What duration of visa can I apply for?

You can now apply for a visa, which is valid for 6 months; 1 year; 2 years; 5 years. The validity means the length of time that you can use the visa. As a visitor, the longest that you can stay in the UK on any one trip remains 6 months whatever the duration of the visa. As always, the application will be assessed against the UK Immigration Rules. If you qualify, you will be issued with a visa; if you do not qualify, the application will be refused. The fee will not be refunded.

Who can apply for a 6-month visa?

Anyone. But if you are a first time traveller, then a 6-month visa is likely to be the right one for you. Please note that even if you pay the higher fee for a longer-term validity visa, you may only be issued with a 6-month visa. The difference in the fee will not be refunded.

Who can apply for a longer validity visa?

Anyone. But remember these cost significantly more, and are aimed at people who have travelled before. The different duration gives you the opportunity to express a preference for a 1, 2, 5-year visa. The Entry Clearance Officer will take account of your preference, but it is their decision how long your visa will be valid. In order to obtain a long validity visa, you will need to show that your circumstances are likely to remain very similar for the full duration of the visa validity, and that over the duration of your proposed visits, you can afford to stay in the UK without working. Most importantly, the Entry Clearance Officer will need to be satisfied that you will be making short trips to the UK, and will leave at the end of each visit.

What if I am issued with a visa, but it is valid for a shorter time than I asked for?

There is no right of appeal. You may reapply when your visa has expired. Remember that we do not refund fees.

What do I need to apply for a visa? 

• A valid passport with at least 1 blank page;
• A signed copy of fully completed visa application form completed online at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. Remember you will need to complete one form for each person travelling, including children/spouse on the same passport as their parents/guardian/husband.
• It is particularly important that you enter your contact details on your application form. If you have an e-mail address, please make sure that you enter it.
• A passport sized colour photo taken within the last 6 months and with dimensions of 45mm x 35mm. This must be on a white background, and should be glued to the application form. Please don't staple the photo onto the form.  We may not accept photographs that do not meet these specifications;
• The correct fee in Manats.
  

What sort of documents do I need?

• Please see www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/vafsdocschecklist for further information
• You must include full supporting documents with your application. Please note that submitting these documents does not guarantee issue of a visa but helps the Entry Clearance Officer to make a decision on whether an applicant meets the requirements of the UK Immigration Rules;
• We don't interview everyone who applies for a visa. The Entry Clearance Officer may make a decision based solely on your application form, and the other documents you send in. Your application may be refused without an interview if the visa officer is not satisfied that there is sufficient information to show that you fulfil the requirements of the immigration rules. We do not defer applications to allow you to provide additional information; so please ensure that the application you lodge contains all the documentation that you want the visa officer to consider.
• Please make sure that you include all supporting papers with your application, Do not send, or fax, us any papers separately – we do not have the resources or facility to collate and store documents sent to us separately.
• The documents should relate to you, and also your sponsor, if they are paying for some or your entire visit.
• If you are applying to study in the UK, then we strongly recommend that you include evidence of your proficiency in English. This could be in the form of an up-to-date International English Language Testing System IELTS) or Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) certificate. The UK education establishment you intend to study at must be on the DFES Register – you can check this at website www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister/
• Everyone's circumstances are different. To help the Entry Clearance Officer make a decision, it is up to you to show as much evidence as you can of your own personal circumstances. This includes your employment; studies; financial circumstances; any assets that you own; details of travel outside Azerbaijan; details of your family members in Azerbaijan and overseas. If someone else is paying for your trip, or sponsoring you in another way, it would be helpful to see the same kind of evidence relating to that person too.