Immigration Corner | How to apply for a UK visa

Dear Mr Bassie,

I have never travelled before and I would like to know how I should go about applying for a visa to go to the United Kingdom.

Any help would be appreciated.

CN

Dear CN,

Persons applying for a visa to go to the United Kingdom (UK) should first choose the appropriate visa that best suits the purpose for going there. They would then need to prepare their application, and they will also need to prove their identity.

PREPARING THE APPLICATION

Persons can apply and pay for most visas online. If they have dependents who they would like to go to the UK with them, each person will need to apply and pay separately.

The earliest that persons can apply is usually three months before their planned travel date for visit visas; three months before their employment start date for most work visas; or six months before the course start date for student and child student visas.

Please note that settlement applications take up to six months and must be approved before going to the UK. If applicants are given permission to settle in the UK, those persons must travel before permission ends.

TIME IT TAKES TO GET A DECISION

How quickly persons will get a decision on their visa application will depend on the visa they apply for. Please note that persons may be able to pay for a faster decision on their visa application. However, this will depend on the type of visa being applied for; how the person applies, and where they are applying from.

FEES

Persons should be aware that there is a fee for each visa. The fee paid will depend on which visa is being applied for. It should be noted that the fees are the same for each family member who applies to go to the UK with the applicant.

PAY FOR HEALTHCARE

Please be aware that persons will need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of their application, if they are applying for a visa to work, study or join their family; applying to stay for more than six months; or not applying to live permanently in the UK.

Applying on behalf of someone else

Persons can apply for a visa for someone else. For example, a relative overseas who does not have access to a computer or the applicant’s child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

Before applying, persons must get permission from the person they are applying for, or written permission from their parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years old. Just to be clear, they should ensure that they enter the applicant’s details into the form, not their own.

PROOF THAT PERSONS DO NOT HAVE TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

Persons who are going to the UK for more than six months might need to have a TB test for their visa application. They should check online if they will need a TB test. Those persons who do, must provide a certificate showing that they do not have TB with their visa application.

CHANGE OR CANCEL THE APPLICATION

Persons who would like to change something in their application after they have sent it, should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). They can ask to cancel their application. However, please note that the fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing the application.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com