About UK

Capital and Largest cityLondon
51°30′N 0°7′W
Official languagesEnglish
Recognized regional
languages
  • Irish
  • Scottish Gaelic
  • Scots
  • Ulster-Scots
  • Welsh
  • Cornish
Ethnic groups(2001)
  • 92.1% White
  • 4.0% South Asian
  • 2.0% Black
  • 1.2% Mixed
  • 0.4% Chinese
  • 0.4% other
ReligionAnglican
DemonymBritish, Briton
Government

  • Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy withdevolved governments
  • Monarch – Queen Elizabeth II
  • Prime Minister – David Cameron MP
Legislature

  • Parliament
  • Upper house – House of Lords
  • Lower house – House of Commons
Formation

  • Acts of Union 1707 – 1 May 1707
  • Acts of Union 1800 – 1 January 1801
  • Anglo-Irish Treaty – 6 December 1922
Area

  • Total
  • Water (%)
  • 243,610 km2(80th)
    94,060 sq mi
  • 1.34
Population

  • 2011 census
  • Density
  • 63,181,775(22nd)
  • 255.6/km2 (51st)
    661.9/sq mi
Gini(2011)
  • 33.0
  • medium
HDI(2013)
  • 0.875
  • very high · 26th
CurrencyPound sterling(GBP)
Time zone

  • Summer (DST)
  • GMT (UTC+0)
  • BST (UTC+1)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Calling code+44
Drives on theLeft
ISO 3166 codeGB
Internet TLD.uk

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. The country includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state—the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north, the North Sea in the east, the English Channel in the south, and the Irish Sea in the west.

The UK’s form of government is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system and its capital city is London. It is one of the Commonwealth Realms. The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latter three have devolved administrations, each with varying powers, based in their capital cities, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, respectively. Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies and are not part of the UK. The United Kingdom has fourteen British Overseas Territories. These are remnants of the British Empire which, at its height in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, encompassed almost a quarter of the world’s land mass and was the largest empire in history. British influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies.

The United Kingdom is a developed country and has the world’s sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the eighth – largest economy by purchasing power parity. It was the world’s first industrialized country and the world’s foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The UK remains a great power with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally.

The UK has been a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council since its first session in 1946. It has been a member of the European Union (EU) and its predecessor the European Economic Community (EEC) since 1973; it is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Council of Europe, the G7, the G8, the G20, NATO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

HOW TO APPLY

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

 

PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

  • Passport (Minimum 6 months validity) – All Passports (Old & New)
  • Photo (35mm X 45mm, white background, matt finished, 80% FACE should display)
  • Marriage certificate – If Married
  • Divorce Deed – If Divorced
  • Spouse Death certificate – In Case of Death
  • Child birth certificate/ Bonafide certificate – If child travelling
  • Vacation letter/Student Id card – If student travelling
  • NOC of parents (Child Below 18 Years) – If travelling alone or third party
  • Aadhar Card Copies of all Family Members

IF SELF EMPLOYED (BUSINESS)

  • Pan card (Personal/Company)
  • Business registration certificate (Gumasta dhara/Memorandum/Partnership deed)
  • Company Profile / Brochure (If having)
  • Business letter head-03 Nos. & visiting card
  • IT returns last 3 years with balance sheet
  • Last 6 months current account statement
  • Partner NOC & Authorization Letter

IF EMPLOYED

  • Pan card, Company Id card, Job Letter
  • Last 6 months salary slips
  • Last 3 years form no.16 & IT returns with computation
  • Leave letter/NOC (No objection certificate)

IF AGRICULTURE BUSINESS

  • Agriculture income certificate (From Mamlatdar / TDO)
  • Form no. 7& 12, 8A (Land paper)
  • Agriculture bills (If having)

IF RETIRED

  • Retired letter
  • Pension bank passbook

IF UNEMPLOYED/HOUSEWIFE/MINOR

  • Supporter Letter and Supporting Affidavit

IF FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

  • Last 6 months bank statement/bank passbook
  • Bank fix deposit/ MIS /Post Savings/KVP/SVP/NSC
  • Share holding statement/ Bonds/ Mutual Funds
  • Provident fund/GPF/PPF
  • LIC / other policy surrender value
  • Financial report/ Valuation of property (House/Shop/Land)

PERSONAL DETAILS

  • Email Id & Contact No Details
  • Applicant’s Parents / Spouse/ Children’s( Date of Birth)
  • Last 10 yrs Travel history (Arrival date & Departure date)

UK CONTACT DETAILS (Family & Friends)

SPONSOR DOCUMENTS

  • Sponsor letter or invitation letter (Original If possible then notarized)
  • Sponsor’s biography copy if British passport (If Possible notarized)
  • If other than British citizen then whole passport copy and visa status document in UK (If possible then notarized)
  • Email ID & Contact details

STATEMENT FROM YOUR EMPLOYER ON BUSINESS LETTERHEAD, GIVING WITH FOLLOWING DETAILS

  • Date and nature of employment
  • Salary paid
  • Whether his/her position is temporary or permanent

BANK STATEMENT OF LAST 6 MONTHS – with Min. Bal
COUNCIL TAX, ELECTRICITY BILLS, TELEPHONE BILL, GAS BILL
TENANCY AGREEMENT IF RENTED PROPERTY
COPY OF RECENT PAY STUBS. 3 OR 4 SHOULD BE ENOUGH
COPY OF LAST THREE YEARS INCOME TAX RETURN
CONTACT NUMBERS, E-MAIL ID, RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF SPONSOR
IF HE/SHE SPONSORED ANY ONE IN LAST TWO YEARS THEN NAME RELATIONSHIP AND CONTACT NUMBER OF PERSON

VISA DECISION WAITING TIMES: APPLICATIONS OUTSIDE THE UK

If you want to visit the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks of attending your appointment at the visa application centre, where 1 week is 5 working days, if you are applying for a visa to visit the UK:

  • for a holiday or to see family or friends
  • for a business trip or meeting
  • to get married

You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.

Priority services – get a faster decision
Collection within 5 working days (priority service)

If the service is available in the country you’re applying from you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

A decision will be made within 5 working days of your appointment at the visa application centre.

Check with your visa application centre to see if the priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from. The priority visa service is available in most countries.

Collection within 24 hours (super priority service)

If the service is available in the country you’re applying from you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your super priority visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected within 24 hours from when you submit your biometric information.

Check with your visa application centre to see if the super priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from.

FIND YOUR VISA APPLICATION CENTRE

LocationOpening DaysOpening hours
Cochin

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

ST Arcade, Kurisupally Road, Ravipuram, Cochin 682016

Monday to Friday08:00 – 15:00
Chennai

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Fagun Towers, Second Floor, No 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai 600008

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Kolkata

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

UK Visa application center, Fifth floor, RENE tower, Plot No. AA-I, 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, Kasba,
Kolkata 700107

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Mumbai South

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Urmi Axis Building, 1st Floor, Behind Famous Studio, Opp E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi West, Mumbai 400011

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Pune

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

93 Avenue Mall, 4th Floor, Kalubai Chowk, Near Fatima Nagar Junction, Wanowarie, Pune – 411 022

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Hyderabad

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

8-2-700 3rd Floor, Sride Anushka Pride, Opposite to Ratnadeep Super Market, Banjara Hills Road No 12,
Hyderabad 500034

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Ahmedabad

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Ground Floor, Emerald House, Near Parimal Garden Cross Road, Off C G Road, Ahmedabad 380006, India

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Bengaluru

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Global Tech Park, O Shaughnessy Rd, Langford Town First Floor (Landmark Hockey Ground) Bengaluru
Karnataka 560025

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Chandigarh

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

SCO 62 63, Sector 8 C, near Hotel Icon and Times of India office, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh 160018

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
New Delhi

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Mezzanine Floor, Baba Kadak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi
110001, India

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00
Jalandhar

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Lower Ground Floor, MIDAS Corporate Park, Plot No. 37, G.T. Road, opposite Jalandhar Bus Stand,
Jalandhar 144001

Monday to Friday08:00-16:00

CONSULATE DETAILS

Mumbai

The British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai
Address: Naman Chambers, C/32, G Block BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051

Phone: +91 22665 02222

Delhi

The British High Commission in Delhi India
Address: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021

Phone: +91 11241 92100

FEES

Standard Visitor visa – for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

Visa typesVisa application fee (INR)
Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry)9325
Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years)35436
Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years)64296
Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years)80688
Visiting academic – more than 6 months but less than 12 months18651
Marriage visitor visa9325
Permitted paid engagement visa9325
Private medical treatment – up to 11 months18651
Visit the UK in a Chinese tour group (UK only)9325

Short-term study visa

Visa typesVisa application fee (INR)
Short-term study – (up to 6 months)9522
Short-term study – (up to 11 months)18258

USEFUL LINKS

Home Office UK Border Agency

Tracking Application

Tracking Application

For Application Forms

UKBA Site

Visa inquiry contact details – email addresses and telephone numbers.

Email enquiries

If you have any questions or require information about the visa application procedure please email VFS, free of charge, using the email addresses below. You can also track your visa application by clicking on the ‘track your application’ page on this website and follow the instructions. The tracking application service is free.

West India: Email us Infouk.westin@vfshelpline.com
East India: Email us Infouk.eastin@vfshelpline.com
North India: Email us Infouk.northin@vfshelpline.com
South India: Email us Infouk.southin@vfshelpline.com

Telephone enquiries

You can call VFS on the new helpline number: (022) 67866000. The former helpline number (040) 66305600 will be available until 19 February 2012. Applicants from Bhutan can also call this number or send an email to any of the email addresses provided on this page. Calls are charged at local or STD rates depending on your location. This service is available Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Do I need a Visitor Visa for the UK?
The UK Visitor Visa allows a person from outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland, to visit the UK for up to six months.

To visit the United Kingdom, a person requires permission to do so. This permission can be in the form of the UK Visitor Visa or Leave to Enter the UK. A visitor has to apply for the UK Visitor Visa before travelling to the UK. The Leave to Enter can be obtained at the UK port of entry.

Whether a person requires a UK Visitor Visa will depend on whether the person is regarded as a visa national or not.

Immigration advise clients, who are non-visa nationals, who have previously been denied a UK Visitor Visa, or denied entry at a UK port of entry , to apply for a UK Visitor Visa, before travelling to the UK.

Activities allowed on a UK Visitor Visa.
The UK visitor visa allows a person to do a range of things:

  • To take a holiday in the UK.
  • Visit family or friends.
  • For business reasons.
  • To take part in sports or creative events.
  • Receive private medical treatment.
  • Study for up to 30 days, provided this is not the main reason for your visit.
  • If you are under 18 years, you may take part in an exchange programme or educational visit.
  • You can convert your civil partnership into a marriage.

Activities not allowed on a UK Visitor Visa

  • You are not allowed to do paid or unpaid work.
  • You cannot through frequent visits to the UK basically live in the UK.
  • There is no access to UK Public funds.
  • One cannot marry, register a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or a civil partnership. You can only do this if you have applied for the Marriage Visitor Visa. Please speak to one of our consultants for more information.

Doing business in the UK on a UK Visitor Visa
Applicants are often unsure whether they can do business in the UK on the UK Visitor Visa. There is, however, a range of business activities that are allowed.

  • Taking part in a specific sports-related event.
  • Performing as an artist, entertainer, or musician.
  • Academics who are doing research, or accompanying students on a study abroad programme.
  • Doctor or dentist who are taking a clinical attachment or observer post.
  • To take the Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or to sit the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
  • To get funds to start, take over, join or run a business in the UK.

Length of Stay on the UK Visitor Visa
You can stay in the UK for up to six months. You can also apply to extend your UK Visitor Visa, as long as the total time you spend in the UK is not more than 6 months.

It is also possible to apply for long-term visit visas if you travel to the UK regularly. These visas are valid for 2, 5 or 10 years. However, note that you are only allowed to stay a maximum of 6 months during any given year.

If you are going to the UK for private medical treatment, you might be able to extend your stay for up to eleven months.

If you are going to the UK as an academic on sabbatical or for research, you, your spouse, civil partner and children might be able to stay for up to twelve months.

Visitors under the Approved Destination Status Agreement, may be granted a visa for a period of up to 30 days.

Applying for the UK Visitor Visa
You can only apply for the UK Visitor Visa 3 months before you travel to the UK.
Things you need to proof;

  • You have to show that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
  • You are able to support yourself and any dependents during your trip.
  • You are able to pay for any costs relating to the trip, as well as the onward journey.
  • You have to show proof of any business or other activities you will be doing in the UK.

There are additional and very specific document requirements if you are visiting as an academic, for private medical treatment, applying as an organ donor, prospective entrepreneur or to take the PLAB or OSCE test.

UK Tourist Visa Form
The application form for a UK Tourist visa is known as the ˜Visit and Short Term Stay Form. This form can be filled up on the official website of the UK government as well as from the British High Commission website.
The applicant is required to enter the following details in the form:

  • Type of visitor visa (tourist/to visit friends/other).
  • Duration of stay.
  • Main purpose of visit.
  • Dates of travel (both the date of entry as well as date of exit from the UK)

Personal Details:

  • Applicant’s full name.
  • Gender.
  • Marital status.
  • Date and place of birth.
  • Nationality and country of birth.
  • Dual citizenship status, if any.
  • Passport details such as passport number, expiry, date and place of issue.
  • Residential address.
  • Contact information such as email address, telephone, and mobile number.

Family Information:

  • Family related information such as father/mother/spouse name, date and place of birth and nationality.
  • Details regarding spouse/children, if any.

Employment Information:

  • Financial and employment details, such as current employment status.
  • Type of employment currently engaged in, duration of employment, and organisation details.
  • Work address and previous work history.
  • Details of income and employment.
  • Details of cost of visit to the UK.

Travel History:

  • Details of previous travel to foreign countries.
  • Previous travel to the UK, with details, if any.
  • Record of any criminal history in a foreign country, if any.

UK Tourist Visa Application Process
The application form is to be filled out online. Online forms can be found on the website of the British High Commission or the British Consulate website.

On submission of the form, the applicant will have to visit a Visa Application Centre at an allotted date and time where his/her biometric information (fingerprint scan and photograph) will be taken.

The applicant will have to be present at the Visa Application Center along with the form, visa fee and all supporting documents to file his/her visa application.

On completion of the filing process, an acknowledgment will be issued. The acknowledgment has to be presented when collecting the documents submitted.

The applicant will be notified regarding the status of the application within a period of three weeks from filing the application.