UK Visa Process – Requirements, Application, Fees, Validity & More

The UK is one of the most sought-after destinations among travelers to Europe. The UK is a treasure trove of European diversity with its beautiful countryside, highlands, cities, castles, museums, and theaters. UK is a popular destination for citizens as well as residents of the UAE, with around 40,000 Emiratis and expats visiting the country every year. For a visit to the UK, citizens and residents of the UAE must hold a valid UK Visitor Visa or an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW). A UK visa is an authorizing document that gives citizens the right to enter, stay temporarily, or live forever in the territory of the UK. Visa is a stamp that you receive in your passport or a document given by the UK Consulate or Embassy in your resident country. Here’s everything you would like to know about the UK visa from UAE.

When should You Apply for a UK Visa?

The processing of your visa application takes up to three weeks, so you must apply in advance. The earliest that you should apply for a UK visa is three months before the date you intend to travel.

UK Visa Types

There are different reasons why people apply for a UK visa. Therefore, the United Kingdom has an organized visa system based on the purpose of visitors under multiple visa types. The different types of UK visas are Work visas, Business visas, Study visas, Family visas, Settlement visas, and Transit visas.

Electronic Visa Waiver for Dubai Citizens

If you are a citizen of the UAE, you are likely to be eligible for EVW or Electronic Visa Waiver. In other words, you can apply for this rather than the UK visit visa. The EVW allows you to visit the UK for six months for business, tourism, study, or medical treatment. The latest that you can apply is 48 hours before your date to travel. The process to apply for an EVW is quite simple. The application form available on the official website has to be filled along with crucial information like details of your passport, the UK address where you would be staying at, date of your journey, and departure and arrival time. You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your visa.

UK Standard Visitor Visa

The UK Standard Visiting Visa is a type of tourist visa that allows non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals to visit the UK for several purposes. You can apply for a Standard Visiting Visa if you intend to visit friends, family for leisure purposes, medical treatment, or business meetings. The UK Standard visa is usually valid for six months from the due date of travel. To be eligible, you must meet some requirements:

• Proof that you can support yourself financially during your stay in the UK
• Proof that you will leave the country at the end of your visit and will not stay in the UK for an extended period.
• Proof of any business or other activities you plan to do during your stay in the UK.

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Required Documents for a UK Visa

• The documents that you will require for a UK visa are:
• Valid passport
• Recent photograph
• Valid UAE residence visa
• Flight tickets/tour tickets/letter of invitation/evidence of sponsor
• Immigration status in the UK
• No objection certificate from the employer
• Bank statements
• Hotel bookings/travel bookings
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Additional documents such as job contract, educational certificates

Visa Application Fees

The UK Visa Application fee may vary depending on the reason for your visit to the UK and for how long you will be staying in the UK. The UK Visa fees for a short-term visit visa (up to six months, single or multiple visit entries) may cost 430 AED. The Fee for a long-term visit visa may cost- two years (1631AED), five years (2962 AED), and ten years (3712AED). There are some other costs that you may incur, like paying for any document translations.

UK Visa Processing Time

The UK visa processing time from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah takes 10-15 working days. However, tier4 applications may process within 5-7 working days. Tier2 applications from UAE usually take sixty days to process.

UK Visa Process

Step 1

The first step to apply for a UK visa is to learn about the visa requirements. To do this, you can get in touch with us at www.ukvisa.ae. We will guide you through the entire process of applying for a UK visa. After you submit all the necessary documents, we will send your visa application to the UK Visa and Immigration Center for the actual visa process. If you are finding the UK visa process too complicated, we at www.ukvisa.ae will simplify the entire thing for you.

Step 2

The second step is to book an appointment for visa interview at one of the visa centers. Walk-in applicants will not be allowed since all visa applicants are required to schedule an appointment.

Step 3

On the appointment date, bring along all the required documents. It is important to arrive at least 15 minutes before the appointment time. Remember to bring your original application form, passport, residence visa, and other documents.

Step 4

Proceed to the biometric collection, where you will undergo a digital finger scan and photographs. Make sure your fingers are free from cuts or henna decoration.

Step 5

If you meet all the UK Visa requirements, you will be eligible for a UK visa. You need to confirm how you would like to receive your documents. You can collect them personally at the visa application center or have them delivered to you via post.

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UK Visa Validity

A long-term Standard Visitor Visa would be apt if you have to visit the UK regularly. Such a visa is valid for 2, 5, and 10 years. Such a visa gives you the freedom to stay in the UK for 6 months at a time. If you are below18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will be valid for up to six months after you turn 18. The return of passengers on the UAE-UK route will be a relief for travelers and airlines after the British Government removed all Covid-19 restrictions. Britain will be allowing all fully vaccinated citizens without tests and quarantine. Travelers will have to fill out a passenger locator form on arrival at the UK airport. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated will have to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test before the second day they arrive in the Uk.

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