Home
  How to Apply
  Visa Information
  Supporting Documents
  Visa Application Fees
  Schedule an Appointment
  Contact Us
  Guide to Processing Times
  Track your Application
  Additional Services
  Customer Service
  Appeals & Admin Review
   
   

 

  • What is a visa?

    A visa (or entry clearance) is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document that gives you permission to enter the United Kingdom (UK). On arrival in the UK a Border Force officer may check that you are here for the reasons you have stated. Passengers will also have their fingerprints scanned at border control to verify that the individual entering the UK is the same person who gave their biometric data when they applied for their visa. In the majority of cases the passenger's right hand thumb and first finger will be used for the check. For more information about what you might expect on arrival in the UK please visit the UK Border Agency website.

  • When to apply

    You can apply 3 months in advance of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly advised not make their travel arrangements to enter the UK until they have received their visa.

  • How to apply

    There are 8 steps to complete the visa application process

    Step 1 - Check if you need a visa?

    To find out whether you need a visa please use the 'Do I need a visa' questionnaire on the UK Border Agency. If you need a visa to enter the UK you should follow the 'how to apply' steps listed below.

    Important note: If you have had any previous immigration problems you are advised to apply for a visa to enter the UK.

    Step 2 - Read the information on your visa category

    Before you decide to apply for a visa please make sure you familiarize yourself with the information on the visa category you are applying for. Quick links to information on visa categories and other helpful information can be found on the 'Visa Information' page on this website. You may also want to read the Immigration Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements.

    Please note: If you are visiting the UK for the first time for a visit, we strongly recommend that you apply for a 6 month multiple entry visit visa only.

    Step 3 - Complete your visa application form

    Complete a visa application form for the visa category you are applying for. Visa application forms and guidance are available on the UK Border Agency website. You should submit 1 visa application form for each individual applying for a visa, including children. The form must be completed in English and signed. Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application. If you make a mistake in filling in any of the sections you will need to make the change on the form and sign against it.

    Step 4 - Prepare your supporting documents

    Please refer to the 'required documents' page on this website, as well as the guidance and the supporting documents listed on the back of your visa application form.

    You must submit original documents or attested copies, with a photocopy of each of these documents. If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your visa application you should provide translations of any supporting documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification. The translated documents must include details the translator's name and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document. It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator.

    Step 5 - Pay your visa application fee

    Please see the 'visa application fee' page on this website for information about how to pay your visa application fee.

    Step 6. Visit the visa application centre

    You must submit your visa application and all your supporting documents in person at a visa application centre. You cannot submit your visa application through an agent, friend or family member because you will need to submit your biometric data. The contact details of the visa application centres can be found on the 'contact us' page of this website. All visa applicants (with the exception of right of abode applications/certificate of entitlement, overseas territories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at the visa application centre to submit your biometric data. For more information on exemptions please visit the UK Border Agency website. Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult when giving their biometrics; this cannot be a member of the visa application centre staff. Biometrics cannot be taken for visa applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied. A visa application can only be processed after your biometrics have been taken.

    You will need to bring the following documents

    • Completed and signed visa application form.
    • Supporting documents relevant to the category you are applying for with copy of each original document.
    • The visa application fee or proof of payment from the Sterling Bank.
    • Your signed and valid passport or refugee travel document with at least 1 blank page (both sides) so the visa can be inserted.
    • A photocopy of your passport and data page (the page which has your photograph and personal details)
    • 1 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour photograph of yourself. The photograph should be:
     
    - Taken against a light grey or cream background. It should be in sharp focus, clear and of good quality, free from shadows.
    - Printed on normal photographic paper.
    - Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for religious or medical reasons. The subject should have their mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forwarding, looking straight ahead.
    - The photograph should be a recent true likeness and taken within the last 6 months.

    Please note: We cannot accept photographs which do not meet these specifications. Please visit the UK Border Agency website for more information on photograph requirements.

    Step 7. Wait for a decision

    Please wait for a decision on your visa application. You can refer to the 'Processing Times' page on this website for information on our processing times. This information can be used as a guide to our recent performance, although it cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application processing time. Visa applications are assessed individually and processing times may vary.

    Interviews

    Issue or refusal of a visa is based on the assessment of your application by a UK Border Agency visa officer. The visa officer may decide to interview you if they need more information before making a decision on your application. All interviews will be conducted by UK Border Agency staff. Should an interview be required then you will be offered the first available interview date. Depending on workload, there may be a waiting period before the interview so bear please bear this in mind. Children under 10 years old, applying for a visa will not be interviewed. Where the child is travelling alone an interview may be carried out with a responsible adult (for example a parent or guardian). Children aged between 10 and 14 may be interviewed, but this would only be in the presence of a responsible adult. Children aged over 14 may be interviewed alone.

    Step 8. Collect the decision on your visa

    VFS will inform you when your documents are ready for collection. You can collect the decision on your visa and documents from the visa application centre where you submitted your visa application. Please see the 'Contact Us' page on this website for more information on collection times. A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter signed by you and proof of their identity.

    If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make sure that:

    • your personal details are correct
    • it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
    • it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).

    If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact the visa application centre immediately.


  • Using agents and fraud

    You may decide to submit your visa application using an independent travel agent, immigration agent or consultant. These agents will charge for their services.

    You should be careful when dealing with agents who make unrealistic claims. Agents cannot guarantee that they will be able to obtain a work or study visa for you. They cannot guarantee that your application will be resolved without an interview. They cannot guarantee the outcome of your visa application. They may be cheating you if they make these claims.

    Some agents charge exorbitant fees for their services - often many times the actual cost of the visa. If an agent charges you anything more than a small and reasonable service charge, they may be overcharging you or they may be supplying you with false documents and statements. Visa officers will detect false documents and statements, and your visa application will be refused. If you provide false information, documents or passports in support of your visa application, you will be refused a visa and all future applications will be refused for up to 10 years. You may be prosecuted and could face a fine or even go to prison.

    Remember the visa application is your application. You are the owner of the information and any supporting documentation. A genuine agent will only be able to help you to complete the form and advise you what supporting documents you need to include. If you consider that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should report the matter to the police.
© Copyright . All rights reserved.  Disclaimer