10 things you need to know about the new UK visa application process

#1 Visa rules are not changing, the application process is. 

The Immigration Rules (the law) are not changing so you would need to meet the same UK visa eligibility requirements as before, such as Financial Requirement £18,600 for spouses of UK citizens or Life in the UK Test for Indefinite Leave etc. In other words, the caseworks side remains the same but the admin side is changing. This is the GOV.UK link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-visa-and-citizenship-application-services-centres-open 

What is changing is how you make an application. Until 29th November 2018, there were only 2 ways to make a visa application inside the UK: to send your documents and passport by post or for some eligible visa types use same-day service, such as in Croydon. In both cases, the application was made directly to the UK Government authority. 

Under the new system, we will be applying via a ‘visa centre’, similar to the process most migrants experienced when applying outside the UK.  Online application form - online payment - attending an appointment at your nearest ‘visa centre’ - submitting biometrics and documents - waiting for the decision - being notified by the visa centre. Over the past 10+ years, you may be used hearing the names of VFS Global or TLS Contact so in this case, we have a new name - Sopra Steria (we haven't heard about them before either). 

This is what is now happening when you apply inside the UK - with some differences, as below.  

#2 It only applies to applications inside the UK.

The process for entry visas, ie from outside the UK, is not changing, at least not yet. 

But the application process for in-UK applications has been changed dramatically, some would say it is being brought into the 21st Century! 

It makes the use of technology more than ever before. 

#3 Is same-day service still available?

Almost - it is now next-day service. Mostly at the same locations, such as Croydon and Birmingham, but there is a new one (Manchester) while there is no longer one in Liverpool. 

Examples of visa categories that are eligible:

- Spouse/Partner visa 5-year route: switching, extension or ILR. 

- Tier 2: switching, extension or ILR.  

- Tier 4. 

- Ancestral: extension or ILR. 

- ILR 10 years residence. 

- Extending ILR or transfer onto a biometric card. 

Examples that are not eligible (ie you have to use ’slow’ standard service): 

- Tier 1: switching, extension or ILR. 

- British Citizenship.

- Applications from EU/EEA citizens and family members. 

- Spouse/Partner 10-year route. 

We have a detailed post on Next-day service here: https://1st4immigration-visas.blogspot.com/2018/11/10-steps-of-new-next-day-uk-visa.html  

#4 Visa processing times may be or may not be faster - remains to be seen. 

We will have to analyse this after some time of using the new system. On one hand, the visa officers (Government officials) will be freed from time-consuming mundane tasks, such as scanning the documents or processing payments, which should free up their time to consider standard (formerly ‘postal’) applications falser. On the other hand, they will still need to make the same checks, make sure that all eligibility requirements have been met (such as strict Financial Requirement £18,600) and that all supporting documents have been provided.  We’ll have to wait and see. 

#5 Fees.  

UK visa fees are set by the UK Government and usually change (read -  go up) in March - April when a new UK tax year starts. This will remain to be the case. So far, we noticed an additional ‘biometrics’ fee of £19.20 for those using next-day service (used to be included in the same-day service surcharge £610 but now extra) and an additional fee of £100 for weekend appointments when using next-day service (used to be £75). Other than that, you would only need to pay extra if you choose to use value-added services, such as the use of the Premium lounge. Of course, if you are using a legal representative, such as 1st 4Immigration, the legal fees will be in addition to the official fees, same as before.  

#6 You can keep your passport! 

This is a very big positive change. You would still need to present your original passport at the appointment at the visa centre but you can keep it while your case is being considered. As opposed to waiting for the decision for 3-4 or even 6 months, with the passport held by the authorities. The stress of ‘waiting is not being obliterated by the new system, but the passports can finally stay with their owners. And if you don't wish to sit for months - you can use next-day service, as long as your visa category is eligible. 

#7 Submitting documents electronically. 

Another major positive change.  Rather than posting a big pack of papers and passports to the Home Office, we will be able to upload your supporting documents electronically - from the comfort of our office. 

Important! As we say in #1, the casework and eligibility requirements remain just as strict, only the admin side changes. You still have to provide all the supporting documents as per the immigration law, known as specified evidence. For example, if the specified evidence is 'bank statements’ and you forget to provide them, your visa will be refused, even though you submit everything else electronically. Same happens if f you submit bank statements but not in the format needed (such as falling short of the specified period). The difference is the documents will be uploaded electronically instead of on paper. 

#8 Can we submit the missing documents after applying? 

For example, we submit your application using standard service but you aren't able to supply all supporting documents, such as still waiting for bank statements or tax return.  Many of you will recognise this scenario! Under the old system, we’d submit what we have and then post the outstanding documents later. 

Can we do the same under the new system? We don't have the definitive answer yet, but the chances are you won't be able to. You certainly should not rely on it. Remember when applying for an entry visa, you submitted all the documents together - once - to a visa centre in your country and that was it. We expect the same to happen with the in-UK visa centres. And with the documents being submitted electronically, there is no address anyway.  

#9 Biometrics - and yes, they are still needed every time you apply. 

If you are using standard service, you’d need to submit biometrics (fingerprints and digital photo) at your nearest visa centre, similar to the process at a post-office. If you are using next-day service, you’ll need to attend your appointment with your passport and enrol biometrics at that point (but your supporting documents have to have been uploaded a few days before that). 

We are asked all the time: if you already provided your biometric data in the previous visa application, do you have to do it again? Yes, you have to do it every time you make a new application. 

#10 Visa centre staff do NOT make a decision on your visa! 

Just as with all other visa centres, the commercial partners do not decide on the visas, they only help with the admin side. Only the UK Government officials make a decision, ie Home Office caseworkers. Similar to when you applied outside the UK, visa centre staff take your passport, enrol biometrics (in some cases scan your documents) but the forward it all to the Government officials for the decision. The same will be applicable here. As we keep saying, you don’t have to impress the visa centre personnel, instead, your documents have to ‘impress’ the Government officials who you won’t see or talk to. Therefore, your documents must be perfect the first time (ie the only time) you have a chance to present them. 

This is where our expertise lies and this is how we continue to help! 

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1st4Immigration is a practicing immigration law company, accredited by the OISC at the highest Level 3, reference 200800152. Office address: 68 King William Street, City of London, London, EC4M 7DZ. For individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit our website: http://www.1st4immigration.com/

  

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