How to apply

All applications have to be made at one of the two Visa Application Centres (VACs) located in Taipei and in Kaohsiung.

You must complete the visa application forms online. Paper forms can not be accepted in Taiwan .

You must submit your visa application in person. You cannot submit it through an agent, friend or family member.

All UK visa applicants aged over 5 years have to have their biometrics (fingerprints and digital photograph) taken at the VACs. Under 16 year old must be accompanied by a responsible adult when giving their biometrics. This cannot be a member of the VAC staff.

We strongly recommend you to visit the Visa Application Centres by prior appointment to save unnecessary waiting time. You will particularly value the appointment facility during the peak summer season when long queues may occur.

Click here to see application process flow chart.

How long will it take for my application to be processed?

Most straightforward, non-settlement individual applications take 3-5 working days from receipt by the VAC (for Kaohsiung they take an additional day).

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 therefore recommend that you apply at least three weeks before your intended date of travel.

Please do not purchase your travel tickets until the issue of your visa has been confirmed.

Do I have to be interviewed by an officer of the British Trade & Cultural Office?

Issue or refusal of a visa is based on the assessment of your application by an Entry Clearance Officer at the British Trade & Cultural Office. The Entry Clearance Officer may decide to interview if they need more information before making a decision on your application. In such cases, you will be informed by our staff that you need to visit the BTCO in Taipei and given an interview time and date. They may request additional documents.

Collection

Processed applications can be collected back from the VAC where the application was originally submitted. You may collect in person or may assign someone to collect on your behalf. If collecting yourself please present the copy of your passport bio-page stamped by the VAC when you made your application to the collection desk.

If you wish someone to collect on your behalf they must present the stamped bio-page and a letter of authorization signed by yourself.

Alternatively, you may choose to have your passport and original documents delivered via Post Office courier services. Please speak to our staff when you make your application.

Making a visa application with a booked appointment

· Make an appointment via the online appointment system

· Choose the date, time you wish to make your application and at which VAC you wish to submit

· Complete the online visa application form ( http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk ) Sections 1 and 2 are critical areas and the information in these must be 100% accurate. Taiwanese passport holders please note to 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.

· Print out your completed application form, sign and date it and prepare the required documents (please see documents checklists)

· Bring to the VAC the following:

1. Print out of your completed online visa applications form, signed and dated

2. Valid passport with at least two blank, unmarked visa pages

3. Photocopy of your passport bio-data page (the page with your photo and personal details)

4. 1 passport sized colour photo (45mm x 35mm taken within 6 months against a white background, teeth should not be visible) (link to photograph page)

5. Visa fee (cash or Standard Charted bank drafts only) (Link to visa fee table page)

6. Any supporting documents (please see checklists for complete list of necessary documents) (Link to document checklists page)

Please visit the VAC 10 minutes before your appointment time.

Making a visa application without a booked appointment

You may visit the VACs between 0800 hrs - 1500 hrs Monday – Friday without making an online appointment in advance. You will still need to complete a visa application form online. When you arrive at our VAC you will need to take a token from the machine at the entrance of the VAC. Applications 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.

· Complete the online visa application form ( http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk ).Sections 1 and 2 are critical areas and the information in these must be 100% accurate. Taiwanese passport holders please note to 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.

· Print out your completed application form, sign and date it and prepare the required documents (please see documents checklists)

· Bring to the VAC the following:

1. Print out of your completed online visa applications form, signed and dated

2. Valid passport with at least two blank, unmarked visa pages

3. Photocopy of your passport bio-data page (the page with your photo and personal details)

4. 1 passport sized colour photo (45mm x 35mm taken within 6 months against a white background, teeth should not be visible) (link to photograph page)

5. Visa fee (cash or Standard Charted bank drafts only) (Link to visa fee table page)

6. Any supporting documents (please see checklists for complete list of necessary documents) (Link to document checklists page)

Group applications

Please follow the following guidelines for groups of 10 or more.If the group size is less than 10 applicants please book the appointment using the online appointment system.

Groups of 10 or more

Agent must provide following details to BTCO and VAC in advance, on agency’s letterhead:

· Group name (e.g AAA Travel group x 12 , where 12 is the number of applicants)

· Name and contact details of group leader

· Names and passport details of each applicant

· Travel itinerary

· VAC location where group will submit application (i.e. Taipei or Kaohsiung )

Information can be sent by fax or e-mail

a. Fax

i. BTCO 02 - 8758 2061

ii. Taipei VAC02 – 8788 2900

iii. Kaohsiung VAC07 – 236 3849

b. Email

i. BTCO info@btco.org.tw

ii. Taipei VACinfo.uktw@vfshelpline.com

iii. KaohsiungVAC info.uktw@vfshelpline.com

The agent should contact the Visa Application Centre (VAC) Manager in advance to schedule an appointment for each group member to give their biometrics.

The agent should send all the passports, documents and the visa fee to the VAC prior to the group members going to give their biometrics.

Each group member should visit the VAC at the scheduled time to give his/her biometrics.

Each group member must bring a letter of authority, issued by the travel agent on their agency letterhead, when he/she visits the VAC. The letter must clearly state the Name of the Group. You can download the template - here

Applicants traveling in a group must NOT be provided with any personal information of any other group members.

We recommend a representative from the travel agency accompany group members when they visit the VAC. This representative must quote the group name to the VAC staff.

Details of documents required - are under the ‘Group Checklist’ - of this website.

Group leaders must submit their visa applications with the group. If the entire group is not applying together on the same day, then the Group Leader must apply with the group members who apply FIRST.

Children applications

• For children applicants, the parental consent form must be signed by both parents (click here for consent form).
• For applicants under the age of 18 who are travelling in a group (e.g. study tour), each member must complete a ‘visitor visa’ application form rather than ‘student visitor’.

Government officials and diplomats

Government officials and foreign diplomats travelling to the UK on official government - business should - submit their applications to the Visa Handling Unit at the BTCO NOT to the VACs unless previously agreed by the BTCO (for example if they are based in southern Taiwan they may find it more convenient to apply at the Kaohsiung VAC). Government officials travelling to the UK on private business or to visit a private company must apply at one of the VACs.

Guidance – Points Based System (PBS):

Poins Based System (PBS) is a new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study. Please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for more information and the Self-Assessment Calculator.
You can submit applications for all categories of Tier 1 starting 30 June 2008

Tier 1 Categories:

• Tier 1 (General) Migrant
• Tier 1 (Investor)
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
• Tier 1 (Post-Study Work)

Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review

The recent High Court ruling in the UK resulting from the Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review affects certain people who formerly had leave in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). You may be covered by this ruling if you joined HSMP under the arrangements which were in place until the scheme was suspended on 7 November 2006 and you either:

a) applied for and were refused further leave to remain under the new extension rules which came into force on 5 December 2006, and subsequently left the UK, or

b) left the UK after 7 November 2006 without ever applying for further leave to remain under the new rules. A policy document which explains in detail who is affected by the ruling is available on the UK Border Agency website.

Forms and Guidance

Guidance on making and assessing applications under the HSMP Judicial Review judgement is available on the Visa Services website.

The standard PBS form (VAF 9) and Appendix 1(Tier 1- General) have been expanded to allow them to be used by HSMP Forum JR applicants in both categories, ie (a) and ( b).

Making Your Application
Applications in both categories should be made at the appropriate visa section or VAC in the usual way. Category (a) applicants will not be charged a fee; category (b) applicants should pay the standard Tier 1 (General) fee.

Tier 2 Categories

• Tier 2 (General)

• Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer)

• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)

• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)

Tier 5 Categories

• Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting)

• Tier 5 (Charity worker)

• Tier 5 (Religious worker)

• Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange)

• Tier 5 (International agreement)

• Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)