supporting docs for 2nd visa application

[Mike-H]

I am a south african citizen and applied for and received a standard 6 month UK visitor visa last year for holiday travel to the UK in June 2018. I am applying again now for a 6 month visa to visit the UK again in Dec 2019. I completed my application online and the final "next steps" page indicated that the only supporting doc required was my passport. Why is this listed as the only supporting doc needed when last year I needed a whole host of supporting docs (bank statements, proof of air tickets etc..) for my visa application? Are less supporting docs required for a subsequent visa application the next year?

[seagul]

Why not you apply for 2 years of visit visa now. Each new application will be dealt on its own merit, therefore, you will have to submit all necessary documents again.

? Are less supporting docs required for a subsequent visa application the next year?

[Mike-H]

Let me rephrase.
Last year when I finalized my visa application online the website listed lots of required supporting docs. This year when I finalized my visa application online today it only asks for one supporting doc....my passport.
Why is this?

[seagul]

Maybe there is an error with online application. Regarding personal experience it goes back till 2009 until then my South Africans friends kept coming without visa.