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- How do I apply?
Visa applications will need to be lodged through 1 of our visa
application centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban
and Port Elizabeth. There are also visa application centres in
Maputo, Lilongwe, Windhoek and Harare.
Applying for a visa is a simple 6 stage process
| 1. |
Make your application online through www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
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| 2. |
Make an appointment online to give your biometrics . Please
note that appointment slots are for one hour and you will
be seen within the 60 minute time slot. |
| 3. |
Submit your visa application andpay your visa application
fee at Nedbank or by bankers cheque at the visa application
centre (if you have not already paid online) |
| 4. |
Visit the visa application centre to submit your application
and biometrics |
| 5. |
Wait for a decision |
| 6. |
Collect your passport |
Please note: you should complete and submit your visa application
form online and then schedule your online appointment before you
visit the visa application centre. All applicants are required
to come in person to submit their visa application and biometrics.
We cannot accept your visa application if you have not applied
online, or if you do not come to the visa application centre personally.
Please make sure your passport is valid when you make your application,
and that it contains at least 1 blank page so that the visa can
be placed there.
- General guidance
General guidance for visa applications can be found on the UK
Border Agency Visa Services Website.
You need to fill in an online visa application form for the category
of visa you want to apply for.
The following documentation is mandatory:
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Valid passport |
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Completed and signed visa application form |
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Proof of payment of the visa fee
and the purpose of travel |
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1 clear, passport sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph.
Details of the photo specification provided below |
For your convenience, photographs and photocopies of supporting
documents for your visa application can now be obtained at most
of our Visa Application Centres. Please refer to our Additional
Services section for more information.
Please note: Fees are payable for these services. These
services are available at our Visa Application Centres in Johannesburg,
Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria.
- Supporting documents
Applicants may wish to consider submitting supporting documents
to assist with their application. If you would like any original
documents returned, please submit a photocopy of each document
you would like returned and make it clear that you would like
the originals back.
- Points-based system
The points-based system is a 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 to use the self-assessment calculator.
Tier 1 Categories:
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). A
policy document which explains in detail who is affected by the
ruling is available on the UK Border Agency website.
Tier 2 Categories
Tier 4 Category
Tier 5 Categories
Photo specifications
Please provide 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old).
The photograph should be in colour and:
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Taken against a light grey or cream background. It should
be in sharp focus, clear and of good quality, free from
shadows. |
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Printed on normal photographic paper. |
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Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, hat or other head covering unless
worn for religious or medical reasons. The subject should
have their mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised
eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forwarding,
looking straight ahead. |
Please note: We regret we cannot accept photographs that
do not meet these requirements. For more information on photo
specifications please visit the UK Border Agency Visa Services
website.
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Customers with disabilities
We are keen to ensure that the visa application centre's and
are fully accessible to disabled members of the public. Where
possible, we have made our buildings and services accessible.
Sometimes this is not always possible due to security or other
restrictions. Please click here
to find our more information about the disabled access and facilities
at the visa application centres.
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Current processing times
Please click here to see the UK
Border Agency's latest processing times and our Customer Service
standards on this website.
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Agents
You will find that many companies and websites offer to find
people work in the United Kingdom. While there are some genuine
recruitment agencies which can get you employment in the United
Kingdom, be careful of any organisation that guarantees you
work in the UK, particularly when they are asking for fees.
Agents cannot guarantee that:
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they will be able to get you a work or study visa |
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your application will be granted without an interview
or |
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your visa application will be successful. |
They may be seeking to elicit money from you by making these claims.
You should remember:
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The British Government and the British Council do not
offer people jobs in the UK |
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The British Government will not ask for money or send
emails asking you to put money into a bank account so that
you can apply for a work permit |
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We do not contact people before they have made a visa
application; and |
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We do not use Yahoo or Hotmail email accounts |
Do not assume that an organisation you are dealing with is legal
just because it has a website - anyone can set up a website.
If you are suspicious, or consider that you have been misled by
an agent, you should report the matter to the police
- Fraud
Staff at the UK Border Agency or VFS will not ask for any further
payment. If a member of staff seeks further payment you should
report the matter to the visa manager at the UK Border Agency
at the British High Commission.
If you have any information about visa fraud, or about people
who are going to the UK illegally, please email us at visafraud.pretoria@fco.gov.uk
Your email will be treated in confidence. Please provide as much
information as possible about the party, including full name,
date of birth, nationality. We may not be able to give feedback
on individual cases.
- Where are the visa application centres?
Click here for address and timings
The UK Border Agency at the British High Commission in Pretoria
is not open for personal callers.
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