- What documents are required to
make an application?
Details of the documents you require can be found on
the Applying for a Visa page.
Please ensure that you submit the documents we require
(and copies) since failure to do so may result in your
application being refused without an interview being
offered.
- How long does it take to get a
visa, and how far in advance should I apply?
It is impossible to give a definite time limit. Each
case is different and each case is treated on its merits.
Nearly all applications are assessed, on five working
days. However it may take longer in some cases. Please
note however, that some applications may require more
detailed assessment. These often include applications
for longer stays in the UK and/or first time applications.
Processing these applications may take a few weeks,
so please allow plenty of time to apply before you intend
to travel.
Most 6-month visit visa applications are processed within
24 hours after they have been submitted to BHC Delhi,
but these may require more detailed assessment (for
example if you are not well travelled to the UK), in
which case processing may take longer, perhaps up to
a few weeks. Applications for certain overseas territories
and Commonwealth countries can take up to 3 months to
process, so please apply well in advance of your travel
date.
Unfortunately, more detailed assessments do take time
and cannot be rushed. Your patience is much appreciated.
We strongly advise you to take account of possible processing
delays, and apply in good time. We advise you to apply
before booking any travel arrangements. You can apply
up to 3 months before you are due to travel. In order
to help us process your application as quickly as possible,
you should ensure that you submit
all the documents we require with your application
form at the time of making the application.
- Can I get my money back if my
application is refused or I withdraw it?
No. Visa fees are paid for consideration of the application
and are set at a level to cover our administrative costs.
Payment of the fee does not guarantee issue and visa
fees are not refundable if an application is unsuccessful
or withdrawn.
- How early can I apply?
We are able to issue the vast majority of visas within
24 hours after they have been submitted to BHC Delhi.
In some cases (see Q2/A2 above), where we need to refer
the application to London, processing the application
can take up to four weeks. Please, therefore, allow
plenty of time to obtain your visa if you are in one
of those categories mentioned in Q2/A2. In order to
help us process your application as quickly as possible,
you should ensure that you submit
all the documents we require with your application
form at the time of making the application. In any event,
do not apply for your visa more than three months before
you are due to travel.
- What does a letter of invitation
need to say and does it need to be notarised?
There is no set form of words for a letter of invitation.
Sponsors should write the invitation in their own words.
It should be addressed to the person being invited and
must include details of the purpose and duration of
the visit and also the relationship between the applicant
and the signatory of the letter and /or the persons
inviting the applicant. These letters do not have to
be notarised. Essentially, it should be clear from the
invitation why the person is being invited, by whom,
for how long and where they will stay.
- Where should sponsors send their
invitation letters?
Invitations should be sent direct to the person who
is being invited and they should only be presented at
the Embassy/Consulate at the time the application is
made. Please do not send (or copy) invitation or sponsorship
letters to the Visa Section. It is extremely difficult,
administratively, and very time consuming to hold onto
such documents and then link them with applications
when they are finally made. Copying or sending such
invitations only serves to slow down the application
and decision-making process.
- Do I need to submit original documents
in support of my application?
Original documents are preferable. We are willing to
consider photocopied or faxed documents, but we reserve
the right to request originals if the need arises. However,
students must always submit the original enrolment letter
from their university, college or school in the United
Kingdom. Such letters must not be sent direct to this
Embassy, but should be submitted by the applicants with
their application.
- Is it necessary to have a letter
from my employers indicating my salary if some or all
of my expenses are going to be covered by my sponsor?
Evidence of your circumstances in Nepal is helpful to
satisfy the visa officer that you are in settled employment
and also to indicate your financial situation here.
You should therefore include such information with your
application whether you are paying for the trip or not.
- If I am refused a visa, when can
I re-apply?
You can re-apply at any time and your application will
be considered in the light of the circumstances that
then prevail. You should be aware, however, that if
there has been no significant change in your circumstances
since the last refusal, or if you are unable to address
the points of refusal as written on the refusal notice,
you might be refused again. A previous refusal will
not though, in itself, mean that any subsequent application
will be refused automatically.
- In the case of an application
for a marriage visa, must the sponsor be present at
the interview?
No. Interviews will not be held. However, you will be
required to submit evidence of the sponsor's residence
status in the United Kingdom, freedom to marry and ability
to support and accommodate without recourse to public
funds.
- Do I need to show my old passport
when I apply?
It is extremely helpful if you do. If your old passport
contains visas showing previous foreign travels (eg
UK, Schengen, Swiss, USA etc) you may wish to ask for
it to be returned to you by the Nepal passport office
when you renew it. You will then be able to attach it
to your new passport when you submit your UK visa application.
It is extremely useful for us to see such direct evidence
of previous travels abroad and seeing an old passport
can often enable us to process your application much
quicker.
- Apart from a letter of invitation
what other evidence should I bring?
This very much depends upon the type of application
which is being submitted. The
UK Border Agency has produced a list of checklists for
each application form.
- When completing the application
form, must I always provide the name of a British Citizen
as a sponsor?
No. Anyone present in the United Kingdom, for whatever
purpose, can sponsor someone. It is, however, important
to name the specific sponsor particularly in the case
of family visits. If you are intending to visit a Nepali
relative then please specify this and submit evidence
of their immigration status in the UK (eg a copy of
their passport photograph page and current UK Visa).
- Do you issue visas for Commonwealth
countries?
Yes, we do issue visas for certain Commonwealth countries
and other territories and islands such as the Bahamas,
Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands. Please visit "www.ukvisas.gov.uk"
" for full details of which countries and territories
we issue on behalf of.
- Can you help me find a job in
the UK and obtain a work permit?
No. Our involvement in the work permit process is limited
to dealing only with applications for work permit visas
after an applicant has obtained his/her work permit.
For information on work permits please visit the website
"www.ukvisas.gov.uk"
section and the link to UK Work Permits.
- If I am refused a visa, will I
know why and can I appeal against the refusal?
If you are refused, you will receive a written notice
from the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) detailing the
reasons why you have been refused. The right of appeal
against refusal only exists for certain categories and
the ECO will inform you at the time of refusal if you
have the right to appeal.
- How long will my visit visa be
valid for?
With a visit visa you can usually enter and leave the
UK any number of times while it is still valid. The
ECO may occasionally limit a visa so it is valid for
only one entry. You cannot stay for longer than six
months on each visit. Visit visas can be valid for 6
months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years. You can apply for
a visa valid for any of these periods, but please note
that applications for longer visas may take longer to
process.
Please note, the ECO may decide to make your visa
valid for a shorter time than you have asked for, for
example if you are not a regular traveller or have never
visited the UK before.
More
Frequently Asked Questions are available on the UK Border
Agency website.
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