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- FAQs
Applying For A Visa
- 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 an entry clearance,
depending on the reason for coming to the UK. 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 UKvisas
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 visas remains valid. If you want to transfer
it into your new passport you will need to submit an
application on form VAF1 to transfer the visa. There
is currently no cost for this service and no requirement
to give your Biometrics (so your secretary or agent
could submit this application on your behalf).
- Can my secretary or agent submit my visa application
for me?
Yes they can. They should, however, make an appointment
for you to present yourself at the VAC and 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 UK Embassies
/ Consulates 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 finger-scans 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 VAC. Children
between 5 and 16 will need to have a responsible adult
present with them at the VAC 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 or queries on how to apply for a visa to
study in the UK, see the attachment
and 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
six 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 three months.
You must tell the entry clearance officer this when
you make your application.
- How long does it take to get a UK visa?
For straightforward applications the Embassy aims to make a decision within 24 hrs ,however it may take more time if the embassy requires for the assessment.
Non-straightforward applications may take up to 15 working days. As a general rule applications for anything other than a visit visa, and those from applicants who have not visited the UK before will be non-straightforward and are likely to take longer than 24 hours. Decisions will be available for collection from the VAC from 1630 hrs on the working day after you submit your application. You can also choose to have your decision returned to your home our office by courier for an additional fee. You can choose to sign up for our SMS service which will send you a message to your mobile as soon as your passport is back at the Application Centre ready for collection. Please ask at the submission desk when you make 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.
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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.
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Visa & 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 Visa Section through the Visa Application
Centre at info.ukkw@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.
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