How to Apply for a UK Visa
- A
- Jan 26, 2018
- 4 min read
I remember years ago when asked which country I wanted to visit in Europe, my first choice would always be to visit London. To my friend's utter surprise, they would always ask me why London when so many would want to visit Paris.
I just smiled and told them flatly that I want to visit London because my super crush lives there (who knows I'd see him while walking down the streets of London). If you're wondering who my crush is - it is the super hunky, handsome and brooding David Gandy. And as a bookworm, I was inclined to reading historical fiction books (mostly about the kingdom's monarch - who doesn't love the story of Elizabeth Woodville and the War of the Roses) and of course watching The Tudors (Henry Cavill is such a dream). So yes, I want to go to London, to be able to experience and visit the places I've only read on books and watched on TV.
For us Filipinos, we are burdened by the fact that our passport is quite weak that we have to apply for VISAS in order for us to travel to other countries. So if you are planning to visit UK anytime soon, here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a VISA (Standard Visitor Visa).
Currently there are two (2) portals/websites wherein you can lodge your online visa application. The first is Access UK Service and the other is through Visa4UK. I tried lodging my application on both websites and found it easier to apply through Access UK Service. You can lodge applications as early as 3 months before your intended travel date.
Accessing the Access UK Service
you're going to select your language
select your visa type (in this case Standard Visitor Visa), for other types of visa you can check this link for more details
enter country in which you are making your application (Philippines)
choose which visa application center you can go for personal appearance (Manila/Cebu)
Lodging your application
before lodging your application, you are directed to a page with FAQs and other instructions on how to apply. Note that for visits less than 6 months TB test is not required.
1 Start
You will be asked to provide you email address and create a password for your account
2 Application
Personal information such as your name (they will also ask you if you are known by any other names), address, phone number, passport details, etc.
Parents information
Employment details and your earnings after tax, other sources of income and who will be covering for your expenses while in the UK
Travel information - intended dates of travel, reason for visit, summary of your itinerary while in the UK, accommodation details/arrangements
Travel history - countries visited in the past 10 years
3 Documents
You will be asked to submit the following documents to support your application (these documents will be submitted on the day of your personal appearance)
Passport or travel document (they will ask for your recent as well as your old passport), just prepare photocopies of your recent and past passport also for submission.
Information about your visit - this includes tour details, flight details, letter of invitation, etc.
Current employment
certificate of employment (with seal/logo of the office you work for, it should also indicate your start date, position as well as annual salary)
payslips (preferably for the past 6 months)
tax returns
business registration documents and business bank account statements if applicable
Proof of Income/Money
Personal bank statement (preferably issued on the month of your application)
Bank books/bank letters
If another person is paying for your visit, you can submit:
Sponsor's bank statement
I also submitted a letter of financial support from my sponsor
Home Address & Evidence of Assets
Property deed
or if renting, you can include your Contract of Lease/tenancy agreements
Accommodation in the UK
Hotel booking confirmation
or if arrangement through a travel agent, Travel Agency Confirmation
if living with sponsor, sponsor's accommodation details
4 Declaration
You are to declare that all information you have entered are true and correct to your knowledge. You will then be directed to
5 Payment
Payment for Standard Visitor Visa is 125.00 USD, I paid mine using credit card. Once payment is successful, a confirmation will be sent to your email. You can then proceed to the next step and choose your appointment date.
Once you've already chosen your appointment, you can change/reschedule up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
6 Appearance
Lodging of applications are located at Mezzanine Floor, Unit M01 Ecoplaza Building.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment and don't forget to bring your printed application form and all supporting documents.
You will be directed to a counter, wherein an officer will check your appointment confirmation and give you your queue number.
After getting your number, you go to the intended room for UK applications and wait for your number to get called.
On the first window, officers will check your documents and pouch them.
They will ask you whether you want to be updated on your application (there is an additional cost for the SMS Service - 157.50 PHP)
They will also ask you whether or not you want to have your passport be sent through carrier service (additional 525.00 PHP) or picked-up at VFS office.
Normal processing time for visa approval is 15 working days, you can pay about 200 USD additional if you want to have your visa approved within 5 working days.
You then proceed to the next room, wherein they will take your picture (other agencies require that you prepare a printed photo UK visa size, i didn't bring one since I know they'd be taking my picture on the day) and bio metrics.
After all those preparations and gathering of needed documents, personal appearance - you're done. All you have to do is wait until you get your passport to know whether your application is approved or not (the wait is kind of nerve wracking, especially if you're cutting it close to you're intended date of departure).
Luckily, even if I just availed of their standard visa service, I got my visa after 2 days.
So if you're planning to visit the UK anytime soon, better lodge your application early to avoid the hassle of petitioning in case your application gets denied. Also, appointments are usually usually fully-booked for months, so start your application as early as possible.
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