FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents are required to make an application?
How long does it take to get a visa, and how far in advance should I apply?
Can I get my money back if my application is refused or I withdraw it?
How early can I apply?
Do I have to be interviewed by an officer of the British High Commission?
What does a letter of invitation need to say and does it need to be notarised?
Where should sponsors send their invitation letters?
Do I need to submit original documents in support of my 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?
If I am refused a visa, when can I re-apply?
In the case of an application for a marriage visa, must the sponsor be present at the interview?
Do I need to show my old passport when I apply?
Apart from a letter of invitation what other evidence should I bring?
When completing the application form, must I always provide the name of a British Citizen as a sponsor?
Do you issue visas for Commonwealth countries?
Can you help me find a job in the UK and obtain a work permit?
If I am refused a visa, will I know why and can I appeal against the refusal?
How long will my visit visa be valid for?
I wish to study in the UK. Which sort of visa should I apply for?
What documents are required to make an application?
Please see the "Documents Required" section on this website for details of what documentation you must submit with your application. Please ensure that you submit the documents High Commission 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, and a decision made whether to issue or refuse, within 24 hours from the time the application is received at the High Commission. 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 your intended travel date. In order to help High Commission process your application as quickly as possible, you should ensure that you submit all the documents High Commission require with your application form at the time of making the application (see "Documents Required").

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?
High Commission is able to issue the vast majority of visas within 24 hours. In some cases, 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 these visa categories (Long Stay and/or first time applications) 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 (see "Documents Required"). In any event, do not apply for your visa more than three months before you are due to travel.

Do I have to be interviewed by an officer of the British High Commission?
Issue or refusal of a visa is based on the assessment of your application by an Entry Clearance Officer at the British High Commission.

The Entry Clearance Officer may decide to interview you if they need more information before making a decision on your application. In such cases, you will need to visit the British High Commission in Pretoria by prior appointment.

At the visa section, the time for each interview is limited. It is therefore important for the Entry Clearance Officer to gain a quick and accurate understanding of each application. Some applicants take advice from outside organizations about the questions that may be asked and prepare answers accordingly. But because they are working from a script, these applicants do not always listen to the questions actually asked or provide relevant answers. So please give full and clear replies to the questions. If you do not know the answer, say so.

What does a letter of invitation need to say and does it need to be notarized?
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 notarized. 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 submitted along with the application. 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 on to 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. High Commission are willing to consider photocopied or faxed documents, but High Commission reserve the right to request originals if the need arises. Please note that students must always submit the original enrolment letter from their university, college or school in the United Kingdom. Similarly, work permit holders must submit their original work permit along with their application. Such letters / permits must not be sent direct to the High Commission, 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 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. In most circumstances only the applicant needs to be interviewed. 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 (see "Documents Required").

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). It is extremely useful for the High Commission to see such direct evidence of previous travels abroad and seeing an old passport can often enable them 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. Please see the "Documents Required" section.

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 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, High Commission does 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 complete 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. For information - Visitors to the UK (business or tourist) and students on courses of less than 6 months duration do not have the right of appeal. Please click here for appeals guidance.

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 Entry Clearance Officer 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. It is recommended to apply for a 6 month visa if you are applying for a UK VISA for the first time.

I wish to study in the UK. Which sort of visa should I apply for?
Student Visitors
You should apply for this visa if:

• You are over 18 years
  
• You wish to take a short course of study lasting less than 6 months.
  
• You do not wish to work during your stay
  
• You will not need to extend your stay in the UK.
  
• Your course is for less than 15 hours per week or is in the evening or at weekends. However, the training provider must be on the DIUS Register of Education Providers.

• You are taking a sandwich course or any short course with a work placement element.
  

• You wish to take part time employment during your studies
  
• You may need to extend your stay in the UK
  
• You are undertaking a short term English course before going on to long term studies in the UK. Give details of both courses in your application.
  
  

• You are a child under the age of 18 travelling to the UK for a short course of study lasting less than 6 months.
  
• Please note there is a requirement to demonstrate that adequate arrangements have been made for care in the UK. This means that you must give the name and address of the person you will stay with. You must also submit the necessary signed consent forms from both parents, and the name and passport number of who is accompanying you to the UK.