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- Ghurkha Application
Process Guidance
GUIDANCE FOR FORMER GURKHA SETTLEMENT VISA APPLICATIONS
About the Gurkha Settlement Office
The Gurkha Settlement Office (GSO) was opened on 5 October 2009
to provide assistance to former Gurkhas and eligible dependants
who are thinking about applying to settle in the UK. Staff speak
Nepali and English and provide information about life in the UK
and the support arrangements that would be available once there.
Staff can also provide guidance on the visa application process
and can help you to complete the application form if required.
You will need to take your completed visa application form and
your supporting documents to the visa application centre in Kathmandu.
There is no charge to use the Gurkha Settlement Office services.
Gurkha Settlement Office location
The office is located at the British Gurkhas Nepal Camp in Man
Bhawan, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur.
Making an appointment at the Gurkha Settlement Office.
Please obtain a registration form and appointment for the GSO
by contacting your local Area Welfare Centre or the Gurkha Settlement
Office.
Gurkha Settlement Office contact details
Telephone numbers: +977 1 5533519 or +977 1 5533521, ext 327 or
329.
Fax number: +977 1 5547561
Email address: gso@bgn.com.np
Do I need an agent to make a visa application for me?
No, you do not need an agent. If you think you would like additional
advice, please choose an agent carefully. The agent should charge
a reasonable fee.
Visa application forms
If you are making an application as a former Gurkha for settlement
in the UK, you will need to complete the visa application form
called VAF
4A. You need to complete the form fully and in English. The
form is also available at the VFS Visa
Application Centre in Kathmandu.
- Part 5 - Finances and employment - for your finances, please
state if you receive an ex-Gurkha pension or any other income;
for employment, please state if you are retired or self employed
(farming) for example.
- Part 6 - Previous applications and travel history - it
is important that you mention any previous applications, if
you have been refused a visa or been charged with or convicted
of a criminal offence.
- Part 8 - Sponsors - you need to complete this if you are
a spouse (and you are not applying at the same time as a former
Gurkha) or another eligible dependant.
Can a relative or friend help me to complete this application
form?
Yes, but you personally need to sign the visa application form
and declare that the information contained in the form is correct.
What evidence do I need to provide with the visa application?
Documents which will help us to assess your application quickly
include a Service Certificate (for example your Lal or Red Book)
and your Kindred Roll.
It is important that the name and date of birth in your passport
are the same as those in your Service Certificate and/or the
Kindred Roll. If the information is not the same, you should
get an observation in your passport or an amendment to your
Kindred Roll.
If you are a dependant applying after the main applicant, please
provide a copy of your sponsor's passport and visa showing any
stamps in or out of the UK.
Please provide marriage and divorce certificates and your birth
certificate, which show proof of relationship to the main applicant.
Visa application fees
Please see the 'Visa Application Fee'
page on this website for more information. On this page you
will also find information about how to pay for your visa application
fee.
Making your visa application
You need to personally make your visa application at the Visa
Application Centre in Kathmandu. You do not need to make
an appointment and should inform the security staff when you
arrive that you are making a Gurkha settlement application.
You will be given priority entry.
What do I need to bring with me to the visa application centre?
Please see the list provided in step 4 of the 'How
to Apply' procedures on this website.
What do I need to do when I arrive at the visa application
centre?
As soon as you arrive at the centre, please approach a member
of staff. You will be taken inside the centre where you can
make your visa application. All UK visa applicants need to submit
their biometric
data (fingerscans and photograph) as a routine part of the
visa application process. It should take no longer than one
hour for you to make your visa application.
What happens after I have made my visa application?
Your visa application and supporting documents will be sent
to the UK Border Agency in New Delhi for consideration by a
visa officer. Once a decision has been made on your application,
we will return all your documents to the Visa Application Centre
in Kathmandu for collection.
Do I need to collect my documents from the visa application
centre after my application has been considered?
You may collect your documents yourself or you can give some
one you trust permission to collect your documents for you.
If someone else is collecting your documents, you need to provide
that person with a letter of authority. The letter needs to
say that you are giving permission to a named individual to
collect your documents. You need to sign the letter and the
person has to carry this letter and photo-identity with them.
For how long is my settlement visa valid and when can I travel?
The settlement visa is valid for the duration of your passport.
You can travel as soon as you have the visa. There is no deadline
by when you need to apply for a settlement visa.
Non settlement visa applications
If you do not wish to settle in the UK soon and instead want
to visit the UK, you should apply for a visit visa. You can
stay in the UK for up to 6 months. Visit visas can be issued
for the duration of 6 months, 2, 5 and 10 years.
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