Living in the UK: applying from overseas

This guide covers the journey from making your application and getting a decision to then sharing information about your immigration status with others.

Make your application

You can apply and pay for your visa online.

If you have dependants who want to come to the UK with you, the relevant GOV.UK application pages will explain whether they can come and how they can apply.

To submit a valid application, you’ll need to:

• choose the correct application form on GOV.UK
• pay the fee
• pay the immigration health charge (if required)
• provide any required biometrics
• provide a passport or other document which proves your identity and nationality
• meet any other specific requirements that are set out by the application route

Gathering your documents

You’ll need to provide documents to support your application.

For more information, check which visa you need and view the documents required for that route.

When to apply

Find out when to apply for your visa.

Get an estimate of how long it’ll take to process your application.

Fees

There is a fee for each visa. The fee depends on which entry route you apply for.

You may be able to choose to pay more to get a faster decision for some routes.

In addition to your visa fee, each family member who applies to come to the UK with you must also pay a fee.

Pay for healthcare

You may need to pay the immigration health charge as part of your application.

Applying for someone else

You can only apply for someone else if, for example, a relative or your child cannot apply for themselves.

Enter the applicant’s details into the form, not your own.

Change, vary or cancel your application

If you want to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, for example a spelling mistake, or a change of circumstances, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel (withdraw) your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

If you want to vary the basis of your application, you can do so at any time before a decision on your original application is made.

If you wish to vary your application, you will need to submit the correct specified form for the second application.

Prove your identity

You’ll be asked to prove your identity as part of your application. The application process will explain how to do that.

If you’ve been asked to use the mobile app

If you have a biometric passport and a compatible smartphone, you’ll be able to prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

The app is free to download. Search ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ in your app store. Check if the app is compatible with your phone.

If you do not have a compatible smartphone, you can use the app on a family member or friend’s phone. View further information on how to use the app.

You’ll need to provide supporting evidence to prove your identity. The document checklist for your application will explain what you need to provide.

If you use the app, you will not need to send your passport anywhere to be checked. Instead you’ll just need to take a picture of the photo page of your passport using your smartphone camera.

If you’ve been asked to use the app to prove your identity and you’re unable to, you’ll need to make an appointment to attend a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photograph).

If you need to prove your identity at a VAC

You’ll need to make an appointment to attend a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photograph).

At the appointment, you’ll need to submit documents that support your application. The document checklist in your application explains what to provide.

The VAC willmay normally keep your passport while we process your application. You’ll be told when you apply. However, in some locations you may be able to use the ‘Keep My Passport When Applying’ service.

Find out more about attending a VAC.

Proving you do not have tuberculosis (TB)

If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months you might need to have a TB test.

Check if you’ll need a TB test.

If you do, you must provide a certificate showing you do not have TB with your visa application.

If you applied for someone else

The applicant will need to prove their identity.

If they’ve been asked to use the mobile app, and they have a compatible smartphone, they’ll be able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to prove their identity.

If they’re unable to use the app, or if they’ve been asked to prove their identity at a VAC, they’ll need to attend an appointment to provide their biometric information and documents.

If you applied on behalf of a child, a responsible adult will need to accompany them to their appointment.

A responsible adult means someone aged 18 or over who can help the child with their appointment, such as a family member or teacher. You will need to give their details on the visa application.

Get a decision on your application

You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

If you used the mobile app

You’ll receive an eVisa., Ana eVisadigital is an online record of your immigrationidentity status and theimmigration conditions of the type of permission you have to enter or stay in the UK.status.

You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. You’ll be notified by email with instructions on how to access it.

If you visited a VAC to prove your identity

If your application is successful, you’ll be given an entry clearance sticker (called a vignette) in your passport, which is valid for up to 90-days from the date of its issue. This shows what you’ve been granted (for example, an Innovation Founder visa).

If the VAC kept your passport, you’ll need to collect it when contacted or if you have purchased a courier return service, they’ll post it to you with the vignette inside.

If you keptpaid to keep your passport, you’ll need to takereturn it to the VAC with your passport to collect your vignette.