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- What is a visa?
A visa (or entry clearance) is a certificate that is put into
your passport or travel document that gives you permission to
enter the United Kingdom (UK). On arrival in the United Kingdom
a Border Force officer may check that you are here for the reasons
you have stated. Passengers will also have their fingerprints
scanned at border control to verify that the individual entering
the UK is the same person who gave their biometric data when they
applied for their visa. For more information about what you might
expect on arrival in the UK please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
- When to apply
For all types of visa, you can apply up to 3 months in advance
of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly
advised not to confirm their travel arrangements to come to the
UK until they have received their visa.
- How to apply
There are 8 steps to complete the visa application process. You
are advised to read through the application steps set out below
before you make your visa application so you are clear about the
procedure and requirements.
Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
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Indonesian nationals require a visa to enter the UK. |
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Non-Indonesian citizens who wish to apply for a long
term visa must hold an Indonesian residence visa or work
permit. |
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If you do not, you should apply in your country of permanent
residence. |
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If you are not an Indonesian national or if you are unclear
whether you need a visa, please use the 'Do
I need a visa' guide on the UK Border Agency website.
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If you need a visa you should follow the visa application steps
set out below below.
Step 2 - Read the information on your visa
category
Before you decide to apply for a visa please make sure you familiarize
yourself with the information on the visa category you are applying
for. Quick links to information on visa categories and other helpful
information can be found on the 'Visa
Information' page on this website. You may also want to read
the Immigration
Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements.
Step 3 - Complete your online visa application
form
You should submit 1 online visa application form for each individual
applying for a visa, including children. You will require an email
address. This is for security reasons and to enable us to contact
you about your online application. We will also ask you to print
your online visa application form as part of this process, so
you will need to print from your computer.
Online visa application form
Complete an online visa application in English using the online
application facility
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Please ensure that you select the correct visa application
for the purpose of your visit |
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Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly.
Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application.
The information in this section must be completed
accurately. |
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Please print all the pages of the visa application form
and bring it to the visa application centre. You should
print your completed visa application form on good quality
paper and ensure that the information does extend beyond
the margins on the paper. |
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Please make sure the bar code appears on the final page
of your printed visa application form and remember to sign
it. |
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After you have saved and submitted your online application,
you will receive an email with a unique application ID number
that starts with GWF. Keep your ID number for future reference. |
Please note: You can only use the online application system
to apply for a visa to visit the UK.
If you are unable to apply online you will need to download the
'Visa
Application Form' from the UK
Border Agency website.
Paper application Procedure
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Download an appropriate visa application form from the
UK
Border Agency website |
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You should print your completed visa application form
on good quality paper and ensure that the information does
extend beyond the margins on the paper. |
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Complete the application form in English and sign it.
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Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly.
If you make a mistake in filling in any of the sections
you will need to make the change on the form and sign against
it. |
Step 4 - Prepare your documents
Original documents
You must provide original documents with a photocopy
of each original document you are submitting. Failure to submit
original documents may mean your visa application is delayed or
refused. Your original documents might not be returned to you
if you do not provide photocopies of the originals. You should
make any necessary copies before you come to the visa application
centre.
Translations
If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your
visa application you should provide translations of any supporting
documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need
to be submitted with the original document for verification. The
translated documents must include details the translator's name
and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original
document. It must also be dated and include the original signature
of the translator.
Supporting documents
Please see the 'Document Checklist'
page on this website for additional information about the documents
you will need for your visa application. You may also want to
see the UK
Border Agency supporting documents checklists on the UK Border
Agency website. Visa applicants must submit as much evidence
as they can of their personal circumstances. The absence of important
evidence of your travel history in a previous passport (if applicable)
and comprehensive supporting documents may result in your application
not being successful.
Photograph
Provide 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old). The
photograph should be in colour and:
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Taken against a light grey or cream background; |
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Clear and of good quality; |
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Printed on normal photographic paper; |
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45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size |
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Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for
religious or medical reasons. The subject should have their
mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows)
and the applicant should be facing forwarding, looking straight
ahead. |
More information on photograph
requirements can be found on the UK
Border Agency website.
Step 5 - Schedule an appointment
All visa applicants (apart from exempt
categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at
the visa application centre to submit their biometric data. Although
exempt
categories and children under 5 do not need to attend the visa
application centre, they will need to complete a visa application
form. If you refuse to submit your biometric
data, your visa application cannot be processed.
Applicants can either make an online
appointment to attend the visa application centre, or they
can attend on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book your
appointment online by using the 'Schedule
an Appointment' link on this website and follow the instructions.
Please note: By booking your appointment online you will
be added to the priority queue.
If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family
or group must make an individual appointment. For example, if
you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children, you must make
4 individual appointments. Online appointments are compulsory
for groups of 5 or more applicants.
If you need to change your appointment please remember to cancel
your original appointment. You can only book 1 appointment for
each person applying for a visa. If you book more than 1 appointment
for each applicant, we may cancel all of your appointments without
informing you. This is to stop people making bulk bookings that
prevent other customers from getting an appointment.
Step 6 - Visit the visa application centre
Please remember to bring the following:
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Your passport or travel document which corresponds to
the information given on your visa application form. It
must be valid and have at least 1 blank page on both sides
for the visa to be inserted |
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Your completed visa application form which you have signed
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1 photograph (photograph specifications given above in
step 4) which you should attach to your visa application
form |
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The visa application fee
or proof of payment at a Standard Bank. |
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Your supporting documents
(see step 4). The visa officer aims to make a decision on
your application on the basis of the papers you submit,
without interviewing you. |
Important note: You will not be able to submit further
documents after you have submitted your application at the visa
application centre. The documents you submit at the time you made
your application are the only documents that can be considered.
The visa application centre or the UK Border Agency will not accept
applications and supporting documents sent by mail or courier.
Biometric data collection
All visa applicants (apart from exempt categories and children
under 5 years) must apply in person at the visa application centre
to submit their biometric data. Although exempt categories and
children under 5 do not need to attend the visa application centre,
they will need to complete a visa application form. If you refuse
to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot be
processed. Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an
adult when giving their biometrics; this cannot be a member of
the visa application centre staff. Biometrics cannot be taken
for visa applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied.
A visa application can only be processed after your biometrics
have been taken.
Biometric data collection process
Biometric data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all 10
digits) and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure uses
an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You should
ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration
(for example, henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these
may affect your ability to provide acceptable fingerscan. Your
digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious
or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no
hair across the eyes. Female applications will be required to
take off their veil for biometric photo capture. A hijab will
be allowed as long as full frontal view of the face is visible.
VFS will ensure a female employee is present to capture the biometric
data and will provide privacy in the booth. We cannot process
your visa if you do not submit your biometric data.
Step 7 - Wait for a decision
Please refer to the 'Guide to Processing
Times' page on this website for information on visa processing
times. You can use this information as a guide to our recent performance.
It cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application
processing times. Visa applications are accessed individually
and processing time may vary. You can also use the free 'Track
Your Application' facility on this website to find out the
progress of your visa application, or use the SMS
text service (fee payable) to receive texts about the progress
of your visa application. You should not telephone the UK Border
Agency at the British Embassy or Consulate General to enquire
about progress of your visa application.
Please note: The UK Border Agency will retain your passport
until they have reached a decision on your visa application. 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.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. Visa staff
reserve the right to make a decision based on the documents you
submitted with your visa application. It is essential that you
submit all relevant documents with the initial application.
Should an interview be required then you will be offered the first
available interview date. Depending on workload, there may be
a waiting period before the interview so please bear this in mind.
Children under 10 years old applying for a visa will not be interviewed.
Where the child is travelling alone, an interview may be carried
out with a responsible adult (for example a parent or guardian).
Children aged between 10 and 14 may be interviewed, but this would
only be in the presence of a responsible adult. Children aged
over 14 may be interviewed alone.
Step 8 - Collect the decision on your visa
application
You will be contacted using the contact details you provided when
you submitted your visa application when the UK Border Agency
has made a decision. You can collect the decision on your visa
application along with your original documents from the visa application
centre. You will need the original visa submission receipt to
collect your documents. A nominated person can also collect your
documents on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to provide
an authorised letter signed by you; your submission receipt and
proof of their identity that includes their photograph.
If you are issued a visa, please check if. You should make sure
that:
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Your personal details are correct |
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It correctly states the purpose for which you want to
come to the UK, and |
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It is valid for the date on which you want to travel
(you can ask for it to be post-dated for up to 3 months
if you do not plan to travel immediately) |
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact
the visa application centre immediately.
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