How to apply
- 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 UK 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
You can apply for a UK visa 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 8 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' guide on the UK Border Agency website to see
if you need a visa. If you need a visa you should follow the steps
outlined below.
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. Please ensure that you select
the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit.
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Download an appropriate visa application form from the
UK
Border Agency website |
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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. |
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Complete the application form in English
and sign it. |
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Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly.
If you make a mistake in 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
Supporting documents & checklists
Please see the 'Supporting Document
& Checklists' page on this website. 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 & photocopies
You must provide original documents. Failure to submit original
documents may mean your visa application is delayed or refused.
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. You should
supply a photocopy of each supporting document you are submitting
with your visa application form. Student visa applications should
include 2 sets of photocopies. Your photocopied documents should
be clearly legible, A4 size only unless legal size documents.
Photocopying services are available
at the visa application centre.
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 |
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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 your 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)
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Your completed, signed and dated visa application form. |
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Visa application fee or the
demand draft. Applicants can pay in cash or by demand draft.
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Supporting documents
relevant to the category you are applying for with photocopy
of each original document.and translations. |
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Original NADRA NIC card with a photocopy |
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A valid tuberculosis
certificate if you are planning to come to the UK for
more than 6 months. Information on how to book tuberculosis
screening appointments can be found on this website. |
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2 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour
photograph of yourself. The photograph should be: |
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| 1. |
Taken against a light grey or cream background.
It should be in sharp focus, clear and of good quality,
free from shadows. |
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Printed on normal photographic paper. |
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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 (no grinning, frowning or
raised eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing
forwarding, looking straight ahead. |
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The photograph should be a recent true likeness
and taken within the last 6 months. |
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The visa application centres in Mirpur, Islamabad and Lahore offer
photograph services (fee payable)
that meet UK Border Agency photograph requirements. More information
on photograph
requirements can be found on the UK
Border Agency website.
Step 5 - Make an appointment
You must have an appointment to visit the visa application centre
and you must attend in person. Please make an appointment for
each individual applying for a visa.
To make an appointment please see the 'Schedule
an Appointment' page on this website.
You should normally apply at the Gerry's visa application centre
in, or closest to, the state in which you are documented as being
resident. Please see the contact details on the 'Contact
Us' page of this website to find your nearest visa application
centre.
Step 6 - Visit the visa application centre
You should remember to bring all of the documents set out in Step
4. All visa applicants (apart from exempt
categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at
the visa application centre to submit
their biometric data. Although exempt
categories and children under 5 do not need to attend the visa
application centre, they will need to complete a visa application
form. Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult
when giving their biometric data; this cannot be a member of the
visa application centre staff. Biometric data cannot be taken
for visa applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied.
A visa application can only be processed after your biometric
data has been taken. If you refuse to submit your biometric
data, your visa application cannot be processed.
Important note: You will not be able to submit further
documents after you have submitted your application at the visa
application. 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 fingerscans. 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. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit
your biometric data.
Step 7 - 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 more information on our processing times
in Pakistan. You can use this information as a guide to our recent
performance, although it cannot be used as a guarantee of your
individual visa application processing time. Visa applications
are assessed individually and processing times may vary. You can
also use the free 'Track
your Application' service on this website; or the SMS
text service (fee payable) to receive texts about the progress
of your visa application. Please see the 'Additional
Services' page on this website for more information.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. UK Border
Agency visa staff reserve the right to make decisions based on
the information and documents submitted with your application.
It is essential that you submit all relevant documents with your
visa application. If an interview is required you will be offered
the first available interview date. 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 8 - Collect the decision on your
visa
Gerry's will inform you when your documents are ready for collection
and arrange a collection date and time for you. A nominated person
can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated
person will need to provide an authorised letter signed by you,
a copy of the ID card of the applicant, and a copy of their own
ID card.
If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make sure
that:
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your personal details are correct |
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it correctly states the purpose for which you want to
come to the UK, and |
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it is valid for the date on which you want to travel.
(You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three 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
If you have any questions please visit see the 'Frequently
Asked Questions' page on the UK Border Agency website.
- Guidance for applicants from Afghanistan
If you are submitting a marriage certificate as part of your
supporting documents in any category please refer to the guidance
below on the validity of Afghan marriages.
Afghan marriages in Afghanistan: For a marriage which took
place in Afghanistan to be valid the marriage must be registered
with the Afghan court. Evidence of this should be by a court stamp
on the Iqrar Nama (Afghan equivalent of the Nikah Nama). Without
this registration the marriage is not valid.
Afghan marriages in Pakistan: The Muslim Family Ordinance
(1961) states that for a Muslim marriage to be valid in Pakistan
at least one of the parties must be Pakistani, however the provisions
are extended to non-Pakistani Muslims and the marriage must be
registered with the Union Council in the district where the marriage
took place.
The Afghan Embassy and Consulate-issued marriage books do not
validate a marriage under Pakistani law and therefore the marriage
is not recognised as having been properly registered.
Please note: If the marriage has not been appropriately
validated by either the Afghan court or the Union Council then
the application will not be accepted by the visa application centre.
- Using agents and fraud
You may decide to get further immigration advice from an independent
travel agent, immigration agent or consultant. These agents will
charge for their services.
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. Agents have also been
charging for appointments at the visa application centres and
for visa application forms. Appointments and application forms
are free of charge. 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 your visa application
will be refused. If you provide false information, documents or
passports in support of your visa application, you will be refused
a visa and all future applications could be refused for up to
10 years. You may also be prosecuted and could face a fine or
even go to prison.
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
you what supporting documents you need to include. If you consider
that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should
report the matter to the police.
Please also report visa fraud to the UK Border Agency by contacting
RALON, The British High Commission, Islamabad PO Box 1122 or telephone
051 201 2487 or email rauisb@fco.gov.uk.
The information you provide will be treated in confidence.
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