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Visitors (INF 2)

Guidance - Visitors (INF 2)
Last updated 03 April 2009

This guidance explains what you will need to do if you want to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) as a visitor, and what the Immigration Rules say. It is only a guide but it aims to answer some common questions. If you need to pass through the UK in transit to another country, please read our Transit (INF 20) guidance for more information.

Important!
Changes to visa requirements introduced on 3rd March 2009 will affect: holders of Taiwanese, South African and Jamaican passports.

Guidance

Further information

 

How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a visitor?

In general, you must show that:

  • you want to visit the UK for no more than six months;
  • you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, and
  • you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing help from public funds.

 

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What is a visa?

A visa is a vignette that is applied for in advance of travel and which gives you permission   to enter the UK.

If you have a valid UK visa we will not normally refuse you entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or did not tell us important facts when you applied for your visa.

When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration Officer may ask you questions, so take  any  documents that are relevant to your visit in your hand luggage.

 

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Do I need a visa to visit the UK?

You will need a visa to visit the UK if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are a national of one of the countries listed in the visa and transit visa nationals page on this website;
  • you are applying to visit the UK in order to get married;
  • you are applying as an Academic Visitor and intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months;
  • you are applying as a parent of a child at school and intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months;
  • you are applying as a Prospective Student;
  • you are stateless (you do not have a nationality);
  • you hold a non-national travel document (a travel document which does not give you the nationality of the country that issued it), or
  • you hold a passport issued by an authority that is not recognised in the UK.

 

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How long can I stay in the UK as a visitor?

Visitors can stay in the UK for a maximum of six months at any one time.  The only two exceptions to this rule are Academic Visitors and the parents of children at school who can stay for up to 12 months.

 

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General visitors: Visiting family, friends or as a tourist

If you want to visit family or friends in the UK or to come as a tourist you should apply as a general visitor. To visit the UK in this capacity you must be able to show that:

  • you intend to visit the UK for no more than six months;
  • you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, and
  • you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds.

 

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Business visitors

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 46G-46L

If you are employed abroad but want to visit the UK for short periods to undertake business related activities you may be eligible to do so as a business visitor. Anyone wishing to visit the UK as a business visitor should:

  • be based abroad and not intend to transfer their base to the UK, even temporarily; and
  • receive their salary from abroad, although it is acceptable for them to receive reasonable travel and subsistence expenses whilst in the UK; and
  • not be involved in selling goods or services direct to members of the public.

What types of people can be treated as business visitors?

  • Film crews (including actors, producers, directors and technicians) on locations shoots only, provided they are employed or paid by an overseas company or programme;
  • Representatives of overseas news media provided they are employed or paid by an overseas company and are gathering information for an overseas publication;
  • Academic visitors (see below)
  • Visiting professors accompanying students on study abroad programmes (see below)
  • Secondees from overseas companies who have a contract with a UK company, provided they are being paid by the overseas company;
  • Religious workers  undertaking preaching or pastoral work during a business visit (e.g. to attend a conference), provided their base is abroad and they are not taking up office, post or appointment (see below);
  • Advisers, consultants, trainers or trouble shooters employed abroad by the same company to which the client firm in the UK belongs, provided this does not amount to employment paid or unpaid for the UK branch;
  • Persons undertaking specific, one-off training provided by their own company, or a branch of it in the UK, in techniques and work practices used in the UK, provided this is not on-the job training.

In addition, those intending to carry out any of the following permissible activities are considered business visitors:

  • Attending meetings or conferences;
  • Arranging deals, negotiating or signing trade agreements, contracts, etc;
  • Undertaking fact-finding missions, e.g journalists on a short assignment to cover a story;
  • Conducting site visits;
  • Purchasing, checking details of or examining goods;
  • Delivering goods from abroad, such as lorry drivers and coach drivers provided they are genuinely working an international route;
  • Attending interviews, where prior arrangements for interview have been made;
  • Tour group couriers contracted to a firm outside the UK seeking entry to accompany a tour group and who intend to leave with that group;
  • Speaking at a conference where this is not run as a commercial concern and it is a 'one-off' event;
  • Interpreters or translators who are existing employees of an overseas company and who are accompanying and solely providing a service for business visitors from that company;
  • Representatives of computer software companies coming to install, debug or enhance their products. Representatives coming to be briefed on a UK customer’s requirements is also acceptable. But representatives who intend to provide a detailed assessment of a potential customer’s needs should enter under the Points Based System (PBS) (Tier 2) because this is regarded as consultancy;
  • Representatives of foreign manufacturers coming to service or repair their company’s products within their initial period of guarantee;
  • Representatives of foreign machine manufacturers coming to erect and install machinery too heavy to be delivered in one piece, as part of the contract of purchase and supply;
  • Monteurs – representatives of foreign companies coming to erect, dismantle, install, service, repair or advise on the development of foreign-made machinery;
  • Board level directors attending board meetings in the UK, provided that they are not employed by a UK company, although there may be a fee for attending the meetings.

How long can I stay as a business visitor?
In line with general visitors, the maximum permitted stay as a business visitor is six months. If you often visit the UK, you can apply for a visa that is valid for one, two, five or ten years. You can then visit the UK as often as you like while your visa is still valid, but you can only stay for up to six months on each visit.

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Business visitors: Academic visitors

If you wish to come to the UK as an Academic visitor you can do so provided you are either:

  • a person on sabbatical leave from an overseas academic institution who wishes to make use of their leave to carry out research here (e.g to do research for a book)

NB. Those who are on sabbatical leave from private research companies are not eligible for leave under the academic visitor provisions.

or

  • an academic (including doctors) taking part in formal exchange arrangements with United Kingdom counterparts; or
  • an eminent senior doctor or dentist coming to take part in research, teaching or clinical practice.

In addition you must:

  • not receive funding for your work from any United Kingdom source (payments of expenses or reasonable honoraria may be disregarded, as may payments on an exchange basis);
  • not engage in any work other than the academic activity for which you are being admitted;
  • not be filling a normal post or a genuine vacancy;
  • not stay in the UK for more than 12 months;
  • not intend to take employment in the UK;
  • intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
  • be able to maintain yourself and any dependants without having recourse to public funds (or be adequately maintained and accommodated by relatives or friends);
  • be able to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK.

How long can I stay in the UK as an Academic Visitor?
The maximum permitted stay in this category is 12 months.


 

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Business visitors: Doctors coming for Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Test (PLAB)

If you are a doctor wishing to come to the UK to sit the PLAB test, you will need to satisfy the normal visitor requirements and in addition show that:

  • you are a graduate from a bona fide medical school and intend to sit the PLAB Test; and
  • you can provide documentary proof of a confirmed test date or of your eligibility to apply to sit the test; and
  • you do not intend to take employment whilst in the UK.

 You will need to complete the VAF 2 application form if you want to apply to come to the UK to undertake a PLAB test.

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Business visitors: Doctors undertaking clinical attachments. Dentists undertaking clinical observer posts

If you wish to visit the UK in either of these capacities you must:

  • be a graduate from a bona fide medical or dental school; and
  • provide documentary evidence of a clinical attachment or dental observer post which:
       (a) Will involve observation only and not treatment of patients
       (b) Will be unpaid;
  • meet  the general visitor requirements of the Rules relating to visitors including:
       • that you will be able to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds; and
       • that you do not intend to take up employment whilst in the UK.

How long will I be allowed to stay in the UK on a clinical attachment or as a dental observer?
You will be allowed initially to stay for 6 weeks, but may apply for further six week extensions to the UK Border Agency up to a maximum stay of 6 months.

You will need to complete the VAF 2 application form if you want to apply to come the UK to undertake a clinical attachment or dental observer post. 

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Business visitors: Visiting professors accompanying students undertaking study abroad programmes

If you are a professor or teacher from an overseas academic institution and you wish to come to the UK to accompany overseas students on study abroad programmes you can do so as a business visitor. Whilst in the UK, you may undertake a small amount of teaching, limited to the institution hosting the students you are supervising but must be employed and paid by the overseas academic institution and must not intend to base yourself or seek employment in the UK.

 

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Business visitors: Religious workers

If you are a religious worker coming to the UK for a business visit (e.g to attend a conference) and undertake some preaching or pastoral work during the visit you may come to the UK as a business visitor provided that you are based abroad and do not intend to take up an office, post or appointment in the UK.

If you are coming to the UK to fill a vacancy as a religious worker for a recognised religion, and will be undertaking preaching and pastoral work you will need to qualify under Tier 2 – Ministers of Religion – of the Points Based System.

 

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Sports visitors

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 46M - 46R

You should apply under the new sports visitor category if you are coming to the UK as a sportsperson for any of the following purposes:

  • a specific event, tournament, or series of events as individual competitors or as members of an overseas team (e.g. for a tour).  This includes charity events, exhibition matches etc;
  • as an amateur coming to join and amateur team;
  • personal appearances and promotions such as book signings, television interviews, negotiating contracts or to discuss sponsorship deals;
  • a trial provided that the trial is not in front of an audience, either paying or non-paying;
  • short periods of training, whether as an individual or as part of a team.

Examples include:

  • Persons coming for championships such as the British Open Golf or Wimbledon;
  • Touring rugby, football or cricket teams;
  • Boxers coming for one fight.

You may also apply as a sports visitor if you are:

  • a member of the technical or support staff of amateur or professional sportspeople, and you are attending the UK with them for the same event or series of events; or
  • an official attending the same event or series of events as the sportperson/people, e.g as an umpire.

 

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Entertainer visitors

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 46S-46X

The new entertainer visa has been designed for those coming to the UK for a short time to take part in certain major arts festivals, music competitions and charity events.

You may apply as an entertainer visitor if you are:

  • A professional entertainer coming to take part in a music competition;
  • An internationally famous person coming to the UK to take part in broadcasts or public appearances, provided you are not being paid;
  • Coming to the UK for an audition provided this is not performed in front of an audience (either paying or non-paying);
  • An amateur entertainer seeking entry as an individual performer for a specific engagement;
  • amateur entertainers seeking entry as part of a group, such as a choir or youth orchestra coming for a specific engagement;
  • A professional entertainer taking part in a charity concert or show where the organisers are not making a profit and you are receiving no fee;
  • An amateur or professional entertainer taking part in a cultural event sponsored by a government or recognised international organisation, or at a major arts festival;
  • A member of the technical or support staff of amateur or professional entertainers,  who are attending for the same event.  Examples of such staff include  dieticians, bodyguards and press officers;
  • An official attending the same event as the entertainer.  Examples include choreographers, stage managers and designers.

 

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Special visitors

Special visitors are a distinct group of different kinds of visitors as outlined in the following paragraphs.

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Special visitors: Visitors for private medical treatment

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 51 - 56

You can apply for a visit visa to travel to the UK for private medical treatment. You must be able to show that you:

  • have made suitable arrangements for the necessary private consultation or treatment;
  • have enough money to pay for the treatment;
  • have enough money to support yourself and live without working or getting any help from public funds while you are in the UK, and
  • intend to leave the UK at the end of your treatment.

We may also ask you to provide the following:

  • A doctor’s letter giving details of your medical condition and the treatment you need.
  • Confirmation that you have made suitable arrangements for the private consultation or treatment and how long the treatment will last.
  • Evidence that you can afford to pay for the consultation and treatment.

We may also ask you to give an undertaking (in other words, a formal agreement) that you will pay for the consultation and treatment.

Can I stay more than six months for medical treatment?
If you need to stay longer than six months to complete your medical treatment you can apply to the UK Border Agency. They will charge a non-refundable fee for any extension application.

You are not allowed to enter or stay in the UK to receive treatment on the National Health Service (NHS). You must make sure that you have enough medical insurance for the whole of your stay.

 

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Special visitors: Visitors coming to get married

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 56D - 56F

Can I get married or register a civil partnership in the UK?
If either you or your future husband, wife or civil partner are not EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss nationals, you can visit the UK together to get married or register a civil partnership as long as you intend to leave the country within six months.  If you wish to marry and live in the UK please see Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4).

Everyone coming to the UK to get married or to register a civil partnership (except EEA and Swiss nationals) must get a visit for marriage or visit for civil partnership visa.

You will need to show evidence that you plan to enter into a marriage or civil partnership during the period for which you are granted leave (which will be for six months).

You can get married or register a civil partnership in any location licensed for the purpose of marriage or civil partnerships. Once you are both in the UK you will need to give official notice of your marriage or civil partnership at a designated register office. If you are a non-EEA or Swiss national you will have to show your entry clearance or certificate of approval to do this. You can get more information about marriage or civil partnerships and register offices from the General Register Offices:
England and Wales - www.gro.gov.uk
Scotland – www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Northern Ireland – www.groni.gov.uk

 

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Special visitors: Parents of children at school in the UK

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 56A-56C

You will qualify to come to the UK in this capacity if you meet the general visitor requirements 41(ii) – (xii) as set out in Paragraphs 41 of the Immigration Rules and if all of the following apply:

  • Your child is attending and independent fee paying school
  • Your child is under 12 years of age
  • You are not seeking to make the UK your main home.

 

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Special visitors: Child visitors

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 46A-46F
If a child visitor is travelling to the UK without an adult (someone over the age of 18) you will need to provide:

  • evidence to show that suitable living arrangements have been made for their stay in the UK, and
  • contact details of the parent or guardian in the child’s home country.
    If a child visitor is travelling with an adult (someone over the age of 18), the adult must be identified when the child’s visa is applied for. The adult’s name will appear on the visa and if the child arrives in the UK without that adult, they will be refused entry. Up to two adults can be identified, as long as the parent or guardian has given their consent (permission).

The child’s visa is only valid if the child travels with at least one of the adults identified on their visa.

Until 30 March 2009, a child visitor may undertake a short course of study as long as this is provided by an organisation which is on the Register of Education and Training Providers.

However, you should note that as a result of the introduction of Tier 4 of the Points Based System, from 31 March 2009, the institution where the child intends to study, will need to be:

The lists of institutions accredited by the UKBA approved bodies (Accreditation UK, BAC, ASIC and ABLS) can be found at the following websites: 
Accreditation UK - a British Council scheme which offers an accreditation service for English language schools; 
The British Accreditation Council (BAC) - which offers a more general accreditation service to cover a wide range of different educational establishments and their courses; and 
The Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC) - which also offers a general accreditation service to cover a wide range of different educational establishments and their courses.
The Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) - which provides an accreditation service to a diverse range of English language providers.  

Please see the flowcharts below for further information:

 Flowchart for entry clearance categories for students under 18
 Flowchart for entry clearance categories for students over 18

 

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Special visitors: Student visitors

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 56K-56M

This category is designed for those who wish to undertake a course whilst visiting the UK. You can only study whilst on a visit to the UK if you apply as a Student Visitor or, if you are under 18, as a Child Visitor. In addition to meeting the requirements of the general visitor Rules, you must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational establishment that is on the Register of Education and Training Providers.

However, you should note that as a result of the introduction of Tier 4 of the Points Based System, if you are applying for a visa or intend to come to the UK without a visa on or after 31 March 2009, the institution where you intend to study, must be:

  • the holder of a Sponsor Licence for Tier 4 of the Points Based System; or
  • accredited by a UKBA approved accreditation body, or
  • an overseas Higher Education Institution offering only part of their programmes in the United Kingdom , holding their own national accreditation and offering programmes that are of an equivalent level to a United Kingdom degree.

The lists of institutions accredited by the UKBA approved bodies (Accreditation UK, BAC, ASIC and ABLS) can be found at the following website: 
Accreditation UK - a British Council scheme which offers an accreditation service for English language schools; 
The British Accreditation Council (BAC) - which offers a more general accreditation service to cover a wide range of different educational establishments and their courses; and 
The Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC) - which also offers a general accreditation service to cover a wide range of different educational establishments and their courses.
The Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) - which provides an accreditation service to a diverse range of English language providers.

The PBS Points Calculator for Tier 1 (General) applications provides information on overseas institutions recognised by NARIC as offering programmes at an equivalent of a UK degree.  

Please see the flowcharts below for further information:

 Flowchart for entry clearance categories for students under 18
 Flowchart for entry clearance categories for students over 18


 

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Special visitors: Prospective students

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 82 - 87

You may come to the UK as a prospective student for up to 6 months if you intend to undertake studies in the UK but have not completed all the arrangements for your course of study.  If you are unconditionally accepted for a course of study whilst in the UK, you may apply for leave to remain under Tier 4 of the Points Based System to the UK Border Agency.

You should have a clear idea of the type and purpose of the studies and should already have been in touch with educational institutions in the UK. For example, you may already have been provisionally accepted at an establishment with final acceptance dependent on an interview. A vague intention to study for qualifications or to enter an unspecified university or other institution is insufficient.

When must an applicant start their studies?
Applicants must be able to show that they will start their studies within 6 months of arrival in the UK. Sometimes they will be able to provide evidence of the starting date in a letter of acceptance or prospectus giving details of the course.

How do I apply?
You will need to complete VAF3A if you want to apply to come to the UK as a prospective student.  Entry clearance is mandatory even if you do not normally need a visa to visit the UK.  You will need to show that:

  • you intend to enrol on a course of study within 6 months of arriving in the UK;
  • you can pay for your course, support yourself and your dependants without working or needing any help from public funds; and
  • you intend to leave the UK when your permission to stay ends if you do not qualify to stay in the UK under Tier 4 of the Points Based System.

Can I bring my husband, wife or civil partner and children with me?
Your husband, wife or civil partner and any of your children under 18 can come to the UK with you while your arrange your studies, as long as you can adequately accommodate and support them without working or needing any help from public funds.

What do my dependants need to make an application?
Your dependants will need to complete VAF3B. They will also need:

  • Evidence of their relationship to you.
  • If they are your spouse/civil partner, evidence that they will live with you during your stay and that your marriage/civil partnership is subsisting.
  • If they are your child, evidence that they have not formed an independent family unit and they are not leading an independent life and that both their parents must either be lawfully present in the UK, or being granted entry clearance or leave to remain at the same time as them, unless:
    (i) you are the applicant’s sole surviving parent, or
    (ii) you have or have had sole responsibility for the their upbringing, or
    (iii) there are serious or compelling family or other considerations which would make it desirable not to refuse your child’s application and suitable arrangements have been made in the UK for your child’s care;
  • Evidence that you can adequately accommodate and support them without needing any help from public funds;
  • Evidence of the course of study you are doing or are going to do in the UK;
  • A copy of the relevant pages from your passport, showing your permission to stay if you are already in the UK. 
     

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Special visitors: Visitors in transit

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 47 - 50

Full information for visitors passing through the UK 'in transit' to another country is available in our Guidance - Transit (INF 20).

 

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Visitors under the UK/China Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 56G - 56J

What are the requirements for a visitor under the ADS agreement?
To apply in this category you must:

  • meet the requirements for visitors set out in Paragraph 41 (ii) - (vii) ; and
  • be a national of the People's Republic of China; and
  • be genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period as stated, not exceeding 30 days; and
  • intend to enter, leave and travel within the territory of the United Kingdom as a member of a tourist group of 5 or more people under the ADS Memorandum of Understanding.

How long can a visitor stay under the ADS Agreement?
A person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor under the ADS Agreement may be admitted for a period not exceeding 30 days, subject to a condition prohibiting employment, provided they hold an ADS Agreement visit visa.


 

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How do I apply for a visa?

You can apply in a number of ways, for example, by post, by courier, in person and online. Staff at the visa application centres will tell you about the ways in which you can apply.

Some visa sections will only accept applications made online. To find out if you can apply for your visa online please visit the Visa4UK website.

If you cannot apply online you will need to fill in a visa application form (VAF 1 - Visitor). You can get a form free of charge from your nearest visa application centres or from the visa application forms page on this website.

You can apply for a visit visa or EEA family permit at any full service visa-issuing office. If you are applying from within the EEA, you will need to show that you are living legally in an EEA member state. Living legally includes having a visit visa for the member state. For all other types of visa, you should apply in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.

In some countries, if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months, you may need to be tested for active tuberculosis before we will accept your application. You can find out if you need to be tested by using our Do I need a visa? questionnaire on the homepage of this website, or by contacting your nearest visa application centre.

 

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What are Visa Application Centres?

In  most countries we now operate through,  commercial companies  who run Visa Application Centres (VACs). The VACs are in largely populated areas, making it easier and more convenient for people to apply for a UK visa. Trained staff at each VAC deal with all visa enquiries and applications. They collect your biometric information (see the relevant section of this leaflet) along with the relevant fees, and provide information on the application process, including whether or not you have included all the necessary documents. They will forward your application to Entry clearance staff who will  decide whether to issue or refuse your visa. VAC staff have no say in this decision.

 

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What will I need to make my application?

You will need to make your application online or fill in the appropriate visitor visa application form:

 Application forms - Visitors 
 Visitor form guidance notes

You will also need the following.

  • Your passport or travel document.
  • A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself. This should be:
       o taken against a light-coloured background
       o clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed
       o printed on normal photographic paper, and
       o full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for cultural or religious reasons (but the face must not be covered).
  • The visa application fee. This cannot be refunded, and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying.
  • Any supporting documents relevant to your application.

 

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What is 'biometric' information?

All UK visa applicants, save for those benefiting from a limited number of exemptions and exceptions, are required to provide biometric data (10-digit fingerscans and a digital photograph) as part of the application process.

You will have to go to your nearest visa application centre in person to provide your biometrics. In those countries where there is no visa application centre, you will need to go to the British mission.

Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information. The finger scans are electronic so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete. You should make sure that you do not have any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your finger scans. You should also make sure that if you have any cuts and bruises on your face, they have healed or disappeared before you have your photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full face and you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered).

 

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What supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a visitor. If you do not, we may refuse your application.

As a guide, you should include:

  • bank statements, payslips, or some other evidence to show that you can pay for the trip and that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependants without working or getting any help from public funds, and
  • evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit (for example, a letter from your employer).

If you are visiting family or friends you will need:

  • a letter from your sponsor (the person you are visiting) explaining your relationship with them and the purpose of your visit, and
  • a copy of the bio-data page (the page containing their photograph) of their UK passport or, if they are not a UK national, evidence of their immigration status in the United Kingdom.

If your sponsor will be supporting you during your visit, or paying for the cost of the visit, you will need:

  • payslips, bank statements, or some other evidence to show that they have enough money to support you.

We will refuse your application if we find that any documents are false.

 

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What will happen after I have made my application?

The Entry Clearance Officer will normally make a decision based on the information you have provided but may  invite you to attend an interview  If this is not possible without further clarification.

Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:

  • your personal details are correct;
  • it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
  • 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).

 

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How long will my visa be valid for?

Generally visit visas are valid for six months. But they can be issued for longer, for 1,2,5 or 10 years. However, those with longer term visas can still only stay in the UK for six months at any one time, other than Academic Visitors and parents of children at school as outlined above.  Longer term visas are generally issued to frequent travellers.

 

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Can I appeal if you refuse my visit visa?

Appeal rights vary for different categories of visitor. If you have a right of appeal against the decision to refuse your visa you will be given a form on which to do so.

 

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What are public funds?

Under the Immigration Rules, if you want to travel to the UK you must be able to support yourself and live without recourse to public funds.  A full list of public funds is available on the UK Border Agency website.

You are not allowed to enter the UK or stay as a visitor in the UK to receive medical treatment on the National Health Service (NHS). Information on how you can enter the UK to have private medical treatment is in this guidance.

You can find more information about public funds in the Immigration Directorate Instructions (IDIs) and Immigration Rules on the UK Border Agency website.

 

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Does the UK have any health-care arrangements with my country?

The UK has health-care arrangements with a number of foreign governments so that their nationals can be referred to the UK for free hospital treatment under the NHS. You can get information about these arrangements from the Department of Health website (www.doh.gov.uk), or from your nearest visa application centre.

 

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More advice and information

Please read other guidance on this website. The full list is accessible through links on the left hand side of this page.

Full information about the Points Based System is available on the UK Border Agency website.

If you are outside the UK please contact your nearest visa application centre (VAC) or where no VAC is in operation, your nearest British mission where there is a visa section.

Where can I get immigration advice?

If you need help with your application or advice about the UK’s Immigration Rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser.  In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC – www.oisc.gov.uk) or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies.  The Law Societies of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Institute of Legal Executives can provide a list of Law Firms who can advise on immigration matters.  Their websites are:

Law Society of England and Wales

Law Society of Scotland

Law Society of Northern Ireland

Institute of Legal Executives

For more advice and information about extending your stay once you are in the UK:

The UK Border Agency
Croydon Public Caller Unit
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 2BY
Phone: (+44) (0)870 606 7766 (general enquiries)
Phone: (+44) (0)870 241 0645 (application forms)
Email: indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

For advice on bringing personal belongings and goods into the UK contact:

HM Revenue & Customs
Dorset House
Stamford Street
London SE1 9PY
Phone: (+44) (0)845 010 9000
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Drugs warning
Anyone found smuggling drugs into the UK will face serious penalties. Drug traffickers may try to bribe travellers. If you are travelling to the UK, avoid any involvement with drugs.

False documents
It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document with an application. Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information.  They may also be banned if they have breached immigration laws in the UK.

Travellers to the UK who produce a false travel document or passport to the UK immigration authorities for themselves and/or their children are committing an offence. People found guilty of this offence face up to two years in prison or a fine (or both).

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The official British Government website for visa services

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