Do I need a visa for the UK?
Certain nationalities, known as visa nationals, need
to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. Even if
you are not a visa national, you may need a visa to
enter the UK depending on the reason for travel. Use
Do
I Need a Visa? to find out if you need a visa.
Can I take my domestic servants on holiday to
the UK?
Yes you can, but there are certain requirements placed
on them by the United Kingdom Immigration Rules. The
most important being that the domestic servant must
have worked in the employer's household for 12 months
or so prior to the UK visa application. For more information
on the Immigration Rules you should check the UK
Border Agency guidance on Domestic Worker Visas.
My old passport has expired but my UK visa is
still valid - what do I need to do?
Your UK visa remains valid. If you wish to transfer
it into your new passport you will need to submit an
application form under the name "Transfer" to transfer
the visa. There is a fee applicable for this service,
please refer to the visa fee page of this website for
the details.
Can my secretary or agent submit my visa application
for me?
No. They can assist in filling out your application
and making an appointment for you. It would be your
responsibility to check for the accuracy and correctness
of the details filled in the application form. You would
have to be present at the visa application centre to
submit your application and to give your Biometrics.
Can my friend or family member in the UK apply
for my visa for me?
Visas for the UK can be issued only at the UK Border
Agency overseas. If you need a visa, you must get it
before you travel to the UK.
Will I be able to provide finger scans if any
of my fingers are missing, injured or decorated with
henna?
If any of your fingers are missing you can still provide
scans of your remaining fingers. We will make a note
of this. If you have cut or damaged your fingertips
we will not be able to take your fingerscans and you
may have to return when your injury has healed.
Some temporary decorations such as henna can cause finger
scans to be less clear. We will try to take finger scans
but if we cannot get a clear impression you will need
to either remove the decoration or return when it has
faded.
Will my children need to have their fingers scanned?
Children over the age of 5 will need to have their fingers
scanned and photographs taken. Children under 5 do not
need to have their fingers scanned or a live photograph
taken - they require only the recent photograph attached
to their visa application form. Children under 5 therefore
do not need to present themselves at the visa application
centre. Children between 5 and 16 will need to have
a responsible adult present with them at the visa application
centre when their biometrics are enrolled.
Can I study in the UK?
The UK welcomes overseas nationals who wish to study
in the UK. For more information on how to apply for
a visa to study in the UK, see the Student
Information Leaflet. The British Council website
also gives advice and guidance
Can I work in the UK?
Visitors are not allowed to work in the UK. The majority
of people coming to the UK to work need a work permit.
Our Work
Permit Information Leaflet contains more information.
How long will my visa be valid for?
The period for which your visa is valid is shown on
the visa. A standard visit visa is usually valid for
6 months, but we also issue visit visas that are valid
for 1, 2 5 or 10 years. The visa officer will decide
what validity to give you. Longer term visas are usually
only issued to those with a verified travel history
to the UK and we recommend that if you are travelling
for the first time you should apply and pay for a 6
month visa. All visit visas can be used for an unlimited
number of entries to the UK. You may stay a maximum
of 6 months on each visit, or to the expiry date of
the visa, whichever is shorter. If you are coming for
another reason, the validity of the visa and how long
you may stay is dependent on the reason.
If you do not plan to travel immediately, you can ask
for the start date to be deferred by up to 3 months.
You must tell the visa officer this when you make your
application.
How long will it take to get my visa?
For straightforward applications the UK Border Agency
aims to process visa applications within 2 to 5 working
days.
Non-straightforward applications (for example - where
an applicant has not visited the UK before or in the
last 2 years) take longer, particularly when the visa
officer needs to make additional checks or enquiries.
The UK Border Agency aims to process non-straightforward
applications within 15 working days: there are occasions
when the process may take longer.
Decisions will be available for collection from the
visa application centre from 15:00. You can choose to
sign up for our SMS messaging service for an additional
fee and receive a text on your mobile phone as soon
as your passport is ready to be collected at the application
centre you can also choose to have your decision returned
to your home or office by courier for an additional
fee. Please ask at the submission desk for these services
when you submit your application.
Will you take electronic finger scans if I apply
for a Commonwealth visa?
No. We will only take biometric data from those applying
for UK visas.
After I get my visa
Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK?
You should not experience any problems, on your arrival
in the UK, providing that:
- You have given the visa officer all information relevant
to your visit to the UK.
- You have not, with or without your knowledge, given
false information to support your application.
- There has been no change to your circumstances, or
reasons for going to the UK, since the visa was issued.
What is the latest date I can arrive in the UK
with my visa?
The expiry date will be shown on the visa, but remember
that this is also the last day on which you are permitted
to stay in the UK.
How long can I stay?
The last day on which you may enter or be in the UK
is the expiry date on the visa. For visitors, this is
normally a maximum of 6 months.
Can I use the visa to enter the UK more than one
time?
UK visas are usually valid for multiple entries to the
UK, until the expiry date shown on the visa.
If my travel plans are delayed, can the validity
of my visa be changed?
No, except where there are compelling compassionate
circumstances. At the discretion of a visa officer,
the expiry date of a visa can be extended for up to
3 months, provided there has been no change in your
circumstances. Otherwise you should apply for another
visa.
What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
A visa is normally issued for a specific purpose. If
your reason for going to the UK changes, you should
inform the visa office, preferably the one that issued
your visa. You may need to make another visa application.
Do I need to bring any documents with me?
When you arrive in the UK an immigration officer may
ask you to show evidence of your reasons for coming
to the UK. This may include travel tickets, evidence
of funding, letters from your sponsor or businesses
you are visiting, or a school you will study at. You
should bring copies of documents that you submitted
with your visa application.
Can I extend my stay in the UK?
If you are a visa national visiting the UK, you are
not allowed to extend your stay or change from being
a visitor to another category. People coming to the
UK for other reasons may be allowed to extend their
stay.
Visa and immigration problems
What if I am refused a UK visa?
If your application is refused, the visa officer will
give you a written notice clearly explaining the decision,
which will also tell you if you have the right of appeal.
Who can I contact if I need to talk to someone
about my refusal?
Your refusal notice will explain why your application
has been refused. If you have a refusal reference you
can contact the UK Border Agency through the visa application
centre at info.ukom@vfshelpline.com.
If I am refused, can I appeal against the decision?
If your application is refused, the visa officer will
give you a written notice clearly explaining the decision,
which will also tell you what right you may have to
appeal against that decision. Your refusal notice will
tell you how to do this.
