The United Kingdom (UK) is an attractive location for travelers all around the world, be it for tourism, studies or just for business purpose. While citizens of many countries are exempted from requiring a valid visa to enter the country, there are people from many other nationalities who require a valid visa to cross its borders. We were there in UK during July 2018 and we had to apply a visitor visa.
The UK Visa application process is not that complex. However, it does require a bit of patience and can be frustrating for someone with a lack of it. The process goes like this:
- Check the type of Visa you would require, and the documents needed for UK Visa:
- It is very important that you apply for the right type of Visa for UK. Failing to do so might lead to you being denied entry into the country by the UK immigration officials. You can check the type of UK Visa you require here. All the information about different types of UK visa, including UK Transit Visa can be found here.
- Find out the respective UK Visa Application Centre in your city or nearby:
- Availability of a UK Visa Application Centre nearby, with your preferred slot is also something that you should verify before filling in the UK visa application. Information regarding visa application centers can be found sorted by country name here.
- Apply for the UK Visa and book an appointment:
- Once you have gathered the necessary documents and ensured that you have taken note of the above information, you can apply for the UK visa here. It has ideally 3 basic steps:
- Fill in the Application Form
- Schedule an appointment at the nearest UK Visa Centre (which is usually a TLS Contact Centre)
- Pay the Visa Fees
In our case, the UK Visa fee was 176 Euros for a standard Visitor Visa for 3 months (multiple entry).
- Appear on-time for the appointment and submit the required documents:
- Appear on-time with the documents for submitting the biometric details and the required documents.
- You would ideally need:
- Your Passport- Original, which you have to submit it for the period that your visa gets processed. The UK Visa Authorities would send it back to you by post at your given address in the application.
- Your Residence Permit/ Identity Card from the country of your present residence. Although the website says that all documents should be in English, yet, I submitted my residence permit, salary statements in German and there was apparently no problem (well, I got the Visa).
- Income proofs like salary statements, bank statements.
- Printed version of the UK visa application form and the document checklist which will be provided to you after you have finished the online application.
- A tentative travel plan needs to be filled in while applying (flight tickets and hotel bookings not required).
While your application is under process, you can check your UK visa application status by logging in to the respective TLS Contact Center of the place where you have applied from. I applied for my UK visa from Munich (Germany) and hence I checked it here. You need your GWF Number for the same.
The official UK Visa website mentions that they need approximately 3 working weeks to process the visa. However, from what we have seen, it varies depending on the time of the year when the visa is applied. I know some whose visa got approved within 4 days while some other did not have it even after a month. Hence, I would suggest you plan much in advance!
UK is a fabulous country, rich in history, culture, art, natural beauty, food and of course, lovely people. Hence, apply for the UK Visa with utmost care and patience and ensure that you have all the correct information filled in.
As for our experiences in UK while we were visiting places like London, Sheffield, Chatsworth, Monsal Dale, look out this space for my blogs on these places coming soon!
Dip's Travelogues 
Hey! Good article. Quick question: what language were your bank statements in? And how did you get them? I read somewhere that online statements don’t work, we need the statements in English with the stamp of the bank.
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To be honest, I totally submitted the pdf extracts of my online statement. It worked for me. I think they are interested to see your salary amount being credited and the final amount left in your account.
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I registered at TLScontact in Dusseldorf. I need to choose an option for value-added services. As they say on their website user pay fees is mandatory. Since I am a student here in Germany and not in a hurry to get my application processed quickly. I am going there to attend a conference in November. I am thinking about choosing “Documents application check” option. They are charging 50 euros for it. Apart from this, am I supposed to pay for any of their service that I don’t know of? I already paid 173 euros on UK Govt website already, please kindly guide me regarding this?
Thanks
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Hi Asad
you have ample time. You do not need to pay any extra service. I believe you already have scheduled an appointment with TLS. Just appear for the appointment with all the documents mentioned in the document checklist and submit them. The visa should be processed within 15 working days to max 1 month. Good luck!
Let me know how it goes.
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Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes, my appointment date is on October 5 and conference is on Nov 26. I will let you know how it goes. One more thing, If you can clarify it. On my checklist, they also mention that if I have a tenant agreement in Germany. I have it only in German with owner’s stamp on it. They also provide me with an English version of it for understanding the German language. However, there is no stamp on it by the owner himself. There is a disclaimer, This English version is only for understanding the German language though we can not verify the contents of it. Obviously, As I can see contents are the same on both versions. Attaching this English translation of it would be suffice? Or would I need to go to an authoritative translation agency in Germany to get it translated?
Thanks
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Dear Asad,
As far as I was concerned, I never translated any documents. Neither did my other readers. What I always suggest is to attach the city registration copy along with. It has a stamp of the local authorities. All they want to see is if you have valid assets and that you do not have a chance to settle down there in UK. I think it should suffice. I never had problems and never heard someone having problems. If you still have one, I would consider it as bad luck!
Do keep us posted about the visa proceeding.
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Thanks a lot. I will follow your advice and will also attach that city registration form which has a stamp on it. Let’s hope for the best.
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Does UKVI inform you about their final decision in the email before TLS may contact you for collecting your documents? or do you directly receive an email from TLS contact?
Thanks
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Dear Asad,
Sorry for the late reply. Somehow I just figured out that mh previous reply was not published by the WP app.
You do not get any decision notification as such. You are.mailed directly by the UKVI that your Passport has been dispatched along with the tracking number. Next thing is you have to track it and be at home to sign and receive it. Ofcourse you can see the application process in the TLS website but it will only say Decision Made i.e., only the status legends.
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Anyways, I got the visa and it took exactly 3 weeks in total. I am very excited to visit a city like London. A childhood dream is coming true!
You have been a great help! Best Wishes
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Thanks a lot Asad! I am glad that I could be of help.
I wish you a nice travel to London. My blog on London would be up soon. Hopefully it may be of help.
Also, if you have any feedback, would be great to know them as well.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. This would help a lot.
1. I have a question, when I submit my application, should I give them my German residence card with the application or only a photocopy of it? In other words, would they keep my German card until decision is made and send it with passport?
2. Second question, should I bring with me a personal photograph?
3. How long did the while application submission process take? Because I have to book my return bus.
Many thanks in advance.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. This would help a lot.
1. I have a question, when I submit my application, should I give them my German residence card with the application or only a photocopy of it? In other words, would they keep my German card until decision is made and send it with passport?
2. Second question, should I bring with me a personal photograph?
3. How long did the while application submission process take? Because I have to book my return bus.
Many thanks in advance.
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No problem, I managed to find the answer. Thank you for not replying.
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Hi Victor,
I apologize for not being able to reply you, and glad that you find the solution.
There are currently some upgrades going on in my site, and I am facing some technical issues, due to which I was not able to reply to any comments till today morning. You were not the only one I missed.
I again apologize for this personally, and hope that we will get more chance to interact in the future. And that I am more useful with my content to you and all my readers.
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I and my friend both applied for the same visa on the same date but he got refused and I got approved. Based on the documentation that I provided or he provided, just make sure your salary statements make sense and are in English translation so that entry clearance officer can see what’s exactly happening with your transactions. The real onus is on to provide as many as documents as possible Follow complete checklist that is provided at the end of the application. Please do so. It is important. Als0, don’t hide facts. A few years ago I got refused student visas from both USA and Australia yet I got their UK visitor visa. Be honest in your application.
I am leaving for London day after tomorrow but I would love to read your blog for my next possible trip in February during my semester break. I would like more guidance on public transportation and all.
Thanks
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