Do I need to submit a UK Visa application?
Non-EEA people who would like to visit or remain in the UK must apply for a UK visa.
A visa indicates that you have met the necessary conditions and are permitted to stay in the UK for a certain period of time, as well as that your information has been obtained by the national authorities.
To increase your chances of success, make sure you apply for the correct visa form for your situation. As a result, you can seek the advice of an immigration lawyer.
To obtain detailed advice on your UK Visa application, contact Rubens Immigration’s team of seasoned immigration specialists.
Page Contents
- Check if you need a UK Visa
- Visa application process
- Required supporting documents
- When to apply for your visa
- Prepare for your visa interview
- If your application is successful
- Collect your Biometric Residence Permit
- If your application is refused
- How to submit an immigration appeal
- Apply to extend your visa
- Super-Fast Application Service
- Track your Visa Application status
- How to submit an administrative review
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I get help from Rubens Immigration
Preparing and Submitting your UK Visa Application
Find out if you need a UK Visa
To enter the UK, not all visitors are expected to apply for a visa. If you are an EEA, Swiss, or Commonwealth resident, you might be excluded from immigration controls.
If you realise you need a visa, you must choose the appropriate one. There are a variety of visa tiers available in the UK, each aimed at a different type of applicant. This contains the following:
- UK Family and Partner Visas: These are for those who want to spend more than six months in the UK with their British partners or family members.
- UK Work and Entrepreneur Visa: These are for applicants who want to work for a living in the UK.
- Student Visas: These are for international pupils, either adults or children.
- UK Visitor or Transit Visas: These are for those who want to enter the UK for leisure or business purposes shortly, or who need to pass through the British borders while in transit to any other country.
- Settlement applications: Indefinite Leave to Remain, British citizenship, and the EU Settlement Scheme some settlement applications. These are only available to applicants who have already lived in the UK as legal residents for a certain period of time.
Visa application process
The procedure for applying for a visa varies depending on the type of permit. However, the majority of visa levels have some common measures.
However, if you send your forms from outside the United States, the processing procedure can vary.
- Fill out your application form online or on paper.
- Pay the application fee and submit your paperwork to the UKVI (form and supporting documents).
- The Home Office can contact you during the initial check if additional documents or information are required.
- You will be notified when you can schedule an appointment to have your biometrics taken. You may be required to attend an interview as well.
- Based on your documents, the UKVI will conduct an in-depth review of your case to determine whether you fulfill any of the requisite criteria.
- You will receive a letter from the UKVI informing you of their decision.
- Your Biometric Residence Permit will be issued to you within ten days if your application is accepted.
Required documents for a UK Visa application
Only if your application is followed by a portfolio of documents and proof that proves your eligibility is it complete and legitimate. Since each visa has its own set of conditions, it’s always a good idea to double-check the Home Office’s instructions and document checklist.
The documents you must connect to your application are as follows:
- Your completed UK visa application form with your signature in each section
- Two photos, as well as a valid passport with at least one blank tab.
- You must provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to support your living expenses while in the UK.
- Your biometric data, which can be obtained at your local application center.
- You must provide proof that you have paid your Visa fees.
- Any text that is not written in English or Welsh must have a certified translation.
Who can certify my visa eligibility documents?
Your records must be approved by a competent person in good standing, which means that he or she must be someone well-respected in the community, in order to be legitimate and recognised as part of your supporting portfolio.
The following groups of people are allowed to sign and certify your documents:
- Minister of Religion
- Doctors and dentists
- Officials from a bank or building society
- Solicitors at Law
- Lecturers or teachers
- Chartered accountants
This person must not be:
- Connected to you
- In a correspondence with you
- Living under the same roof
- Representing you
Who can translate my UK Visa documents?
A certified translation is required for any document that is not written in English or Welsh. Only approved translation companies are permitted to provide this service, and they must certify in writing that they have created a “correct and accurate translation of the original text.”
The Home Office will not approve any translation that is not completed by a professional translator.
When to apply for your UK Visa?
You must apply your application three months prior to the date you expect to fly to the UK.
Settlement applications, on the other hand, will take up to 6 months to review and approve. You will not be allowed to reach the UK until you have received official approval in the vast majority of cases. As a result, it’s a good idea to apply your application early enough to account for possible delays, particularly during national holidays.
What is the tuberculosis test for UK Visa applicants?
If they plan to remain in the UK for more than six months, residents of certain countries must get a tuberculosis (TB) test from an authorised clinic.
The following people are excluded from having a chest x-ray to check for tuberculosis:
- Children under the age of 11 are considered minors.
- Children who have been told by an accredited pediatrician not to take the exam
- Pregnant women who want to wait until after their baby is born to get tested
- Residents of the United Kingdom who have not lived in the country for more than two years are qualified to return.
- Applicants who have lived in a country where tuberculosis screening is not available for at least six months.
Do I need to pay for healthcare as a part of my UK application?
You will be required to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your application. This must be charged either when you send your form or when you schedule an appointment to have your biometrics taken. You must include your HIS reference number on your application form as evidence of payment if you are applying by mail.
If you are requesting to remain in the UK for more than six months and do not wish to apply to live permanently in the UK, you will only be required to pay for healthcare.
You will begin using the National Health Service after you have paid your fees and your application has been approved (NHS). Certain facilities, such as dental care, medications, and eye tests, can also require payment.
How do I prepare for my visa interview?
The aim of your visa interview is to decide whether or not you are eligible to enter the UK. You may also use this time to provide additional documentation and facts to back up your argument.
You must notify the immigration officer of any details that you believe would be helpful to your application when you attend the interview. You should consider your reasons for visiting the UK in advance, particularly if you plan to stay for an extended period of time.
International students, for example, will be asked to explain why they want to study in the UK and what their future plans are.
Can I change or withdraw my application?
You have the option to cancel your application at any time.
If you applied from outside the UK, you’ll need to contact the UKVI for more details. Your application fee will only be refunded if your case has not yet been reviewed.
If you submitted your request from within the United Kingdom, you can cancel it using the dedicated contact form. You would not, however, be eligible for a refund under any circumstance.
When your current approved stay expires, you will lose your permit to remain in the UK if you withdraw your visa renewal request.
UK Visa Application Advice
It is not easy to apply for a UK visa. It takes time, money, and a thorough understanding of UK immigration law. You should obtain expert advice from our team to make this step less stressful. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with one of our immigration solicitors.
If you have any enquiry in regards to the UK visa and its application process then you may contact our team.
UK Visa Application Assistance
It can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful UK Visa application if you get the right support. When you employ one of our immigration solicitors, we will provide you with the best advice and assistance possible. We will also help you complete and submit your application.
If you have any enquiry in regards to the UK visa and its application process then you may contact our team.
Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to learn how to apply for a UK Visa Application.
What happens after I submit my UK Visa Application ?
If your Visa application is successful
If the Home Office approves your applications, you will be issued a relevant vignette, which is a passport sticker. It details the type of visa you’ve been issued, as well as its validity and restrictions.
You may be required to register your information with the UK police before receiving your vignette in certain cases.
Your passport will be sent to you with the vignette already inside if you sent it with your supporting documents. If not, you should pick up your sticker at the visa application center.
Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
If you have been given permission to stay in the UK for more than six months, you must obtain a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This must be completed within ten days of your arrival in the country or before your vignette expires.
When filling out your application form, you have the option of choosing where you want to get your BRP.
If there is a mistake on your BRP or vignette, you must report it to the UKVI as soon as possible, but no later than three months before your entry date, or your visa will be revoked.
If your Visa application is refused
If your application is turned down, you will receive a second letter stating the reason for the rejection. In addition, this paper will outline the options for filing an administrative review or filing an immigration appeal.
You must apply for an administrative examination if you have been denied a PBS (Point-Based Visa System) visa.
Family and Partner visas, as well as rulings involving human rights and immigration enforcement, are all subject to appeal.
How to submit an immigration appeal
In general, if you think the Home Office’s decision on your case is unjust, you have 28 days to appeal.
You may apply online or send your form by mail or fax to request your appeal. If required, the tribunal will summon you to a hearing so that your lawyer can be available. Otherwise, the judge will decide the case solely on the basis of the facts you provide.
To learn more about our UK Visa Appeal services, you could contact our lawyers.
Submitting a UK Visa extension application
The majority of UK visas have a fixed period of validity. You may qualify for an extension if you fail to meet the eligibility criteria. Depending on the visa rate you are applying for, the process for renewing your permit varies.
Before your existing permit expires, you must apply for a UK Visa extension. You will stop overstaying and therefore being in violation of immigration laws in this manner.
You may be able to apply to settle in the UK rather than renew your current immigration status, depending on how long you’ve been in the country. For example, after 5 years of lawful residency, you can change your visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain if you fulfill all of the necessary criteria. After you’ve had ILR for at least a year, you’ll be able to apply for British citizenship.
How to get your documents back
You will need to send your documentation to demonstrate your qualifications for certain visas. Only under some circumstances will the Home Office approved certified copies of your proofs. Keep in mind that the visa application center might need to hold your passport until your case is processed.
You can, however, be able to request the return of your documents without having to withdraw your application.
You could contact the UKVI if you applied from outside the UK. You may use the online return of documents form for applications submitted from within the country. You should obtain your documents within 10 working days after the Home Office approves your submission.
If you are unable to remain in the UK because your visa has expired or your application has been denied, you must contact the Voluntary Returns Service to arrange for the return of your documents at the airport when you depart.
What is the Super-Fast Application Service?
You may apply for the UKVI’s Priority or Super-Priority service if your application is time-sensitive or if you need a decision from the Home Office by a certain date.
It should be remembered that this service comes at an extra cost and has no bearing on the application’s outcome. It does, however, allow you to have your case handled in as little as five working days or as little as 24 hours.
If you would like to hear more about how the Priority Application services will help you, please contact our team and ask about our Fast-Track Application Package.
How can I track my UK Visa application status?
It is currently not possible to monitor the status of your UK Visa application online. You can check on the status of your case by calling or sending an email to the Home Office.
Both methods of enquiring would be paid. While phone communications are available 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, it is recommended that you send an email to the UKVI. This will set you back £5.48, but you will not be paid for any subsequent correspondence regarding the same inquiry.
Contact our immigration lawyers for help in monitoring your UK Visa status and determining how long you will have to wait for your case to be resolved.
How can I apply for a UK Visa administrative review?
You may request an administrative review of the Home Office’s decision in your case. You can send your request from anywhere in the world, as long as you do so within 28 days of receiving your refusal letter from the UKVI.
You may apply online, and the result of your application will be given to you within 28 days. You would not be allowed to seek a second examination if you receive another denial.
Your administrative review request will be automatically cancelled if you apply for another visa while waiting for a response from the Home Office.
Can I transfer my visa to another passport?
A vignette on your passport represents your visa. Only if your previous identity card has expired or if your personal information has changed will you move or erase your sticker.
If your passport has expired, you can still fly to and from the UK with it if you have a valid visa. You can get your vignette moved to a new passport while you are overseas by making an online request and paying a £169 fee.
You must replace your visa or Biometric Residence Permit if your name or personal information has changed. This can be done by notifying the Home Office, which must be done as soon as possible.
What happens if I overstay my Visa?
You have 30 days to leave the UK voluntarily if your visa has expired. You will face serious consequences if you do not comply, including expulsion.
The “14-day with a good cause rule” has substituted the previous 28-day grace period. This means that if you have proof of good cause, such as having applied for a new visa, you are given a 14-day overstay period.
When will I get my passport after my visa interview?
If you have obtained the UK nationality by birth or naturalisation then you will be eligible to apply for a British passport.
Once you have your citizenship certificate, you can request a passport by filling out an online form or submitting a paper application. Once your children have gained UK citizenship, you can seek a British passport for them.
