The United Kingdom comprises countries like Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. The official language of these countries is British English. If you have any intention of traveling to the United Kingdom for education, work, business or vacation. Then a UK Visa is very mandatory with an international passport that is valid before you can gain access to the country.
The United Kingdom has some requirements and you can be certain of getting entrance into this country if you can follow everything in this article. Another thing you have to be sure is the visa type that you want to apply for. Besides this, your visa determines the duration in which you will be staying in the country.
Types of UK Visa
When you are traveling into another country as a foreigner, you need a visa and duration for the application of visa is 180 days (6 months). This following are the types of UK visa we have:
1. Tier 1 Visa
This type of visa is divided into five different categories:
General – This is not available to new applicants.
Investor – This kind of visa is for people that want to invest in the United Kingdom.
Entrepreneur – This visa is for those that want to set up a company in the UK.
Graduate Entrepreneur – This visa is issued to graduates who have innovative ideas that can yield good output.
Exceptional Talent – This visa is for people that have been endorsed from the academic sector.
2. Tier 2 Visa
This visa is given to a person that has been offered a skilled job in the United Kingdom. It is also known as “work visa”.
3. Tier 4 Visa
This visa type is called “student visa” and it is given to students that have proof of admission to a tertiary university in the UK and also have the resources that are needed to live and study in the United Kingdom.
4. Tier 5 Visa
This visa can also be referred as a work visa and it is being given to several individuals that fall within these categories such as Youth Mobility Scheme, Religious Workers, Government Authorized Exchange, Charity Workers, and International agreement.
5. UK Family Visa
This visa is for people who want to visit their family relatives in the UK and stay with them for some months. The visa has a duration of 3-6months and individuals that want to live permanently with their family members would have to follow up a process when they get there.
6. UK Visitor Visa
This UK Visitor Visa is for people who need a visa that would allow them to stay for not up to 6 months. The following set of people can apply for this kind of visas such as Academic visitors, entertainment visitors, general visitors, special visitors and lots more.
Vital Documents Required for the Application of a UK Visa
In the application of any visa that we have listed above, you must be able to speak and understand the English language. You have to show your financial statement in order to prove you are capable of taking care of yourself in the UK.
The following is the list of documents that you should have when applying for a UK Visa:
- A United Kingdom application form
- An international passport
- An original receipt of the UK visa application payment
- A coloured passport with white background
- A financial statement of your bank account
- An official letter from your employer in order to show the reasoning for your visit
- An invitation letter
- A travel itinerary (for tourist visa applicants)
- A proof of admission into a tertiary institution in the UK (for student visa applicants)
- A medical report (for private medical visa applicants)
Important Requirements for Entering the United Kingdom
The following are needed to gain access into the UK with no harassment:
- A valid visa if required.
- A valid and passport or travel document that will be accepted for your intended stay.
- A return ticket back to your Country.
- Adequate funds to sustain you.
- There should be one blank page in your passport to get your visa endorsement.
- Adequate medical and health fitness tests. This is required if your Country is having a disease outbreak.
How to Apply for a UK Visa
The following steps are to be followed when applying for a UK Visa:
Step 1: The type of visa that is needed must be confirmed.
Step 2: The UK Visa application form that is obtained online must be filled with valid information.
Step 3: Online Payment of the UK Visa fee through payment portals that have been verified.
Step 4: The application form should be correctly filled with accurate details.
Step 5: The GWF number should be saved immediately after submitting the form and it is a 12 digit number that has been auto-generated.
Step 6: A scheduled appointment for an interview at the UK embassy.
Step 7: You can register for a visa application via Teleperformance or travel agent so that you can track your letter of the application later.
Step 8: Don’t fail to attend your interview on the appointed date.
Where To Obtain a UK Visa Application Form
There are two authorized UK Visa applications that are available for Nigerian applicants. The first option is through Teleperformance and the second option is through Government website (Visa4UK). These are the two ways you can obtain the application form.
The Cost of a UK Visa
You can find the fee on the UK Government official payment and it has been divided into a country selection, sub visa category, and visa category and you can check the price of all of them on the site. Examples of these are the standard visitor, short-term study, business visitors, special visitors, diplomatic visitors, course f visitors and visitors in transit. All of them have their fixed payments.
Where to pay the UK Visa fees
You can pay your UK Visa fee at any Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Nigeria or via GT Bank internet banking. Then you can print an online receipt after you have made payment.
Where to submit UK Visa application
The application form should be submitted after you have filled it. The international passport and other documents should be carried along on the day of the appointment.
Address of the UK Embassies in Nigeria
UK Embassy, Abuja
British High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria
19 Torrens Close, Off Mississippi Street
Off Shehu Shagari Way (North), Maitama,
Abuja.
Email; [email protected]
UK Embassy, Lagos
British Deputy High Commission
11 Walter Carrington Crescent,
Victoria Island,
Lagos, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]
Hope you do find this guide on all things UK Visa Information helpful. Feel free to leave your questions and contributions in the comment section below as we’d love to hear from you.
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