Step by step UK Visa application for Philippine passport holder

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Expecto Patronum!

Let us turn those childhood magical memories of Harry Potter into indelible reality, shall we? Whether you’re a huge fan of Harry Potter or not, a visit to UK is a bucketlist. So let us go ahead and breakdown the step by step process on obtaining UK visa.

What countries made up UK?

The United Kingdom (UK) comprises four countries: England, Scotland, and Wales (which collectively make up Great Britain) and Northern Ireland. For Philippine passport holder, a UK Visa is required to visit these countries.

NOTE: Schengen Visa cannot be used to enter United Kingdom.

How is the application process?

1. First check what kind of UK visit visa to apply for and find out what supporting documents you will need. To identify the type of visa you need click here.

For this visa guide, we will focus on short term Standard Visitor visa. You can apply for it if you want to visit UK with the following reasons:

• for leisure – holiday visit or see friends or family
• study for up to 30 days
• take part in an exchange programme or educational visit (under 18 year old)
• Attend creative events – seminars, conferences, trade shows, sports etc.
• Other business-related activities mentioned in the Visitor Rules
• private medical treatment
• stay in the UK for up to 6 months

2. Once you have identified the type of visa you will apply, you can start with your application. Click here for online application.

• Select your language.
• Select a country to provide your biometrics.
• Check available biometric enrollment locations (VFS Global Manila or Cebu)
• Click on "Start now". Make sure to read and fully understand the Standard Visitor Visa before proceeding with the rest of your application.
• Select “Start a new application”
• Register an email address and password.  You will then be emailed a unique link to let you log back in to your application at a later point, if needed.
• Fill out the application online

Throughout your application, you can select “Return to this application later" in order to re-send the link to your latest saved application. Click “show and edit answer” below to correct or add information needed on your application.

When completing the application online here are the list of questionnaires:

• Personal information – name, birthday, gender, passport details, email, present address etc.
• Travel information – main reason to visit UK, if you are  traveling solo or with a group
• Arrival and departure in UK
• Parent and dependent details
• Family living UK (if any)
• Accommodation details
• Travel history in UK and other countries
• Convictions, penalties, criminal records committed

NOTE: The only way to re-do your application once you submit it is to cancel your application, get a refund and submit a new application. That said, make sure all information is accurate and authentic before submission.

3. Download and print the supporting document checklist. Do not sign until you are at your appointment.

4. Book an appointment at VFS Global and pay the application fees. To book your appointment click here. 

When booking an appointment through their commercial partner’s website, you have an option to upload copies of your documents or you can take your documents to your appointment to be scanned and uploaded by VFS Global.(There will be a charge involved). If you choose to pay for the assisted scanning services, all documents (original or copies) need to be A4 size.

You can also avail of their different services such as:

Premium services: Walk-in without appointment, Courier Service, Premium Lounge, SMS Service, Vodafone Sim Card and Document Scanning Assistance.

Priority Services:

• Super priority Visa - Get visa decision in 24hrs
• Priority Visa Service- Put your application at the front of the queue
• Priority Visa for settlement or immigration- Put your application for settlement or migration at the front of the queue

Choose your preferred application date and pay the application fee and other services you avail.  A Standard Visitor visa costs £95 and can be paid using a credit card.

After confirming your appointment, you will be sent a confirmation email. Print this out and include this in your application.

5. Prepare all required and supporting documents. Bring original and photocopy.  If you will avail for document scanning services, do not staple the files.

6. Attend your appointment at VFS Global center.

VFS Global Center Makati Address: Mezzanine Floor Unit MO1, Ecoplaza Building, 2305 Chino Roces Avenue Extension Makati City, Metro Manila 1231

VFS Global Center Cebu Address: 9th Floor, Keppel Center, Unit 905, Samar Loop Cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park,Cebu City 6000F

What are the requirements needed?

Here are the primary requirements needed:

• VFS Global appointment letter
• Current passport – must be valid for 6 months from intended travel date.
• Old passport (if available)
• Photocopy of first and last page of current passport, previous visa and immigration stamps
• Detailed Itinerary
• Flight reservation ticket

A few airlines will allow you to reserve flights for minimum charge. Cathay Pacific, for example, will allow you to hold your booking for 72 hours with a holding fee of $15; otherwise your booking will be automatically cancelled. Then, download and print the flight itinerary they will send to your email address.

Another option is to get from travel agency that offers it. I highly recommend Gazelle Travel and Tours. They issue legit reservation proof. For flight reservation request visit Gazelle travel and tour

• Proof financial means – Copy of real estate or property deed, bank certificates, bank statement (6 months), international credit card statement (6 months), crop receipts, bank books etc.

• Proof of Employment - If employed, Certificate of Employment accompanied by No objection letter / approved leave letter, pays lips (6 months), latest Income Tax Return. If self-employed, business license / permits, business bank account statements.

• Accommodation- hotel reservation from Booking.com, Airbnb, Agoda etc.
• Letter of invitation from invited sponsor.
• Detail of family members remaining in the country while you travel. For sample click here.

What to expect on your scheduled appointment?

Make sure to arrive 15 minutes early before your scheduled appointment.

NOTE: Please be reminded that VFS Global (Makati) are very stringent on what you can bring inside the center. Only you and your visa application are allowed; or you can opt to pay for locker rental (Php 75). Personal belongings including phone and wallets should be left in the locker so make sure to bring cash.

• If you avail the document scanning assistance, you will be provided a barcode separator to organize the documents. Make sure files are not stapled.
  
• You will be given a queue number– wait for your number to be called.
• You will be asked for SMS service (P150). Regardless, you will receive an email notification about the progress of your application.
  
• Your biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph) will be taken.
• Once done, you will be given a receipt. Keep it for passport collection later.

Is there going to be an interview?

There is no interview so make sure to answer the application online honestly and truthfully. Submit factual and valid documents only.

If you need to contact UK Visas and Immigration about your application click on this link.

How long before you can get the decision or passport back?

You will receive the decision in 24 hours if you avail Super priority visa or 3 to 5 days for Priority visa service.  However, that can be quite expensive. Regular visa processing takes 5 to 15 business days. In my case it took 12 days. I submitted my application August 22 and received the decision on September 6, 2019. The waiting game can really be nerve-racking but seeing it approved gets rid of it.

If you avail the SMS service you will receive a text message and also an email if your passport is ready for pick-up. However, if you avail for courier service, your passport will be delivered right at your doorstep.  I opted to collect my passport personally at the VFS Global (Makati) center. Make sure to bring receipt and photocopy of 1 valid ID. For representative, letter of authorization and photocopy of 1 valid ID of representative and applicant.

How much did I spend?

Please be advised that conversion rate below was based on my travel date last October 2019.

• Cathay reservation ticket: $15 /Php806.56
• BPI bank certificate (Php200/copy): Php400 (2 copies)
• BPI statement of account (Php50/page): Php100 (2 pages)

        NOTE: You can download and print SOA from BPI app.

During my UK Visa application I had trouble setting up my appointment online so I had to contact UKVI. Second, I contacted them again to inquire about the status of my application.

• Email inquiry to UKVI: (£5.48/inquiry): Php709.4 (2 inquiries)
  
• Document scanning assistance: Php670
• SMS service: Php150
• Locker rental: Php75

For my UK Visa I spent Php9, 364.18.

Such a long reading isn’t it? Well, I hope this visa guide will get you to your UK dream destination.  If you are planning to visit some Schengen areas while in Europe you can also check my blog Schengen visa application process for Philippine passport holder. If you want to get an idea of how much estimate budget you need to prepare, then please check How much does it cost to travel Europe? Good luck and Bon Voyage!