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Table of Contents
Step-By-Step Guide to Online Application
Before you fill out the online application form, you must find out whether you require a visa to enter the UK. The official UK government website has an online tool for checking your visa requirements, duration, cost, and required documents. You can also see the average processing times for your country and visa category.
If you require a visa, Legend Consults is here to assist you. We can help you secure a visa according to your requirements and guide you through the process. Depending on your visa category, you may also need to pay the immigration health surcharge, which allows you to use the National Health Service (NHS) while you are in the UK.
Legend Consults can assist you with filling out the online application form correctly and efficiently. We have extensive experience and knowledge of the UK visa system and the requirements for each visa category. We can help you answer the questions on the form, avoid common mistakes, and provide clear and relevant information that will support your application. We can also advise you on the supporting documents you must prepare and submit along with the form.
The UK visa categories are divided into four main groups: visitor visas, work visas, study visas, and settlement visas. Each group has different subcategories and requirements, which you can find on the UKVI website. Here are some general steps to follow for each visa group:
Visitor Visas:
To apply for this visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose the correct visa subcategory for your purpose of visit, such as tourism, business, family, or medical.
- Check the visa fees and the processing times on the UKVI website.
- Fill out the online application form and pay the visa fee.
- Book an appointment at a visa application centre in your country.
- Prepare and submit the required documents, such as your passport, bank statements, invitation letter, and travel itinerary.
- Attend your appointment and provide your biometric information, such as your fingerprints and photograph.
- Wait for the decision on your visa application and collect your passport and visa.
Work Visas:
To apply for this visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose the correct visa subcategory for your skill level and job offer, such as skilled worker, health and care worker, or intra-company transfer.
- Check the visa fees, the immigration health surcharge, and the processing times on the UKVI website.
- Obtain a certificate of sponsorship from your UK employer, which is a unique reference number that confirms your job offer and salary.
- Fill out the online application form and pay the visa fee and the health surcharge.
- Book an appointment at a visa application centre in your country.
- Prepare and submit the required documents, such as your passport, certificate of sponsorship, proof of English language proficiency, and qualifications.
- Attend your appointment and provide your biometric information, such as your fingerprints and photograph.
- Wait for the decision on your visa application and collect your passport and visa.
Study Visas:
To apply for this visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose the correct visa subcategory for your level and duration of study, such as student, short-term student, or child student.
- Check the visa fees, the immigration health surcharge, and the processing times on the UKVI website.
- Obtain a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from your UK educational institution, which is a unique reference number that confirms your course and fees.
- Fill out the online application form and pay the visa fee and the health surcharge.
- Book an appointment at a visa application centre in your country.
- Prepare and submit the required documents, such as your passport, CAS, proof of English language proficiency, and financial evidence.
- Attend your appointment and provide your biometric information, such as your fingerprints and photograph.
- Wait for the decision on your visa application and collect your passport and visa.
Settlement Visas:
To apply for this visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose the correct visa subcategory for your eligibility and relationship, such as spouse, partner, parent, child, or long residence.
- Visit the UKVI website to check the visa fees, the immigration health surcharge, and the processing times.
- Fill out the online application form and pay the visa fee and the health surcharge.
- Book an appointment at a visa application centre in your country.
- Prepare and submit the required documents, such as your passport, proof of identity, proof of relationship, proof of income, and proof of English language proficiency.
- Attend your appointment and provide your biometric information, such as your fingerprints and photograph.
- Wait for the decision on your visa application and collect your passport and visa.
Document Checklist and Preparation Tips
The documentation required for your UK visa application varies based on the specific visa for which you are applying, but they typically include the following items:
- A current passport or other travel documents with at least one blank page for your visa.
- A printed copy of your completed online application form, featuring a barcode.
- A printed confirmation of your scheduled biometric appointment.
- Two passport-sized colour photographs that conform to UKVI specifications.
- Evidence of your financial status, such as recent bank statements, salary slips, tax documents, or letters of sponsorship.
- Proof of your UK accommodations, like hotel reservations, lease agreements, or letters from hosts.
- Details of your travel itinerary, including plane tickets, train bookings, or tour reservations.
- Evidence supporting the intent and length of your stay in the UK, like employer letters, school enrollment forms, or organizational correspondence.
- Proof of ties to your home country, including property ownership, family records, or job contracts.
- Documentation of your proficiency in English, such as test scores, diplomas, or waivers.
- Depending on your visa type, additional documents may be required, like marriage certificates, birth records, criminal history, health examinations, or biometric residence cards. The complete checklist for each type of visa can be located on the UKVI website.
Here’s some advice for arranging your documentation:
- Ensure all documents are original, valid, and up to date; photocopies or digital copies are only acceptable if expressly permitted.
- A certified translation from a qualified linguist must accompany documents not written in English or Welsh.
- Sort and label your documents coherently and use a checklist to verify you have included everything needed.
- Avoid including unnecessary documents, as they might complicate or delay the processing of your application.
- Retain duplicates of all your submitted paperwork for personal records, as you won’t receive the originals back until after your application is finalized.
Biometric Appointment Process
After paying the visa fee online, you must book a biometric appointment at a visa application center (VAC) in your country within 90 days. You can find the nearest VAC on the UKVI website. You will give your fingerprints and a digital photo and submit your passport and documents. Your biometric data will be stored on your visa sticker and checked against databases.
Here are some tips for your biometric appointment:
- Be on time and bring your confirmation, passport, and documents. You may have to reschedule or pay more if you are late or miss it. Follow the VAC staff’s instructions and guidelines.
- Do not wear anything that may cover your face or affect your biometric data.
- Do not have any henna, tattoos, or markings on your fingers or hands.
- Do not bring food, drinks, devices, or large bags, as they may not be allowed.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Many applicants make mistakes that result in their applications being refused or delayed. These mistakes can cause frustration and disappointment. To avoid them, you should:
- Choose the right visa type and category for your purpose and situation. Read the guidance and eligibility criteria on the UKVI website carefully.
- Fill in the online application form correctly and completely. Check your answers for errors or inconsistencies. Provide all the required information and details.
- Provide enough and consistent evidence to support your claims and show your credibility and eligibility. Make sure your documents match your application form and each other.
- Never lie or hide anything on your application form or documents. This may lead to refusal or ban from the UK.
- Apply well in advance of your travel date, but not more than three months before. Check the visa processing times for your country and category. Plan accordingly.
- Follow the UKVI and VAC rules and procedures. Pay the fees, book the appointments, submit the documents, and provide the biometric data.
What Happens After You Apply
Once you’ve handed in your passport and other necessary documents at the biometric session, UKVI will begin to process your application. You can keep tabs on your application’s progress by using the tracking feature on the UKVI website or by reaching out to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) where you filed your application. The length of processing can differ based on factors such as your country, application type, and individual situation. It generally ranges from two weeks to a month.
Your application will culminate in one of three ways: approval, rejection, or return. Should your application be approved, you’ll be issued your passport with a visa label affixed, along with an explanatory letter outlining your visa’s conditions and duration. It’s important to examine both the visa label and the letter for any inaccuracies and promptly communicate any issues to UKVI or the VAC.
In the event your application is rejected, you’ll receive your passport back without a visa label and a letter detailing why it was turned down, along with information about your appeal rights or how to reapply. It’s crucial to review this letter thoroughly, comprehend the reasons given for the rejection, and consider whether to contest the decision or file a fresh application.
Should your application be returned to you, this means you’ll get your passport and documents back with a letter stating why it wasn’t processed and specifying your subsequent steps. Such a return could be due to your application being incomplete, incorrect, or non-qualifying, or because of a technical or clerical error. You should follow the directions provided in the letter and resubmit your application without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
A return means that your application was not processed due to some error or missing information, and you can resubmit it with the necessary corrections. A rejection means that your application was processed but denied based on the eligibility criteria, and you can either appeal the decision or reapply with new evidence.
The processing time for visa applications varies depending on the type of visa, the country of application, and the volume of applications. You can check the estimated processing times on the UKVI website or contact the VAC where you applied for more information.
If you notice any mistake on your visa label or letter, such as your name, date of birth, passport number, or visa type, you should request a correction from UKVI or the VAC as soon as possible. You may need to send your passport back to the issuing office for the correction to be made.
You may need a UK visa to visit, work, study, or settle in the UK. The UK visa application process varies depending on your stay’s purpose, duration, and eligibility. You must prepare well and follow the guidance to succeed in your application.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the UK visa application process step by step. We will cover the online application, document checklist, biometric appointment, common mistakes to avoid, and post-application procedures. By the end, you’ll understand how to apply for a UK visa and what to expect.
Conclusion
This article has explained the UK visa application process, from choosing the right visa type and filling out the online form to booking an appointment at a VAC and collecting your passport. It has also provided some tips and advice on how to prepare the required documents, pay the fees, and avoid common mistakes. You should always check your visa label and letter for errors and request a correction.
