|
|
|
- What is a visa?
A visa (or entry clearance) is a certificate that is put into
your passport or travel document that gives you permission to
enter the United Kingdom (UK). On arrival in the United Kingdom
a Border Force officer may check that you are here for the reasons
you have stated. Passengers will also have their fingerprints
scanned at border control to verify that the individual entering
the UK is the same person who gave their biometric data when they
applied for their visa. In the majority of cases the passenger's
right hand thumb and first finger will be used for the check.
For more information about what you might expect on arrival in
the UK please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
- When to apply
For all types of visa, you can apply up to 3 months in advance
of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly
advised not to confirm their travel arrangements to come to the
UK until they have received their visa.
- How to apply
Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
Use the 'Do
I need a visa' questionnaire on the UK Border Agency website
to see if you need a visa. If you need a visa you should follow
the steps below. UK visa applicants are strongly advised not to
make their travel arrangements until they have received their
visa.
Visa
application guidance
For non-Thai citizens, applicants must apply for long term visa
in their country of origin or residence. In order to qualify to
apply here in Thailand, they will need to be in possession or
a dependant of a Thai residence or work permit.
Please note: There may be some delay in processing your
application as the UK Border Agency may need to refer your documents
to your country of origin / normal residence.
Step 2 - Read the information on your visa
category
Before you decide to apply for a particular visa, please make
sure you familiarise yourself with the information
on the category you are applying for and the Immigration
Rules.
Step 3 - Complete your visa application form
You should submit 1 visa application for each individual applying
for a visa, including children.
You can complete your visa application form in one of the following
2 ways, although settlement and Tier 4 applications and their
dependants should complete an online
application.
- Online visa application form
Complete your visa application on the online
application system
Please ensure that you select the correct visa application
for the purpose of your visit. Ensure that you complete all
the sections correctly.
- Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application.
The information in this section must be completed accurately.
- Please print all the pages of the visa application form
and bring it to the visa application centre on good quality
paper and ensure that the information does extend beyond
the margins on the paper.
- Please make sure the bar code appears on the final page
of your printed visa application form and remember to
sign it.
- After you have saved and submitted your online application,
you will receive an e-mail with a unique number that starts
with GWF. Keep your ID number for future reference.
- Paper visa application form
- Download the appropriate visa
application form free of charge.You should print your
visa application form on good quality paper and ensure
that the information does not extend beyond the margins
on the paper.
- Complete the application form in English using a black
or blue pen and sign it. Ensure that you complete all
the sections correctly. If you make a mistake filling
in any of the sections, you will need to make the change
on the form and sign against it.
Step 4 - Prepare your documents
You must provide original documents with photocopy for each
original document you are submitting. Failure to submit original
documents may mean your application is delayed or refused. You
must submit all your supporting documents with an English translation.
Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original
document for verification.
Document checklists
Please visit the 'Document Checklist'
page on this website for more information. The checklists are
a guide to applicants; they are not intended to be a complete
list of required documents.
Photograph
(see photo specifications)
Step 5 - Schedule an appointment
All visa applicants (with the exception of right of abode applications
/ certificate of entitlement, overseas territories and children
under 5 years) must apply in person at the Visa Application
Centre in Bangkok to submit your biometric data. If you refuse
to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot
be processed.
Applicants can either make an online appointment to attend the
visa application centre, or attend on a first-come, first-served
basis. You can book your appointment online by using the "schedule
an appointment" link on this website and follow the
instructions. Please note: By booking your appointment online
you will be added to the priority queue.
Exemptions
Exempt
visa categories may choose to send their visa application and
supporting documents to the visa application centre by courier
and not come in person or schedule an appointment. If they would
like to have their passport delivered by courier after processing,
they should choose for the courier facility on the 'Additional
Services' page on this website for the courier charges.
Group appointments
Online appointments are compulsory for groups of 5 or more applicants.
Applicants in this category arriving without an appointment
will be turned away.
Step 6 - Pay your visa application fee
Please see the 'visa application fee'
page on this website for information about how to pay your visa
application fee.
Step 7 - Visit the visa application centre
The visa application centre contact details can be found on
the 'contact us' page this website.
You must apply in person to submit your biometric data (digital
photograph and fingerscan).
You should remember to bring the following documents:-
Important note: You will not be able to submit further
documents after you have submitted your application at the visa
application centre. The documents you submit at the time you
made your application are the only documents that can be considered.
Biometric data collection
Biometric data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all
10 digits) and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure
uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You
should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of
decoration (for example, henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings
as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable fingerscan.
Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without
sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it
is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be
clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. Female applications
will be required to take off their veil for biometric photo
capture. A hijab will be allowed as long as full frontal view
of the face is visible. VFS will ensure a female employee is
present to capture the biometric data and will provide privacy
in the booth. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit
your biometric data.
Requirement for Tuberculosis testing for applicants
visiting the UK for longer than 6 months
Step 8 - Wait for a decision
Wait for a decision on your visa application. Please refer to
the 'guide to processing times'
page on this website for information on our processing times.
You can use this information as a guide to our recent performance.
It cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application
processing time. Visa applications are accessed individually
and processing time may vary.
The status of your application can also be monitored by using
the 'track
your application' facility on this website.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. Visa
staff reserve the right to make a decision based on the documents
you submitted with your visa application. It is essential that
you submit all relevant documents with the initial application.
Should an interview be required then you will be offered the
first available interview date. Depending on workload, there
may be a waiting period before the interview so please bear
this in mind.
Children under 10 years old applying for a visa will not be
interviewed. Where the child is travelling alone, an interview
may be carried out with a responsible adult (for example a parent
or guardian). Children aged between 10 and 14 may be interviewed,
but this would only be in the presence of a responsible adult.
Children aged over 14 may be interviewed alone.
Step 9 - Collect the decision on your visa
application
Collect the decision on your visa application along with your
original documents from the visa application centre. You will
need the original visa submission receipt to collect your documents.
A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf.
Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter
signed by you and proper proof of their identity. If you prefer
you can have your documents returned to you by courier
service.
If you are issued a visa, please check if. You should make sure
that:
- Your personal details are correct
- It correctly states the purpose for which you want to come
to the UK, and
- It is valid for the date on which you want to travel (you
can ask for it to be post-dated for up to 3 months if you
do not plan to travel immediately)
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please
contact the visa application centre immediately.
|
|
