Applying for a Visa to the UK Using these Steps

Traveling from one country to another for any purpose can be very challenging especially when you are a first-time traveler. The purpose of your travel can even make it more challenging sometimes.

 

In this article, we are going to highlight the steps you need to follow for your visa application to travel to the United Kingdom.

People travel for various purposes such as

• Relocation with family

• For work

• For visits

• For tours

• For medical treatments

• For studies and other academic purposes such as seminars, workshops, conferences, and more.

So, either of the above purposes will influence your mode of application in one way or the other. Different visas are depending on the following.

• Where do you come from?

• Why do you want to come to the UK.

• How long do you want to stay?

• Your personal circumstances and skills.

All of the above will influence your visa.

Important points to note before starting your visa application

• You must check if you need a visa.

• Be sure what type you need. 

• Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.

• Your application must be approved before you travel.

• You do not need to apply for a visa if you’re an Irish citizen.

For a Visit Visa

Apply for a standard visitor visa to visit the UK and it is usually for up to 6 months. For example:

• for a holiday or to see family and friends

• for a business trip or meeting

• to do a short course of study

You must apply for a marriage visitor visa if you want to visit the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.

If you have a visitor visa you cannot take a job in the UK.

For a Study Visa

• The type, of course, you want to study and the length of the course and the place you want to study the course will determine which visa to apply for.

• A standard visitor visa will allow you to do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.

• A short-term study visa will allow you to come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.

• A student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work on this visa.

• A child student visa is for 4 to 17-year-olds who want to study at an independent school. If you’re 16 or over, you can do some work on this visa.

For work visa

You can work in the UK on a short or long-term basis with a work visa. There are many types of work visas.

The visa you need depends upon:

• your skills and qualifications

• if you have a job offer and sponsorship

• if you want to bring your family with you

• what you’ll be doing - for example sporting, charitable, or religious work

If you want to join your family in the UK

If you’re a spouse, partner, or family member of someone who has British citizenship or a settlement in the UK, you can apply for a Family Visa to join them. They may need to show that they can support you financially.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after a set amount of time living in the UK.

If your family member is in the UK on a visa

You may be able to apply for a visa to join a family member who is in the UK on a visa. They must be either:

• Your spouse or partner

• Your parent if you’re 18 or under

A guide to applying for a visa to the UK

The following are the steps you must take for your visa application to the UK. Be careful to follow the steps appropriately and accordingly to achieve a better result. Let's go.

1. Enter UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) which is the UK’s Visas and Immigration website.

2. If you are making a new application, click “Register an Account”. You will receive an email to activate your account. 

After activating it, you must fill in all mandatory parts marked with (*) leaving no blanks. (If you have saved but did not submit your application, click “Log in” to continue.)

3. When you click the activation link, your account will be unlocked and directed to the log-in page. You can log in with your email and password.

4. Select your visa type and answer all questions to create your application. Whether you are applying for yourself or someone else, you need to fill in all mandatory parts marked with (*). Each section you have completed will be green. 

If you have left a question blank, the section heading will be black. If you try to proceed without completing the black sections, you won’t be able to submit your application. 

These sections will be highlighted in orange. You need to complete the orange sections before you can proceed.

5. Once you confirm an application. You will be able to see all the information you have provided and can return to the application if you want to make any changes. 

Otherwise, click “submit application”. No further changes can be made once your application has been submitted.

6. Please ensure that you read the legal declaration and then click “Sign Declaration” to confirm that you have read and signed by writing your name on the blank cell.

7. Click “Book Appointment”. Select the Appointment Location and Visa Appointment Type.

8. Book an appointment from the available dates and times in the table. Proceed by clicking “Next”. You will see your appointment confirmation and supporting documents page. Read and click “Next”.

9. Once you have made your appointment, you will need to pay your visa fee online. Read the condition of payment and refund policy; mark boxes to confirm you have read and understood the information to make payment. 

You will be directed to a secure payment system. Following your payment, you will receive an email confirming your payment and appointment details.

10. Complete your visa application and make your appointment.

Pick your resident country and click submit then Create an account. You can find your GWF (reference) in the emails you have received from UKVI. 

Note: GWF is a unique serial number or reference number that is issued when you first apply for any UK visa.

11. You will see a notice when you successfully register and receive an email. Now that you have registered, you will be able to log in to view your account and track your application progress. 

12. If you need to check the status of your order, please visit our home page at and click on “My account” in the menu or log in.

13. Before you attend your appointment at the visa application center, make sure you have:

• Printed application form.

• Appointment confirmation

• Supporting documents, which should include original documents, officially translated documents, and any other document you feel will support your case for getting a visa.

• Confirmation of fees paid.

14. After the interview, it will take up to 15 business days (3 business weeks) for a visa to be issued for applicants from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. 

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