In the UK, the Home Office is still accepting and processing in-country visa applications. UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (‘ UKVCAS ’) Service Points, Service and Support Centres (‘ SSC s’), and English Language Test centres are classed as providing an “essential service” and thus remain open, with exceptions.
How to apply for a UK visa from outside the UK?
Find a visa application centre. Find the opening times, address and contact details for UK visa application centres near you. Contact the international enquiry service if you have questions about applications made from outside the UK. You can check for the latest changes to visa applications.
How long does it take to get a visa from UK?
It takes the UK Embassy up to 15 working days (3 weeks) to reach their decision on a visa application and sometimes in high season it can take longer. If you would like your visa application considered faster, you should pay a special fee to the Embassy ( Priority Visa Service ).
What is a tourist visa for the UK?
The tourist or Standard Visit Visa falls into the category of UK visitor short-stay visas. This visa is valid for not more than 6 months – costs of £93 – and allows you to visit the UK as a tourist or to visit family and friends. You are not allowed to work while here on this visa, can study for a short course less than 30 days long.
Are some visa application centres closed?
Some visa application centres might be closed until further notice. Contact the international enquiry service if you have questions about applications made from outside the UK. You can check for the latest changes to visa applications. Afghanistan - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre
Are there any travel restrictions to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, avoid travel to the United Kingdom. Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. Anyone 2 years or older should properly wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces.
Is there an extension for immigration requests during the COVID-19 pandemic?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain flexibilities through July 25, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. We anticipate this may be the final extension of these flexibilities.
Can non-U.S. citizens travel to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
What are the requirements for a noncitizen, nonimmigrant, to travel to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Noncitizens who are nonimmigrants and seeking to enter the United States by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country.
What is the COVID-19 BA.5 subvariant?
BA.5 and BA.4, both subvariants of the Omicron variant that swept the world during the winter, are the most capable versions of the virus yet at evading immunity from previous infections and vaccines.
Do I qualify for an exception or can I apply for an exception to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?
See full answerCategories of noncitizen, nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the proclamation and CDC’s order include: Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel Children under 18 years of age Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age). Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)
Do I need to get a proof of being "fully vaccinated" against COVID-19 before I travel by air to the US from a foreign country?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Is it mandatory to get a COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines.
Is a COVID-19 booster required for entry to the United States?
A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.
Does a non-U.S. citizen need to be vaccinated to enter the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Is negative COVID-19 viral test mandatory to travel to the United States?
As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.
Do I need to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling to the US?
This means that starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.
Does a non-U.S. citizen need to be vaccinated to enter the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
What is the CDC operation expanded testing (OpET) program?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program increases access to testing nationwide, especially for communities that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can I enter the US without a negative COVID-19 test?
This means that starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.
UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services
When you apply for a visa, settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) or citizenship in the UK, you’ll usually need to use UK Visa and Citizenship A...
What you need to do
You’ll usually need to attend an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to provide your biometric information. You can provide your supporting docum...
When you do not need an appointment
You may not need to attend a UKVCAS service centre if you’re applying for a replacement Biometric Residence Card (BRC) or Biometric Residence Permi...
Making your appointment
You’ll need to create a UKVCAS account when you apply and make your appointment online. If you cannot go to an appointment because you have coronav...
Your appointment
When you go to your appointment, you’ll need to bring: a printed copy of your appointment confirmation document with a QR code your passport or tra...
Getting a decision
You will not get a decision on your application at your appointment. How long a decision takes depends on what you applied for.
Find a visa application centre
Find the opening times, address and contact details for UK visa application centres near you. Check with your local visa application centre if ther...
A
Afghanistan - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre Albania Algeria Andorra - apply through Spain Angola Anguilla - apply throug...
B
Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in the Americas Benin - apply...
C
Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde - apply through Senegal Cayman Islands Central African Republic - apply through Cameroon Chad - apply through C...
D
Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti - apply through Ethiopia Dominica - apply through Barbados Dominican Republic
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East Timor - apply through Indonesia Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in West...
F
Falkland Islands The Faroes - apply through Denmark Fiji Finland France French Guiana - apply through Guyana
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Gabon - apply through Cameroon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland - apply through Denmark Grenada - apply through Barbados Gua...
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Haiti - apply through the Dominican Republic Honduras - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in the Americas Hong Kong Hungary
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Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast
Can you scan documents for EU settlement?
If you’re applying to the EU Settlement Scheme, you must upload your supporting documents when you apply. You will not be able to scan them at your UKVCAS appointment.
Do you have to pay for fingerprints in UKVI?
You’ll still need to pay the fee if UKVI are able to reuse the fingerprints you ’ve given before.
Do you get a decision on your application at your appointment?
You will not get a decision on your application at your appointment. How long a decision takes depends on what you applied for.
Who must bring written proof of responsibility for a child?
If the responsible adult is not the parent or legal guardian (for example they are a member of staff from the child’s school) they must also bring written proof of responsibility for the child from:
Where to apply for a Costa Rica visa?
Costa Rica - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in the Americas
Where to apply for a Belize visa?
Belize - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in the Americas
Where to apply for a visa in Liberia?
Liberia - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in West Africa
Where to apply for a visa for Equatorial Guinea?
Equatorial Guinea - apply at your nearest accessible visa application centre in West Africa
What to do if you have questions about applications made from outside the UK?
Contact the international enquiry service if you have questions about applications made from outside the UK.
What you need to do
Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor.
Check you meet the eligibility requirements
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
If you have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa
You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.
What are the UK Visa requirements?
There are standard visa requirements common to all United Kingdom visa types. Every applicant must fulfil these requirements, in addition to any specific criteria for each visa class. The following information is usually needed for most visa applications:
What are the requirements for a UK visa?
There are standard visa requirements common to all United Kingdom visa types. Every applicant must fulfil these requirements, in addition to any specific criteria for each visa class. The following information is usually needed for most visa applications: 1 A valid passport with at least six months left before expiry date 2 Fully completed application form with the correct application fee paid 3 Recent photographs meeting specification 4 Proof of funds or support from family in the UK for the duration of stay 5 Travel itinerary including hotel bookings 6 Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) for stays longer than 6 months
How long does it take to get a family visa in the UK?
Applications made outside the UK will usually take about 12 weeks for you to receive a decision and 6 weeks if you’re applying in the UK (online or post). A family visa is also a route to UK settlement and eventually citizenship. There are other eligibility criteria you will have to meet to qualify for this visa.
How long is a UK visa valid?
This visa is valid for not more than 6 months – costs of £93 – and allows you to visit the UK as a tourist or to visit family and friends. You are not allowed to work while here on this visa, can study for a short course less than 30 days long. You will need to apply for the visa in your country of residence.
What is Global Citizen Solutions?
Throughout the residency application, Global Citizen Solutions works with you every step of the way. We provide clear guidance to the Tier 1 Visa investment process, ensuring that your investments match your risk profile and that the appropriate investment deadlines and performance criteria are met.
What is family visa?
A family visa is also a route to UK settlement and eventually citizenship. There are other eligibility criteria you will have to meet to qualify for this visa.
How long does it take to get a UK investment visa?
Applications can be made online, via post and in person in some countries. You should apply at least 3 months before you intend to travel, and a decision is often made within 3 weeks.
What are the different types of UK visa applications?
The type of UK visa that you apply for will be the main deciding factor in how long it takes to process your UK visa application. The UK visa that you choose will depend on your reason for visiting the UK and how long you wish to stay.
How might the time of year and other factors affect your UK visa processing time?
There are other factors that may affect the processing time of your UK visa application . These include:
What is UKVI?
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the Home Office department responsible for the UK’s visa system. UKVI specifies standards for processing times of UK visas. The pre-COVID pandemic standards were as follows (for current processing times, you are advised to take specific guidance on your type of application):
What is a start up visa?
The Start-up visa is suitable for persons wanting to establish a business in the UK, who are from outside the EEA and Switzerland and are endorsed by an authorised body.
What factors affect the processing time of a UK visa?
One factor that may affect the UK visa processing time is whether the application has to be made through UKVCAS.
How long does it take to get a visitor visa in the UK?
Your application for a Standard Visitor visa should be made no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK, and it will generally take no more than 3 weeks for the visa application to be processed and a decision made after your appointment.
How long does it take to get access to UKVCAS?
Where applicants have completed their application online and been transferred from Access UK to the UKVCAS website, they have 240 days to submit their biometrics or their application will be closed.
Grenfell Tower survivors
Form to apply for further leave to remain in the UK if you are a Grenfell Tower survivor and were granted limited leave outside the Immigration Rules.
Afghan nationals
Afghan nationals who relocated to the UK under the ex-gratia scheme or intimidation policy
