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  • How to apply?

    There are 9 steps to complete the visa application process.


    Step 1 - Check if you need a visa


    Use the 'Do I need a visa' questionnaire on the UK Border Agency website to see if you need a visa. If you need a visa you should follow the steps outlined below. UK visa applicants are reminded not to make their travel arrangements until they have their visa.

    Important note: If you have had any previous immigration problems you are advised to apply for a visa to enter the UK.


    Step 2 - Read the information on your visa category

    Before you decide to apply for a particular visa please make sure you familiarize yourself with the information on the category you are applying for and the Immigration Rules.


    Step 3 - Complete your visa application form

    You should submit 1 visa application for each individual applying for a visa, including children.

    You can complete your visa application using the online application facility on the UK Border Agency website. You will be given step-by-step guidance on how to complete your visa application. You will need a valid email address. This is for security reasons and will enable us to contact you about your online application. We are unable to accept on-line payments in Singapore.

    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.
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    Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application. The information in this section must be completed accurately.

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    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.

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    Please make sure the bar code appears on the final page of your printed visa application form and remember to sign it.

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    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.

    If you are unable to apply online you will need to complete a paper visa application form. You can download the visa application form from the UK Border Agency website. Please ensure that you select the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit, ensuring 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. 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.

    Important note: Tier 4 applications and their dependants should complete an online application. Visas for UK overseas territories and Commonwealth countries cannot be completed online.


    Step 4 - Schedule an appointment

    We strongly recommend you make a prior appointment to attend the visa application centre. You can book your appointment online by using the "schedule an appointment" link on this website and follow the instructions. You will be guided through the appointment booking process. You will particularly value the appointment facility during the peak season when there may be long queues.

    If you are unable to book any available dates it means that all the places have been booked. In this case you can still walk in to the visa application centre and submit your application.

    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, you must make 4 individual appointments. Children over 5 years of age and adults should make an appointment. Children under 5 years of age will need to submit a visa application to enter the UK but they will not have to attend the visa application centre.

    All visa applicants (with the exception of right of abode applications/certificate of entitlement, overseas territories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at the visa application centre to submit your biometric data. For more information on exemptions please visit the UK Border Agency website.


    Step 5 - Prepare your documents

    You must provide original documents with a photocopy for each original document you are submitting. Failure to submit original documents may mean your application is delayed or refused. Your original documents might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies of the originals. If your supporting documents are not in English, you must provide an English translation. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification.

    Document checklists
    Please visit the 'Document Checklist' page on this website for information on the type of documents you should submit with your visa appliction. The checklists are a guide to applicants; they are not intended to be a complete list of required documents.

    Photograph

    Provide 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old). The photograph should be in colour and:

    1. Taken against a light grey or cream background;
    2. Clear and of good quality;
    3. Printed on normal photographic paper;
    4. 45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size
    5. 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.


    More information on photograph requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

    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 - Pay your visa application fee

    Please see the 'visa application fee' page on this website for information about how to pay your visa application fee.


    Step 7 - 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 data (digital photograph and fingerscan).

    You should remember to bring the following documents:-

  • Your current 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
    your visa application fee or proof of payment
    A current photograph
    Completed, signed visa application form
    Your supporting documents

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. Female applicants will be required to take off their veil for biometric photo capture. A hijab will be allowed as long as full frontal view of the face is visible. VFS will ensure a female employee is present to capture the biometric data and will provide privacy in the booth. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit your biometric data.

VFS will then be responsible for safe forwarding of the applications they process to the UK Border Agency at the High Commission, for consideration. The UK Border Agency at the High Commission will return passports and supporting documents to VFS after a decision has been made, for delivery back to applicants.


Step 8 -Wait for a decision

Wait for a decision on your visa application. Please refer to the 'guide to processing times' page on this website for 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.

The status of your application can also be monitored by using the 'track your application' facility on this website.

Interview procedures

Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. Visa 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 the initial 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. Interview will be carried out in English but, if told in advance, the UK Border Agency may be able to provide interpreters in Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. 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 9 -Collect the decision on your visa application

Collect the decision on your visa application along with your original documents from the visa application centre. You will need the original visa submission receipt to collect your documents. A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter signed by you and proper proof of their identity. If you prefer you can have your documents returned to you by courier service.

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 visa application using an independent travel agent, immigration agent or consultant. These agents will charge for their services.

    You should be careful when dealing with people who make unrealistic claims. They 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.

    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 will be refused for up to 10 years. You may be prosecuted and could face a fine or even go to prison.

    Remember the visa application is your 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 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 British High Commissioner in Singapore. 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 High Commission 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 (http://www.vfs-uk-sg.com/ ) and the official UK Border Agency visas website (http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ ) for information on all visa applications and how to apply.
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