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- 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. 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
There are 9 steps to complete the visa application process. You
are advised to read through the application steps set out below
before you make your visa application so you are clear about the
procedure and requirements.
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.
Non-Thai citizens
For non-Thai citizens, applicants must apply for long term visa
in their country of origin or residence. In order to to apply
here in Thailand, you 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 visa please make sure you familiarize
yourself with the information on the visa category you are applying
for. Quick links to information on visa categories and other helpful
information can be found on the 'Visa
Information' page on this website. You may also want to read
the Immigration
Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements.
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 in English using 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. You
should print your completed visa application form 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 email 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 'Supporting Documents'
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. Applicants must submit as much evidence
as they can of their personal circumstances.
Original documents
You must provide original documents with a photocopy
of each original document you are submitting. You should particularly
include original documents relating to birth, marriage, divorce
and death. If you are not able to include originals of these
then you should send attested copies. Your original documents
might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies
of the originals. Failure to submit original documents may mean
your application is delayed or refused.
Translations
If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your
visa application you should provide translations of any supporting
documents that are not in English. Any translated documents
need to be submitted with the original document for verification.
All translated documents must include the following information:
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| • |
confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate
translation of the original document |
| • |
the date of the translation |
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the translator's full name and signature |
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the translator's contact details |
You should submit the following:-
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A valid passport or refugee travel document that contains
at least 1 blank page on both sides so the visa can be inserted.
Your passport should be signed by you and the name and signature
should correspond to the details given on your visa application
form. |
| • |
Previous passport/s (if applicable). |
| • |
Your completed, signed and dated visa application form.
|
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Proof of payment of visa application
fee |
| • |
Supporting documents relevant
to the category you are applying for with copy of each original
document and translations. |
| • |
Tuberculosis test certificate for applicants
visiting the UK for longer than 6 months |
| • |
1 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour
photograph of yourself. The photograph should be: |
| |
| 1. |
Taken against a light grey or cream background.
It should be in sharp focus, clear and of good quality,
free from shadows. |
| 2. |
Printed on normal photographic paper. |
| 3. |
Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn
for religious or medical reasons. The subject should
have their mouth closed (and not smile, frown or raise
eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forwarding,
looking straight ahead. |
| 4. |
The photograph should be a recent true likeness
and taken within the last 6 months. |
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More information on photograph
requirements can be found on the UK
Border Agency website.
Please note: The UK Border Agency will retain your passport
until they have reached a decision on your visa application. Please
bear this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements,
particularly if you plan to visit other countries before going
to the UK.
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 their 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.
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 you are
exempt and would like to have your passport delivered by courier
after processing, you should see the 'Courier
Service' information 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. You will need to bring proof of payment with
you when you attend the visa application centre.
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 set out in
Step 4.
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.
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 free 'track
your application' facility on this website, or you can use
the SMS text service (fee payable)
to receive texts about the progress of your visa application.
Information on the SMS text service can be found on the 'Additional
Services' page 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
VFS will inform you when your documents are ready for collection.
You can 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.
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