What you need to know before applying for a UK visa

Posted by Avisa:   04.03.2020

Starting in 2019, the UK government, specifically the UK Visas and Immigration department, has introduced a new visa application procedure. An applicant can now upload their scanned documents online through a special form. It is also necessary to fill out a visa application, pay the consular fee and sign up for giving your biometric data. If you do not want to download documents yourself, you can choose a service to help you and for an additional fee your documents will be downloaded by our Company, AVisa, to the UK Visa Centre. This option is included in our service packages. With us, you save £20 (pounds) and leave the details to us.

Also, in 2019, the consular fee increased by 2-3% for the Standard Visitor visa category. The same changes are expected in 2020. The cost of a visa to England is as follows:

• for 6 months -£95
• for 2 years - £361
• for 5 years - £655
• for 10 years - £822

You can pay the consular fee with a credit or debit card online, after your questionnaire is completed.

Most people apply for a Standard Visitor visa, so you need to know for what purposes this category of visa to the UK can be used:

• for travel, visits to relatives/friends,
• business, conferences, exhibitions, trainings,
• taking part in sporting events and competitions,
• visiting the country as a figure of culture, art or show business,
• for academics who are interested in research or for professors and teachers who intend to hold seminars or accompany a student group,
• for internships in an English clinic (for dentists only),
• Taking the PLAB test (medical English test).

Once you have decided on the purpose of the visit, you should also carefully examine the list of documents which you will need to provide as part of your application. This is one of the most important points on which 50% of your success depends.

Because the application process is lengthy, it will not be possible to get a visa to England quickly. The standard review may last up to 15 working days, so it is advisable to plan your trip at least a month in advance. If you need to travel urgently, the consular fee will be twice as high and along with this a priority date for giving your biometric data at the Visa Centre of Great Britain will cost an extra £100. In this case, your documents will be reviewed in 5 working days, if you have no problems with the law, recent denials of visas to the UK or other countries, or deportations.