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- What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel
document that gives you permission to enter the United Kingdom.
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
You can apply for a 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' questionnaire on the UK Border Agency website
to see if you need a visa.
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If you are a full Taiwanese passport holder visiting the
UK for less than 6 months on business, as a tourist, family
visitor or student visitor, you do not need to apply
for a visa unless you have had any previous immigration
problems. You will still need to satisfy the immigration
official on arrival in the UK that you are a genuine visitor. |
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If you are a non-Taiwanese without any long term visa
status in Taiwan you may only apply for a visit visa. All
other visa category applications must be made in the country
of your normal residence. |
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If you are a third country national with a long term Taiwanese
visa, then you may apply for all visa categories in Taiwan.
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. |
Important note: If you have had any previous immigration
problems you are advised to apply for a visa to enter the UK.
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. It is your responsibility
to make sure that you apply for the right visa, and that you submit
the right documents in support of your application. 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 1online visa application for each individual
applying for a visa, including children.
Please complete an online
visa application in English using the online application system.
Paper visa application forms are not accepted in Taiwan. Please
see guide to making an online visa application
to help you through the online process.
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Please ensure that you select the correct visa application
for the purpose of your visit. |
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Please ensure that you complete all the sections correctly.
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Sections 1 and 2 are important and these sections must
be completed accurately. Taiwanese passport holders should
leave the 'other name' column blank. If there are any mistakes
in sections 1 and 2, you will need to complete a new application
form. |
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Print out all the pages of your completed online visa
application form; sign and date it. 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. |
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After you have saved and submitted your online application,
you will receive an email with a unique application ID number
that starts with GWF. Keep your ID number for future reference.
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Step 4 - Prepare your documents
Original documents
You must provide original documents with a photocopy
for each original document you are submitting.. Your original
documents might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies
of the originals.. We recommend that you make any necessary copies
before you come to the visa application centre, alternatively
a photocopier is available at the visa
application centre (fee payable). Failure to submit original
documents may mean your application is delayed or refused.
Translation
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 |
The visa application centre offers a translation service - please
see the 'Additional Services' page
on this website for more information.
Documents required
Please visit the 'Document Checklist'
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. Visa applicants must submit as much
evidence as they can of their personal circumstances. The absence
of important documentary evidence of your travel history in a
previous passport (if applicable) and comprehensive supporting
documents, may result in your application not being successful.
Photographs
Provide 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old). The
photograph should be in colour and:
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Taken against a light grey or cream background; |
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Clear and of good quality, free from shadows; |
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Printed on normal photographic paper; |
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45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size |
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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. |
We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not meet these
requirements. More information on photograph
requirements can be found on the UK
Border Agency website
Step 5 - Schedule an appointment
Schedule an appointment
We strongly recommend that you schedule
an appointment to attend the visa application centre. You
will particularly value the appointment facility during the peak
summer season when long queues may occur. To book an appointment
please see the 'Schedule
an Appointment' page on this website.
If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family
or group should make an individual appointment. For example, if
you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children, you must make
4 individual appointments.
If you need to change your appointment please remember to cancel
your original appointment. You can only book 1 appointment for
each person applying for a visa. If you book more than 1 appointment
for each applicant, we may cancel all of your appointments without
informing you. This is to stop people making bulk bookings that
prevent other customers from getting an appointment.
Walk in service
Applicants can also visit the visa application centre Monday -
Friday between 08:00 - 15:00 without making an appointment in
advance. When you arrive at the visa application centre you will
need to take a token from the machine at the entrance. Applicants
will be taken on a first come, first served basis and there may
be a limit on the number of visa applicants we are able to see
in one day.
Step 6 - Visit the visa application centre
The visa application centre contact details can be found on the
'Contact Us' page of this website.
You must apply in person to submit your biometric data (digital
photograph and fingerscan).
You should remember to bring the following documents:
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Valid passport contains at least 2 blank pages for the
visa to be inserted |
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Old passport (entry and exit record if old passport is
lost and there is no previous travel history on current
passport) |
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1 photograph (see step 4) |
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Completed, signed visa application form (see
step 3) |
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Visa application fee (cash only) |
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Supporting documents (see step 4) |
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 make your visa application
are the only documents that can be considered. The UK Border Agency
or the visa application centre will not accept applications and
supporting documents sent by mail or courier.
Please note: The UK Border Agency will keep 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.
Biometric data collection
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 biometrics; this cannot be a member of the visa
application centre staff. Biometrics cannot be taken for visa
applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied. If you refuse
to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot be
processed. A visa application can only be processed after your
biometrics have been taken.
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 application if you
do not submit your biometric data. Your biometrics data must be
submitted within 40 days of completing your online visa application
form.
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 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 assessed individually and
processing times may vary.
The status of your visa application can also be monitored by using
the '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.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. UK Border
Agency 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 your 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 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 application
You will be informed when the decision on your visa application
along with your original documents and passport are ready for
collection from the visa application centre. You will need the
original visa submission receipt you were given when you made
your visa application to collect your documents. A nominated person
can collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person
will need to provide a letter
of authorization signed by you, proof of their identity which
includes their photograph and your visa submission receipt. Alternatively,
you may choose to have your passport and original documents delivered
by a courier service (additional fee).
Please see the 'Additional Services' page on this
website for more information about courier services.
If you are issued a visa, please check and 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.
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If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact
the visa application centre immediately.
- Using agents and fraud
You may decide to submit your application to VFS through 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. 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 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.
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