UK Visa Information - How Do I Apply


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Disclaimer: The translated text is provided for information purposes only. The most up to date information is available on UK Border Agency's visa information website. In the event of any discrepancy, the English language version of UK Border Agency's visa information website overrules the translated information provided on this page. Please visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk for the most up to date information.

How do I Apply?

How to submit an application for a UK visa

It is mandatory to visit the UK Border Agency in person to submit the application and for biometric enrollment. You can make an application in 3 easy steps:

1.	Purchase a Bank Cheque from any bank in Malawi for the visa application fee amount.
2.	Print the Visa Application Form & complete the same.
3.	Visit the UK Border Agency Application Centre to submit your visa application pack and for biometrics enrolment along with the mandatory and recommended set of documents.

Points-based system

Points-based system is a new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study. Please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for more information and the Self-Assessment Calculator.
You can submit applications for all categories of Tier 1 starting 30 June 2008

Tier 1 Categories:

•	Tier 1 (General) migrant
•	Tier 1 (Investor)
•	Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
•	Tier 1 (Post-study work)

Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review
The recent High Court ruling in the UK resulting from the Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review affects certain people who formerly had leave in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). You may be covered by this ruling if you joined HSMP under the arrangements which were in place until the scheme was suspended on 7 November 2006 and you either:

applied for and were refused further leave to remain under the new extension rules which came into force on 5 December 2006, and subsequently left the UK, or
left the UK after 7 November 2006 without ever applying for further leave to remain under the new rules.

A policy document which explains in detail who is affected by the ruling is available on the UK Border Agency website.

Forms and Guidance

Guidance on making and assessing applications under the HSMP Judicial Review judgement is available on the Visa Services website.
The standard PBS form (VAF 9) and Appendix 1(Tier 1- General) have been expanded to allow them to be used by HSMP Forum JR applicants in both categories, ie (a) and ( b).

Making Your Application

Applications in both categories should be made at the appropriate visa section or VAC in the usual way. Category (a) applicants will not be charged a fee; category (b) applicants should pay the standard Tier 1 (General) fee.

Tier 2 Categories

•	Tier 2 (General)
•	Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
•	Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
•	Tier 2 (Minister of religion)

Tier 4 Category

•	Tier 4 General students and Tier 4 (child) student

Tier 5 Categories

•	Tier 5 (Creative and sporting)
•	Tier 5 (Charity worker)
•	Tier 5 (Religious worker)
•	Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange)
•	Tier 5 (International agreement)
•	Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme)

If you are applying under Tier One General of the Points Based System (Highly Skilled Migrants) full details, including Administrative Review, are available on the UK Border Agency website.

Please click on the links below for information on the below categories:

•	INF 21 PBS General Migrant
•	INF 22 PBS Investor
•	INF 23 PBS Entrepreneur
•	INF 24 PBS Post Study Work

Tier-2

•	INF 26 Tier 2

Tier-4

•	Tier 4 General students and Tier 4 (child) student

Tier-5

•	INF 27 Tier 5

Required Documentation

The following documentation is mandatory:

•	Valid passport (Minimum Validity of 6 months from the date of submission of Application).
•	Completed and signed Visa Application Form.
•	Supporting documents (It is recommended to submit originals along with photocopies for all supporting documents)
•	Proof of payment of the visa fee as per the purpose of travel. Details of the visa application fee and where to pay are available.
•	Two clear, passport sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photographs

The UK Border Agency provides a list of checklists of recommended documents for each Visa Application Form

Photographs

Note : We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not meet these requirements

Photo Specifications

1.	Please provide two recent photographs of yourself.
2.	The photographs should be in color and taken against a plain, evenly lit, light colored background so that your features are distinguishable against the background.
3.	Your full face should be visible.
4.	The photograph should be taken without a hat, helmet or other headgear, unless you wear such an item for religious reasons.
5.	The photograph should be taken without sunglasses, although everyday glasses can be worn.
6.	The photographs should be clear and of good quality, and should be printed on normal photographic paper.
7.	They should be unmounted, passport style photographs where the size of the image is 45 mm x 35 mm.

Please note that photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and this may cause a delay in the processing of your application.

Biometrics
Biometrics are an integral part of the UK's secure border control, helping to protect the UK against illegal immigration, crime, terrorism, and individuals against identity fraud.

All visa applicants, irrespective of nationality, who apply for a UK visa will be required to attend in person to provide a ten-finger scan and a digital photograph as part of the UK visa application process. The digital photography and electronic finger-scanning procedure is quick, discreet, straightforward and entirely safe. Providing biometric data became a legal requirement for all UK visa applicants under the provision of the Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) Regulation 2006 which came into force on 4 July 2006.

The biometric data collected will be stored on a database in the UK and held strictly in accordance with United Kingdom legislation, including the Data Protection Act 1998.

The recording of biometric data is a quick, discreet and straightforward part of the overall application process, taking on average no more than five minutes to record finger scans and take a digital photograph. It is an entirely electronic process (no ink or other chemicals involved in the finger scanning process).