Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the most frequently asked questions you might have about Immigration have been answered below. Click on the Question and you will be taken to the answer.

What is a VISA?
Do I need a VISA to visit the UK?
What if I am refused a UK visa?
How long does it take to get a UK visa?
Can I come to live permanently in the UK?
Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK?
What documents should I bring with me with me?
What do I do if my passport and visa are lost?
What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
What do I do if my visa or passport are stolen?
Where can I get application forms?

Q: What is a VISA?
A: A visa gives you permission to enter the United Kingdom. It is acutally a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document by and Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission overseas.



Q: Do I need a VISA to visit the UK?
A:With some nationalities you will need a visa. These nationalities are known as visa nationals. You may still need clearance to gain entry clearance if you country is not a visa national this will depend on your reasons for coming to the UK



Q: What if I am refused a UK visa?
A: If you are refused a visa, the entry clearance officer will give you a written notice clearly explaining the decision. This will also tell you if you have the right of appeal.

Q:Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK
A: You should not experience any problems on arrival in the UK, as long as you have given the entry clearance officer all information relevant to your visit to the UK you have not, with or without your knowledge, given false information to support your application, and there has been no change to your circumstances, or reasons for going to the UK, since the visa was issued.



Q: What documents should I bring with me with me?
A: Once you have arrived in the UK an immigration officer may ask you to show evidence of your reasons for coming to the UK. This may include travel tickets, evidence of funding, letters from your businesses or sponsor, letters from the schools you will study at. You should carry these docments in your hand luggage ready to show to the entry clearance officer.



Q: What do I do if my passport and visa are lost?
A: You must first apply for a replacement passport and then reapply to a British mission overseas with a visa office for another entry clearance. You will have to pay the fee again and produce all supporting documents.




Q: What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
A: You should inform your visa office if your reason for going to the UK changes. You might be asked to make another visa application.



Q: What do I do if my visa or passport are stolen?
A: You will have to apply for a replacement passport and then reapply to a visa application centre for another entry clearance. You will need to provide a police report as evidence that your passport has been reported missing or stolen. The fees will have to be paid again and you will need to produce all supporting documents.



Q: Can I come to live permanently in the UK?
A: To qualify under the Immigration Rules you must obtain an entry clearance before you travel to the UK if you are not a British (EEA) European Economic Area or Swiss national.



Q: Where can I get application forms?
A: If you contact Immigration Consult we will send you the correct documents.



Q: How long does it take to get a UK visa?
A: We will try our best to offer a very fast and effective entry clearance service. . If you are applying to settle in the UK, in most cases we try to process your application within 12 weeks.