I wish to transit but not stay in the UK. Do I need a visa?
If you are travelling on a Chinese passport you will need a transit visa, even if you are only changing aircraft. We suggest you apply at least three days before your planned departure date.

How long is a visa valid for?
That depends on the category of visa. Visit visas are valid for six months, and cannot be extended. If you are entering the United Kingdom for settlement, your visa will be valid for two years initially. A student visa is valid for as long as the course for which you have an unconditional offer. So if you are planning to follow a one year foundation course and then plan to go on to take a three year bachelor degree course, your visa will be valid for that first year only. But if, say, you have an unconditional offer of a place on a three-year course, we can issue a visa that is valid for three years.

My spouse is going to study or work in the UK. When can I apply to join him/her?
You can apply for a visa at the same time as your spouse, though you will need to show that accommodation has been arranged in advance.

I'm currently studying in the UK and am coming home for a holiday, can I extend my visa in China?
Yes. However, we expect you to submit the same type of (original) documentation (such as funds and employment letters) that you did on your previous application. You should also show evidence that you are still studying at your institution or have successfully completed your studies and are about to progress to a higher level.

I have just finished my studies and my partner, who was my dependent, has now started a course. Can we now swap positions so that my partner can be a student and I be the dependent?
Yes. As with all other cases, however, we would expect to see supporting documentation.

If I am travelling to another country do I need to get the other visa first?
Not necessarily, but if you are applying for a transit visa we will need to see a visa for the country of your final destination.

I was told to wait for a decision after my application was received but have heard nothing. Why?
We aim to make a decision on all applications as quickly as possible. However we may need to refer the decision to London (which takes 17 working days), or we may require you to provide more documents. When we have made a decision on your application we will let you know.

Why have I not been told about the decision on my application?
You must write down on your application form an address and telephone number that we can contact you on. It should be in Chinese characters and pinyin, and should include the postcode.

When I am in the UK, will I be able to extend my student visa?
It is possible to extend a student visa while you are in the UK. You will need to provide the Home Office with evidence of enrolment on a recognised course of study.

Can I bring friends and family with me, if I am to be interviewed?
We regret that there is not enough space in our visa sections for friends and family. Space elsewhere in our buildings is limited too, so we ask you to come alone if possible. But we are happy to make an exception for family accompanying applicants aged 16 or under or elderly relatives aged 65 or over, plus the sponsors of settlement applications.

I have been refused. When can I apply again?
You may apply again at any time, though you may wish to consider the reasons you were refused and whether a fresh application will contain anything new that would lead to a different outcome. If you re-apply but with no change in circumstances, we may invite you not to proceed with your application. Applicants who have previously been refused a visa will need to make an individual appointment, and should not submit their application as part of a group, unless they are applying as a student: see 'Advice on Student Visas'.

Do I need to be lucky or know the right people?
No. British law lays down in great detail the conditions under which visa officers can issue a visa. Embassy and Consulate staff stick strictly to the law. The standards are the same for everybody, and everything possible is done to ensure that visa decisions are taken in a fair and transparent manner. If we are unable to issue a visa, we will give the reasons in writing, and in many cases it is possible to appeal against the decision to an independent adjudicator.

How far in advance of my travel date can I apply for a visa?
Three months. So if you are a student planning to depart in September, you cannot apply before June. We recommend that you apply eight weeks before your planned date of departure.

In which city should I apply for my visa?
If you are in an area (northern, central and western China) covered by the British Embassy in Beijing, you should submit your application at the UK Visa Application Centre. Residents of Shanghai, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangsu should apply at the British Consulate-General in Shanghai. Residents of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Hainan should apply at the British Consulate-General in Guangzhou. Residents of Chongqing Municipality, and the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan should submit their applications at the UK Visa Application Centre in Chongqing or Chengdu.

How much money do I need to have to obtain a visa?
There is no fixed answer. Your funds should cover all travel, accommodation and living costs, plus course fees if you are a student. Please bring as much evidence as possible of your finances, to help us to form a picture of your financial standing. The more evidence you bring, the easier it is for our visa staff to make a positive decision. We would also expect to see the historical provenance of large deposits. lication Centre in person on account of commencement of biometrics in Thailand.

Do I need to provide English translations for all documents?
Yes. You should bring translations of all documents.

Can I apply by post or EMS?
No. You should submit your application at the UK Visa Application Centre. However, if you do not wish to return to the UK Visa Application Centre, a courier service will be available at an additional cost. Please contact the British Consulate Generals in Shanghai and Guangzhou for their current procedures.

I have seen the initials EEA on documents. What do they mean?
EEA stands for the European Economic Area, and refers to the EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

I want to go to a Commonwealth country and have been told I should visit the British Embassy. How long does the visa take? Which documents do you need to see?
Britain handles visa services in China on behalf of Commonwealth countries and Dependent Territories who do not have diplomatic representation in China. Applicants should use the same form as those wanting to travel to Britain, and should include an invitation letter from a sponsor in the destination country. Please note that immigration laws in these countries may sometimes differ from UK law. These applications will usually have to be referred to the authorities in the destination country.

After I get my visa

Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK?
You should not experience any problems on arrival in the UK, providing that: ?you have given the entry clearance officer all information relevant to your visit to the UK ?you have not, with or without your knowledge, given false information to support your application, and ?there has been no change to your circumstances, or reasons for going to the UK, since the visa was issued.

What is the latest date that I can arrive in the UK with my visa?
The expiry date will be shown on the visa, but remember that this is also the last day on which you are permitted to stay in the UK.

How long can I stay?
The last day on which you may enter or be in the UK is the expiry date on the visa. For visitors this is normally a maximum of six months.

Can I use the visa to enter the UK more than one time?
UK visas are normally valid for multiple entries to the UK, until the expiry date shown on the visa.

If my travel plans are delayed, can the validity of my visa be changed?
No, except where there are compelling compassionate circumstances. At the discretion of an entry clearance officer, the expiry date of a visa can be extended for up to 3 months, provided there has been no change in your circumstances. Otherwise you should apply for another visa.

What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
A visa is normally issued for a specific purpose. If your reason for going to the UK changes, you should inform the visa office, preferably the one that issued your visa. You may be asked to make another visa application.

Do I need to bring any documents with me?
On arrival, an immigration officer may ask you to show evidence of your reasons for coming to the UK. This may include travel tickets, evidence of funding, letters from your sponsor or businesses you are visiting, or schools you will study at. You should carry in your hand luggage copies of documents that you showed to the entry clearance officer.

I am already in the United Kingdom? Who should I contact for advice about immigration matters?
UK visa offices deal with the issue of visas to foreign nationals who want to come to the UK. If you, or the person you are enquiring about, is already in the UK, you should contact: Immigration and Nationality Directorate

What do I do if my passport and visa are lost?
You must first apply for a replacement passport and then reapply to a British mission overseas with a visa office for another entry clearance. You will have to pay the fee again and produce all supporting documents.

For further FAQs please visit the UKBA website.