find out if I need a transit visa for a layover in the UK?

• Should I submit bank statements when applying for a UK Visa? What do they say about me?

• What details should a good cover letter contain to back up a UK Visit Visa application?

• How to avoid getting a visa refusal when applying for a UK visitor visa?

• Is it possible to apply for a UK visa without being a local resident?

• What supporting documents should I include in my UK visa application?

• What does this mean? "Your UK visa application has been issued"

• Requirements for long-term UK Standard Visitor Visa (2, 5, 10 years)

Questions about the application form

• Proof of address for UK visa applications and correcting clerical errors

• UK Standard visitor visa type for Tourism or Family?

• How should a family with young children apply for UK visas?

Traveling with dependants

• What visa does my wife need to travel to the UK with me, if I'm going there on a business visa?
• How should a family with young children apply for UK visas?

Visa refusals

Central canonical question: UK visa refusal on V 4.2 a + c (and sometimes 'e')

1. Provenance of funds

• UK Visa Refusal: Provenance of funds/parking
• My application was refused due to 'lack of evidence of funds', are there hidden requirements for UK visa applications?
• Standard Visitor Visa refusal grounds V 4.2 (e) (opacity)

2. Trips sponsored by other people

• What should a sponsor tell the ECO?
• UK visitor visa refused (multiple sponsors)

3. Criminal convictions

• UK Family Visitor Visa refused on account of having a criminal conviction, however I've never actually had one. What are my options?

4. Lack of ties

• UK visitor visa refused due to previously staying for too long and not having strong ties. How should I reapply?

• What exactly does the UK Consulate mean by "change of application circumstance"?

5. Wrong information on application form

• UK visa refused under 3.6 a of Appendix V (deception)

Returning to the UK after problems with UK immigration

• How to return to the UK as a non-visa national after previously experiencing problems at the border?

Entry denial

• Refused entry and UK visit visa cancelled because intended length of stay went from 3 weeks to 5 months

Accompanied visas (minors)

• I am a minor with a UK Accompanied visa. Will I be allowed to travel without my parent, who is already in the UK?
• Child Accompanied Visa - can you return with another adult?
• Can a child enter the UK on an accompanied visa and then leave the country alone?

Using other visas to enter the UK

• Can I enter the UK with a Schengen visa?
• UK visa exemptions residence permit EEA
• Implications in crossing the Ireland/Northern Ireland land border for an American
• What do non-EU/Schengen citizens need to do when travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA)?
• Travelling through UK, what is considered a "common format residence permit"?
• Are Italian residents exempt from needing a UK direct airside transit visa?

Answer 2

Core documents to be used as part of answering questions:

• Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules
• Visitor: supporting documents guide
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-travel-area