UK Visa Procedures

Thursday, 25 February 2010

• 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. For more information about what you might expect on arrival in the UK please visit the UK Border Agency website.
  
  
  
  
• When to apply
  
  
  For all types of visa, you can apply up to 3 months in advance of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly advised not to confirm their travel arrangements to come to the UK until they have received their visa.
  Omg, can you imagine a time machine blender?!
• How to apply
  
  
  There are 8 steps to complete the visa application process. You are advised to read through the application steps set out below before you make your visa application so you are clear about the procedure and requirements.
  
  
  Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
  
  
  Use the 'Do I need a visa' guide on the UK Border Agency website to see if you need a visa. If you need a visa you should follow the steps outlined below.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  Step 3 - Complete your visa application form
  
  
  You should submit 1 visa application for each individual applying for a visa, including children. Please ensure that you select the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit
  
  
  
  

  •	Download an appropriate visa application form from the UK Border Agency website
  •	You should print your completed visa application form on good quality paper and ensure that the information does extend beyond the margins on the paper.
  •	Complete the application form in English and sign it.
  •	Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. 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 documents
  
  
  Supporting documents & checklists
  
  
  Information on supporting documents and checklists are available on the UK Border Agency website.
  
  
  Original documents
  
  
  You must provide original documents. Failure to submit original documents may mean your application is delayed or refused.
  
  
  Translations
  
  
  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.
  
  
  You should submit the following
  
  
  
  

  •	A valid passport or refugee travel document that contains at least one blank page on both sides so the visa can be inserted.
  •	Your completed and signed visa application form
  •	Supporting documents relevant to the category you are applying for with copy of each original document.
  •	1 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour photograph of yourself. The photograph should be (see example below):
  	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.More information on photograph requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website. 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 and a full list of the fee categories. Step 6 - Visit the visa application centre All visa applicants (apart from exempt categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at the visa application centre to submit their biometric data. Althoughexempt categories and children under 5 do not need to attend the visa application centre, they will need to complete a visa application form. If you refuse to submit yourbiometric data, your visa application cannot be processed. 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. We strongly recommend that you make an appointment to visit the visa application centre to save you unnecessary waiting time. You should make an appointment for each individual applying for a visa. Please see the 'schedule an appointment' page on this website. The visa application centre contact details can be found on the 'Contact Us' page of this website. Please note: You should normally apply at the VFS visa application centre in, or closest to, the state in which you are documented as being resident. Please contact VFS if you have any doubts as to where to make your application. You should remember to bring all of the documents set out in Step 4. Important note: You will not be able to submit further documents after you have submitted your application at the visa application. The documents you submit at the time you made your application are the only documents that can be considered. Biometric data collection Biometric data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all 10 digits) and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example, henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit your biometric data. Step 7 - Wait for a decision Wait for a decision on your visa application. Please refer to the 'guide to processing times' page on this website for more information on our processing times in India. You can use this information as a guide to our recent performance, although it cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application processing time. You can also use the free 'track your application' facility on this website to find out the progress of your visa application, or use the SMS text service (fee payable) to receive texts about the progress of your visa application. Visa applications are assessed individually and processing times may vary. Interview procedures Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. UK Border Agency visa staff reserve the right to make decisions based on the information and documents submitted with the application. It is essential that you submit all relevant documents with your application. If an interview is required you will be offered the first available interview date. 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 centre. 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 If you have any questions please visit see the 'Frequently Asked Questions' page on the UK Border Agency website. Using agents and fraud You may decide to submit your application to VFS through 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 a visa application. They may be cheating you if they make these claims. Many 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 could be refused for up to 10 years. You may also 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 are suspicious, take advice from VFS. If you consider that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should report the matter to the police.

UK Visa Fees

All the fees below are quoted in pounds sterling, but are payable in local currency. Please contact your nearest visa application center to find out what the local fees are and how you can pay for your visa.

Guidance notes and fees for visa extensions, nationality and right of abode applications, for applicants who are already in the UK, are available on the UK Border Agency website.

Dependents are charged the same fee as the main applicant. All dependents who are travelling must pay the fee whether or not they are included in the main applicant's passport.

Fees are subject to periodic review.

A fee will be refunded only if the application is withdrawn in writing prior to any processing of the application and biometrics have not been taken, or if the applicant refuses to provide biometrics.

Fees have been listed by categories, which are: visit, study, employment, settlement, points-based system, exempt and others.

These fees are effective for all visa applications made from 9 April 2009.

Category - Visit	Fee (£)
Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement with China, up to 30 days only	67
Single, double and multiple visit, valid up to 6 months	67
Longer term multiple entry (1 to 2 years)	215
Longer term multiple entry (5 years)	400
Longer term multiple entry (10 years)	500
Entertainer visitor	67
Family visitor	67
Business visitor - general	67
Business visitor - academic visitor (up to 12 months)	67
Business visitor - visiting professor	67
Business visitor - religious worker	67
Business visitor - film crew	67
Business visitor - clinical attachments/dental observations (up to 6 weeks)	215
Business visitor - PLAB test	215
Special visitor - marriage/civil partnership	67
Special visitor - medical treatment	67
Special visitor - visitor in transit	46
Special visitor - student visitor, up to 6 months	67
Special visitor - child visitor	67
Special visitor - prospective student	67
Special visitor - parent of a child at school (up to 12 months)	215
Sports visitor	67
Category: Study (non points-based system)	Fee ( £)
Dependant of prospective student applicant	67
Dependant of student applicant	145
Category: Employment (non points-based system)	Fee (£)
Work permit holder	215
Work permit/HSMP dependant	215
Off Shore Workers	215
Overseas domestic worker - private household	215
EC Business Association Agreement	215
Sole representative	215
UK Ancestry	215
Seasonal agricultural worker	215
Dependants of any of the above	215
Vander Elst	Free of charge
Swiss Posted Worker	Free of charge
Category: Settlement	Fee (£)
Spouse/civil partner of a settled person	585
Unmarried/same sex partner of a settled person	585
Fiancé(e)/proposed civil partner of a settled person	585
Child or dependent relative of a settled person	585
Adopted child of settled person	585
Family reunion	Free of charge
Former UK Armed Forces	585
Category: Points-based system (PBS)	Fee (£)
Tier 1 general applicant	675
Dependant of tier 1 general applicant	675
Tier 1 general applicant with HSMP approval letter (transitional arrangement)	250
Dependant of tier 1 general applicant with HSMP approval letter (transitional arrangement)	250
Tier 1 investor or entrepreneur	675
Dependant of tier 1 investor or entrepreneur	675
Tier 1 post study applicant	265
Dependant of tier 1 post study applicant	265
Tier 1 general applicant - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	615
Dependant of tier 1 general applicant - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	615
Tier 1 general applicant with HSMP approval letter (transitional arrangement) - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	230
Dependant of tier 1 general applicant with HSMP approval letter (transitional arrangement) - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	230
Tier 2 applicant	265
Dependant of tier 2 applicant	265
Tier 2 applicant - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	245
Dependant of tier 2 applicant - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	245
Tier 4 (general) student applicant	145
Dependant of tier 4 (general) student applicant	145
Tier 4 (child) student applicant	145
Chevening Scholarship or Fellowship	Free of charge
British Marshall Scholarship	Free of charge
Fulbright Scholarship	Free of charge
Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan	Free of charge
Tier 5 applicant (temporary worker)	125
Dependant of tier 5 applicant (temporary worker)	125
Tier 5 applicant (temporary worker) - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	110
Dependant of tier 5 applicant (temporary worker) - national of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia	110
Tier 5 applicant (youth mobility scheme)	125
Category: Exempt	Fee (£)
Diplomats: official visit/posting	Free of charge
Members of international organisations on official visits	Free of charge
Member of UK or visiting forces	Free of charge
Category: Others	Fee (£)
Course F	67
Exercise the right of access to a child	215
Parent/primary carer of an EEA national child	215
Family member of an EEA national	Free of charge
Family member of a Swiss national	Free of charge
Handling applications on behalf of Commonwealth Countries/Overseas Territories	47
Forwarding documents to Commonwealth Countries/Overseas Territories (additional fee)	63
Returning resident	215
Right of Abode Certificate of Entitlement	215
Joining ship/aircraft	46
Direct Airside Transit (DAT)	46
Mobile biometrics/call out charge	£128 an hour up to a maximum of £922 for each 24 hour period
Turkish nationals to establish in business	Free of charge
Vignette transfer	75