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How to Apply for a Visitor Visa to visit the UK
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Unless you are a non-visa national i.e. you are visa-exempt, and you need to visit the UK, you will need to apply for a 'Visitor Visa' to enter the UK.
There are several types of visitor visas, each one permitting different/specific activities:
- A Standard Visitor Visa permits you to come to the UK for activities including tourism, visiting family and friends, conducting specific business activities (such as attending a meeting or conference), receiving medical treatment or for short term study. - This visa is also commonly known as a “Visit visa” or “Tourist visa.”
- A Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa allows certain professionals to come to the UK for a paid engagement by a UK-based organisation or client.
- A Marriage Visitor Visa gives you permission to get married/register a civil partnership, or give notice of a marriage or a civil partnership in the UK
- Visa to pass through the UK in transit is required to pass through the UK in transit (on route to another country).
As well as having a valid passport/travel document for the duration of your trip, the Home Office will also require you to sufficiently demonstrate that you are coming to the UK as a 'genuine visitor', which means that you will need to clearly evidence:
- That you will leave the UK when you finish your visit
- You have sufficient funds for your travel from and return to your home country
- You will be able to financially support yourself and your dependants during your stay
- You are not attempting to establish permanent residence in the UK or make it your primary residence by frequent or consecutive visits.
How do you prove that you meet the requirements?
You will demonstrate the above to the Entry Clearance Officer assessing your application, by submitting relevant documents to support your case.
One of the documents you may need to include is a 'letter of invitation', depending on the reason(s) for your visit to the UK.
The Stages of the UK Visitor Visa Application Process
The general process can be broken down in 5 stages:
- Complete the Application Form
- Submit your Application Form and Pay the Fees
- Book your Biometric Appointment
- Attend your Biometric Appointment and Submit your Supporting Documents
- Receiving the Decision on your Visa Application
How to Start the Application Process for UK Visitor Visa
All UK Visa applications must be made online. You can access the Main menu for the full list of Visitor visas on the GOV.UK website here.
Once you are in the page of the Visitor visa you wish to make, click on the relevant Link that says Apply for a.... from the Contents menu
On the next page, scroll down and click the 'Apply Now' button
Completing the Application Form
The application form is split into several sections and you must answer all of the questions on each page before you can move on.
A lot of the questions are self-explanatory, and you can always save your progress and come back to the form later on if you ever get stuck or need more time to obtain the respective information. (You will be asked for your email address and to set a password which you will need in order to resume your application when you log/sign out). Your form and answers will be stored up to 10 weeks which leaves you plenty of time to come back and complete it at your convenience.
Once you register, you will receive an email with your own unique link to resume your application at any time.
Submitting your Application and paying the fees
Once you are happy that you have completed your application form correctly and are ready to submit, you must then make the payment for the UKVI Fee. You will receive an email receipt for the payment.
Booking your Biometric Appointment
The next step is to book the biometric appointment at your nearest UK visa centre by clicking the button 'Provide documents and biometrics. This will then take you to the 3rd Party company website which operates the visa centres in your country. The site may ask you to type some information in order to register/log in, such as the GWF number of the application form which you will find on the front page of the application form (when you download the completed pdf file).
Attending the Biometric Appointment and Submit Supporting Documents
You have the option to upload your supporting documents electronically on the Third Party’s platform. If you choose this option, you will need to upload all of your documents before you attend your biometric appointment. In most cases, you also have the option to have your supporting documents scanned when you attend your appointment at the visa centre.
Receiving the Decision on the Visitor Visa Application
The Home Office will usually acknowledge receipt of the application by sending an email. This confirms your biometric information and your supporting documents have been received by the UKVI electronically for them to assess your application.
You should receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks from the date of submission. If you purchased the Priority Visa Service (which is subject to availability at the visa centre you will b applying from), you should receive a decision within 5 working days.
The UKVI will send a notification email/sms message confirming that a decision has been made. The visa centre that you attended will also send an email to confirm that your passport is ready to be collected. When you attend, you will receive back your passport and the decision letter from the UKVI (sometimes the letter is only sent via email). If the visa has been granted your passport will have the visa stamp (vignette) which is usually valid for a maximum period of 6 months (depending on the type of visitor visa you applied for).
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While every effort has been made to ensure that the information and law contained in this article is accurate and current as of the date of publication, we accept no responsibility for its accuracy or for any loss or damages arising from accessing, or the reliance, of this guidance.
Please also note that the information does not represent a complete statement of the Law and does not constitute legal advice.
If you would like specific professional advice about your UK immigration matter, please consider booking a consultation or one of my other legal services.
Making a UK Visa or Settlement application can be a stressful experience, and whilst there is a lot of ‘free’ information online, finding clear expert guidance that is up to date, and in line with your specific requirements can be a daunting task.
If you have any concerns about your case, it is recommended to reach out for advice from a trusted legal professional.
