Welcome to the UK Visa Application Guide Part 3, your comprehensive resource for understanding the steps involved in applying for a visa to the United Kingdom.
Whether you’re looking to work, study, or visit, this guide will walk you through each stage of the application process, from choosing the right visa to proving your identity and receiving a decision on your application.
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
Contents
- Choose a visa
- Prepare your application
- Prove your identity
- Getting a decision on your application
Prove Your Identity
When you apply for a visa to come to the UK, you must prove your identity and provide documents demonstrating your eligibility. The process you follow will depend on your nationality and the type of passport you hold.
You will be required to either:
- Attend an appointment at a visa application centre
- Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app
You will be informed which method applies to you when you start your application.
If You Need to Attend a Visa Application Centre
Visa application centres are managed by external providers. You will receive a link to their website where you can book an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
Booking Your Appointment
You may need to travel to reach the nearest visa application centre, which could be located in another country.
It is essential to prove your identity within 240 days of submitting your application online. If you fail to do so, you will need to start a new application.
Visa application centres generally offer two options:
- A standard service
- Optional paid services (these do not influence the success of your application)
Children Under 16
- Children under 16 must attend the appointment with an accompanying adult (over 18).
- Children under 5 must attend to have their photograph taken, although they are not required to give fingerprints.
Standard Services
Most visa application centres offer free appointments. However, in some locations, standard appointments cost £76.50. You may opt to travel to a different centre that offers free appointments, but you will need to bear your own travel expenses.
You may also have the option to:
- Upload your supporting documents online before your appointment
- Bring your documents to the appointment to have them scanned for a fee
The document checklist in your application will specify what you need to provide.
Extra Optional Services
Some centres offer additional paid services, such as:
- Scanning your documents for you
- Allowing you to retain your passport while your application is processed
These services are optional and do not affect the outcome of your application.
If You Applied for Someone Else
The applicant must attend the appointment to provide their biometric information and supporting documents. They will also need to sign their application form to confirm its accuracy.
If You Need to Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ Smartphone App
If applicable, you will be asked to download the app to scan your identity document and submit a digital photo of your face.
You must also upload supporting documents online as part of your application. The document checklist will guide you on what to provide.
If You Applied for Someone Else
The applicant must use the app to prove their identity.
Once you’ve successfully submitted your visa application and provided the necessary supporting documents, the next step is to wait for a decision from the Home Office. During this phase, you will receive updates on the outcome of your application.
Whether your application is approved or refused, it’s important to understand the process that follows and how to proceed based on the decision made.
This section will guide you through what to expect once your application is under review and the steps to take after you receive a decision.
Getting a Decision on Your Application
You will receive a letter or email from the Home Office notifying you of their decision on your visa application. This correspondence will outline what steps to take next.
If You Have Not Received a Notification
Check your spam or junk email folder.
If Your Application Is Successful
You will receive either:
- A sticker (vignette) in your passport if you provided biometric information at a visa application centre
- An online record of your immigration status (eVisa)
The vignette or eVisa will include:
- The type of visa granted (e.g., Student visa)
- The validity period of your visa
- The conditions of your visa
Your Visa Conditions
Your visa will outline what you can and cannot do in the UK. For instance:
- No access to public funds: You cannot claim benefits.
- No work: You are not permitted to work in the UK.
- Restricted work: You can only work for your sponsor.
Getting Your Vignette
If the visa application centre retained your passport, they will either:
- Mail it to you with the vignette
- Request that you collect it in person
If you retained your passport, you will need to take it to the visa application centre to collect your vignette.
Correcting Errors in Your Vignette
If you spot an error in your vignette before traveling to the UK, contact the visa application centre immediately.
If the error is noticed after you arrive in the UK, report it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within three months. Failure to do so will require a new application.
Getting an eVisa
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status. You can:
- View your immigration details online
- Share your status with others, such as employers or educational institutions
Some government organizations and public authorities, such as UK border control, will have access to your immigration status information.
Getting a Biometric Residence Permit
You will need to collect a biometric residence permit (BRP) if all of the following apply:
- You received a decision before 31 October 2024
- You were issued a vignette
- You are staying in the UK for more than six months
You must collect the BRP either:
- Before your vignette expires
- Within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later
Choose a collection location during your application process.
Checking for Errors in Your BRP
Verify the details on your BRP upon receiving it. If your name appears truncated, it is not an error but a result of limited space on the card. However, report any spelling mistakes within 10 days of collecting your BRP.
You need to report any errors in your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.
If Your Application Is Refused
You will receive a letter or email explaining why your application was unsuccessful.
Your passport, if retained during the process, will be returned. The refusal letter will also inform you whether you have the right to:
By following this process and ensuring accuracy, you can complete your visa application with confidence.