How to apply for a UK Visitor’s Visa
So, if you’re from a country without passport privilege, you know how frustrating it is to plan travel. I applied for a UK visa in 2023 and got rejected twice; but I got the Visa the third time (third time’s a charm am I right?). This article is here to prevent you from making the mistakes I made, saving you time and money because if your application is denied, you would most likely need to start a new application and you don’t get a refund for your previous application.
My first application was denied because I did not properly show proof of my employment or proof of ties to my home country. To fix that, I added my employment letter to my next application including some investment documents that tie me to Nigeria (You cannot be too careful right?). I thought I had everything right but my second application was rejected because there was a sudden credit in a bank statement that wasn’t declared, to fix that I had to write an additional letter to explain how the credit came about.
The visa application can be stressful and the wait time can cause understandable anxiety. But worry not, if you provide the right information then they have no reason to deny you.
How to start the Visa application
The first place to start is the UKVI website. Figure out the type of visa you need to apply for and start the application process. The application has two steps. The first step is your application on the UKVI’s website, where you’d provide information about you and your travel. After your first application process, you’ll be transferred to a Visa Application Center. You can find the application center for your country here (if your country of residence doesn’t have one, then you’d be referred to the nearest application center). The application center is where you submit your supporting documents and provide your biometrics.
You need to answer all the questions truthfully and provide authentic supporting documents. The whole application process is you convincing the officer in charge of your application that you intend to visit the UK for whatever reason you stated and that you’d be leaving after your time in the UK.
List of information you’d need to provide:
When applying, you’d need to provide some documents to support your application. These supporting documents will vary based on your reason for travel and whether you’ll be sponsored or not. These documents need to answer the following questions:
- How long will you be staying in the UK?
- Where will you be staying during your trip?
- How much do you intend to spend on your trip and what’s your annual income?
- What is your travel itinerary like?
- Can you financially support yourself or will you need a sponsor when you’re in the UK?
- Can you prove that you will be leaving the UK after the said time?
- Can you show valid proof that you work or you’re self-employed?
- Dates of when you plan to travel to the UK and when you plan to leave
- Your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
- Your bank statement
- Your sponsor’s bank statement (if you’re using a sponsor)
- Your proof of employment; could be in the form of your salary account (if your company’s name shows in the credit) or your employment letter. If you’re self-employed then you’d need to show your business documents
- Proof of ties to your country they might need this to prove that you’ll be leaving the country after your trip. If you work in the country where you reside, you could request a No objection letter from your company. If you have some investments in the country then you could provide this as proof of ties.
- If you’re being sponsored, then you’d also need a sponsorship letter from your sponsor and evidence of relationship, they might also request a sponsorship compliance letter, which is a letter from your sponsor stating that they will not be in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of your visit.
- Proof of your accommodation in the UK; this could be in the form of a hotel reservation or a letter from your sponsor stating that you’ll be staying with them (if they live in the UK). You’d need the address and phone number of where you’ll be staying.
Some mistakes to avoid during your application
- Make sure you provide accurate information. If there are some irregularities in your application you’d most likely be denied.
- Make sure you have proof of regular inflow in your account for at least 6 months.
- You need to prove that you can take care of yourself while in the UK. I’ve seen people say you can apply for a visa with less than 50k naira ($50) in your account; that’s simply not true. If you don’t have enough to prove that you can travel to the UK and back you’d actually need a sponsor.
- If a significant amount of money is suddenly credited into your account, it’s recommended to include a letter with your application detailing the source of that money. If you can’t provide evidence of where it came from, it’s better not to include it at all (this is actually from experience)
- Travel insurance or vehicle ownership documents cannot be used as proof of ties (this is stated on the website).
Other tips
The UK’s website is straightforward, but if you encounter any issue during your application, there’s a lot of information on the website and online to help you. The application cost isn’t fixed but it’s available on the website. You can always check the website for the decision duration after your application. You’d want to start the application at least a month before your travel date.
Beware of scams, You can only apply for an application from the UK website if anyone is claiming to sell you a UK Visa, an appointment date from the application center, or claims that they can help you apply and get a UK Visa with 100% certainty, they’re trying to scam you. Always use the official source or maybe a trusted travel agent.
Visa application is quite stressful. To ensure you don’t miss anything during the process, it’s helpful to create a checklist of everything you need and tick them one after the other.
If your application gets refused, the officer in charge will provide the reason for refusal. Ensure you fix everything and re-apply.
When you get your UK Visa, before traveling, ensure you get a return ticket; you might be asked by the customs officer at the airport. If you cannot provide that, they might ask you to book one at the airport or refuse you entry to the country. This doesn’t always happen but it’s better to be safe.
I wish you a successful application.
If you have any other tips or a crazy application story I’d like to hear them you can share them in the comment section, and if you have any questions about the Visa application, you can drop them in the comment section. I’d ensure I respond as fast as I can.
I’ll see you next time 🚀
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