It is possible to apply for a UK tourist visa for yourself and your family, without the need for an agent. It is important that you understand exactly what is required of you and that you are well prepared. It can save you a lot of time and frustration when applying for a visa yourself.
Each country has a list of rules and regulations that must be met before you can enter the country. You are expected to abide by all of these rules. The basic requirement for entering the UK is that you must have a valid passport.
You can apply for a UK tourist visa at any time of the year. You will also be able to apply at least six months before you intend to travel. During the winter months it is generally preferable to apply at least a month before departure.
Most of the UK’s best known and busiest ports are also popular with holiday makers and tourists. These ports are used by visitors from across the world and they make up the bulk of those applying for UK tourist visas. Passports can only be used to enter the UK on a visitor’s visa which requires a further detailed examination by the British Passport Office in order to prove your identity.
For those with a British passport who want to visit another country, they will need to obtain a ‘new passport’ as part of the application process. A visitor’s visa must be obtained by filling in a form (the ‘visa application form’) and submitting it to the appropriate office in the UK. Failure to do so could mean you being refused entry. The passport does not have to be carried when you enter the country, but the applicant must have a current passport and must present the passport upon request.
Your ‘new passport’ will then be sent to the Passport Office in the applicant’s country of origin. The Passport Office will then process your passport and will either issue a new passport or issue you with a regular visitor’s visa if you qualify. If you do not need a visitor’s visa then you can apply for a regular visitor’s visa at the same time as your passport is being processed.
You will also need to provide details of your intended destination, such as your main reason for visiting. You must also submit evidence that you have enough money for the trip you have in mind. The Passport Office may ask you to produce your bank statement, if you are unable to provide proof of a means of financial support.
When applying for a traveller’s visa you should know the details of your intended trip. These include the date and time that you are intending to leave the UK, the name of the country you are intending to visit, and the address of the town or city you are intending to visit. It is important that you understand how to get a UK tourist visa before you visit the country.
If you are unable to present the required evidence or documentation the Passport Office may refuse your application, or if the application is approved the amount of money you are required to pay will differ from country to country. It is always best to do your homework before travelling abroad to the UK, so that you know what to expect when applying for a tourist visa.
If you have a UK resident partner then you may be able to apply for a ‘partner visa’. If this is the case you will need to show your new partner’s passport. If you are able to do so, you should also be able to show your new partner’s birth certificate as proof of age.
It is worth remembering that if you are in a new country with no connections, it is always advisable to apply for a ‘typical’ -a tourist visa and onward entry card, rather than applying for a tourist visa alone. as the former will not require any documentation. and you will not be able to prove a means of support.