UK Visa Information

UK Business Visa Requirements 
UK Tourist Visa Requirements for Site Seeing Purpose
UK Tourist Visa Requirements for visiting relative or friend
UK Transit Visa Information

UK Work Visa Requirements
UK work visa (Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer) process Overview
Qualification for Tier 2 visa
Documents required for UK work visa (Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer)

UK Student Visa Requirements.

Travelling through the Common Travel Area

Travelling through the Common Travel Area

he UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are known as the Common Travel Area.

If you are a visa national, or if you are recognized as 'stateless', you may need a visa to transit the UK on your way to or from a Common Travel Area destination.

Travelling to a Common Travel Area destination

If you are passing through the UK on your way to a destination in the Common Travel Area, you cannot transit air side and will need to enter the UK during your journey

Transit without visa' concession in UK - Direct Airside Transit Visa exemptions in UK

If you are a national of a country covered by the DATV system, you may be able to transit the UK airside without a visa. To qualify for this exemption:

you must arrive and depart by air; and
your onward flight must be confirmed, and must depart within 24 hours; and
you have proper documentation for your destination, including a visa if necessary.
Additionally, you must hold:

1. a valid entry visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, and a valid airline ticket for travel via the UK, as part of a journey to or from one of those countries; or
2. a valid airline ticket for travel via the UK as part of a journey from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, if you are transiting the UK no more than 6 months after the date when you last entered Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA with a valid entry visa for that country; or
3. a valid USA I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998; or
4. an expired I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998, accompanied by an I-797 extension letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship; or
5. a valid Canadian permanent resident card issued on or after 28 June 2002; or
6. a valid Australian or New Zealand residence visa; or
7.  a valid uniform format category D visa for entry to a state in the European Economic Area (EEA); or
8. a valid uniform format residence permit issued by an EEA state under Council Regulation (EC) number 1030/2002; or
9. a valid UK residence card; or
10. a valid EEA family permit issued by the UK government; or
11. a diplomatic or service passport issued by the People's Republic of China; or
12. a diplomatic or official passport issued by India; or
13. a diplomatic or official passport issued by Vietnam.

• A valid US immigrant visa packet (form 155A/155B) is a 'valid visa' for these purposes, but the following documents are not valid for the DATV exemption:
• An I-512 parole letter or an I-797C (notice of action) instead of a valid US visa.
• a transportation letter instead of a valid US permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998;
• a valid travel document with a US 'ADIT' stamp saying - 'Processed for I-551. TEMPORARY EVIDENCE OF LAWFUL ADMISSION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE VALID UNTIL [date]. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED'; and
• a US visa foil endorsed, "NOT A VISA. FOIL PREPARED AT DHS REQUEST".

Who is Visa National in UK or Nationalities requiring a DATV in UK

Following countries are called Visa National in UK or Nationalities requiring a Direct Airside Transit Visa

1. UK
2. Afghanistan
3. Albania
4. Algeria
5. Angola
6. Armenia
7. Azerbaijan
8. Bahrain
9. Bangladesh
10. Belarus
11. Benin
12. Bhutan
13. Bolivia
14. Bosnia Herzegovina
15. Burkina Faso
16. Burma
17. Burundi
18. Cambodia
19. Cameroon
20. Cape Verde
21. Central African Republic
22. Chad
23. People's Republic of China (unless they hold a passport issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Macao Special Administrative Region)
24. Colombia
25. Comoros
26. Congo
27. Cuba
28. Democratic Republic of the Congo
29. Djibouti
30. Dominican Republic
31. Ecuador
32. Egypt
33. Equatorial Guinea
34. Eritrea
35. Ethiopia
36. Fiji
37. Gabon
38. Gambia
39. Georgia
40. Ghana
41. Guinea
42. Guinea Bissau
43. Guyana
44. Haiti
45. India
46. Indonesia
47. Iran
48. Iraq
49. Ivory Coast
50. Jamaica
51. Jordan
52. Kazakhstan
53. Kenya
54. Korea (North)
55. Kosovo
56. Kuwait
57. Kyrgyzstan
58. Laos
59. Lebanon
60. Lesotho
61. Liberia
62. Libya
63. Macedonia
64. Madagascar
65. Malawi
66. Mali
67. Mauritania
68. Moldova
69. Mongolia
70. Montenegro
71. Morocco
72. Mozambique
73. Nepal
74. Niger
75. Nigeria
76. Oman
77. Pakistan
78. Palestinian Territories
79. Peru
80. Philippines
81. Qatar
82. Republic of South Sudan
83. Republic of Sudan 
84. Russia
85. Rwanda
86. Sao Tome e Principe
87. Saudi Arabia
88. Senegal
89. Serbia
90. Sierra Leone
91. Somalia
92. South Africa
93. Sri Lanka
94. Sudan
95. Surinam
96. Swaziland
97. Syria
98. Taiwan (unless they hold a Taiwan passport which includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
99. Tajikistan
100. Tanzania
101. Thailand
102. Togo
103. Tunisia
104. Turkey
105. Turkmenistan
106. Uganda
107. Ukraine
108. United Arab Emirates
109. Uzbekistan
110. Vatican City
111. Venezuela (unless they hold a Venezuelan passport which contains biometric information held in an electronic chip)
112. Vietnam
113. Yemen
114. Zambia
115. Zimbabwe
116. The territories formerly comprising the socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Land Transit in UK

Transit Land side means, if you arrive on a flight, pass through immigration control and then leave the UK within 48 hours (or 24 hours if you are travelling under the 'travel without visa' concession).

If you are from visa national country(click here to know visa national country) you must obtain a transit visa prior to your transit

If you want to spend longer than 48 hours in the UK before continuing your journey, you must have a visitor visa to UK.

Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) in UK

In Direct Airside Transit Visa applicable when you arrive on a flight, remain in the arrival lounge of the airport without passing through immigration control, and then depart on another flight from the same airport.

The UK government operates a DATV system for some countries.These countries are here

If you are a national of a from any of these countries(to know the country list click here) you must have a Direct Airside Transit Visa to perform a Air side Transit in UK

Transiting UK or Transit Rules in UK

Types of transit

• Direct Air side Transit Visa (DATV)
• Landside Transit

'Transit without visa' concession - Direct Air side Transit Visa (DATV) exemptions

Who is Visa National in UK or Nationalities requiring a Direct Air side Transit  Visa (DATV) in UK.

Travelling through the Common Travel Area

UK Transit Visa Information

Every traveler face challenges while transiting certain countries to reach their final destination
Transit visa requirements are enforced by a particular country where transit places is located and not by individual air line itself

How we check whether a transit visa required or not to transit a certain country.

Click here to know the rules while transiting UK

• Direct Air side Transit Visa (DATV)
• Landside Transit

'Transit without visa' concession - Direct Air side Transit Visa (DATV) exemptions

Who is Visa National in UK or Nationalities requiring a Direct Air side Transit  Visa (DATV) in UK.

Travelling through the Common Travel Area

Documents required for UK work visa (Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer)

Following documents needs to be carried when u go to VFS

• Original Passport.
• Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of travel.
• Passport should contains at least one double blank page reserved for visa stamping
• One photocopy of the first page of the passport.
• Old passport  or passports –if any
• Two  Photos (see the detailed photo specification below )
• Should not older than six month
• Taken against a white background
• Printed on low-gloss, plain-white photo quality paper Glossy or semi-matt finish
• Size of the photo (45mm high x 35 mm wide)
• Face size: 70 % of the photograph should comprise of the face.
• Online filled visa application form: Please clcik below link to fill the online form  http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx. You must also print it off  signed form and submit with your supporting documents
• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship. Your sponsor should arrange it. You must give your reference number in the visa form, when you apply
• Evidence of employment for a specified period before you apply, depending on your experience level:
• Established staff = 12 months experience;
• Graduate trainee = 3 months experience;
• Skills transfer = no previous experience required.
• You do not need to have worked in the same position for the full specified period
• You must submit one of the following as evidence of your employment
• Appointment  Letter
• Payslips covering the last six months from your sponsor or Pay slips covering the full specified period:
• The most recent payslip must be dated no earlier than one calendar month before the date of the application. These should be either original payslips or on company-headed paper. If your payslips are not on headed paper or are printouts of online payslips, you must provide a letter from your sponsor, confirming the authenticity of the payslips.
• Personal bank or building society statements covering the full specified period:
• The most recent statement must be dated no earlier than one calendar month before the date of the application and should show transactions by your sponsor covering the specified period.
• Original Degree certificate .
• The academic certificate must contain the applicants full name, qualification awarded, the name of the awarding body and date of the award. We will not accept original provisional certificates.
• Job Offer Letter/Transfer letter
• A visa requisition letter from the Indian Company (ensure following information available in covering letter)
• It should be in company’s original letter head with company address on it
• It should be addressed to” British High Commission/ Deputy High Commission. Mumbai
• Introduction about the company
• Name and designation of the Applicant
• Purpose and duration of the travel.
• Brief sketch of the company to be visited.
• Name, contact number and email address designation of the of the signatory (of a managerial or executive level)

Qualification for Tier 2 visa

Qualifications in the points-based calculator

• Ensure have obtained minimum (50) required points score from the electronic Self-Assessment Points Calculator (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator).
• Under Certificate of Sponsorship: As an Intra-Company Transferee you can get (30 points)
• Under Qualifications: As a Bachelors or Masters Degree holder you can get (10 points)
• Under Prospective earnings:
• for salary from £24,000 and above you can get (20 points),
• For salary from £22,000 to £23,999 you can get (15 points)
• For salary from   £20,000 to £21,999 (10 points)
• Under Maintenance (Funds): you must have a minimum level of funds for which you score 10 points. If you do not score 10 points your application will be refused. As an intra-company transferee you must submit a Maintenance certified from sponsor

Important Notes:

• Please follow the guidance notes carefully and complete all questions as indicated.
• Please ensure you submit all relevant original documents as indicated in the sections. It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document.
• Your application will be automatically refused and you may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if you use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. You may also be banned if you have breached immigration laws in the UK

UK work visa (Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer) process Overview

1. UK Based employer must obtain a license to higher for workers under Point Based System
2. Employer issue a certificate of sponsorship
3. Apply for visa at UK High/Deputy Commission through VFS
4. Documents submission and finger print scanning at VFS UK visa application centre. Optionally, you can schedule an appointment for submission to reduce your waiting time in VFS.
5. VFS internally forward the documents to High Commission to process the application
6. High Commission returns the passport with or without visa to VFS in a sealed envelope
7. VFS send the passport to applicant through courier service.

UK Work Visa(Tier 2) Requirement

UK work visa (Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer) process Overview

• UK Based employer must obtain a license to higher for workers under Point Based System
• Employer issue a certificate of sponsorship
• Apply for visa at UK High/Deputy Commission through VFS
• Documents submission and finger print scanning at VFS UK visa application centre. Optionally, you can schedule an appointment for submission to reduce your waiting time in VFS.
• VFS internally forward the documents to High Commission to process the application
• High Commission returns the passport with or without visa to VFS in a sealed envelope
• VFS send the passport to applicant through courier service.

Qualification for Tier 2 visa
Qualifications in the points-based calculator

• Ensure have obtained minimum (50) required points score from the electronic Self-Assessment Points Calculator (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator).
• Under Certificate of Sponsorship: As an Intra-Company Transferee you can get (30 points)
• Under Qualifications: As a Bachelors or Masters Degree holder you can get (10 points)
• Under Prospective earnings:
• for salary from £24,000 and above you can get (20 points),
• For salary from £22,000 to £23,999 you can get (15 points)
• For salary from   £20,000 to £21,999 (10 points)
• Under Maintenance (Funds): you must have a minimum level of funds for which you score 10 points. If you do not score 10 points your application will be refused. As an intra-company transferee you must submit a Maintenance certified from sponsor

Important Notes:

• Please follow the guidance notes carefully and complete all questions as indicated.
• Please ensure you submit all relevant original documents as indicated in the sections. It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document.
• Your application will be automatically refused and you may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if you use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. You may also be banned if you have breached immigration laws in the UK

Documents required for UK work visa (Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer)

Following documents needs to be carried when u go to VFS

• Original Passport.
• Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of travel.
• Passport should contains at least one double blank page reserved for visa stamping
• One photocopy of the first page of the passport.
• Old passport  or passports –if any
• Two  Photos (see the detailed photo specification below )
• Should not older than six month
• Taken against a white background
• Printed on low-gloss, plain-white photo quality paper Glossy or semi-matt finish
• Size of the photo (45mm high x 35 mm wide)
• Face size: 70 % of the photograph should comprise of the face.
• Online filled visa application form: Please clcik below link to fill the online form  http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx. You must also print it off  signed form and submit with your supporting documents
• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship. Your sponsor should arrange it. You must give your reference number in the visa form, when you apply
• Evidence of employment for a specified period before you apply, depending on your experience level:
• Established staff = 12 months experience;
• Graduate trainee = 3 months experience;
• Skills transfer = no previous experience required.
• You do not need to have worked in the same position for the full specified period
• You must submit one of the following as evidence of your employment
• Appointment  Letter
• Payslips covering the last six months from your sponsor or Pay slips covering the full specified period:
• The most recent payslip must be dated no earlier than one calendar month before the date of the application. These should be either original payslips or on company-headed paper. If your payslips are not on headed paper or are printouts of online payslips, you must provide a letter from your sponsor, confirming the authenticity of the payslips.
• Personal bank or building society statements covering the full specified period:
• The most recent statement must be dated no earlier than one calendar month before the date of the application and should show transactions by your sponsor covering the specified period.
• Original Degree certificate .
• The academic certificate must contain the applicants full name, qualification awarded, the name of the awarding body and date of the award. We will not accept original provisional certificates.
• Job Offer Letter/Transfer letter
• A visa requisition letter from the Indian Company (ensure following information available in covering letter)
• It should be in company’s original letter head with company address on it
• It should be addressed to” British High Commission/ Deputy High Commission. Mumbai
• Introduction about the company
• Name and designation of the Applicant
• Purpose and duration of the travel.
• Brief sketch of the company to be visited.
• Name, contact number and email address designation of the of the signatory (of a managerial or executive level)

UK Tourist Visa Requirements for Site Seeing Purpose

The below information is for Indian citizen going to United Kingdom

For the information of other nationalities please click here   

UK Tourist visa process Overview

1. Filling online Visa form 
2. Documents submission and finger print scanning at VFS UK visa application center. 
3. VFS internally forward the documents to High Commission to process the application 
4. High Commission returns the passport with or without visa to VFS in a sealed envelope 
5. VFS send the passport to applicant through courier service.

Required documents from the applicant

• Original Passport
• The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended duration of stay.
• The passport should contains at least one double blank page reserved for visas (blank front and back)
• One photocopy of the first and last page of the passport and photocopies of valid visa are required
• Old passport  or passports –if any
• Note : Passport issued for beyond 10 years vaidity will not be accpeted 
• One  visa application Form duly filled and signed by the applicant(please click this link to fill online visa form)
• Two  Photos (see the detailed photo specification below )
• Taken against a white background         
• Glossy or semi-matt finish
• Size of the photo (35 X 45 mm).
• A visa requisition letter from the traveller (ensure following information available in covering letter)
• It should be addressed to” The visa officer,UK High Commission,New Delhi/Mumbai/ Chennai/ Kolkata).
• Purpose of the travel
• Duration of the stay in each location
• Hotel confirmation voucher -if satying in hotel ,
• Tour Itinerary in detail 
• Tour confirmation voucher -if visiting through auhtorized tour operator 
• Original Bank statements of last six months
• Copy of the Income Tax Returns for the past three years.
• Salary slip  for the last three months- if employed
• Leave approval letter  from the employer –if employed (NOC –if the applicant is employed in Govt organisation)
• If you are self-employed;
• Company registration documents
• Company bank statement
• If a minor travelling alone -A no objection certificate signed by both parents and their passport copy
• If a minor accompanied by one parent -A no objection certificate by the other parent and his/her passport copy
• If  students travelling - a permission letter from school/college, including phone numbers and address, confirming the leave for specified period of travel
• NOC from the spouse and passport copy  –if the spouse not accompanying
• Address proof –if the passport issued in different location rather than where u apply for a visa

UK Visa Fee
VFS Fee:
To know the latest Uk Visa Fee : Please click here

Important;
Above listed documents are not a final, High Commission may ask additional documents

UK Tourist Visa Requirements for visiting relative or friend

The below information is for Indian citizen going to United Kingdom

For the information of other nationalities please click here   

UK Tourist visa process Overview

1. Filling online Visa form 
2. Documents submission and finger print scanning at VFS UK visa application center. 
3. VFS internally forward the documents to High Commission to process the application 
4. High Commission returns the passport with or without visa to VFS in a sealed envelope 
5. VFS send the passport to applicant through courier service.

Required documents from the applicant

• Original Passport
• The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended duration of stay.
• The passport should contains at least one double blank page reserved for visas (blank front and back)
• One photocopy of the first and last page of the passport and photocopies of valid visa are required
• Old passport  or passports –if any
• Note : Passport issued for beyond 10 years vaidity will not be accpeted 
• One  visa application Form duly filled and signed by the applicant(please click this link to fill online visa form)
• Two  Photos (see the detailed photo specification below )
• Taken against a white background         
• Glossy or semi-matt finish
• Size of the photo (35 X 45 mm).
• A visa requisition letter from the traveller (ensure following information available in covering letter)
• It should be addressed to” The visa officer,UK High Commission,New Delhi/Mumbai/ Chennai/ Kolkata).
• Purpose of the travel
• Duration of the stay in each location
• Original Bank statements of last six months
• Copy of the Income Tax Returns for the past three years.
• Salary slip  for the last three months- if employed
• Leave approval letter  from the employer –if employed (NOC –if the applicant is employed in Govt organisation)
• If you are self-employed;
• Company registration documents
• Company bank statement
• If a minor travelling alone -A no objection certificate signed by both parents and their passport copy
• If a minor accompanied by one parent -A no objection certificate by the other parent and his/her passport copy
• If  students travelling - a permission letter from school/college, including phone numbers and address, confirming the leave for specified period of travel
• NOC from the spouse and passport copy  –if the spouse not accompanying
• Address proof –if the passport issued in different location rather than where u apply for a visa

Required documents from the invitee or host

• Original invitation letter from the inviting person in UK( Please specify the applicant Name, passport no, duration of visit and purpose of travel ,Contact address, Number  and email address  of the invitee and host)
• Copy of all the pages of the passport 
• Copy of the visa and resident permit (if the invitee is not an UK national)
• Copy of the bank statement with sufficient fund (if sponsoring the travel)
• Proof of relationship (e.g.: marriage certificate, birth certificate ) 
• Proof of accommodation in UK for the entire duration. example ; rental agreement -if host is staying in a rented  house  or council tax papers -if staying in own house 

UK Visa Fee
VFS Fee:
To know the latest Uk Visa Fee : Please click here

Important;
Above listed documents are not a final, High Commission may ask additional documents

UK Business Visa Requirement and Procedure

UK(United Kingdom) Business Visa information:

The below information is for Indian citizen going to United Kingdom

For the information of other nationalities please click here   

UK Business visa process Overview

1. Filling online Visa form 
2. Documents submission and finger print scanning at VFS UK visa application center. 
3. VFS internally forward the documents to High Commission to process the application 
4. High Commission returns the passport with or without visa to VFS in a sealed envelope 
5. VFS send the passport to applicant through courier service.

Following documents needs to be carried when u go to VFS

• Original Passport
• The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended duration of stay.
• The passport should contains at least one double blank page reserved for visas (blank front and back)
• One photocopy of the first and last page of the passport and photocopies of valid visa are required
• Old passport  or passports –if any
• Note : Passport issued for beyond 10 years vaidity will not be accpeted 
• One  visa application Form duly filled and signed by the applicant(please click this link to fill online visa form)
• Two  Photos (see the detailed photo specification below )
• Taken against a white background         
• Glossy or semi-matt finish
• Size of the photo (35 X 45 mm).
• A visa requisition letter from the Indian Company (ensure following information available in covering letter)
• It should be in company’s original letter head with company address on it
• It should be addressed to” The visa officer,UK High Commission,New Delhi/Mumbai/ Chennai/ Kolkata)
• Introduction about the company
• Name and designation of the Applicant
• Purpose and duration of the travel.
• Brief sketch of the company to be visited.
• Name, contact number and email address designation of the of the signatory 
• Invitation Letter from the invitee company in UK(Ensure following requirements meets a invitation )
• It should be printed in invitee company’s letter head
• It should be addressed to” The British High Commission / Deputy high Commission.
• Specify the applicant Name, passport no, duration of visit  and purpose of travel
• Contact no and email address  of the signatory
• Original Bank statements of last six months
• Copy of the Income Tax Returns for the past three years.
• Salary slip  for the last six months
• Job Appointment letter from the applicant Indian Company.
• If the company is new or unknown
• Carry the documents about company's market and financial position with financial records (bank statement), Tax papers for the last three year and any News paper/press coverage or Advertisement brochures about the company.
• Incorporation documents and business license(s)
• If you are self-employed;
• Company registration documents
• Company bank statement
• Company tax documents for the past three years

Visa Fee:
VFS Fee:
Premium processing Fee:

To know the latest UK Visa Fee please click this link

Important Notes:

• Above listed documents are not a final High Commission may ask additional documents
• In case your fingers are coloured with henna, bandaged you will not be able to give your biometric enrolment. In such cases you will need to come and submit your application after the colouring, bandage has been removed (when the injury has healed). If any of your fingers are missing, you can still provide scans of your remaining fingers. VFS will make a note of this.
• Children under 16 will have to be accompanied by their parent / guardian for the biometric enrolment.
• Children aged five years and over need to have their fingers scanned and digital photograph taken. Children aged between five and sixteen years must be accompanied by an adult. Children under five do not have to visit a Visa Application Centre to have their photographs or finger scans taken, but their photograph will need to be provided with the visa application form.
•  Each time you apply for a UK visa you will need to have your fingers scanned and photograph taken.