IMPORTANT

Any applicant who has provided false representation, false documents, or who fails to disclose material facts will be refused entry clearance whether or not the deception is with the applicant's knowledge. With effect from 1 April 2008, any applicant who has used deception in a previous entry clearance application will have future entry clearance applications refused up to ten years.

How to apply?

All UK visa applications will now be processed by VFS Taiwan Ltd. All applications have to be made at one of the two UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) located in Taipei and in Kaohsiung.

All applicants are required to complete a visa application form online.

Please Note: When you fill up your online visa application form, DO NOT put a Hyphen / dash in between your First Name; and leave a space in between your first name even if it is printed on your passport. Also please leave “other name” field blank.

We strongly recommend you to visit the VACs 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.

Appointments can be booked via  On-line Appointment System

Click here to view application process flow chart.

Making a visa application with a booked appointment

You can make an application in 4 easy steps:

1. First make an appointment booking via On-line Appointment System , choosing the date and time you wish to make your application as well as which VAC you wish to submit your application.
2. Complete your visa application form online on the link http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk . Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. Sections 1 and 2 are critical sections. The information in these must be 100% accurate. If you make a mistake in either of these sections you will need to complete another online application form
3. Print out your application form and any other forms required for your application, sign your name and prepare all the required documents (please refer to the documents checklists for a list of documents required to submit with your application).
4. Bring to the VAC the following documents:
   • Print out of your completed online visa application form, signed and dated
   • Your valid passport or travel document with at least 2 blank pages
   • A photocopy of the data page of your passport (the page which has your photograph and personal details)
   • Your passport-sized 45mm x 35mm colour photograph. This should be:
     Taken against a white background clear and good quality printed on normal photographic paper
     Full face without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless worn for cultural or religious reasons
     Taken not longer than 6 months prior to the date of application
     (Please note that we may not accept photographs which do not meet these specifications)
   • The visa fee (cash or bank draft)
   • Any supporting documents and copies of these relevant to your application as suggested in the documents checklists

Please visit the U.K Visa Application Centre on appointment date around 10 minutes before appointment time.

Making an application without a booked appointment

You may visit the VACs between 0800 hrs - 1500 hrs Monday - Friday without making an online appointment in advance. 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.

Who needs to submit the application?

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

From 26 July 2007 every applicant aged 5 or over will need to have his/her fingerprints scanned and all applicants of whatever age will have to have their photograph taken. In Taipei we will have three biometric counters in the Application Centre to take care of this requirement. In Kaohsiung there will be one counter. Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult when giving their biometrics. This cannot be a member of the VAC staff. Biometrics cannot be taken if you are unaccompanied and this will delay the processing of your visa application as a visa can only be issued after your biometrics have been taken.

Group Applications 

Important information for authorized travel agents and tour operators handling a group of 10 or more applicants applying for a UK Visa. If the group size is less than 10 applicants, please book the appointment using the Online Appointment System( Click here)

Step 1 (Provide Group Details)

Agent is required to submit the group information to British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) AND the UK Visa Application Centre (UK VAC) in advance. Information should be provided on agency’s letterhead and should include:

1. Group Name (e.g. AA Travel Group x 12 (where 12 is the number of applicants)
2. Name and contact details of the Group Leader
3. Names and passport details of each applicant
4. Travel Itinerary
5. VAC location, where the group will submit the application (i.e. Taipei or Kaohsiung)

NB: Information can be either sent by facsimile (FAX) or via an email.

1. Fax
   1. BTCO                02-8758 2061
   2. Taipei VAC        02 – 8788 2900
   3. Kaohsiung VAC 07 – 236 3849
2. Email
   1. BTCO                info@btco.org.tw
   2. Taipei VAC        Info.uktw@vfshelpline.com
   3. Kaohsiung          Info.uktw@vfshelpline.com

Step 2 (Make an appointment for submission of applications)

Agent should contact the Visa Application Centre (VAC) Manager to schedule an appointment for applicants. This is to minimize the amount of time spent by the applicants for the biometric process. Please contact VAC Manager on the following fax numbers or email:

                                                   Taipei:        02 – 8788 – 2900 
                                                                      Info.uktw@vfshelpline.com

   Kaohsiung: 07 – 236 – 3849
                                     Info.uktw@vfshelpline.com

Step 3 (Agent / Tour leader to visit VAC for document processing and Visa Fee submission)

As scheduled by the manager, agent should send all the passports and relevant documents and the Visa Fee to the VAC, followed by the applicants to visit the VAC for biometrics. This would enable the VAC to complete all the required formalities before the applicants visits the VAC.

Step 4 (Applicants to visit VAC for biometrics)

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

Important Information:

Each applicant must bring a letter of authority, issued by the travel agent on their agency letterhead, at the time of visiting the VAC. Letter must clearly state the Name of the Group on this letter. Template of the letter can be downloaded here

Applicants traveling in a group must NOT be provided with any personal information of accompanying applicants.

We recommend a representative from the travel agency accompanies the applicants when they visit the VAC. This representative must quote the group name to the handling staff at the VAC.

Details of documents required for each visa category can be seen under ‘Group Checklist’ in 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.