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- What is a visa?
A visa (or entry clearance) is a certificate that is put into
your passport or travel document that gives you permission to
enter the United Kingdom (UK). On arrival in the UK a Border Force
officer may check that you are here for the reasons you have stated.
Passengers will also have their fingerprints scanned at border
control to verify that the individual entering the UK is the same
person who gave their biometric data when they applied for their
visa. For more information about what you might expect on arrival
in the UK please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
- When to apply
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months in advance of your intended
date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly advised not
to confirm their travel arrangements to come to the UK until they
have received their visa.
- How to apply
There are 8 steps to complete the visa application process. You
are advised to read through the application steps set out below
before you make your visa application so you are clear about the
procedure and requirements.
Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
Use the 'Do I need a visa' guide on the UK Border Agency website to see
if you need a visa. If you need a visa you should follow the steps
outlined below.
Step 2 - Read the information on your visa
category
Before you decide to apply for a visa please make sure you familiarize
yourself with the information on the visa category you are applying
for. Quick links to information on visa categories and other helpful
information can be found on the 'Visa
Information' page on this website. You may also want to read
the Immigration
Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements.
Step 3 - Complete your visa application form
You should submit 1 visa application for each individual applying
for a visa, including children. Please ensure that you select
the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit
You should complete your visa application form in English using the online visa application system.
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Online visa application form
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Please ensure that you select the correct visa application
for the purpose of your visit. Ensure that you complete
all the sections correctly |
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Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application.
The information in this section must be completed
accurately. |
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Please print all the pages of the visa application
form and bring it to the visa application centre.
You should print your completed visa application form
on good quality paper and ensure that the information
does extend beyond the margins on the paper. |
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Please make sure the bar code appears on the final
page of your printed visa application form and remember
to sign it. |
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After you have saved and submitted your online application, you will receive an email with a unique application ID number that starts with GWF. Keep your ID number for future reference.
The online visa application with a unique ID number can be used only once If you wish to submit another application you are required to complete a new online visa application. |
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Step 4 - Prepare your documents
Supporting documents
Please see the 'Supporting Document
& Checklists' page on this website. The checklists are a guide
to applicants; they are not intended to be a complete list of
required documents. Applicants must submit as much evidence as
they can of their personal circumstances.
Original documents
You must provide original documents with a photocopy
of each original document you are submitting. Your original documents
might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies
of the originals. Failure to submit original documents may mean
your application is delayed or refused. The visa application centre
has photocopying facilities available
(fee payable) for your convenience.
Translations
If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your
visa application you should provide translations of any supporting
documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need
to be submitted with the original document for verification. All
translated documents must include the following information: -
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confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate
translation of the original document |
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the date of the translation |
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the translator's full name and signature |
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the translator's contact details |
You should submit the following :-
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A valid passport or refugee travel document that contains
at least 1 blank page on both sides so the visa can be inserted.
Your passport should be signed by you and the name and signature
should correspond to the details given on your visa application
form. |
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Previous passport/s (if applicable). |
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Your completed, signed and dated visa application form. |
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Your visa application fee |
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Supporting documents relevant to the category you are
applying for with copy of each original document and translations. |
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1 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour
photograph of yourself. The photograph should be: |
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Taken against a light grey or cream background.
It should be in sharp focus, clear and of good quality,
free from shadows. |
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Printed on normal photographic paper. |
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Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn
for religious or medical reasons. The subject should
have their mouth closed (and not smile, frown or raise
eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forwarding,
looking straight ahead. |
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The photograph should be a recent true likeness
and taken within the last 6 months. |
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More information on photograph
requirements can be found on the UK
Border Agency website. The visa application centre offers
a photograph service (fee payable)
that meets UK Border Agency photograph requirements. Please see
the 'Additional Services' page on
this website for more information.
Please note: The UK Border Agency will retain your passport
until they have reached a decision on your visa application. Please
bear this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements,
particularly if you plan to visit other countries before going
to the UK.
Child visas
The
UK Border Agency has a Code of Practice for keeping children safe
from harm. To issue a visa to a child under 18, the visa officer
must be satisfied that their application meets the requirements
of the Immigration Rules and that adequate arrangements have been
made for their care in the United Kingdom. Children can travel
accompanied or unaccompanied. If they are travelling on an accompanied
visa, the name and passport number of up to 2 adults travelling
with them will be written on their visa. The child will then have
to travel with one or other of those when they go to the UK. The
child's visa application should also contain: -
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The full address where the child will be staying. |
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The name of the person who the child will be staying with. |
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The necessary signed consent forms from both parents. |
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The name and passport number of the person accompanying
them to the UK (if applicable). |
Step 5 - Schedule an appointment
You are advised to make an appointment to visit the visa application
centre in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Having an appointment will
help you reduce your waiting time as you will have a pre-booked
slot to submit your visa application. Please see the 'Schedule
an Appointment' page on this website for more information
on how to make an appointment.
If you need to change your appointment please remember to cancel
your original appointment.
If you attend the visa application centre without an appointment you will be required to use the premium lounge at an additional cost but you should bear in mind that you may have to wait as customers with appointments will take priority. At peak times and during our busy season you may have to wait a long time. Please see the 'Contact Us' page on this website for information on the visa application centre hours of operation.
Step 6 - Visit the visa application centre
All visa applicants (apart from exempt
categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at
the visa application centre to submit
their biometric data. Although exempt categories and children
under 5 do not need to attend the visa application centre, they
will need to complete a visa application form. If you refuse to
submit your biometric
data, your visa application cannot be processed.
You should remember to bring all of the documents set out in Step
4, any further documents you think will support your visa
application and your visa application
fee.
Important note: You will not be able to submit further
documents after you have submitted your application at the visa
application. The documents you submit at the time you made your
application are the only documents that can be considered. Documents
cannot be sent later by post, fax or email.
Biometric data collection
Biometric
data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all 10 digits)
and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure uses an electronic
scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You should ensure that your
fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example,
henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect
your ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Your digital photograph
must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted
spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or
medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair
across the eyes. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit
your biometric data.
Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult when
giving their biometric data; this cannot be a member of the visa
application centre staff. Biometric data cannot be taken for visa
applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied.
Step 7 - Wait for a decision
Wait for a decision on your visa application. Please refer to
the 'Guide to Processing Times'
page on this website for more information on our processing times
in United Arab Emirates. You can use this information as a guide
to our recent performance, although it cannot be used as a guarantee
of your individual visa application processing time. Visa applications
are assessed individually and processing times may vary. You can
use the free 'Track
your Application' facility on this website, or you can use
the SMS text service (fee payable)
to receive texts about the progress of your visa application.
Cancellation withdrawal & passport return
If you wish to cancel your visa application and withdraw your
passport; a written request needs to be submitted to the visa
application centre. You can download the withdrawal form here,
or you can get one from the visa application centre. The UK Border
Agency aims to return your passport and supporting documents within
1 - 2 working days of receiving your application withdrawal request.
The visa application fee is non-refundable if you have submitted
your biometric data.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. UK Border
Agency visa staff reserves the right to make a decision on your
visa application based on the information and documents you submitted.
It is essential that you submit all the relevant documents with
your visa application. If an interview is required you will be
offered the first available interview date. Children aged between
10 and 14 may be interviewed, but this would only be in the presence
of a responsible adult. Children aged over 14 may be interviewed
alone.
Step 8 - Collect the decision on your visa
VFS will inform you when your documents are ready for collection.
You can collect the decision on your visa and documents from the
visa application centre where you submitted your visa application. Please see the 'Contact Us'
page on this website for more information on collection times.
A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf.
Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter
signed by you and proof of their identity. You can also have your
documents returned by courier service
(fee payable). Please see the 'Additional
Services' page on this website for more information about
courier services.
If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make sure
that:
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your personal details are correct |
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it correctly states the purpose for which you want to
come to the UK, and |
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it is valid for the date on which you want to travel.
(You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months
if you do not plan to travel immediately). |
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact
the visa application centre immediately
If you have any questions please visit see the 'Frequently
Asked Questions' page on the UK Border Agency website.
Using agents and fraud
You may decide to use an independent travel agent, immigration
agent or consultant to help you prepare your visa application.
These agents will charge for their services.
You should be careful when dealing with agents who make unrealistic
claims. Agents cannot guarantee that they will be able to obtain
a work or study visa for you. They cannot guarantee that your
application will be resolved without an interview. They cannot
guarantee the outcome of a visa application. They may be cheating
you if they make these claims.
Many agents charge exorbitant fees for their services - often
many times the actual cost of the visa. If an agent charges you
anything more than a small and reasonable service charge, they
may be overcharging you or they may be supplying you with false
documents and statements. Visa officers will detect false documents
and statements, and your visa application will be refused. If
you provide false information, documents or passports in support
of your visa application, you will be refused a visa and all future
applications could be refused for up to 10 years. You may also
be prosecuted and could face a fine or even go to prison.
Remember the visa application is your application. You are the
owner of the information and any supporting documentation. A genuine
agent will only be able to help you to complete the form and advise
you what supporting documents you need to include. If you are
suspicious, take advice from VFS. If you consider that you have
been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should report the
matter to the police.
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