uk visa application travel agency

UK visa consultants - we’ll help you move to the UK

For most people, applying for a uk visa or citizenship is a daunting task. red tape, bureaucracy and changing legislation have made uk visa applications overly complicated., we believe everyone who wants to get a uk visa should be able to apply so we’ve built our business around expert visa and nationality advice since 1998..

More in this section

• UK visa services

UK visa FAQ

• Spouse visa FAQ
• Ancestry visa FAQ

We offer a full suite of UK visa and immigration services:

We work according to a strict “no visa, no fee” policy. if you don’t get your visa, you don’t pay us a penny..

Contact our visa consultants to determine whether you’re eligible for the visa you wish to apply for. We'll advise you, deal with the Home Office on your behalf and guide your visa application every step of the way.

Extend your UK visa or become a resident

If you’ve decided to make the UK your home, we can also help you extend your visa or finalise your stay by helping with your indefinite leave to remain (ILR) application. ILR allows you to work without restriction in the UK and exit and re-enter the country multiple times, with the end goal of gaining British citizenship.

Why UK immigration is so popular

Great education options. Top-notch schools and universities

Fantastic state-sponsored health care

Great work opportunities in a growing economy

Business and entrepreneur-friendly laws

Let us help with your UK visa application

Whether you need to apply for a student visa or indefinite leave to remain, employ a foreign national for your business or spend a year abroad, we can make the process of applying for your UK visa as stress-free and easy as possible.

Some of the most common visas our clients apply for:

Uk ancestry visa.

If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, you could be eligible

UK Skilled Worker visas (formally the Tier 2 (General) work visa)

Live and work in the UK for up to two years

UK working holiday visa

Uk student visas.

Travel to the UK for a short stay

UK visitor visas

Uk investor visas.

Live and work in the UK by making a large investment or starting a business

UK permanent residency

Permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain allows you to remain in the UK for an indefinite period

UK visa extensions

Extend your Ancestry visas, partner visas, work permits and student visas

Speak to one of our visa consultants about your options

Applying for your UK visa can be a complicated process, but we try to make it as easy as possible. We’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions we receive about getting a UK visa.

If you still have any questions, you can contact our immigration team on +44 (0) 20 7759 7580 , or you can email us on [email protected] .

General questions

What is the immigration health surcharge and how much does it cost.

The Immigration Health Surcharge lets certain visa holders in the UK access the National Health Service as though they were. The health surcharge is set according to the length of time you are permitted to stay in the UK and the category of visa you’re on.

What is a BRP card?

A biometric residence permit (BRP) shows a person’s immigration status in the UK, their biographic details, biometric information as well as whether they can access public funds. You will be required to have this card as proof of your right to stay, work or study in the UK.

Where do I collect my BRP card and how long do I have to do so?

You must collect your BRP card within 10 days of your arrival in the UK or before your 30-day vignette expires, whichever is the later. If you fail to collect your BRP within this time, you may be subject to a fine or even the cancellation of your visa. You will need to pick up your BRP at the UK Post Office branch nearest to your intended UK address, as stated on your application form.

When should I start my visa application process?

We recommend that you begin working on your application 90 days before your intended date of arrival in the UK.

How long will it take for my visa to be granted?

UK visas can take anything from 10 days to three months to be granted after you have lodged your application with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Here are the issuing times for some of the most common visas:

• Spouse visa: Two to three months
• Ancestry visa: Two to four weeks

What is the visa priority service, and should I use it?

UKVI offer a fast-track service that ensures your application will be processed within five days to three weeks, excluding postage time

If you require your passport or documents that you submitted for your visa, then you may want to think about using the priority service to have these returned to you as soon as possible. This service is available for an additional fee.

May I travel outside of the UK once I have entered the country on my visa?

You should allow at least 10 days in the UK to collect your BRP card before leaving the UK to travel elsewhere.

Can I use certified documents to apply for my visa?

Your documentation is determined by your unique circumstance and the visa category you are applying for. In certain instances certified copies are accepted.

Spouse (family of a settled person) visa

How much does the spouse visa cost.

UKVI currently charges an application fee of £1,523 for the spouse visa. We charge an additional fee, which will be quoted when you lodge your application with us. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

For how long do I need to be in a relationship to qualify for a spouse visa?

If you can prove that you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or UK settled person, or have been in a de facto relationship for more than two years, then you may apply for a spouse visa.

How long can I live and work in the UK on a spouse visa?

The spouse visa allows you to stay in the UK for 18 months. During that time, you may work without restriction, whether you’re employed or self-employed. You may also exit and re-enter the UK multiple times.

How much money do I need in my bank account in order to qualify for the spouse visa?

We suggest a minimum closing balance of £2,500 if you have multiple dependants. This should be your own money, and large sum deposits within the last three months will likely be questioned. If the money in your account is the result of the sale of an investment or asset, then proof of this sale should be supplied.

Ancestry visas

Do i need to have a job offer in the uk before i apply.

You don't need to show that you have a job in the UK when you apply for an Ancestry visa, but you will need to show that you're looking for one. If you use our Visa services, we can provide you with a list of recruitment agencies to help you with this.

Can I take family members with me?

You can include a partner as well as child dependants (under the age of 18) on you Ancestry visa and travel with them should they need a visa to enter the UK.

To include your partner on the application, you must either have been married or living together in a relationship for at least two years directly prior to the application. Unmarried partners will be required to provide evidence of their relationship, including: Lease agreements, utility bills and bank statements.

Please note : Further requirements and visa fees will apply for partner/dependant applications.

Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa

Do i need a set amount of money in my bank account to apply for a tier 5 visa.

You must have £1,890 (roughly AU$4,000 or NZ$4,300) in a bank account bearing your name when you apply.

Do I have any other visa options when my Tier 5 expires?

There are various visa categories you may switch to when your Tier 5 visa expires, depending on your work situation, family ties and whether you would like to apply from within the UK or return to your home country.

Meet the UK immigration team

John joined Sable International in 2008 and has managed multiple divisions during his time with the company.

He has over a decade of experience in immigration, citizenship and residency-by-investment. He combines that with a background in sales, marketing and management to ensure that Sable International is the go to for all things relating to citizenship and immigration around the world.

Outside of work, John is dedicated to his young family. He enjoys fitness activities and loves the outdoors.

Read John's latest articles and insights.

Chelsea joined Philip Gamble & Partners in 2015 as a Nationality Administrator with a background in administration.

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, she has travelled extensively throughout the UK and developed an interest in British Nationality. She is organised, optimistic and dedicated. Using her exceptional customer service and administrative skills, Chelsea ensures that all of our clients have the best possible experience.

Kristy has been part of the Sable International family for many years. She started off on the tax refunds team and then moved into the immigration department. She has since become an expert in assisting customers with their UK visa applications and extensions.

Dedicated to providing excellent customer service to all clients, she has become particularly good at assessing what a client’s best relocation options are.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also has a keen passion for travel.

Lisa studied at Stellenbosch University, where she completed a degree in social work.

She is the administrative assistant for our immigration casework team.

When she’s not helping ensure all our clients’ needs are taken care of, she likes to spend time with her friends, family and children. She’s also quite fond of experimental cooking and going on adventures.

Simone joined us in 2015 as a British Nationality Advisor.

She has a B.Comm in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. Among other things, Simone has worked as an assistant within a psychology practice and as an administrator at a five-star hotel where she had the opportunity to interact with customers from all corners of the globe on a daily basis. Empathetic and professional, Simone is an avid traveller, who has spent a lot of time exploring Europe.

Christine has a Bachelor of Social Science in Organizational Psychology and Industrial Sociology from the University of Cape Town. She started as a UK Immigration Caseworker, handling the preparation and submission of British passport and entry clearance visa applications, before shifting her focus to EU nationality matters. In her current role she conducts complex EU nationality assessments and prepares various EU citizenship and passport applications.

As an ambitious and strong-willed individual, she prides herself on learning new things to develop herself both personally and professionally.

Chanell grew up in the Free State and has been in Cape Town for the past eleven years. She enjoys travelling and has had the opportunity to travel to Iran, Malaysia and Qatar.

Chanell has a National Diploma in Business Management and is in the process of completing her bachelor’s degree in communication science through the University of South Africa.

Outside of work, Chanell enjoys the company of friends and family, a good read and a night out on the town.

Shelley was born and raised in Cape Town. She joined Sable International in 2017 where she started out in the 1 st Contact department.

She previously worked in education and has had the opportunity to study Business Management and do a course in Office Administration. Shelley is now studying at a music school and in her spare time attends and performs at gigs. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Gabriella was born and raised in Cape Town. She attended Wynberg Girls’ Junior and High Schools before studying Beauty Therapy and Somatology. She went on to work as a personal assistant and au pair, and in various retail environments, gaining experience in sales, customer service and admin. In 2020, she changed career paths and enrolled at Varsity College to study Business Principles and Practices.  She is creative and passionate, but always organised, diligent and determined. She enjoys being outdoors, going for drives, reading a good book, making the most out of life and spending time with family and friends.

Mishal was born in Mombasa, Kenya and relocated to the UK in 2004 after a successful colonial nationality claim through Philip Gamble & Partners.

Mishal joined Sable International in 2009 and is a registered Level 1 adviser in UK immigration with the OISC. Mishal works closely with Philip Gamble and assists in isolating claims to British nationality for those who have connections to former British Territories, those who are resident in the UK and those adopted by British citizens. Mishal has a special interest in East Africa and the sub-continent. He is fluent English, Kiswahili and Gujarati.

Read Mishal's latest articles and insights.

Michael joined Sable International in 2017 and took up a position in our Tax Refunds department. A year later he joined the Immigration department in our Cape Town office.

With a passion for UK immigration and citizenship, he registered with the OISC at Level 1 in UK immigration. He now works as an Immigration Caseworker and represents and assists clients with their cases.

He enjoys meeting up with friends and family, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Carryn was born and raised in Cape Town where she attended Rustenburg Girls’ High and thereafter graduated from Varsity College with a Bachelor of Arts in corporate communication.

After several years working in a client-focused role in the hospitality and event planning industry, she felt it was time for a change. She joined Sable International in 2020, as Client Liaison on our 1 st Contact Relocation team, before moving to the Immigration team in 2022.

Carryn enjoys photography, being outdoors with her dog - especially by the ocean where she resides - and spending time with family.

Tarna was born in Cape Town and has travelled the world - from living in America, to snorkelling in Asia and tasting incredible cuisines in the Middle East.

It is while travelling that she discovered she enjoyed interacting with different people and learning about other cultures – ultimately leading her to a career focused on engaging with clients. 

Outside of work, Tarna loves to stay active by cycling, running or going to the beach for a surf. She really enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Jason was born and raised in Cape Town. Both of his parents were born in the UK and he has lived and worked in the UK. He was originally at Sable International between 2008 and 2018 and returned to Sable International in 2022, after spending four years at a local immigration company.  Outside of work he spends time with family and is part of a local soccer team, where he plays in a league during the winter season.

Frances grew up in the UK and moved to Cape Town in 2006. Prior to starting at Sable International, she spent some years working with children in the USA and London and at a US exchange program, helping young women with program and visa applications. She is a big people person and loves meeting new people. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, travelling and exploring the local restaurant scene.

Ruben grew up in a small town in the Northern Cape. He has a background in hospitality and has worked in some of South Africa's finest restaurants and hotels.

He previously worked in Sable International’s Business Immigration division, where he worked as an Admin Assistant, providing our clients with exceptional service and assistance.

As a Client Liaison in the visas and immigration team he builds and maintains positive relationships with our clients by keeping them informed about their case progression, or resolving any issues they have.

In his spare time, Ruben enjoys hiking, the outdoors, gardening, meeting up with friends and going on road trips.

Meghan started her career with Sable International in 2008, as part of our customer service department.

From there, she also spent time in our UK tax refunds and forex departments, gaining valuable insight into the overall workings of the business. Meghan’s passion for customer service and personal growth eventually led her to our visa department, where she worked as a UK Immigration Caseworker, before being promoted to Immigration and Nationality Manager.

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Benefits of Choosing IAS’ Immigration Lawyers

At IAS, we understand that every case and client is unique, so we provide bespoke assessment and support to each client. With us, you get a dedicated immigration lawyer who is dedicated to ensuring your application is successful. Enjoy the following benefits with IAS:

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

A personalised Letter of Representation to help compile a compelling case for approval

Continued support from your lawyer in the event of any complications.

Services we Provide

Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

Do I need a Visa to enter the UK?

Depending on your situation, you may need to send a visa application to visit and enter the UK.

Each visa category has different eligibility criteria and in some circumstances, applicants are required to have a UK-based sponsor.

To support your case and demonstrate that you qualify for your desired visa, you must also include an adequate portfolio of documents.

To learn more about your options to enter the country and how to send your UK visa application, get in touch with our team of professional immigration lawyers on 0333 305 9272.

Join your Family and Visit the UK

If you wish to live in the UK for more than 6 months with family members or partners who are British citizens or settled persons, you must send an application for a Family or Partner Visa.

Family Visas

To join your family in the UK, you can apply for one of the following Family Visas:

• Parent of a British national or settled person  – You can apply for this permit if your child is under the age of 18, you have an active role in their upbringing and are not the partner of their other parent.
• Children of a British national or settled person  – Only children under the age of 18 can be included in your application as dependants.
• Adults coming to be cared for by a relative –  To be eligible, your designated relative must be a British national or settled person. Furthermore, the applicant must require long-term personal care, which can not be obtained in their home country.
• UK Ancestry Visa  –  If you have a British born grandparent, you may be eligible for the ancestry visa.
• EEA Family Permit – This visa is for those who live outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and want to join their family in the UK within six months from the date of their application.

Partner Visas

Partners Visas are available for those who are engaged with, married to, or in a civil partnership with a British national or settled person. Depending on your situation, and if you decide to include your dependents in your form, there may be additional financial and eligibility criteria you will need to meet.

• Spouse Visa   – With a Marriage Visa, you can join your partner in the UK for up to 30 months. To be eligible, you must prove that your relationship is genuine and that you meet certain financial requirements.
• Fiance Visa   – The fiance visa is designed for someone who intends to get married in the UK within six months from the date of your application. However, if somebody fails to meet this essential requirement, they will be required to leave the UK at the end of their permitted period of residence in the UK
• Unmarried Partner Visa  – The unmarried partner visa is for couples who have lived together for at least two years but are not married .

Business Visas

The UK businesses visas are targeted towards “high-value migrants”, such as international entrepreneur or investors who wish to invest their capital or set up a business in the UK. The business visa categories are as follows:

• Global Talent Visa  -This is for those who work in a specific field (such as science, medicine, engineering, or the arts) and are internationally recognised as leaders in their area of expertise. The minimum points score is 75.
• Innovator Founder Visa  –   This visa is for experienced businesspeople starting a business in the UK who have an endorsement from an approved body.

UK Skilled Work Visas

This category of UK visas is suitable for applicants who have been offered a skilled job (such as accountancy, IT, or healthcare) by a UK-based sponsor. The employer must hold a sponsor licence and then issue a certificate of sponsorship to the employee. The Skilled Worker Visa is the main visa for skilled workers, but there are also several different categories of visas available for skilled workers.

The following are the four different visa categories under the Skilled Worker route:

• Skilled Worker Visa  – This visa is for international workers who have received a job offer from an employer in the UK who holds a sponsor licence. Furthermore, the applicant must meet the other eligibility requirement.
• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa  – This category of UK visas is accessible only for existing employees who work abroad but need to be transferred to a UK branch of their company. This permit is available for both long-term staff and for new graduate trainees.
• Sportsperson Visa   – Internationally established athletes and qualified coaches can apply for this category only if their role is recognised or endorsed by their sport’s governing body.
• Minister of Religion Visa  – This permit is targeted at religious workers and missionaries who need to undertake employment within a faith community based in the UK.

Study in the UK: Student UK Visas

Student visas allow international pupils to enter the UK as a student at a school, college or university. To be eligible, applicants must hold a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) at a UK educational institution.

•  Student Visa  – Students aged 18 or over who have been offered a place at a UK educational institution who hold a valid sponsorship licence, can send their visa application.
• Child Student Visa   – This permit is accessible for non-UK students under the age of 18. Applicants over the age of 16 may be allowed to work up to 10 hours per week.
• Short-Term Study Visa – You can apply for this permit if you wish to visit the UK for a short period and you have been offered a place on a short-term course, such as a training course or an English language course. This visa only lasts between 6 to 11 months.

Temporary Worker Visas

Temporary Work Visas  are suitable for those who wish to enter the UK for a limited amount of time and do not intend to settle in the country.

• Charity Worker   – This permit is for workers who have an unpaid or voluntary job offer.
• Creative and Sportspersons –  Only highly skilled creative workers or sportspersons who have been offered a job in the UK can apply for this visa.
• International Agreement  – This visa is for workers who have a job offer that is covered by international law, such as diplomatic or embassy workers.
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa  – This visa enables international workers aged 18 to 30 and who are nationals of one of the countries listed in the Youth Mobility Scheme, to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

UK Visa Application Advice

Our highly qualified immigration advisors can help you choose the best visa for your case, and evaluate your eligibility and your chances to succeed. Book your first Advice Session with one of our immigration specialists to receive professional guidance.

Call us on  0333 363 8577  or make an enquiry online to find out if you qualify for your desired visa.

UK Visa Application Assistance

With decades of legal experience and professional expertise, our immigration lawyers are ready to help you and your family enter the UK. Hire one of our experts to process your case, complete and submit your UK visa application form on your behalf, and liaise with the UKVI.

Call us on  0333 363 8577  or make an enquiry online to investigate your options to apply for a UK Visa.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance on your UK Visa application.

Visit the UK

UK Visitor and Short-Stay Visas allow non-EEA nationals to enter the UK for a short time (up to 6 months) for leisure, medical, artistic works or limited business activities.

UK Visitor Visas

To visit the UK for business, leisure or to get private medical treatment, you can apply for a Visitor Visa.

• The Business visitor visa is for activities such as attending conferences, trade fairs or work-related training
• Visit to Study allows someone to study a short course of up to 6 months with an accredited institution or for research relating to overseas study
• Academic Visitor allows someone who is a scientist, researcher or academic to come to the UK as part of a formal exchange arrangement or for research
• A Permitted Paid Engagement visa is for people who are coming to the UK to do a permitted activity and must have a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client.
• The Private Medical Treatment visa is for those coming to the UK to receive pre-planned private medical treatment
• Visitors in transit Visa  – Some travellers may need to send a relevant visa application to pass through the UK on their way to another country.

UK Short-stay Visas

You can apply for a short-stay visa if you wish to visit for tourism or business for up to 6 months.

• Short-term Study Visa  – You qualify for this visa if you wish to enter the UK to study a short course, or for a short period of research as part of your international degree course.
• Parent of a Child Visa  – This permit is available for applicants whose children attend an independent fee-paying school in the UK.
• Visitor Visa for Chinese tour groups  – This category is reserved for Chinese tour groups of a minimum of 5 people that are organised by an ADS licensed Chinese tour operator.

If you have any questions about your UK Visa application and eligibility, our team is happy to assist.

Settle in the UK

Depending on your current circumstances, you may qualify to settle in the UK after a certain amount of time spent in the country as a lawful resident. For example, if you have lived in the UK on a skilled worker visa, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years. With Indefinite Leave to Remain status, you may be able to acquire British Citizenship after a year or sooner depending on the visa you held before you acquired ILR.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

You will automatically receive your Biometric Residence Permit if you:

• Are granted permission to stay in the UK for more than 6 months
• Apply to extend your existing visa for at least 6 more months
• Apply to settle in the country as a UK national
• Request to transfer your current permit to a new passport.

Right of Abode

Those who hold dual nationality are entitled to include a Right of Abode stamp in their foreign passport to enter the UK freely. You can also apply if you are:

• A Commonwealth national whose parents were born as British citizens
• A Commonwealth woman married to a British national on or before 1 st  January 1983.

However, please note that the eligibility requirements and process are complex – it’s more than meeting the above two points.

Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR)

As a general rule, you must have spent at least five years in the UK before you can  apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain . How long you must have spent in the UK depends on the visa you hold and how long you have lived in the UK on that visa or other permits.

Once you settle in the UK, you will no longer be subjected to any immigration-related restrictions. You will be free to visit, work and study in the UK, and to travel abroad and re-enter the UK without the need to apply for a visa.

On the other hand, if you spend more than two years abroad, you will lose your permanent residence status.

Holding Indefinite Leave to Remain is a mandatory preliminary requirement before you can apply for British citizenship.

UK Citizenship and Naturalisation

You can  naturalise as a British citizen  after five years of lawful residence in the UK.

Once you get Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, you may be eligible for British nationality after a further 12-month period or sooner, depending on the visa you held previously and how long you have lived in the UK. Before you send your request to naturalise as a UK national, you must also meet specific requirements, such as:

• Demonstrate your adequate knowledge of the English language
• Pass the  Life in the UK Test  to prove your commitment to British customs
• Be of good character, meaning that you must not hold any severe criminal record nor having lived in the UK in breach of any immigration rule
• Not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during your qualifying period

Since British naturalisation is a complicated process that requires someone to send a strong portfolio of documents and evidence to the UKVI, it is always advisable to seek guidance from an expert immigration lawyer.

UK Visa appeal

We understand the frustration that comes with a UK Visa refusal. However, a refusal does not necessarily mean that you will be unable to come to the UK.

The  UK Visa appeal  process means that there are routes available for individuals who wish to challenge the decision.

In the past, there were broader rights of appeal against immigration or visa decisions, but this has changed to primarily rights of administrative review of the decision.

The right to appeal a UK Visa decision is primarily limited to grounds of human rights. The complexity of immigration law means that it is strongly recommended to work with a specialist immigration solicitor if you wish to appeal a UK Visa decision.

Other reasons why an appeal may proceed to the Immigration and Asylum Chamber include:

• The decision is not compatible with immigration rules
• The decision breaches the Race and Religion Act, Section 19B
• The decision breaches the applicant’s rights under the Community Treaties because of their relation to an EEA national family member
• The decision breaches some other law, apart from an immigration law
• That the decision should have been made differently compared to how the decision maker made the legal judgement
• The decision would result in the applicant’s human rights under the Refugee Convention and Human Rights Act being breached if the individual was removed from the UK

How to appeal UK Visa refusals

It is important to act quickly if you are unhappy with the outcome of an immigration decision. The deadlines include 14 calendar days for individuals who apply within the UK, or 28 days if they apply outside the UK.

However, some visa refusals come with no right to appeal. In cases like this, pre-action protocol for judicial review may be your next best option. This is not right for every case – it is important that you discuss with a lawyer to understand if this option is available to you.

Due to the nature of the UK’s legal landscape when it comes to immigration law, working with an experienced legal adviser may give you a better chance of a successful outcome.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need a visa to visit the uk.

Not all travellers who wish to visit the UK are required to apply for a visa. The following categories do not need to submit their application to the UKVI:

• European citizens
• Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Commonwealth citizens
• Those who already hold settled status in the UK
• Returning residents (holding Indefinite Leave to Remain)
• Citizens of countries not listed on the Visa Nationals list

If you are unsure whether you need a visa to visit the UK, you can ask for the advice of one of IAS’ professional lawyers.

Why do I need to apply for the correct visa category?

It is essential to apply for the most appropriate visa category to your personal circumstances. For example, if you have children, you must include them in your form.

If you fail to individuate the visa you need to apply for, or if you don’t meet the relevant requirements, your application will be refused. This will translate into a loss of money and time. If your case is refused, your application fee will not be refunded.

Submitting the wrong form can also lead to complications or delays with your case. This may compromise your current immigration status, especially if you are trying to extend your existing visa or trying to switch into another category while you are already in the UK.

How to apply for UK Visas?

UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has implemented an application system known as Entry Clearance (EC). Under this system, citizens who are non-UK-nationals but who wish to visit and enter the country for different purposes can apply for a visa based on their circumstances.

This process usually includes an appointment to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photos) to be taken and recorded before they visit the UK.

Can I apply for a UK visa for my dependents?

If one of your family members is a British citizen or settled person, you can apply for a Family Visa. Otherwise, you may be eligible to enter the UK as a dependent of a work or ancestry visa.

For immigration purposes, the following categories can be dependents of an eligible visa:

• The partner (either the spouse, fiancé or civil partner)
• A minor child (under 18 years old).

Successful applicants will be granted the right to remain in the UK in line with the expiry date of the PBS holder’s status.

PBS dependants are allowed to work in the UK. If they wish to study in the country, they may be required to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate, depending on the course.

How can I extend my UK Visa?

The majority of UK Visas will expire after a specific time, that depends on your visa category. The only immigration status that do not need to be extended are ILR and British citizenship.

If it essential to understand precisely when your visa is going to expire, and when you must submit your extension application. Otherwise, you may risk to overstay your permission, and face severe consequences.

Do not forget that, once you have submitted your renewal request, you may need to wait up to 8 weeks before you get a decision from the Home Office.

If your visa is going to expire any time soon and you wish to receive professional advice on how to extend it, our immigration lawyers will be happy to help.

When should I start applying for my UK Visa?

As a general rule, you should send your application form at most 90 days before your intended date of arrival in the UK.

The latest you can submit your forms is at most 15 working days before you wish to visit the UK.

What is the average UK Visa processing time?

The waiting time for receiving a verdict from the Home Office will depend on the visa category or status you are applying for.

However, you can receive a faster decision on your case if you choose the Home Office’s priority service. The cost for this service is £500, to be paid in addition to your application fee, and it allows you to receive a decision from the UKVI within 5 working days.

For a surcharge of £800, you can access to the Home Office’s super-priority service. This will make your final decision available by the end of the next working day (or 2 working days if the day after your UKVCAS appointment is at the weekend.

Please note that the Home Office priority and super-priority services availability is subject to the visa you applied for and the country from where you applied.

If your application is time-sensitive and you wish to speed up your application process, IAS offers a premium Fast Track service . Get in touch with our immigration specialists to find out how we can help you submit your forms within any strict deadline.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge, and do I need to pay for it?

Depending on the immigration status you are applying for, you may be required to pay a healthcare surcharge, also known as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

You must pay your fee directly when you send your application form online. If you are applying by post, you will need to include your IHS reference number on your forms.

As soon as you pay the surcharge and your application is granted, you can start using the National Health Service (NHS). However, you will still need to pay for additional services, such as prescriptions, eye tests and dental treatments.

Is adequate knowledge of English required to enter the UK?

Certain applications require, among other criteria, specific knowledge of written and spoken English. For example, this condition is mandatory for those applying for a Spouse Visa or who wish to settle in the UK under ILR.

You can prove your knowledge of the English language by:

• Providing a valid academic qualification. The UKVI will only accept degrees or other qualifications that were taught or researched in English, and that are recognised by UK ECCTIS.
• Taking an approved English language test with at least CEFT level A1. Some visa categories require a higher knowledge of the language, especially if you wish to settle in the UK.

Applicants who are under the age of 18 or over 65, or who have a physical or mental condition, may be exempt from the English language requirement.

My application has been refused. Can I submit an appeal?

Together with your refusal letter, you will receive from the Home Office further instructions on your right to appeal against its decision.

If you are not granted the right of appeal, you may be offered the chance for an administrative review.

You will only have 28 days to send your appeal application if you applied from outside the UK or 14 days if you applied from within the UK. Nevertheless, before you proceed, it is essential to understand the reasons for your refusal, so you can ensure to avoid further mistakes. In the majority of cases, submitting a new application may be less time consuming and cost-effective than appealing against the authorities’ decision.

Proceeding with an appeal or administrative review case is always complicated. For this reason, you should seek professional legal guidance.

Call us or enquire online to learn more about our  Appeal package  and all our bespoke immigration services.

What happens if I overstay my visa?

It is a criminal offence under section 24 of the Immigration Act 1971 to overstay your visa. In other words, when your permit expires you must leave the UK within 30 days unless there are reasonable causes to do otherwise.

If you overstay your visa, you will face long term consequences. For example, if you leave the UK voluntarily after your 30-day period, you may be banned from re-entering the country from one to ten years. You can avoid the ban by leaving the country at your own expense.

Overstaying your visa will harm any future applications you will make to re-enter and visit the UK. Besides, you will not be considered of good character in any circumstances, and you will thus never be allowed to naturalise as a British citizen.

Can I get a UK Visa refund?

Under specific circumstances, you may get a refund for your application if you withdraw your form before your biometrics are collected.

If you applied from outside the UK, you would need to contact the UKVI. In this case, you will receive a refund only if your application hasn’t been processed yet.

Applications made from within the UK can be withdrawn by submitting the relevant online form. However, it must be noted that it is not possible to receive a fee refund for applications made in the UK.

Who can apply for a Spouse Visa?

To qualify for a Partner or Marriage Visa, you must satisfy the following conditions:

• Be at least 18
• Be legally married to your partner, who must be a British national or settled person
• Intend to live together with your spouse permanently
• Prove that you meet specific financial requirements, and have enough money to support yourselves and your dependants without claiming public funds. The minimum income threshold is £18,600, but the required sum may be higher if you wish to include your dependent children in your application
• Have access to suitable accommodation, that meets the UK living standards
• Meet the English language requirement

To receive guidance on how to prepare your application and compile a successful portfolio of documents, call us or get in touch through our live chat.

Can a Student Visa holder work in the UK?

UK immigration law states that students must spend at least 15 hours a week in study. However, eligible pupils may be granted the right to work up to 20 hours per week while they study and full-time during the holidays.

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

UK tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: September 9, 2023

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. UK tourist visa application is online but the rest of the process requires an in-person appointment for biometrics.

The UK or the United Kingdom is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To visit any of these four countries, you would need a UK tourist visa. UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months and you can stay up to 180 days in the UK.

The UK tourist visa application process is long and there is no status tracking. Make sure to start your UK visa process at least two months from your intended date of travel to the UK.

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UK TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter the UK

• Passport must be valid for the entire stay in the UK

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

Unlimited entry.

• This requirement will change from 01 Jan 2021 when UK will no longer be part of the EU
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

6-month entry

• You must carry all documents needed for a visitor visa to show at the port of entry if asked
• Visa is REQUIRED if you have a criminal record or refused entry into the UK before
• Anguilla (British territory)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bermuda (British territory)
• Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (Dutch territory)
• British Virgin Islands (British territory)
• Cayman Islands (British territory)
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands (British territory)
• Hong Kong
• Marshall Islands
• Montserrat (British territory)
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Island (British territory)
• San Marino
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Maarten
• St Vincent and The Grenadines
• Timor Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands (British territory)
• United States of America
• Vatican City

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Palestinian Territories
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• São Tomé and Principe
• Turkmenistan

Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) required nationalities

• United Arab Emirates

24-hour VISA-FREE entry at Heathrow airport

• Eligible to request a 24-hour VISA-FREE entry at London’s Heathrow airport if holding a valid visa from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or any EU/Schengen country
• Must be in transit to/from the country of visa (Ex: if holding a Canada visa, you must be in transit to/from Canada only)
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
• Applies to all nationalities

BONUS (FREE eBook Download): Travel 56 countries VISA-FREE with a visa from the US, Canada, Schengen, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or Singapore

UK TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

First, check if you need a visitor visa to travel to the UK in the “UK tourist visa requirements by nationality” section above.

Alternatively, you can check your eligibility and requirements on the UK gov website .

Validity of UK tourist visa

UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months from the date of visa issue.

Example: If your UK visa was issued on January 15, the visa will be valid until July 15. 

NOTE There have been instances where visas were issued with validity starting from the date of travel mentioned in the visa application. 

When to apply for UK visa

You can apply for a UK visa up to 3 months in advance.

Example: If you plan to visit the UK on April 15, you can apply for your UK visa on or after January 16.

Also, keep in mind that you must apply for your UK visa at least 3 weeks prior to your travel, otherwise, you may not receive your visa on time. There are no refunds if you receive your visa after your travel date. 

IMPORTANT The UK visa process can take up to 3 weeks and even longer in some cases. I strongly recommend applying for your UK visa at least 2 months in advance.

How long can you stay in the UK?

The UK tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in the UK. But if you stay that long continuously in the UK on a tourist visa, you will have serious trouble getting another UK visa in the future or entering the UK next time.

Here is my advice. Stick to the days you have mentioned in your UK visa application. A few days more or less is fine. But staying months on your UK tourist visa will pretty much look like you “live in the UK” rather than “vacation/holiday”. 

Application procedure

The UK visa application is online. You must apply for the visa online at the UK Visas and Immigration website

Below are the steps you will go through for your UK tourist visa application

• Go to the UK Visas and Immigration website
• Select your preferred language, type of visa, your country, nearest visa application center, etc
• Create a login using email and password
• Complete in the application form
• Sign the declaration
• Pay visa fee
• Submit the application
• Download and print the submitted visa application form
• Make an appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Attend the appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Submit your passport, visa application and supporting documents at the visa application center
• If applying from the US, Australia or New Zealand, mail your passport, visa application and biometrics receipt to your nearest visa application center
• Pickup/receive the passport when the visa decision is made

Below are some of the information you will provide in the application form

• Your travel dates to the UK
• Your hotel address and telephone number in the UK
• Your total estimated cost for the trip
• Your present home address and how many years you’ve lived there
• Your parents’ names and their dates of birth
• Your annual income
• Your travel history for the past 10 years
• Your employer details including the address and telephone number

Documents required

The following are the documents required for UK visitor visa application 

• Completed online visa application form with GWF number
• A passport-size photo (optional)
• If employed – an employment letter on company letterhead indicating your length of employment, salary, role, etc.
• If self-employed – a business registration document indicating your business name, date of business, etc.
• If student – a letter from the school/university on the letterhead indicating your enrollment, leave of absence, etc.
• Proof of funds ( bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months)
• Proof of legal residence (if applying from a 3rd country. you must submit a copy of your visa or residence permit of that country)

Do you need flight tickets and hotel bookings for the UK visa application?

UKVI has stopped asking for flight tickets and hotel bookings for UK visa applications. But some nationalities are still being asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

When you complete your online UK visa application, you will see a checklist of documents to be uploaded. Check if you are asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

Even if you are asked to submit your flight tickets and hotel bookings, you should not book any flights/hotel until your UK visa is approved.

For flights, get a price quote from British Airways which can be used as a flight itinerary for your UK visa application. Visa ticket booking agencies such as DummyTicket offer flight itineraries for the UK visa for $19, valid for 2-3 weeks.

For hotel, book a refundable or pay at check-in hotel on booking.com or Expedia . Cancel the booking after your visa is approved.

For more options, check out my detailed flight itinerary and hotel reservation articles.

Photo requirements

A passport-size photo is only required if are exempt from biometrics. All tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics. Your fingerprints and digital photos are taken during your biometrics appointment.

Since all tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics, a passport-size photo is not required. But, I suggest bringing one with you on the day of your biometrics appointment just in case.

Visa application fee

The UK tourist visa application fee is £95 GBP. You will pay this fee in your local currency. Due to exchange rates, you may end up paying about £2 – £5 GBP more.

You can use the UK home office visa fee wizard to find out the exact visa fee that you would need to pay in your local currency. 

If you are applying for a long-term UK tourist visa, below is the visa fee for 2, 5 and 10-year tourist visas. 

• 2 years: £361 GBP
• 5 years: £655 GBP
• 10 years: £822 GBP

Visa appointment

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to make a visa appointment at your nearest UK Visa Application Center . Visa Application Centers are run by either VFSGlobal or TLSContact in conjunction with UK Visas and Immigration.

On the day of the appointment, you will give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your original documents. You must bring all your original documents along with one photocopy of each including your passport.

Applicants from the USA, Australia (Adelaide and Hobart only) and New Zealand

You must give your biometrics at your nearest Biometric Enrollment Center and later send/post your documents to the nearest UK Visa Application Center.

During your online UK visa application, you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment at your nearest Biometric enrollment center.

• Biometric enrollment centers in the USA are run by the US Homeland Security.
• Biometric enrollment centers in Australia are run by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
• Biometric enrollment centers in New Zealand are run by Immigration New Zealand.

The biometrics appointment takes about 10-15 minutes. You will give your fingerprints and photo. You will receive an acknowledgment stamp on the biometric appointment confirmation.

You must then mail your original passport, visa application, biometric confirmation with the stamp, supporting documents and return postage to the UK Visa Application Center you have selected during your online visa application.

You will be notified via email when the UK Visa Application Center receives your documents.

Visa processing time

The UK tourist visa processing takes up to 3 weeks. There have been incidents where UKVI has taken over 2 months to process, especially when the visa applications are “not straightforward”.

UKVI considers a visa application “not straightforward” if additional information is required to process the visa. Additional information can be, verifying information, background check or requesting additional documents. UKVI usually notifies you in such cases and requests any additional documentation necessary.

Keeping such incidents in mind, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

If you have to travel sooner, you should purchase the “Priority Visa Service” while applying online. Or at least before you mail/submit your documents. This way your visa application will be processed within 5 working days.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE When I applied for my UK visa, the visa processing time was about 2 weeks. I had a planned trip to Canada before my trip to the UK. My trip to Canada was in 4 weeks, so I thought I had enough time to apply for my UK visa. However after I submitted my passport, the email confirmation said the visa process would take up to 4 weeks. I panicked. I went ahead and paid for the priority visa service. I panicked again. Then I emailed a formal visa withdrawal request, so I could at least get my passport back and make my trip to Canada. However, my visa was processed within 2 days of paying the priority visa service fee. Please do not make the same mistake as I did. Apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

Visa application status tracking

Online visa application tracking is NOT AVAILABLE on the UK Visas and Immigration website. To track your UK visa application status, you must use UK Visas and Immigration’s email or phone option, which unfortunately is NOT FREE.

UKVI charges for all phone and email inquiries. 

Below are UK Visa and Immigration phone, email details and charges.

PHONE Telephone: +44 2034811736 Available 24 hours from Monday to Friday Calls cost £1.37 per minute plus any international call charges

EMAIL Email communication must be initiated via Email UK Visas and Immigration Email inquiries cost £5.48. Follow-up emails after that are not charged. You will receive a response to your email within 2 working days.

You must give out your credit card information for billing when you start the phone inquiry. For email, you must fill out the payment form and then you can submit your email inquiry.

PERSONAL OPINION Email inquiries generally receive a standard response saying that your application is “in process”. Phone inquiries are slightly better and cheaper.

Priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK urgently, you can opt for the “Priority Visa Service”.  This service is expensive and may not be available in all countries. If available, you will see the option in your online UK visa application. 

• Priority visa service fee: £220 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 5 working days

Priority visa service must be purchased during your online visa application. This will ensure your visa is processed within 5 days.

Purchasing this service after you have submitted/mailed your documents will take much longer than 5 working days. You must first pay the fee on the Visa Application Center (VAC) website and then email the receipt to the Visa Application Center where you have submitted/sent your documents. It can take more than a day for the VAC staff to locate your packet and push it into the priority queue

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I purchased my priority service after I had mailed my documents. My visa application was approved within two days of buying the priority visa service.

Super priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK immediately, you can opt for “Super Priority Visa Service”. This service comes with a hefty price tag, so purchase this service only in super urgent, emergency cases. 

• Super priority visa service fee: £956 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 24 hours

Cancel your UK visa application

If you haven’t given your biometrics at the visa application center yet, you can cancel your UK visa application and get a full refund of your visa fee. The procedure to cancel your UK visa application depends on at what stage your application is in.

Application not submitted and fee not paid : If you haven’t paid your fee and haven’t submitted your application, there is a “Delete Application” option that will delete your current visa application.

Application not submitted but fee already paid : If you have already paid your fee and have not yet submitted your application, you can still delete your application but you may have to send a formal refund request in writing to the visa application center.

Application submitted, fee paid but haven’t given your biometrics : If you haven’t given your biometrics at VFS/BLS, you can cancel your application and request for a refund. The refunds take 4 weeks. 

Application submitted, fee paid, biometric given , and documents/passport already submitted: If you have already given your biometrics and submitted your documents/passport, you CANNOT cancel your visa application anymore. You can only WITHDRAW your visa application. You must email the visa application center a formal withdrawal request. Upon receipt of the withdrawal request, the visa application center will return/mail your passport back. Any visa fee and priority service fee paid are not refundable. 

IMPORTANT Even though UKVI says the refunds are processed in 4 weeks, it usually takes 8 weeks or even longer. There have been instances where applicants waited several weeks and some even gave up on their refunds. However, I have seen applicants having success in getting their refunds by reminding UKVI with phone calls or emails. It costs about $5 USD to email them, but it helps in getting your refund eventually. 

Withdraw your UK visa application

The UK visa application center keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process, which could be 3 weeks or more. There may be emergencies where you need to have your passport with you. The only way to request your passport back is by formally withdrawing your visa application. 

If you withdraw your application, the visa fee and any priority service fee you have paid are NOT refundable.

To withdraw a visa application, you must submit a withdrawal request along with the reason for the withdrawal to the visa application center via email. It might take up to 72 hours for the consulate to locate your packet and send it back to you.

You must first call/email the UK Visas and Immigration mentioning your intention to withdraw your application. They will guide you through the process of withdrawing your application. Usually, the UK visa application withdrawal request should be a signed document with personal information including the GWF number. This document must be printed and signed. It must be scanned and emailed to the visa application center. Below is a sample withdrawal request letter.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby request to withdraw my UK visa application. I understand that the visa fee is non-refundable. I also understand that my package may not be shipped for up to 72 hours.

Full Name of the Applicant: <name> GWF Number: <GWF number> Date of Birth: <date of birth> Nationality: <Nationality> Country of Residence: <Country of residence> Passport number: <Passport number> Type of Visa Applied: General Visit (up to 6 months) Biometric taken date:  <biometric date> Visa application centre’s address:  <address of the visa application center where you have submitted your documents> Contact number of the applicant: <Your phone number>

Priority Service Paid: <YES/NO> Priority Service Paid On: <Priority service purchased date>

Reason for Withdrawal: Emergency international travel has been scheduled. I need to have my passport in order to travel. Please return my passport as soon as possible. Thank you!

<Your signature here> Signed: <Your full name> Date: <date>

IMPORTANT Cancellation or withdrawal is NOT a refusal. It WILL NOT affect your future UK visa applications. You don’t need to mention it in your future UK visa applications either.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE UK

Entering the UK by air

At the immigration, the officers may ask you questions about your trip, how long you plan to stay, your next destination, etc. You may be asked to show your return/onward ticket and your hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use OnwardTicket to get proof of your onward ticket. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The immigration officer at Heathrow Airport asked me to show my return/onward ticket. I had a print of my onward ticket, so quickly took it out and gave it to the immigration officer.

Leaving the UK by air

If you are flying out of Heathrow Airport, make sure to arrive early. The airport is huge and you may have to take a bus from the gate to the flight.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is GWF number in UK visa application ?

GWF reference number is the unique visa application number that was provided to you on your visa application submission. You must provide your GWF number when calling or emailing UK Visas and Immigration. Without the GWF number, UK Visas and Immigration will not be able to provide you with a status update on your visa application.

What to do if my UK visa application is refused?

If your UK visa application is refused, the first thing is to understand the  reasons for your UK visa refusal . If the reason is due to missing information, proof of funds or documentation, make sure to fix these the next time you apply for your UK visa.

Write a detailed cover letter explaining the reasons for your previous visa refusal, missing information/documentation and any additional information/documentation that you have provided in the new application. This will help the ECOs cut to the chase and focus on the new information/documentation.

There is no “appeal” for UK visa. So, re-apply for your UK visa by making sure you have the new information, proofs and documents that were lacking previously. You must pay the visa fee again as the fee paid for your previous application was non-refundable.

If you do not know the reason for your visa refusal/denial, give at least 6 months before you apply for the visa again. 

Can I get my UK visa application fee refund if denied?

No. The visa fee and any priority service fee paid are non-refundable if your visa application is denied. The visa fee is also non-refundable in incidents where the visa is approved for less number of days than requested.

I’m planning to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip. Should I apply for my UK visa first or Schengen visa first?

If you plan to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa first. 

UKVI keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process and there is no visa status tracking. Calls and emails to customer service are charged. Even if you pay and contact, you will usually get a canned response. If your UK visa is refused, there is no “appeal”. You can only re-apply, which means you have to repeat the entire process again.

On the other hand, the Schengen visa application process is much streamlined. There is application tracking, customer service and appeal. 

I highly recommend applying for your UK visa first and get done with it. After that, apply for your Schengen visa. 

When applying for your UK visa, show a “UK-only” itinerary for your UK visa. This eliminates the need for submitting your Schengen visa, flights in/out of the Schengen region, etc. 

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. But, the visa application process is long and expensive. Apply at least 2 months in advance, and follow all the proper steps and documentation. Tourist visas are usually multiple-entry with 6 months validity.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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We are the fastest way to get a visa.

The leading global travel visa service with unrivaled capability to obtain business and other travel visas for corporations and individuals worldwide in a fast, convenient and secure manner

We are the World Leader in Global Mobility

Over 1,600 expert immigration and visa professionals utilizing industry-leading technology to ensure that you always have the correct legal documents required for your travel

We are Fast, Easy, and Secure

Strict adherence to complex global and national legislation and regulations in addition to the secure safeguarding of your personal data

Top Travel Destinations

New zealand, saudi arabia.

CIBTvisas and this site are not affiliated with any government body. We manage the entire application process on your behalf, assisting you to navigate through the complicated requirements. Fees will vary in relation to destination and the complexity of your application. CIBTvisas service fees are additional and separate to any government/consular fees due to the relevant embassy.

Going to the USA?

Apply online and get an ESTA for travel to the USA in seconds.

An ESTA is an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, mandatory for those eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program to travel to the United States.

Let our team of experts make your visa application quick and easy. From one-on-one consultations, timely reminders, and step-by-step assistance, you can rest easy knowing our visa experts will help you get your application and documentation right the first time.

Visa Pre-Check

Have an urgent visa application with tight deadline?   Use CIBTvisas Visa Pre-Check to save valuable time.  Experienced CIBTvisas specialists will review and check your documents to confirm that your application is ready to be submitted or if there is information that needs to be corrected.

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Top Destinations

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Travel Visas

• Tourist Visas
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🐣   Bank Holidays – our offices will be closed for the upcoming UK bank holidays, please  click here for details .

Search By Destination

How do i apply, popular visa services, 🇺🇸 america (usa) esta, 🇺🇸 america b2 tourist visa, 🇦🇺 australia e-visa, 🇹🇭 thailand tourist visa, 🇮🇳 india tourist e-visa, 🇱🇰 sri lanka evisa, 🇪🇬 egypt e-visa, 🇨🇦 canada tourist eta, 🇨🇺 cuban tourist card, 🇨🇳 china tourist/business visa, 🇰🇪 kenya tourist eta, 🇳🇿 new zealand nzeta, important information.

China have resumed issuing tourist visas, marking the end of a three-year ban on leisure travel due to COVID-19. They will also accept previously issued 10-year visas with unused validity for entry. Travellers are advised to to submit their applications early as processing times could be delayed due to high demand.

Visit our application portal for further information about tourist and business visas and start an online application.

Telephone Support

Telephone support is available between the hours of 9:30am – 3:00pm Monday – Friday. Outside of these hours, please  complete our online enquiry form and one of our team will respond to you.

Schengen Visas

• We are currently restricting Schengen Visa applications for certain countries due to appointment availability
• If we are unable to assist, you may wish to contact the Embassy / Application centre of your destination directly

Scott's visas

• Corporate Accounts

• United Kingdom
• Artist & Entertainer
• EU & SCHENGEN VISAS
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• Visas | Worldwide
• Visas | EU/Schengen
• Visas | Artist & Entertainer
• Corporate accounts

• A short-stay visa issued by any Schengen country permits travel throughout all the Schengen countries, for up to 90 days in any 180 day period, unless marked with specific restrictions.
• Applicants must normally attend the embassy/visa centre in person to give biometric information (ie fingerprints), although if a Schengen visa has previously been issued this may not be required.
• A flat consular fee is charged for all short-stay visas , irrespective of the length of stay or number of entries granted. This is reduced for nationals of certain countries, and may be waived altogether* for family members of an EEA/EU/Swiss national.
• Applications are required to be supported by considerable documentation , and can be complicated.
• Individual attention to your unique situation , from a consultant whose extensive knowledge and experience of this complex area will prevent common mistakes and save you time.
• Detailed help in creating a perfect application package , including advice on acceptable alternative evidence, if appropriate.
• Submitting the application on your behalf (if you are not required to attend in person).
• Providing a courier to accompany, support and help you at the visa centre/embassy if you do need to submit in person.
• Tracking the submitted application , and collecting your visa/passport as soon as it's ready.
• Notifying you in advance as to when your visa/passport will be available for collection from our office.
• Complete the application form on your behalf.
• Arrange express appointments for many countries , significantly sooner than are available to the public.
• Arrange speedy delivery of your visa/passport by Royal Mail Special Delivery, or any other courier of your choice.
• An initial consultation , in which we establish what applies in your case and whether we are able to help you.
• We take payment for all the applicable fees.
• Preparation of the visa application package , with your consultant providing step by step guidance and regular feedback throughout the process.
• Lodging the application , which our courier will do on your behalf if you don't need to attend the visa centre/embassy in person. If you do need to attend in person (as many countries require), our courier will accompany you to the appointment*, bringing any documents prepared by your consultant, paying for the application and providing help and support throughout as required.
• We track the submitted application , and collect your visa/passport on your behalf as soon as it is ready.
• Your visa/passport is returned to you , either by special delivery, or direct collection from our office, or a courier of your choice.
• a passport that meets certain criteria*, and
• the right to apply from the UK .
• A short stay visa with a simplified application procedure and no visa fee* , for which less documents are required. There is, however, considerable variation between countries in regard to who qualifies as a family member. Please contact us for more details. The only country not to offer this option is Romania .
• A short stay visa exemption, if holding one of certain specific types of UK residence card/documentation (see below). Please note, however, that Switzerland does not allow this exemption. The specific types of UK residence card/documentation All countries accept cards / documentation stating either Family Member of an EEA National or Family Member of a Union Citizen (apart from Croatia , who only accept the latter). Most countries also accept documentation stating Permanent Residence Card . The only countries which do not accept this are Bulgaria , Croatia , Cyprus , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Romania , Slovakia and Slovenia .
• If visiting only one country , application must be made to that country.
• If visiting more than one country , application must be made to the country the most time will be spent in.
• If visiting more than one country but spending an equal time in them all , application must be made to the first country entered.
• Ireland never require you to attend in person.
• Switzerland won't need you to go in person if you've given biometric info* for a previously issued Schengen visa.
• Germany or the Netherlands won't need you to go in person if you've given biometric info* for a previously issued visa from that particular country.
• Poland won't need you to go in person if you've given biometric info* for a previously issued Schengen visa marked 'VIS'.
• Frequent travellers to Luxembourg may not need to attend in person.

Scott’s visas Helped me to get Thai Family Visa done an excellent job good price for the service and completed with ease I would recommend them to anyone Stefan

I couldn’t recommend Scott’s visas more...they have been amazing! Robert has taken all the stress out of sorting a Visa for my dad and he’s been so helpful and knowledgeable! Sorry about the million questions but you were straight back with the answers. Thank you so much, Emma

This is my second time using Scots visa service and every time the service is always amazing. The staff are always helpful and any questions you have they always answer them all for you. The constantly communicate with you and will give you useful information to complete your application form. Thanks everyone and amazing people to arrange your overseas visa. Kevin

Extremely helpful service : and very knowledgeable. Natalia went beyond what would be expected in helping me with a visa application. Thank you !

Dear Minder I would like to say a big thank you for all your help. Your calmness and professional attitude was great and I will definitely be recommending your services to colleagues and friends. Thank you again. Best regards, Cheryl

Top service from you guys as usual. Thanks Ritz. Life saver! Regards, Chris

Hi Yan That is great news. Thanks for all your help, you have been a total superstar!  All best wishes, Michael

Dear Minder, Thank you for your professional and very efficient service, it has removed some of the stress of this visit to China. Kind regards, Chris  

Hi Marc Thank you so much for your help and support, I really appreciate it. We will definitely use your services in the future for any other visa applications. Thank you once again. Kind regards, Jay

Hi Yan, Thanks so much for everything, delighted with the fast service and you've been great. Sorry for interrupting your lunch! Look forward to working with you again soon. Best wishes, Imaan

Krista Thank you so much our visas arrived at noon. We are delighted. Well done to you and Scott’s. Verity and Lionel

Thanks for your valuable help in this stressful situation Minder :)  All best Raphaël

Hi Yan That’s brilliant. Thank you, I will certainly recommended your service to my colleagues. All best wishes, Michael

Hi Krista Thank you so much for getting visas sorted. You were very kind and helpful. Verity

HI YAN Thanks for the great service! I appreciate your help! Regards David

Excellent news and thanks for all your efforts. I will call later to sort payment and collection. You are a star!

020-49027000 / 020-25550000

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Are You Struggling With Your Visa Application?

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Visa Consultant in India - BTW Visa Services

We are an expert visa consultant in India focusing on providing quick and easy services to all your travelling needs. Be it a visa, travel insurance, flight ticketing, or whatever it is, we cover it all.

BTW is a top visa company in India and with a team of accomplished visa experts, we render hassle-free offline and online visa services India amongst others. With our branches in Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi and Ahmedabad serving thousands of customers, we have earned a reputation of being reliable and trustworthy. We are among the few visa agency in India that provide consultation for over 200 countries and for various types of visas including tourist, business, work, study, and others. Our speciality lies in being a top UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and Schengen visa agent India.

Most Popular Visas

To make it easier for you, these are some of the most sought after visas. Choose the one right for you and start applying with us!

Most Trusted Visa Consultancy

BTW Visa Services (India) Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO 9001-2008 certified company. We are more than just a visa consultancy, we provide complete travel solutions to our customers. Our visa and travel consultants provide excellent customer service whether you avail our services online or visit our office. What makes us distinct from our competitors particularly, we provide one to one counseling for every inquiry we receive and aim to create the best experience for our customers.

Visa Assistance

Air ticketing, attestation & apostile, travel insurance, holiday packages, hotel booking, why choose us, quality service.

Our service is what makes us strong and proud. We never compromise on our quality. We believe that services are backbone of any organization and our process is to make sure our customer is satisfied with our services.

We aim to provide first class travel experience to our clients. Our staff is professionally trained and focus to provide perfect service in order to attain all your travel needs.

Personalized assistance for visa documentation, free pickup & drop, special and discounted rates exclusively for corporates.

Great Support

Humble staff ready to answer all queries over the phone and in person, On the grounds of expertise, BTW Visa Services offers customer support through all possible means of communication for all travel needs.

24 X 7 availability and accessibility on email and calls, assistance on Sundays in case of emergency and last minute visas- this is how we justify being called as Great Support!

Our team at BTW Visa Services competes in the travel agency sectors of Pune, Visa agents in Mumbai and visa centres in Ahmedabad to lead and stand tall to desirably grow as top visa providers in India.

Experienced

13 years experience in visas and travel related services justifies our aim to provide best assistance in visa documentation and provide the right consultation as to how to showcase one's application.We have been processing rare countries visas like- Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Namibia, Bahamas,Zimbabwe, Greenland, Romania etc.

BTW visa services is been identified as visa expert in USA visa, Canada visa, UK & Schengen visa, H1B visa processing agents. Goal is to achieve the zenith of being best visa company in India and to be recognised and nominated by the travellers as best visa centre in India.

With our expert team, we have experties for all types of visas i.e. business, tourist, work-permit, student, visitor, transit, employment etc. visas.

Higher success rate

We strive hard so that our clients get visa without any hassle. We give attention to details while consulting for visa so that there is no room for mistakes.

Constant update of the status of your visa submission or visa case, also in your appointment if applicable is the secret behind BTW’s higher success rate of visa assurance.

Testimonials

I would like to thank BTW Visa Services (India) Pvt Ltd in assisting for my Parents Visa.BTW Visa Services (India) Pvt Ltd provided the great service and guidance.The staff is very professional. I recommend BTW Visa to all.It is the best visa services provider in India. All the Best !!

BTW Visa Services has offered us excellent services for the last 5 years. They have done our international and domestic travel arrangements and ticketing very efficiently and to our entire satisfaction. All the staff specially Mr. Aashish Laghate Ms. Urmila have been very cooperative. We are entirely satisfied and highly recommend their services.

sharad manohar

I sincerely thank BTW for very good service and guidance to obtain the visa to countries I have traveled and keep travelling in future.

sanjay takle

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Legal Disclaimer: BTW Visa Services is a non-government organisation and we solely act as a service provider. All the information on the website is general information based on the available information on the internet and authorities. We shouldn't be held responsible if any changes or any guidelines at actual get altered.

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Visa Services for Schengen Area

Appointments.

Currently we may be able to arrange priority appointments for Spain, France, or Germany for an additional fee. Please e-mail us with your nationality, BRP card validity, the city you live in and detailed itinerary for more details.

How much will it cost?

The standard cost of a Schengen visa fee is approximately €80 per adults but may be lower depending on your age or nationality. Visa application centres charge additional fees ranging between £30 and £70 usually. Our standard service fee for Schengen applications is £100. If you need to use priority service to get your appointment booked quickly, in most cases we are able to help, but that will incur additional costs. Please note that fees are charged for consideration of your application and are non-refundable.

General information

The 26 Schengen member countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

A Schengen visa allows its holder to travel for tourism or business purposes freely within the Schengen zone.

UK passport holders can travel to and stay in the Schengen zone for up to 90 days per every 180-day period without a visa.

If you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, you must apply for a national visa of that European country. This also applies for UK nationals.

Travel Visa Agency can help with most types of Schengen and national European country visas.

When should you apply?

Please apply at least 2 months before you plan to travel to allow enough time to prepare your documents and have your visa processed.

Which country should you submit your application for a Schengen visa at?

You need to apply for a Schengen visa at the country where you plan to travel to. If you plan to visit more than one Schengen country, you need to apply at the country of your main destination - where you will spend most days. If you will be spending an equal amount of days in each country, you have to apply at the country where you will enter first.

What do you need to prepare?

• Your passport. Check that your passport has at least 6 months’ validity after the expiry of the visa you are applying for and that you have at least 2 blank visa pages. Your passport will not be accepted for visa processing if is damaged.
• Your UK visa/residence permit (for non-UK nationals). The validity of your UK residence permit must exceed that of the requested visa by more than 3 months.
• Copies of all previous Schengen visas. If issued in an old passport, a copy of the old passport too.
• Return flight booking confirmation (must show applicant’s name).
• Accommodation booking confirmation (hotel, Airbnb, rental agreement, etc., must show applicant’s name and dates must correspond to the flight booking). Some consulates require proof of payment for your accommodation booking.
• Travel insurance valid in the Schengen zone for the period of your stay.
• Proof of employment – a letter from your employer confirming that you are employed in the UK with copies of the last three months’ payslips. If you are a student – a letter from your university. If you are self-employed – last year tax return.
• Your bank statements for the last at least 3 months – originals plus copies.

For business visas additionally:

• Copy of the invitation letter from the company you will visit in the Schengen zone, stating your passport details, the purpose of the trips, date of first trip, the number of entries for the visa required and the expected frequency of the proposed business trip(s).

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UK Visa Application Centre in Cape Town

Our Visa Application Centre is open for new appointments.

Centre information

Added Value Services

Designed to enhance your visa application experience.

Application process

Find out all mandatory steps to apply for a UKVI visa.

TLScontact by your side. You might have some questions as you go through the visa process. You will find below some useful information and links to help you.

BEWARE OF UK VISA APPOINTMENT SCAMS

Only book UK visa appointments through TLScontact.

TLScontact is the only official partner for UK Visas and Immigration in South Africa.

Beware of other websites, companies or individuals attempting to sell UK visa appointments.

UK visa appointments are available for free at the TLScontact Visa Application Centre in Cape Town.

TLScontact also provides some appointments for a fee. These offer additional flexibility or convenience. However, these paid appointments are all optional, and there are always free appointments available at other times or on other days. Please view the Added Value Services page for more information on the fees for these services.

TLScontact cannot guarantee that any appointments arranged through other companies or individuals will be legitimate or accepted when you arrive at the TLScontact Visa Application Centre.

Update to Settlement Visa Application Process. Click here for more details.

For your protection, please note that legitimate TLScontact employees will not ask you to make payment via telephone. All payments related to TLScontact services should be made directly via our website or at our visa application centre .

Recommended Services for you

• United Kingdom “UK” Visa
• Visa Assistance

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• Visas and immigration

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Visit for tourism, business or a short stay (up to 6 months), airport transit visas

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• Check if you need a UK visa

Ways to visit the UK

• Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
• Visa to pass through the UK in transit
• Marriage Visitor visa
• Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
• Visit the UK in a Chinese tour group

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