- UK Tourist Visa
This visa, referred to as a Standard Tourist Visa, can be used by individuals who wish to visit the UK for short periods of time (up to 6 months). In certain cases, individuals can be issued visas extending up to 10 years, subject to certain conditions.
Applying for a UK Tourist Visa
Individuals applying for a tourist visa to the UK can apply for either of the two types mentioned below:
Short Stay Visa- generally up to 6 months
Long Term Visitor Visa- up to 2, 5 or 10 years. A long term visitor visa can be applied for if the applicant can submit proof that frequent visits to the UK would be required over a period of time, and that the purpose of those visits would remain the same over the duration of the visa period.
The application process for a UK tourist visa is to be submitted to the UK High Commission or UK Visa Application Centers situated across the country. The visa application can be made online or in person.
UK Tourist Visa Eligibility
Individuals who are applying for a UK Tourist visa are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Submit proof of return on the scheduled date.
- Submit proof you can take care of your financial expenses while in the UK.
- Submit proof of any activities (business or otherwise) you wish to participate in that fall within the framework of permitted activities, while in the UK.
- For long term visa applications, the applicant has to prove that he/she has a recurrent need to visit the UK and that the purpose of the visit will remain constant for the duration of the visa.
- In case of visa applications for medical treatment, applicants should provide documentation of the treatment, have made arrangements for funding the treatment as well as prove they will leave the UK on completion of treatment.
UK Tourist Visa Documentation
Indian individuals applying for a tourist visa to the UK will have to provide the following list of documents along with their application form:
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Financial statements that prove the applicant can support himself/herself during the course of the trip.
- A translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh.
- Additional documents if the purpose of the visit is for:
- Entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Private medical treatment.
- Organ donation.
- Academics on a sabbatical.
- Academic purposes- to sit the Objective Structures Clinical Examination or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board.
UK Tourist Visa Form
The application form for a UK Tourist visa is known as the ˜Visit and Short Term Stay (VAF1A) Form. This form can be downloaded from the official website of the UK government as well as from the British High Commission website.
The applicant should go through the instructions printed at the top of the form before filling in the form.
As a rule, only black or blue ink can be used to fill in the form and the form is to be filled in English only.
The applicant is required to enter the following details in the form:
- Type of visitor visa (tourist/to visit friends/other).
- Duration of stay.
- Main purpose of visit.
- Dates of travel (both the date of entry as well as date of exit from the UK)
Personal Details:
- Applicants full name.
- Gender.
- Marital status.
- Date and place of birth.
- Nationality and country of birth.
- Dual citizenship status, if any.
- Passport details such as passport number, expiry, date and place of issue.
- Residential address.
- Contact information such as email address, telephone and mobile number.
Family Information:
- Family related information such as father/mother/spouse name, date and place of birth and nationality.
- Details regarding spouse/children, if any.
Employment Information:
- Financial and employment details, such as current employment status.
- Type of employment currently engaged in, duration of employment and organization details.
- Work address and previous work history.
- Details of income and employment.
- Details of cost of visit to the UK.
Travel History:
- Details of previous travel to foreign countries.
- Previous travel to the UK, with details, if any.
- Record of any criminal history in a foreign country, if any.
UK Tourist Visa Application Process
- The application form is to be filled out either online or by collecting a physical copy of the form. Online forms can be found on the website of the British High Commission or the British Consulate website.
- On submission of the form, the applicant will have to visit a Visa Application Centre at an allotted date and time where his/her biometric information (fingerprint scan and photograph) will be taken.
- The applicant will have to be present at the Visa Application Center along with the form, visa fee and all supporting documents to file his/her visa application.
- On completion of the filing process, an acknowledgment will be issued. The acknowledgment has to be presented when collecting the documents submitted.
- The applicant will be notified regarding the status of the application within a period of three weeks from filing the application.
UK Visa Application
There are a number of reasons why many opt to travel to the United Kingdom. Some go for leisure, others for work, studies, or because they have family members staying there. Regardless of the reason, visitors will have to opt for a Visa in order to visit the country.
Different Types of UK Visa:
Depending on the reason for which a customer wishes to travel to the UK, they will have to opt for a particular kind of Visa. There are a number of Visas and they can be broadly categorized into the following:
- Study Visa - Individuals who wish to study in any of the universities within the UK and are above 16 years of age can apply for this Visa. They should also have been accepted by the universities in the UK and must have enough finances to pay for their education and also their stay.
- Work Visa - This Visa is provided to those who wish to work within the UK and also have secured a job in the region. Work Visa is of three kinds:
Tier 1 (General) - The Tier 1 Visa is not applicable for applicants who come from outside the United Kingdom. Tier 1 General Visa and Tier 1 Post Study Work categories were available to allow skilled individuals to work in the United Kingdom without the need for a sponsorship from the company, but these categories are closed to new applicants. Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and Tier 1 Investor Visa is available for those customers who wish to start a business or invest in the United Kingdom.
Tier 2 (Work Permit) - Individuals who have a work permit can procure this Visa. This Visa can also be availed by the company in which the applicant is working, if it is in the UK. Intra company transfers are also included in the same. A certificate of sponsorship from the United Kingdom Government is necessary prior to applying for this category Visa.
Tier 5 - Individuals who wish to procure short term training or experience within the country can apply for this kind of Visa who are between the ages of 18 to 35.
- Visitor Visa - Individuals visiting the UK for the purpose of sightseeing or a vacation can procure the Visitor Visa.
- Family Visa - Individuals who wish to visit a family member staying in the UK for a period of 6 months can avail this Visa.
Steps to Apply for a Visa to the United Kingdom:
- Once customers decide the kind of Visa that they will need to apply for, they will have to visit the official United Kingdom Government website and apply online for a Visa
- Once the appointment day has been fixed, applicants must arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment, at the Visa application center along with their appointment letter, application pack, their passport along with a valid travel or passport document that has a minimum of one blank page on both sides.
- Once applicants arrive at the center, they will be given a token and will have to follow the order of the token to make their application.
- Once the filling process for the Visa is finished, they will be provided with a receipt which needs to be maintained as they will have to provide that in order to collect documents at a later stage.
- Customers will have to note that, once their application has been submitted, they will not be able to submit any other documents. Only the documents that have been provided at the beginning will be considered.
- Applicants can apply for a Visa up to a period of three months prior to date of travel to the United Kingdom. Customers are advised not to confirm travel necessities and arrangements until they receive their Visa. Supporting documents will need to be arranged for this.
- In order to complete this application process, customers will have to book and also attend an appointment at any of the Visa application offices in India. Applicants will have to compulsorily book appointment before submission.
- Applicants will have to provide their photograph and fingerprints (biometric information) at the application center and this also includes a digital photograph and a finger scan. The scan procedure involves an electronic scanner and no other chemicals or liquids including ink, therefore customers must ensure that their fingertips do not have decoration or cuts, or abrasions of any kind.
- After this, their digital photo will also be taken without sunglasses or spectacles or head covering unless it is for medical or religious purposes. Unless biometric information has been provided, applicants Visa cannot be processed.
- Customers can choose whether they will want to collect their documents themselves or have them delivered by post.
UK Visa Application Fees:
The cost for a standard visitor Visa is £87. Based on the stay of the visitor, the cost varies and an optional priority Visa service costs £150.
The table below illustrates the fee required for Standard visitor Visa based on the duration for which the applicant will be staying:
Processing Time for Visa Application
Based on the country/city the customer is applying from, the processing time differs.
For example, if an individual is applying for the same from New Delhi, India then based on the Visa applied for, processing time varies.
- For visit Visas such as long term visit, Visa will be processed within ten days.
- For other visit Visas such as general visit, business visit or other visits, processing time is within fifteen days.
- For family visit, Visas are processed within thirty days and if the purpose is transit, it takes about sixty days for Visas to be processed.
- For all of the above, stay duration is 6 months or less.
- For PBS or Point Based System Visas, the processing duration is ten to fifteen days.
- Settlement Visas take up to ten days for processing.
- Non-settlement Visas can take up to ninety days but majority are done within ten days.
Steps to Receive a Faster Response:
In case customers have applied for settlement using SET (AF, F,LR,M,O) forms, they can receive a response within five working days through additional processes.
- In addition to the Visa fee, they will have to pay another £400 per person and fill out the respective form.
- Biometric information must also be provided.
UK Visa Embassies in India:
The United Kingdom is represented by the following establishments in India -
- British High Commission - New Delhi
- British Consulate-General - Mumbai
- British Consulate-General - Kolkata
- British Consulate-General - Chennai
- British Consulate-General - Goa
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