- Can I submit my visa application
by post?
No. You are required to attend the visa application
centre in person to submit your completed visa application
form, supporting documents and biometric
data (digital fingerscan and photograph). You can
make an online application using the online
visa application system but you will still be required
to attend the visa application centre to submit your
biometric data. The UK Border Agency cannot process
your visa application until you have submitted your
biometric data.
- How do I book an appointment to
attend the visa application centre using the online
application system?
You cannot make an appointment to attend the visa application
centre using the online application system as it is
currently not operational in China. This website can
only be used to complete your visa application form.
You should print your completed visa form and take it
to the nearest visa application centre where you family
book is registered, along with your supporting documents
and the appropriate visa application fee. Currently
there is no need to make an appointment for your visa
application in China. You can attend any visa application
centre in China on a first come first served basis.
- Can I submit more documents after
I have submitted my visa application?
You will not be able to submit further documents after
you have submitted your application at the visa application
centre. The documents you submit at the time you make
your application are the only documents that can be
considered. Documents cannot be sent later by post,
fax or email.
- Do I need to submit original documents?
You must provide original documents. Failure to submit
original documents may mean your visa application is
delayed or refused. You should particularly include
original documents relating to birth, marriage, divorce
and death. If you are not able to include original documents
of these then you should send attested copies. You should
supply a photocopy of each supporting document you are
submitting with your visa application form. Your photocopied
documents should be clearly legible, A4 size only unless
legal size documents.
- How should the documents be translated?
If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider
your visa application you should provide translations
of any supporting documents that are not in English.
Any translated documents need to be submitted with the
original document for verification. All translated documents
must include the following information: -
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Confirmation from the translator that it is
an accurate translation of the original document |
| • |
The date of the translation |
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The translator's full name and signature |
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The translator's contact details |
- What is a Property Inspection Report
and how can I get one?
You can get a Property Inspection Report from any qualified
body independent of the applicant or sponsor. The report
should confirm the status of the proposed accommodation,
for example the size of the property, who will be living
there. If you cannot provide a Property Inspection Report
you should provide a written description of the property,
stating who else will be living there. This should be
accompanied by a copy of the Council Tax bill in the
householder's name. If the property is rented, you should
provide a copy of the lease agreement and written confirmation
from the landlord that there is no objection to your
occupancy, as well as any other supporting evidence
you feel is appropriate.
- Do I need to submit my old passport
showing my previous travel history?
Yes, you will need to submit both old and new passports
with your visa application, so that we can fully establish
your travel history.
- How long does it take for a visa
to be processed?
Please refer to the 'Guide
to Processing Time' page on this website for further
information. Visa applicants should note that each application
is subject to an individual assessment and processing
times may vary.
- Can I transit the UK without a
visa?
Chinese nationals require a transit visa to transit
the UK. Please visit the UK
Border Agency website for more information on who
is eligible to transit the UK without a visa.
- Where can I find information about
the student points-based system Tier 4?
The guidance for Tier
4 Students can be found on the UK Border Agency
website.
- I need to borrow my passport.
Can you send it back to me?
If your passport has been submitted and you require
it back, you will need to withdraw your visa application
by completing a withdrawal form at the visa application
centre. This means that your visa application will expire
and you will need to apply and pay again when you next
apply for a visa. You will not receive a refund.
- I am not the applicant, can you
tell me what is happening with a visa application?
Due to the Data Protection and Freedom of Information
Act, we cannot comment on individual applications of
any sort. This is personal information that we cannot
divulge or discuss with a third party.
- Can I get a refund?
A fee is only refundable if the application is withdrawn
in writing prior to processing and biometric data collection.
- I have been issued a student visa
but now I would like to go to another college/university,
can I use my existing visa?
If you already have a student visa but you wish
to go to a different college or university, you must
apply for a new visa. The visa that was issued in your
passport is only valid for the college or university
that you originally applied for.
- How far in advance of my travel
date can I apply for my visa?
You can only apply for your visa up to 3 months in advance
of your intended date of travel. We recommend you apply
as early as possible within this time limit.
- If I am travelling to another
country do I need to get the other visa first?
If you apply for a transit visa we would ideally like
to see a visa for the country of your final destination,
in your passport.
- Why does the EU Schengen visa
not allow travellers to visit the UK?
A Schengen visa is only valid for travel to the countries
that are part of the Schengen travel zone. The UK is
not part of the Schengen travel zone.
- Why do fingerprints have to be
submitted with every new visa application?
Each time a new visa application is made a fresh set
of biometric data is required, even if the applicant
has applied previously. The UK Border Agency encourages
regular travellers to the UK to apply for a long-term
visa, which means they only need to provide biometric
data once for the entire duration of the visa. For more
information on long-term
visas please see the UK
Border Agency website.
- I have an urgent meeting in the
UK. How quickly can I get a visa?
You should apply for your visa as early as possible
or you risk your visa not being processed in time. The
UK Border Agency prioritises visa applications from
official passport holders, members of our business fast
track scheme and applicants who have previously travelled
to the UK and complied with the UK Immigration Rules.
These applications are usually processed in 3 to 5 days.
Please check the 'Guide to
Processing Times' page on this website for more
information on processing times in China.
- Why does it take so long to issue
a visa?
We undertake mandatory checks on all UK visa applications
against biometric and biographical databases in the
UK. These checks cannot be done instantly. Each application
is then subject to an individual assessment to make
sure their application meets the requirements of the
UK's Immigration Rules. Seasonal demand has an impact
on how long it takes to process a visa.
- What is the Approved Destinations
Status (ADS)?
The Approved Destinations Status (ADS) is an agreement
between the British Government and the National Tourism
Administration of China (CNTA) to facilitate the visit
of Chinese tourist groups to the UK. The Approved Destination
Scheme is unique to China and is the only route for
group tourism from China to the UK. Over 60 Chinese
travel agencies are currently accredited to submit Approved
Destination Scheme visa applications to the UK Border
Agency through the VFS Visa Application Centres. Approved
Destination Scheme visas are valid for 30 days and require
successful applicants to enter, leave and travel within
the territory of the UK as a member of a tour group.
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