UK visa is partially online as the visa form and payment is to be submitted online whereas the applicant needs to visit the VFS center for submission of the biometrics and the submission of the documents which is again scanned at the center by the VFS representative.
Applicants can apply for the visa 90 days before the intended date of the travel to the UK. Visitor Visa comes under the category of Standard Visitor Visa while filling up the visa form. Under this category, the applicant can travel for tourism purposes or to meet their family & friends in the UK.
The visa form is to be filled on the UKVI website and it covers the details of the applicant’s passport, family, employment, travel plans, finance, travel history, and inviter’s details if any. Once the form is completed verify all the details as once submitted you won’t be allowed to change any details.
After complete verification of the form, the applicant needs to submit the form online and make the payment of the consulate fees and VFS logistics charges. The payment can be made either with the help of the debit card or credit card.
Once the payment process is completed next step will be to schedule an appointment at the nearby VFS center. Make sure to reach the center 15 minutes before the scheduled time to avoid cancellation of the appointment and delaying the process of the appointment.
All the required documents must be carried in original to the VFS center on A4 size paper as the documents will be scanned there. On submission of the documents, the applicant will be guided for the biometrics.
The normal visa processing time is for 10 – 12 days however UKVI also provides the services of priority and super-priority wherein the visa process is completed in 5 and 2 working days respectively.
Once the mail is received of the visa process is been completed the applicant can collect the passport after 24 hours on receiving the mail or the applicant can opt for the courier service if they do not wish to visit the center. Courier service will be charged and is to be opted while making the payment of the VFS logistics charges.
The UK standard visitor visa received is for 6 months validity with multiple entries and a stay period of 6 months.