Frequently Asked Questions
In this section you will find answers to many frequently asked questions about the visa application process.
Topics
- Applying for a visa
- Online application forms
- Access to online application system
- Online applications security
- Online payments
- Booking online appointments
- Biometric data collection
- Health (tuberculosis) screening
- After I get my visa
- Visa and immigration problems
Applying for a visa
- Long-term visit visas - what do I need to consider?
- How much does a UK visa cost?
- What are visa application centres?
- Can my friend or family member in the UK apply for my visa for me?
- Why may I need to attend an interview?
- What is 'biometric' information?
- What documents do I need to provide to make my application?
- Do I need a visa for the UK?
- What if I don't understand English?
- Can somebody else fill in my application form for me?
- Where can I apply for a visa for the UK?
- Can I come to live permanently in the UK?
- Where can I get application forms?
- How long does it take to get a UK visa?
Online application forms
- Can I save my application mid-way through the application process?
- I do not understand one of the questions. What can I do?
- I forgot to make a note at the end of my application of the supporting documents I should send with my application
- I made a mistake on one of my answers. Can I change it?
- The date I entered is not being accepted. What is the correct format?
- I am reviewing my application online and some answers do not display. What should I do?
- I have printed out my application and I have noticed that some answers that I have written do not display. What should I do?
- I was unable to or forgot to print my application when I got to the end of the application process
- I have not received my Visa4UK - Completed Application confirmation email. Can you resend it to me?
Access to online application system
- Can I fill in my visa application in a language other than English?
- Can I apply online for a visa for a destination other than the United Kingdom?
- Will I be able to access the online application system using my computer?
- My query is not answered by any of the FAQs. What can I do?
- How can I tell if the country I am in accepts online applications?
- What do I need to begin an online application?
Online applications security
- I forgot my GWF number and / or password. What can I do?
- Is submitting an online application safe?
- I am unable to retrieve my application. What can I do?
Online payments
- I applied and paid for my application twice. Can I get a refund on the application I will not be submitting?
- Can I get a refund?
- I attempted to pay online but my card was rejected. What should I do?
- I have received an email payment confirmation from WorldPay. Who are they?
- Can I pay for my visa application online?
Booking online appointments
- I cannot get an appointment before I am due to travel. What should I do?
- The calendar for appointments is greyed out. What does it mean?
- I am in a country that has more than one appointment location. How can I change my appointment location?
- I was unable to or forgot to print my appointment confirmation when I got to the end of the application process
Biometric data collection
- Who needs to provide biometric data?
- Why do I have to provide biometric data?
- Will I have to give my biometric data each time I apply for a visa?
- Will there be an extra charge for providing my finger scans and photograph?
- How long does it take to give my biometric data?
- Will I be able to provide my finger scans if any of my fingers are missing, injured or decorated?
- Are there restrictions on what I can wear for the digital photograph?
- What will happen if I refuse to have my finger scan or my photograph taken?
- Will my children have to submit their biometrics?
- What will happen if my religious beliefs do not allow me to have my finger scan or my photograph taken?
- Is the equipment used to take my finger scans safe?
- Who has access to my biometric data?
- How long will you keep my biometric data?
- Will you share my biometric data with anybody else?
- Where do I go to have my biometric data taken?
Health (tuberculosis) screening
- Where do I go to be tested and how much will the test cost?
- What will happen if I do not have TB?
- What will happen if I do have TB?
- Will I have to pay for treatment?
- Do I have to be tested for tuberculosis (TB)?
- I made my application before this requirement started. Do I need to take a test?
- Why do I have to be tested for TB?
- How will you test for TB?
- Will I have to pay for the second test after I am cured?
- I have TB and I have an urgent need to travel to the UK and cannot wait for six months. What can I do?
- What will happen if I refuse to take a TB test?
- Will I need to take my certificate with me to the UK?
- What about pregnant women?
- Is anyone exempt from this requirement?
After I get my visa
- Is it possible to transfer a visa from an expired passport
- I am already in the United Kingdom. Who should I contact for advice about immigration matters?
- How long can I stay?
- If my travel plans are delayed, can the expiry date of my visa be changed?
- What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
- Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK?
- Do I need to bring any documents with me to the UK?
- What do I do if my passport and visa are lost or stolen?
- Can I use the visa to enter the UK more than one time?
- What is the latest date that I can arrive in the UK with my visa?
Visa and immigration problems
- If I am refused, can I appeal against the decision?
- What if I am refused a UK visa?
- What if I have been refused entry to another country?
- What if I have been refused a visa for another country before?
See Also