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- How to apply
On this page you will find the information listed below. You can use the quick links listed here to take you to the information or you can scroll down the page.
- 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 (UK). On arrival in the UK a Border Force officer may check that you are here for the reasons you have stated. 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 non settlement visa application 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.
Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
Filipino nationals: need a visa to enter or transit through the UK. You are advised to read through the visa application steps set out below before you make your application so you are clear about the procedure and requirements.
Non Filipino nationals: If you are not a Filipino national or if you are unsure if you need a visa to enter or transit through the UK please use the 'Do I need a visa' guide on the UK Border Agency website. If you need a visa you should follow the steps outlined below. Please bear in mind that visa nationals (citizens of countries who always need a visa to enter the UK) who are not legally resident in the Philippines can only apply for a visit visa, European Economic Area family permit or a 'creative and sporting' points-based system Tier 5 visa. Visa nationals who apply for any of these visa categories may experience delays because their visa application will be referred to their country of origin, or country where they are legally resident. The UK Border Agency will not be able to process applications for any other visa categories from visa nationals who are not legally resident in the Philippines. Applicants should return to their country of origin or the country where they are legally resident and apply for a visa there.
Step 2 - Read the information on your visa category
Before you decide to apply for a visa please make sure you familiarise 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. You may also want to read the Immigration Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements.
Step 3 - Complete your online visa application form
You should submit 1 visa application for each individual applying for a visa, including children.
You must complete your visa application using the online application facility. You will need access to a computer, a personal email address that you can use and have the ability to print your form and any other information.
Online visa application form
- Please ensure that you select the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit.
Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly.
- Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application. The information in this section must be completed accurately.
- Please print all the pages of the visa application form and bring it to the visa application centre. 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 and remember to sign it.
- 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.
We are unable to accept online payments in the Philippines. Please see the 'Visa Application Fee' page on this website for information on paying your fees.
Step 4 - Schedule an appointment
All visa applicants (apart from exempt categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person to 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. Applications for children under 5 years-of-age must be submitted at the visa application centre by the child's parent, legal guardian or other authorised adult. If you refuse to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot be processed.
How to book an appointment
We strongly advise you make a prior appointment to attend the visa application centre. You will particularly value your appointment during the peak season when there may be long queues. Students and seafarers must make a prior appointment to submit their visa application. You can book your appointment in the following ways:
Online: See the Schedule an Appointment page on this website where you will be guided through the appointment booking process.
Call centre: You can contact the VFS call centre and make your appointment - for PLDT / Smart Subscribers 1-909-885-VISA (8472); for Bayantel 1-903-VISAUK or 1-903-847285. PHP 32.00 for each minute for landline calls (excluding VAT and applicable NDD charges for calls made outside Metro Manila).
Important: If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family or group must make an individual appointment. For example, if you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children (under 5 year-of-age) you must make 4 individual appointments.
Please make sure you arrive at the UK visa application centre 10 minutes before your appointment time.
If you are unable to book any available dates it means that all the available appointments have been taken. In this case you can still attend the visa application centre without an appointment and submit your application on Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 08:00 (unless you are a student or seafarer). Applicants without an appointment are advised that the queues to submit their visa application may take anywhere from a few minutes up to 2 hours or more depending on the number of applicants on any particular day. Applicants with an appointment will be treated as a priority.
Please note: Visa applicants are not allowed to be accompanied inside the visa application centre. The only exceptions to this policy are those accompanying children under 18 years-of-age or applicants who need special assistance for health reasons or disability.
Step 5 - Prepare your documents
Supporting documents & checklists
Please see the 'Supporting Document Checklist' page on this website for information on the types of documents you might want to submit with your visa application. For additional information you may also want to see UK Border Agency supporting documents checklists.
Applicants must submit as much evidence as they can of their personal circumstances. This includes employment; studies; financial circumstances; any assets; details of travel outside the Philippines, details of family members in the Philippines and overseas. If someone else is paying for the trip, or sponsoring you in another way, there should be evidence relating to that person too. The absence of important documentary may result in your application not being successful.
Points-based system applications: If you are applying for a visa under the points-based system you should read the relevant policy document which will give specific document requirements. Links to points-based policy information can be found on the 'Visa Information' page on this website.
Original documents & photocopies
You must provide original documents with a photocopy of each original supporting document you are submitting. If you are not able to include original documents then you should submit certified copies from the issuing authority. Failure to submit original documents may mean your visa application is delayed or refused. Please ensure that the copies are good quality and can be read easily. Your original documents might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies. For your convenience there are photocopying services available at the visa application centre (fee payable). Please see the Additional Services page on this website for more information about the photocopying services.
Translations
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. This includes bank statements and payslips. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification. All translated documents must include all of the following information:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The translator's full name and signature
- The translator's contact details
You should also prepare the following:
- A printed and signed copy of your online visa application form
- Your current valid passport or your refugee travel document; which corresponds to the information given on your visa application form and contains at least 1 blank page (both sides) for the visa to be inserted. We recommend that your passport is valid for 6 months as some airlines do not accept passports without a 6 month validity period.
- Note: The UK Border Agency will retain 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
- Previous passports if relevant
- Original supporting documents, with photocopies and translations
- Printed copy of the relevant supporting document checklist which you have signed.
- Proof that you have paid your visa application fee.
- 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old). The photograph should be in colour and:
- Taken against a light grey or cream background;
- Clear and of good quality;
- Printed on normal photographic paper;
- 45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size
- 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.
Your visa application may be refused if your photograph does not meet these requirements. More information on photograph requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website. The visa application centre offers a photograph service (fee payable).Please see the Additional Service page on this website for more information about the photocopying services.
Important information for visa applicants and sponsors: If your sponsor already has a visa and is established in the UK (in addition to the above) you will need to show evidence of their current status there. You should provide a certified copy of their passport showing all the pages.
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 information (digital photograph and fingerscan - see the information below).
You should remember to bring the documents set out in step 6. You will be given a receipt when you submit your documents, which you should keep. In addition to your passport please bring a second valid ID as you will be required to deposit your identification at the security desk in the lobby of the Ecoplaza Building where the visa application centre is located.
Important note: You will not be able to submit further documents after you have submitted your application at the visa application. The documents you submit at the time you made your application are the only documents that can be considered.
Biometric data collection
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 if you do not submit your biometric data.
Step 7 -Wait for a decision
You will need to regularly check the status of your visa application by using the free 'Track your Application' facility on this website. You can also use the SMS text status tracking service (fee payable) to receive updates to your mobile phone on the progress of your visa application. Please see the Additional Service page on this website for more information about the photocopying services.
The 'Guide to Processing Times' page on this website gives information on our processing times. You can use this information as a guide to our recent performance but it cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application processing time. Visa applications are assessed individually and processing times may vary.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. UK Border Agency 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 visa 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 bear please bear this in mind. Interviews will be carried out in English but, if told in advance, the UK Border Agency will be able to provide interpreters in Tagalog. If you need an interpreter, please say so when you are contacted.
Children under 10 years old, applying for a visa will not be interviewed. Where the child is travelling alone an interview may be carried out with a responsible adult (for example a parent or guardian). 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
Once you have been informed through the online tracking service or SMS service that the decision on your visa application and documents (including passport) are ready for collection you can collect your documents in the following ways
- To collect the decision on your visa application and documents from the visa application centre you will need the original visa submission receipt that you were given when you submitted your visa application and proof of your identity. A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter signed by you, your receipt and 2 sets of proof of their identity. A copy of your identity or that of your nominated person will need to be deposited at the security desk in the lobby of the Ecoplaza Building where the visa application centre is located.
- For your convenience you may choose to have your documents delivered to your home or business address using the courier service (fee payable). Please see the Additional Services page on this website for more information about courier services are ask at the visa application centre.
If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make sure that:
- Your personal details are correct
- It correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
- It is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to 3 months if you do not plan to travel immediately).
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact the visa application centre immediately.
- Using agents, scams and fraud
You may decide to submit your application using 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 your 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 is your visa 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 are suspicious, take advice from VFS. If you consider that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should report the matter to the police.
- Email and website visa scams
The UK Border Agency advises customers that various email and website visa scams are in progress. Scam emails are being sent to customers posing as representatives from the UK Border Agency at the British Embassy in Manila. These emails are fraudulent and falsely claim that a customer's UK visa has been approved and that the customer must send money in order to get it. Scam websites are also falsely posing as official British Embassy and the UK Visa Services websites and providing incorrect information to applicants in order to obtain money.
The UK Border Agency urges all applicants to only use this website and the official UK Border Agency visas website.
- Children as visitors
The UK Border Agency has a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. To issue a visa to a child under 18, the visa officer must be satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made for their care in the United Kingdom. This means that the application form must contain:
- The full address where the child will be staying
- The name of the person who the child will be staying with.
- The necessary signed consent forms from both parents.
- The name and passport number of the person accompanying them to the UK
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