Full Answer
When will the UK visa application centre reopen?
Globally, some Visa Application Centres are now resuming their services depending, of course, on each respective country. Please contact your Breytenbachs consultant to confirm whether the Visa Application Centre in your home country is open yet. We expect the UK Visa Application Centres in South Africa to reopen on 1 June 2020 but will confirm.
When can I submit my application for a UK visa?
As soon as the visa centres open for new applications, we can submit your application. We do not require any of your original documents but will work with scanned/electronic copies of your documentation. We foresee that the UK visa application centres will be inundated with new applications when they open.
What's new in the UK visa application form 2019?
Updated information on Service and Support Centres, English language tests, and 90 day validity of replacement visas. Added a new section on temporary concessions if you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life.
When is the next UK visa extension deadline for 2020?
Visa extensions for those unable to leave the UK because of coronavirus have been extended to 31 July 2020. The deadline for making an application from the UK to switch to a visa that would normally require you to apply from your home country has been extended to 31 July 2020. Updated Secure English Language Test (SELT) contact information.
Choose a visa
You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family. There are different visas depending on: where you come from why you wan...
Prepare your application
You can apply and pay for most visas online. If you have dependants who want to come to the UK with you, each person will need to apply and pay sep...
Prove your identity
When you apply, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide documents to show your eligibility. How you do this depends on where you’re from and...
Getting a decision on your application
You’ll get a letter or an email with the result of your application. It will explain what you need to do next. If your application is successful Yo...
What affects which visa to apply for?
Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa to apply for.
How long do you have to be on a visa to visit the UK?
Apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. For example:
How long do you have to stay in the UK to come back?
If you had indefinite leave to remain ( ILR) and left the UK for more than 2 years you’ll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back.
How long can a family permit last in the UK?
A family permit lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to 6 months. Close family members include your spouse or civil partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent. You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme after your family permit expires.
What is a student visa?
A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work on this visa. A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school.
Do you have to be approved before you travel?
Your application must be approved before you travel.
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.
What is the NHS surcharge?
An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application. Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.
What happens if you violate local laws?
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
What is the BAC limit in Scotland?
Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that driving after even one drink can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
When will the ePassport gates open in the UK?
Starting June 2019, U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates upon arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK’s Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.
Which way does traffic go in the UK?
In contrast to the United States, UK traffic drives on the left. Read the Highway Code before driving.
Do I need a visa to enter the UK?
Visas for specific categories of visitors must be obtained prior to travel. Visit the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website to determine if you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. We cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a UK visa, nor can we advocate for your admission into the UK if you are denied entry.
Do pedestrians have the right of way?
Generally, pedestrians do not have the right of way and should not expect vehicles to stop for them.
When will UK visas reopen?
Good news for UK visa applicants is that from 1 June 2020, some UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) will reopen for existing clients. These reopening will first accommodate clients who had pre-existing appointments that were cancelled during the lockdown.
What can I do if the Visa Application Centre in my country is not open yet?
Most UK Visa Application Centres are still closed for new applications and as such, the processing time i.e decision of these applications will be placed on hold until applicants are able to attend their biometric appointments. We are pleased to confirm, however, that we at Breytenbachs are still preparing applications, reviewing documents and making online submissions, as usual, as once the application has been submitted online, it is then just a matter of attending an appointment provided the centres have reopened in full.
