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- 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.
- 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
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Download an appropriate visa application form from the
UK
Border Agency website |
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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. |
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Complete the application form in English
and sign it. |
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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
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A valid passport or refugee travel document that contains
at least one blank page on both sides so the visa can be
inserted. |
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Your completed and signed visa application form |
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Supporting documents relevant to the category you are
applying for with copy of each original document. |
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1 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour
photograph of yourself. The photograph should be (see example
below): |
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- 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.
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Note :
We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not
meet these requirments |
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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. Although exempt
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 your biometric
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:
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your personal details are correct |
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it correctly states the purpose for which you want to
come to the UK, and |
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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.
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