Travelling to the UK? Getting a UK visa can seem like a difficult and complicated process. If you’re excited to visit the British Isles but aren’t looking forward to the stress and panic-inducing visa application process, then worry not!
We’ve got you covered with the general steps you can follow and some tips and tricks to make the process smoother. If you’re applying for a UK Visa, these tips are definitely going to be handy.
UK Visa Application: Step-By-Step Process-
Step 1: Choosing between doing it yourself and going to an agent.
You really don’t need an agent, it’s quite hassle-free. Trust me, it’s all available on the VFS website.
Step 2: Keep all your documents ready.
Make sure that you accumulate and keep all your documents with a printout ready. All arranged, of course. Make sure that you check the VFS Visa website and the checklist of documents diligently because they keep updating the documents needed so make sure you got everything checked on the box.
Things that I carried-
- Evidence of funds.
These could be your credit card statements, your bank statements, ownership of home mutual funds, investments. - Children’s documents.
While applying for a child, make sure that you have their latest report card, their birth certificate, and parent’s passport copies, and make sure that you have either checked in unaccompanied by or with parents or accompanied by parents (accompanied means that as parents, you will always be accompanying your child and unaccompanied means they could travel independently).
- Covering and Sponsorship Letter.
Also, make sure that you’re bundling in a covering letter and a sponsorship letter. A covering letter would include all the documents that you have applied with and sponsorship letters. Whoever is sponsoring the trip of that minor.
- Booking Reference.
Lastly, make sure that you are adding in your booking reference, hotel bookings or a relative place if you are going to be staying there. That will be of extreme importance because they want to know what date, to what date you are going to be visiting these.
Step 3: Fastrack or normal pace.
Choosing between doing fasttrack and doing normal pace is up to your needs and preferences. I wasn’t in a rush so I chose for a normal pace Visa and it worked for me. I got it in about two weeks.
Step 4: Scanning service.
I would totally recommend taking the scanning service at the VFS office. It works like a breeze.
Step 5: Passport-size photos.
Most importantly, make sure that you do not take the effort of going and getting your passports clicked at a passport centre because the passport that they use at the Visa office is the one that they click at the centre.
I wish I had known these tips before I started my application process, it would have saved me a lot of time and stress. I hope these tips come in handy and if you go prepared with all the documents and necessary requirements, your application will get done very smoothly.
Mansi Zaveri
Janani S Koushik
Shrima Rai
Parul Gupta
