How do I apply for a visa?

Applying for a visa is a simple 6 stage process
· Prepare your application.
· Make your application online through www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk ;
· Make an appointment online to give your biometrics and submit your application;
· Visit the British Embassy;
· Wait for a decision; and
· Collect your passport.
Please note that you must complete and submit your application form and schedule your appointment online before you submit your visa application. All applicants are required to come in person to submit their visa application. If you don't complete your application online, and then bring your documents to the Embassy in person, we will not be able to accept your application.

Please make sure that your passport is valid when you make your application, and that it contains at least one blank page so that the visa can be placed there.

Step 1: Prepare your application

It is your responsibility to make sure that you apply for the right visa, and that you submit the right documents in support of your application. The UK Border Agency produces a series of Information Leaflets for the different types of visas available. These can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

Step 2: Make your application online through www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk  
· We can only accept applications made online.
· A separate form must be completed for each applicant. After you have  completed the form you will get a reference number for your application like GWF000000000. · Parents of children under 18 should provide notarised and translated letter of consent if they are not applying for a visa at the same time as the child.
· Print out your application form and sign it.
Attach one recent colour passport-sized photograph. UKBA's requirements are that:
· The photo must be in colour and taken against a plain, evenly lit, light coloured background so that your features are distinguishable against the background.
· Your full face should be visible.
· You should not wear a hat, helmet or other headgear, unless you wear such an item for religious reasons.
· You should not wear sunglasses, although everyday glasses can be worn.
· The photographs should be clear and of good quality, and should be printed on normal photographic paper.
· The photo must be unmounted, passport style photographs sized 45mm x 35 mm.
· Please note that photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and this may cause a delay in the processing of your application
· If you are applying under Tier One General of the Points Based System (Highly Skilled Migrants) full details, are available on the UK Border Agency website.

Step 3: Make an appointment online to give your biometrics and submit your application;

Once you have completed the online application form, you will be prompted to book an appointment to submit your application. You can either book the appointment at this stage or log in at a later date to retrieve your application. You can also print the application form at any time by logging on to the same site.

You must book an Enrolment - Settlement appointment if you are applying for a visa as:-

- a fiancé(e)
- proposed civil partner - spouse
- civil partner
- unmarried and same-sex partner
- dependant child/dependant relative - EEA permit to join a spouse or a close relative on a permanent basis

You must book an Enrolment-Non-Settlement appointment if you are applying for any other visa type, for example Visitor, Business, Work Permit, etc including and EEA permit if it is your intention to simply visit your relative in the UK.

- You can only make your appointment once you have completed and printed off the online application form. You can only book one appointment per person – if you book more than one per person, we may cancel all of them without informing you. This is to stop people making bulk bookings and preventing other customers from being able to make their own appointments.

Step 4: Visit the British Embassy;

Please arrange to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointed time. You will then be directed to the Embassy waiting room. Those who are too early will be asked by Security Personnel to return at the appointed time. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your appointment you will not be admitted to the Embassy and will need to make a new appointment.

Please submit the following:-

- Your passport or travel document
- Printed online application form with one photograph attached
- The visa fee (Manat in cash)
-Any supporting documents relevant to your application www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/vafsdocschecklist/ The Entry Clearance Officer will aim to make a decision on your application on the basis of the papers you submit, without interviewing you, so you will not have another opportunity to submit additional documents. Please pay close attention to the supporting documents requested at the time of application, and make sure that you include them with your application.  All supporting documents must be translated into English.

Please make any necessary copies before you come to the Embassy.  
All applicants must have a finger scan as part of the application process at the Visa Application Centre. Those exempt from a fingerprint scan include:-

- Children under 5 years of age
- Applicants for Channel Islands and Isle of Man
- Applicants for Commonwealth countries and Overseas Territories
- Applicants for Right of Abode
- Applicants who are exempt from immigration control ( Chapter 5 of Entry Clearance Guidance www.ukvisas.gov.uk ) Applicants who are transferring valid visas into new passports

Step 5: Wait for a decision

We aim to process 90% of applications within 5-15 days of you submitting the applications.  But some applications can take us longer to process, particularly at busy times of the year, and so we recommend that everyone allows a month for their visa to be processed.

We suggest that you do not buy tickets or make non-refundable travel arrangements until your visa has been issued. You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before you are due to travel.

Applications for certain overseas territories and Commonwealth countries can take up to 3 months to process, so please apply well in advance of your travel date.

In order to help us process your application as quickly as possible, please make sure that you submit all supporting documents with your application form when you lodge your papers.

We will retain your passport until we have reached a decision on your application. This could take up to 1 month, so please bear this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements, particularly if you plan to visit other countries before going to the UK.

Step 6: Collect your passport
When your passport is ready we will call you or alert you by e-mail.

You can collect your passport and documents from the British Embassy Visa Services section either in person or through a representative. Collection time is normally between 3pm - 4pm.

Before we hand back your passport you must bring with you and when requested hand over for inspection:

the receipt you were given when you submitted your application;

and an identity document with your photo, for example your ID card.

If someone else collects the passport for you, they must have an identity document with a photo; the receipt you were given when you submitted your application; and a letter of authority from you  [ a consent form will given to you when you submit your application ]. If your representative works for a travel agent / tour operator, they must be an authorised representative of that company, otherwise we cannot give them the passport.