Visa in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is famed not just for its historic significance but also for its natural and cultural beauty.  A UK visa is required for traveling to the country and one can get a UK visa by applying online. Indians can apply for UK visa online for a variety of purposes, from business to education to general leisure visit.

Depending on these objectives, there are different UK visa types. Some of the different visas are-

1.      Standard visitor visa: One can opt for this if the intention is to vacation in UK or to meet one's family or friends residing in the UK. It is generally given for a short duration. It subsumes the following categories-

• General visitor visa
• Sports visitor visa
• Entertainer visitor visa
• Child visitor visa
• Business visitor visa
• Family visitor visa
  
  

2.      Transit visa: A transit visa is another UK visa type that is given to people who pass UK on their way to another country. These visas can be of two types - Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or Visitor in Transit Visa. The former is for those who have to change flights in the UK without leaving the airport. The latter is for travelers who have to exit the airport and take another means of transport. These are valid for 4 days.

3.      Family visit visa: A family visit visa is ideal UK visa type for people who want travel to the country to visit their family for 6 months or less.

One can also expedite the process of getting a visa by applying under the priority or urgent visa category. In order to apply for UK visa online, one must have the following documents ready-

1. Original passport and old passports, if any. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of submission of the visa application.
2. A minimum of 3 blank pages in passport are required to apply for UK visa online.
3. The visa application form VAF 1, as provided online, depending on the chosen visa category.
4. 2 recent passport-size colour photographs taken against a white background. The photo for the UK visa online application must not date back more than 3 months.
5. A Covering letter mentioning details of one's travel, including purpose and tenure of stay is required to apply for UK visa.
6. Income Tax Returns of last 3  financial years
7. Original bank statements including transactions done in the last 6 months. These have to be signed and attested by a bank official as well.
8. Marriage certificate if one is travelling with their spouse is required for a UK visa online application.
9. Proof of sufficient funds in the savings account. This is indicative of one’s intent to return
10. Tuberculosis test results
    
    

The Standard visitor visa costs £89 per applicant. The Visitor visa costs £337 for 2 years, £612 for 5 years, and £767 for the 10 years.

The UK visa applicant is finally required to schedule an appointment with the chosen UK visa application center. One must remember to carry the appointment confirmation details along with the original copies of the required documents for visa approval.

• The UK visa application center will require the following for processing biometric information-
• Original passport
• Printed copies of  online application form and appointment confirmation
• Receipt of payment of visa fees
• All other mentioned documents.

The average time required to process a UK Visa is around 14 days. One can track the status of their visa application online and collect their passport from the collection center on the approval of their visa.