UK Visa

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate that is put in your passport or travel document at a British mission overseas. The visa gives you permission to enter the UK. If you have a valid UK visa, we will not normally refuse you entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or did not tell us important facts when you applied for your visa. When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration Officer may ask you questions, so take all relevant documents in your hand luggage.

Do I need a visa for the UK?
Certain nationalities, known as visa nationals, need to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. Even if you are not a visa national, you may need an entry clearance, depending on the reason for coming to the UK. Use the "Do I Need a Visa" questionnaire to find out if you need a visa. Taiwan passport holders are visa nationals and will require a visa for most purposes to enter the UK.

You will also need a visa if you

Who can apply for a Visa?
The Visa Handling Unit processes visas for holders of Taiwanese passports travelling to the UK and the UK's 9 dependant territories (aka UK Overseas Territories) and certain Commonwealth countries. Please note that all categories of applications are accepted from Taiwan residents (3rd country nationals must hold an ARC card) but only visit visa applications can be accepted from applicants who are not resident in Taiwan. All other categories of entry clearance (e.g. domestic helper, employment, settlement, student, etc) must be made in the applicant's country of normal residence. Applicants must be resident in Taiwan when they make their application. Applicants must apply in person.

Where can I lodge my visa applications?
All applications for a UK visa should be lodged with our office in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

UK Visas Application Centre (Taipei)
7F, Unit A, No 97, Song Ren Rd
Exchange Square -2, XinYi District, Taipei, TAIWAN

UK Visas Application Centre (Kaohsiung)
7F, Unit D, No 95, Min Zu 2nd Rd,
Fubon Commercial Bldg, Kaohsiung, TAIWAN

How do I lodge my visa application?
Applications must be lodged in person. You can make an appointment via fax or email at the time you submit your online application. Alternatively you can lodge your application without a prior appointment between 0800 hrs -1500 hrs (Monday - Friday).

How do I get my visa and passport back?
You may chose to use our convenient courier service, come to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in person (you can collect your passport at either VAC) or authorise someone to collect your passport on your behalf (for this you will need to provide the person collecting with written authorisation). Please inform our staff how and where you would like to collect your passport when you make your application.

What length of visit visa can I apply for if am visiting the UK for the first time?
It is recommended that applicants who are travelling to the UK for the first time start off by applying for a 6 month visa. However, if first-time travellers wish to apply for a 1, 2, 5 or 10 year visa, they may do so knowing that the visa fee is NON-REFUNDABLE should the British Trade & Cultural Office decide, upon its' discretion, to issue only a 6 month visa. Please see section on long term validity visit visas.

Can my friend or family member in the UK apply for my visa for me?
No, visas for the UK can be issued only at UK visa offices overseas. If your friend/family member needs a visa, they must get it before they travel to the UK.

Can somebody else apply for a visa for me overseas?
No. You must apply in person.

What if I do not understand English?
The UK Visa Application Centres have staffs available who speak all the main Chinese dialects as well as English speaking staff. We may be unable to accept an application where the applicant speaks neither Chinese nor English. In such cases we would advise the applicant to apply for a visa in their home country.

Can I come to live permanently in the UK?
If you are not a British or European Economic Area (EEA) national and you wish to settle permanently in the UK, you must get a visa before you travel to the UK. For more information, see our guidance notes.

Can my children join me in or travel with me to the UK?
The Rules concerning children are quite complicated, but in many cases, they may be permitted to join you. They may need a visa before they travel to the UK. See the Family members guidance note for more information.

Can I study in the UK?
The UK welcomes overseas nationals who wish to study in the UK. For more information on how to apply for a visa to study in the UK, see the Students and their dependants guidance note. The British Council website also gives advice and guidance. From 1 September a new Visit-Student visa will be introduced.

Visitors are not allowed to work in the UK. The majority of work requires a work permit. The Work permit holders and their dependants web pages have more information.

Some students may take employment, but with restrictions. Please read the Students guidance note for more information. There are also a number of other immigration categories that allow people to take employment in the UK, such as the Working Holidaymakers, Au Pairs, seasonal agricultural workers and other forms of permit free employment. See our Information on different categories of visas for more information.

Do I need to send my visitor a sponsorship form?
You do not need to obtain a 'sponsorship declaration' from a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths. However, a letter from you detailing your occupation and salary and, if you will be financing the visit, evidence of your ability to do so, would be helpful.

How long will my visa be valid for?
The period for which your visa is valid is always shown on the visa placed in your travel document. A standard visit visa is usually valid for six months, but we also issue visit visas that are valid for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years. All visit visas can be used for an unlimited number of entries to the UK. You may stay a maximum of 6 months on each visit, or to the expiry date of the visa, whichever is shorter. The period a visa is valid for is shown on the visa. It does not necessarily start from the date of entry into the UK. If you are coming for another reason, the validity of the visa and how long you can stay can vary. This is usually the date that it is issued. However, if you do not plan to travel immediately, you can ask for it to be post-dated for the start date to be deferred by up to three months. You must tell the entry clearance officer this when you make your application.

How long can I stay?
The last day on which you may enter or be in the UK is the expiry date on the visa. For visitors, this is normally a maximum of 6 months. This does not mean that you can stay for 6 months from your date of entry, the 6 months starts from the date printed on your visa.

If my travel plans are delayed, can the validity of my visa be changed?
No, except where there are compelling compassionate circumstances. At the discretion of an entry clearance officer, the expiry date of a visa can be extended for up to 3 months, provided there has been no change in your circumstances. Otherwise you should apply for another visa.

What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
A visa is normally issued for a specific purpose. If your reason for going to the UK changes, you should inform the visa office, preferably the one that issued your visa. You may be asked to make another visa application and/or provide additional supporting documents.

Can I extend my stay in the UK?
If you are a visa national coming for a short visit to the UK, you are not allowed to extend your stay or change from being a visitor to another category. If you are coming to the UK for another reason, you may be allowed to extend your stay. You should contact the Border and Immigration Agency for more information.

Do I need to bring any documents with me?
On arrival, an immigration officer may ask you to show evidence of your reasons for coming to the UK. This may include travel tickets, evidence of funding, letters from your sponsor or businesses you are visiting, or schools you will study at. You should bring copies of the documents that you showed to the entry clearance officer, in your hand luggage.

How much does a UK visa cost?
You must pay a fee, in cash in local currency, to the Visa Handling Unit when you make your application. A fee is charged to pay for the cost of processing your application and it is not refundable. For up-to-date information on fees in local currency, please use the Fees link on the left hand side of this page.

How long does it take to get a UK visa?
The British Trade and Cultural Office aims to operate a fast and effective entry clearance service. The Visa Handling Unit at BTCO will process fast track/straightforward applications within 2-5 working days, 15 days for non-straightforward. Straightforward applications made in Kaohsiung usually take an additional one working day. Please be aware that during peak periods, particularly June-July, it can take longer. If an interview or further documents are required the processing time will vary according to the next available interview slot and/or how long it takes to carry out additional checks or receive additional documentation. We will inform you if an interview or further documents are required. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance of their date of travel. Bear in mind Public Holidays, Typhoon Days, Weekends, and Busy Periods. When your visa is issued an e-mail is automatically generated to the email address provided by you. You should then return to the VAC the next working day, with your receipt, to collect your passport and visa.

The majority of applications made to the Visa Handling Unit do not require an interview. However, in some cases we may require further information which may mean you providing additional documents or coming in for an interview. Before we see your application we cannot say for sure whether an interview will be required. If we do require one, we will arrange with you a suitable time and day for this.

Why do I have to wait for an interview date?
When an entry clearance officer cannot make a decision about issuing you a visa immediately, you may be asked to attend an interview. Though we aim to do this within 10 days, this may be longer, depending on when you apply and how many other interviews we have booked that month. Always try to make your application well in advance of your intended travel date.

If we have referred a previous visa application; or you have been refused a visa by a British mission; or entry into the UK by an immigration officer or an extension of your visa by the Home Office, it does not necessarily mean that you will not be allowed to enter the UK again, but it is very important that you tell the entry clearance officer of this and that you indicate this on your application form. Such applications are likely to take more time to process.

If you are not a visa national and have been refused a visa previously, depending on the reason you wish to go to the UK, it may be better if you apply for a visa before you travel. The entry clearance officer will then be able to decide whether you qualify for entry before you travel. Note that if you would not normally need a visa, you will not be prevented from travelling to the UK, but you may have problems when you arrive.

What if I have been refused a visa for or entry to another country?
Each visa application for the UK is dealt with on its own merits, but an entry clearance officer may want to know why another country refused you a visa or entry.

There are suggestions/complaints forms in the Visa Application Centres. These can be completed in English or Chinese and posted in the box provided. Alternatively you can e-mail us any suggestions or complete our feedback form. Please see the Contact Us Section for details. We will try to reply to all written enquiries/complaints/suggestions within 2 working days.

The information contained on the website has been created in respect of applications submitted in Taiwan. Some pages and some information contained in UK visas website may not be applicable to visa applications submitted in Taiwan. If in doubt please contact the Visa Application Centres staff.