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Changes - New Rules
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Disclaimer: The translated text is provided for information purposes only. The most up to date information is available on UK Border Agency's visa information website. In the event of any discrepancy, the English language version of UK Border Agency's visa information website overrules the translated information provided on this page. Please visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk for the most up to date information.
  • How do I apply?

    You must submit your visa application in person at the Visa Application Centre (s). This is because your biometrics details will be taken at the same time. We strongly recommend that you visit an Visa Application Centre (s) by prior appointment, saving you unnecessary waiting time.


  • You can make an application in 3 easy steps:

    1. Pay your visa application fee at the designated bank branches or alternatively at the bank teller counter at the Visa Application Centre (s). ) A list of bank branches where the fees can be paid is available.

    2. Complete the visa application form. Visa application forms and guidance for visa applicants and are available at the Visa Application Centers or on the UK Border Agency Visa Services' website.  

    3. Visit the Visa Application Centre (s)

    Applications will be accepted at the Visa Application Centre (s) if applicants:

    • present a signed, dated Visa Application Form (VAF);
    • provide the required photographs
    • provide a passport (or other travel documents where specified by UKVisas)
    - for all applicants travelling to the UK
    - which correspond to data in the VAF (name, passport number, expiry date)
    - which have not expired
    - which have at least one page free in the visa pages for the insertion of a vignette
    • pay the published visa application fee and
    • consent to have their biometrics data recorded.


  • Points-based system

    Points-based system is a new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study. Please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for more information and the Self-Assessment Calculator.
    You can submit applications for all categories of Tier 1 starting 30 June 2008

    Tier 1 Categories:
    • Tier 1 (General) migrant
    • Tier 1 (Investor)
    • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
    • Tier 1 (Post-study work)

    Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review
    The recent High Court ruling in the UK resulting from the Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review affects certain people who formerly had leave in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). You may be covered by this ruling if you joined HSMP under the arrangements which were in place until the scheme was suspended on 7 November 2006 and you either:
    1. applied for and were refused further leave to remain under the new extension rules which came into force on 5 December 2006, and subsequently left the UK, or
    2. left the UK after 7 November 2006 without ever applying for further leave to remain under the new rules.

    A policy document which explains in detail who is affected by the ruling is available on the UK Border Agency website.

    Forms and Guidance

    Guidance on making and assessing applications under the HSMP Judicial Review judgement is available on the Visa Services website.
    The standard PBS form (VAF 9) and Appendix 1(Tier 1- General) have been expanded to allow them to be used by HSMP Forum JR applicants in both categories, ie (a) and ( b).

    Making Your Application

    Applications in both categories should be made at the appropriate visa section or Visa Application Centre(s) in the usual way. Category (a) applicants will not be charged a fee; category (b) applicants should pay the standard Tier 1 (General) fee.

    Tier 2 Categories
    • Tier 2 (General)
    • Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer)
    • Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
    • Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)

    Tier 4 Category
    • Tier 4 General students and Tier 4 (child) student

    Tier 5 Categories
    • Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting)
    • Tier 5 (Charity worker)
    • Tier 5 (Religious worker)
    • Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange)
    • Tier 5 (International agreement)
    • Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)

    Security at the Visa Application Centre (s)

    If you intend to travel to the United Kingdom to work in either the food & beverage industry, or in the healthcare industry, you will need to have a medical examination before your visa is issued.

    The basis cost of the medical examination, chest x-ray and pathology test per applicant is:

    * Rs 805 in Mumbai

    * Rs 1000 in Delhi

    * Rs 1000 in Chennai

    * Rs 550 in Kolkata

    This procedure will take an additional 12 working days, so please allow plenty of time for your application to be processed.

    The Visa Officer will consider your application. If it is likely that you qualify for a visa, we will send your medical papers to VFS, attaching a set of instructions about the procedure you should follow and the names of the doctors on our panel who will medically examine you

  • Holiday Closures

    HOLIDAYS DAY DATE NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST REMARKS
    New Year's Day Thursday 1-Jan X X X X  
    Tamil New Year's Day / Pongal Wednesday 14-Jan   X      
    Republic Day Monday 26-Jan X X X X  
    Holi / Doljatra Wednesday 11-Mar X X X  
    Ugadi / Telugu New Year's Day Friday 27-Mar   X     Only Bangalore & Hyderabad
    Good Friday Friday 10-Apr  X  X X  X  
    Easter Monday Monday 13-Apr  X X X  X 
    Bengali New Year Wednesday 15-Apr      X  
    Maharashtra Day / May Day Friday 1-May X X  
    Privilege Holiday for HM the Queen's Birthday Friday 22-May X X X  
    Parsi New Year Day Wednesday 19-Aug       X  
    Onam Wednesday 2-Sep   X   Only Chennai 
    Vinayak Visarjan Day Friday 4-Sep   X     Only Hyderabad
    Idu'l Fitr Monday 21-Sep X X X  
    Durga Saptami Friday 25-Sep     X    
    Dussehra / Vijaydashmi Monday 28-Sep  X  X X  X  
    Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday Friday 2-Oct X X X  X
    Additional Day before Diwali Friday 16-Oct X  X     Only Chennai & Bangalore
    Diwali Pratipada & Bhau Beej Monday 19-Oct   X   
    Guru Nanak's Birthday Monday 2-Nov X    X  
    Christmas Privilege Holiday Thursday 24-Dec X X   X    
    Christmas Day Friday 25-Dec X X  X  X  
    Christmas Holiday / Muharram Monday 28-Dec X X X X  


  • Visa Application Guidance

    UKvisas produce a range of leaflets providing information about various visas


  • Photo Specifications



    Note : We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not meet these requirments

    Photographs

    Please provide your recent photograph (not more than 6 months old). The photographs should be in colour and:

    1. Taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background;
    2. Clear and of good quality;
    3. Printed on normal photographic paper;
    4. Unmounted - 45 mm x 35 mm in size;
    5. Full face (without sunglasses and normally without a hat or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).


  • Biometrics


  • Suggested Documentation


  • The only way is the legal way

    You may decide to submit your application to VFS via an independent Travel Agent, Immigration Agent or Consultant. These agents will charge for their services. Any such charge should be reasonable.

    You should be careful when dealing with agents who make unrealistic claims. Agents cannot guarantee that they will be able to obtain a work or study visa for you. They cannot guarantee that your application will be resolved without an interview. They cannot guarantee the outcome of a visa application. They may be cheating you if they make these claims.

    Many agents charge exorbitant fees for their services - often many times the actual cost of the visa. If an agent charges you anything more than a small and reasonable service charge, they may be overcharging you or they may be supplying you with false documents and statements. Visa officers will detect false documents and statements, and the visa application will be refused. You will lose all your money.

    Remember the visa application is your application. You are the owner of the information and any supporting documentation. A genuine agent will only be able to help you to complete the form and advise as to what supporting documents you need to include. If you are suspicious, take advice from VFS. If you consider that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should report the matter to the Police.


  • Visa processing times and internal customer standards

    Applicants are advised to submit their visa applications in good time, but no more than 3 months in advance of their intended date of travel.

    Our agreed standards are:
    • To complete 90% of straightforward*, non-settlement applications in not more than 5 working days, 98% in not more than 10 working days, and 100% in not more 60 days
    • To complete 90% of non-straightforward**, non-settlement applications in not more than 15 working days, 98% in not more than 30 working days and 100% in not more than 60 working days
    • To complete 95% of applications for settlement visas in not more than 12 weeks (60 working days) and 100% in not more 120 working days.

    *A straightforward application can be decided on the basis of the application and the supporting documents submitted without the need for further enquiries or more detailed scrutiny.
    **A non-straightforward application requires more time to be decided, for example if more detailed enquiries or a personal interview are needed.

    We may need to change these standards without prior notice due to exceptional circumstances, changes in government policy or for operational reasons.

    For more information on our Customer standards

    Working Holiday Maker visa applications are taking longer to process. Visa Services in India are currently clearing a backlog of applications generated as a result of the popularity of this visa category. The aim is to deal with most Working Holiday Maker applications within 12 weeks.


  • Where do I apply?

    You should normally apply at the VFS Visa Application Centre (s) in, or closest to, the State in which you are documented as being resident. Please contact VFS if you have any doubts as to where to make your application.
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