If you are applying to enter or remain in the UK then it is very likely you will need to provide evidence of meeting the English requirements.

English levels do depend on your visa type and some visas do not require English evidence and some applicants will be exempt.

To help you with understanding the English requirements, we have created several sections to guide you further. LEARN MORE >>

Did you know there are different financial rules for different visa types?

Did you also know that financial rules can be different depending on your unique circumstances?

Financials also depends if you are applying on your own or with family and whether you need to enter, remain or settle in the UK.

If you have family members that are UK settled or a EEA national, they are exempt from the financial requirements.

You have different financial rules for these five areas and once we have updated this page, it will explain what financials you will need. LEARN MORE >>

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was first introduced on the 6 April 2015.

The fee per year was £200 for all visa applications bar Students who pay a reduced fee of £150 per year.

Visa applications less than 6 months are exempt from the IHS charge.

It was announced on the 5 February 2018 that the IHS fee would increase to £400 a year. It would raise a further £220m a year to the NHS.

On the 8 January 2019 the fee increased to £400.00 and for students £300.00. LEARN MORE >>

The Home Office introduced the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) on the 6 April 2017.

This fee is charged to a UK sponsor who intends to employ a Tier 2 General or Tier 2 Intra-company Transfer worker.

The fee is broken down into 3 sub-categories which we have listed below and soon you will be able to see essential information LEARN MORE >>

The Home Office first introduced this test on the 1st November 2005 for Naturalisation.

On the 2 April 2007 it was then introduced for UK settlement applications.

The purpose of this test is to assure the Home Office that the person applying for settlement or naturalisation can demonstrate they have

'sufficient knowledge' of the English language. LEARN MORE >>

When an application is submitted to the Home Office, the person applying will need a submit a passport photo and in some cases under the new visa rules, the passport photo will be taken as part of the biometric appointment so obtaining a passport photo may not be required.

If applying for a British passport, you must obtain a digital passport within the last month.

When you apply for a visa for entry or UK renewal or for a passport, check the rules per your application type. LEARN MORE >>

Do you require your entry visa to the UK priortised over standard visa applications?

This visa type is perfect if you need to enter the UK urgently to study or start a new sponsored job.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

If you been refused a visa for the UK, or been refused leave to enter the UK, or been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, or overstayed a period of leave in the UK, or had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, or been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, or been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, or you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, or you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, or you have committed a criminal offence in any country, YOU SHOULD NOT APPLY VIA THIS PRIORITY VISA ROUTE as your visa will still be processed under the standard visa processing times and the extra fee will not be refunded. LEARN MORE >>

THE HOME OFFICE HAS NOW CLOSED THIS SERVICE

On the 29 November 2018 the Home Office closed the same day visa appointment service and replaced it with the new Super Priority service.

If your visa type is permitted through the new 'Service Points', you can book a super priority appointment and get a visa decision in 24 hours of your biometrics appointment date.

If your application does fall under the new 'Service Point', you can now apply for a 24 hour Super Priority service which means, you attend your biometrics appointment, upload your documents prior to your appointment and in 24 hours you get a decisionHE HOME OFFICE HAS NOW CLOSED THIS SERVICE.

On the 29 November 2018 the Home Office stopped the same day visa appointments and repalced with the new Super Priority service.

If your visa type is permitted through the new 'Service Points', you can book a super priority appointment and get a visa decision in 24 hours of your biometrics appointment date.

Only certain types of overseas nationals can claim public funds.

Below is a list of public funds overseas natinoals cannot claim:

• Allocation of local authority housing
• Attendance allowance
• Carer's allowance
• Child benefits
• Child tax benefits
• Child tax credits
• Council tax reductions
• Disability living allowance
• Housing benefits
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance
• Income support
• Local authority homeleeeness assistance
• Personal independence payment
• Severe disablement allowance
• Social fund payments
• State pension credits
• Universal credits
• working tax credits

 LEARN MORE >>

If you feel the Home Office made a wrong decision on your visa application or, you think they have made an error,  a Reconsideration Request (RR) can be submitted.

The RR is not a formal review or an AR, but an opportunity for you to question the caseworker's decision.

You can apply for a RR if you believe immigration rules or policies were not followed correctly when the Home Office made a decision on your application. 

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO QUESTION AND CHALLENGE IF YOU FALL UNDER ONE OF THESE AND YOUR APPLICATION WAS MADE IN THE UK. LEARN MORE >>

If the Home Office visited your business premises and sent you a letter stating you are non-compliant as a UK sponsor, it means the system you are using has failed.

It is now up to you to demonstrate to the Home Office that you have a system (paper-based or electronic) that is fully compliant.

Depending if you sponsor workers under Tier 2 or Tier 5 or students under Tier 4 will determine the type of letter you will receive.

Ideally you want to avoid receiving such a letter to avoid having your sponsor licence revoked. LEARN MORE>>

If you require your entry visa to the UK super priortised over priority and standard visa applications.

The Super Priority visa service was first introduced in India on the 15 May 2013 to facilitate a super fast track visa service.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

If you been refused a visa for the UK, or been refused leave to enter the UK, or been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, or overstayed a period of leave in the UK, or had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, or been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, or been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, or you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, or you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, or you have committed a criminal offence in any country, YOU SHOULD NOT APPLY VIA THIS PRIORITY VISA ROUTE as your visa will still be processed under the standard visa processing times and the extra fee will not be refunded. LEARN MORE >>

From the 5 November 2018, the Home Office will now accept good quality photocopies of your original documents.

When submitting your document evidence whether as an entry or UK renewal application, documents rules may vary.

Every visa application to the Home Office requires documents to be submitted which helps them decide if your application is successful or not.

Many visa applications are refused because the applicant submits the wrong evidence, doesn't provide original evidence when requested, not provide evidence specific to a immigration rule or specific to the uniqueness of the application itself. LEARN MORE >>

If you plan to enter the UK you are likely to need to take a tuberculosis test (TB) unless you are exempt.

You only need to do a TB if your visa application is longer than 6 months.

If you need to take a TB test, you will be given a chest x-ray to test for TB.

If the result of the x-ray is not clear you may also be asked to give a sputum sample (phlegm coughed up from your lungs).

WHAT IF I AM PREGNANT?

If you are pregnant you can choose an x-ray with an extra shield to protect you and your unborn child if you are in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters or a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs) or wait until your baby has been delivered. LEARN MORE>>

UKVI has introduced a new streamlined, digitised and accessible service.

This new service is one of the biggest changes in the way the UKVI process UK visa applications.

What does this mean for you?

You no longer can visit a Home Office premium centre and get a visa processed 'there and then' but, you can now keep your documents whilst your application is being processed and documents can be copies.

We have created in this section 12 dedicated tabs with essential questions and answers. LEARN MORE >>