Online UK Visa Eligible Countries
The United Kingdom attracts a lot of travellers every year with various opportunities. Historical sites such as the palaces, castles and Stonehenge convey the deep history of the country. The United Kingdom is abundant, with beautiful islands which makes it a perfect destination for enjoying a beach vacation. The infrastructure, growing economy and business opportunities increase the count of business travellers visiting the country. The world-class education system of the United Kingdom also opens up many opportunities for international students.
International travellers require a travel permit or visa to enter a country. In that regard, travellers need a UK visa or entry permit to enter and explore the United Kingdom. The UK government has introduced Online UK Visa to provide a seamless and simple entry process. Travellers can obtain a Online UK Visa instead of a UK visa for their UK trip. The eligibility of the travellers is an important factor to take into account when opting for Online UK Visa because the requirement applies only to the citizens of a few countries.
What is the Online UK Visa?
It is an entry or travel permit to the UK. It permits eligible travellers to stay in the country without the need for a traditional UK visa. Online UK Visa is an entry or travel permit, and it is not a UK visa category. There is no need to stay in the queues, visit the embassy or wait for months to get a visa because travellers can get a Online UK Visa by filling out an online Online UK Visa application form. The Online UK Visa application process is easy to follow and offers a quicker application processing time than the traditional UK visa.
The Online UK Visa requirements are necessary only for the nationals of specific countries who are planning to visit the United Kingdom for the following travel reasons.
- Visiting a family member or friend or leisure
- Short-term academic courses
- Creative Worker Visa Concession
- Transit reasons
- Business activities or engagements
- Allowed and paid events
Advantage of Online UK Visa
Online UK Visa has an array of advantages that benefits travellers and provides ease of travel. Applying online is a major advantage. The electronic travel permit reduces documentation work and makes the application process easy. When compared with traditional UK visas the Online UK Visa is more cost-effective. The nominal fee structure made the Online UK Visa option accessible for a lot of travellers. Another important advantage is the validity and the entry options. Online UK Visa offers multiple visits for a validity period of two years. Travellers can plan a stay for six months per entry and it is important to return to their residence or leave the UK within the six months.
Pre-screening is part of the UK entry process which helps enhance security measures and assess the traveller's details to approve or deny their entry into the United Kingdom. One of the best advantages of Online UK Visa is its processing time. The traveller’s application will be processed within 72 hours (around 3 business days). Regardless of age, all eligible travellers can apply for Online UK Visa.
Who can Apply for Online UK Visa?
The information and the eligibility criteria of Online UK Visa might change or modify. Travellers must check the updated information near their planned travel date. Please note to check the United Kingdom entry requirements because every traveller entering the UK must follow the security protocol and immigration check. Having an approved Online UK Visa does not exempt travellers from skipping the entry requirements.
What is the Authorized Duration of Stay and Validity of Online UK Visa?
Travellers opting for Online UK Visa are authorized to stay in the UK for 180 days (six months). The six-month duration of stay is permitted for travellers on each visit to the UK (six months per entry). Travellers can stay only for 3 months (90 days) if they are entering the UK for Creative Worker Visa Concession reasons. Also, it mandates travellers to have temporary valid work in the UK. Booking the return tickets within six months is crucial because overstaying can lead to paying fines and facing legal consequences.
Travellers can utilize their Online UK Visa until its validity which is two years. Please note that the Online UK Visa will be linked to the traveller’s passport after the approval, so the validity is two years or the expiry of the passport (if the passport expiration occurs before the two years validity). Online UK Visa only allows short stays in the UK, so extending or renewing the Online UK Visa is not an option.
Are all the Eligible Citizens Mandated to Get a Online UK Visa for their Travel to the UK?
Even though Online UK Visa is a mandatory requirement, it does not imply that every Online UK Visa eligible traveller must acquire a Online UK Visa for their trip. Travellers who are exempted from getting a Online UK Visa are included in the following list.
- Irish or British passport holders and citizens (dual citizenship)
- Travellers who hold a valid travel permit or a UK visa (to work, study or reside in the United Kingdom)
- Travellers having a British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) passport
- Travellers who live in Ireland and travelling to the UK from Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man or Ireland
Documents Required for Online UK Visa
Travellers only require a few documents to apply for Online UK Visa. A valid passport is necessary. Only the original passport will be accepted. Travellers should not submit passport photocopies or digital passports. The passport should have blank pages. Travellers must upload a digital photo, so have them ready. The traveller’s digital colour photo must meet the Online UK Visa requirements such as light-coloured and plain background, recently taken (three to six months old), the file size can be 50 KB or 10 MB, neutral facial expressions, etc. Ignoring the Online UK Visa photo requirements can lead to application rejection or denial.
The other requirements are an email ID to receive updates and an approved Online UK Visa. A working debit or credit card with sufficient funds for paying the Online UK Visa fee. Travellers can also pay their application fee using valid online payment methods. Do not forget to check the additional document.
Quick Processing Time
The Online UK Visa offers a fast-processing time, which is only three days (around 72 hours). At times, travellers might face delays in the application process during vacation time and peak seasons. Other common reasons for the delay include last-minute submission, incomplete application forms, discrepancies found in the submitted documents, additional security checks, etc. One of the best ways to handle the application process delays without worrying is to apply early. Travellers must have their Online UK Visa approved before their planned arrival date in the UK, so submit the Online UK Visa application five or six days prior.
Steps to Apply for Online UK Visa
The Online UK Visa online application process is effortless and easy to follow.
- Get a Online UK Visa application form online by visiting the portal
- Enter accurate and correct details in each entry field (do not miss any of the entry fields)
- Upload all the necessary documents (before uploading, make sure they are valid and clear)
- Answer the employment and security-related questions truthfully
- Pay the Online UK Visa fee via debit or credit card (also check the online payment methods)
Travellers will get a confirmation message after submitting their Online UK Visa application and paying the fee. Wait for the decision, which takes approximately three days and sometimes longer. After approval travellers will receive an email confirmation regarding their approved Online UK Visa. In case of using Online UK Visa for multiple visits travellers must check its validity before each entry to be sure they are travelling with a valid Online UK Visa.
Group Travel Requirements
Travellers cannot submit a group application for Online UK Visa. Each individual in the group, whether travelling with family or friends, is mandated to have their own Online UK Visa for entering the United Kingdom. They can submit a separate application form and note that each person's processing time might differ. Travellers are allowed to submit a Online UK Visa application for their friends, family members, or children. Before applying, they have to check the applicant’s eligibility and documents and ensure they (the person who is applying) provide the correct details.
Being an early applicant and submitting the application form at least five or seven days early is advisable for group travellers. It ensures that each member of the group gets their Online UK Visa application approved before starting the UK trip.
Online UK Visa for Children
The Online UK Visa requirements apply to everyone, including infants and children travelling from Online UK Visa eligible countries. Legal guardians or parents travelling with their kids to the United Kingdom must submit a separate Online UK Visa application form for their kids. The Online UK Visa requirements, application process and fee are the same for all applicants regardless of their age.
Online UK Visa Restricted Activities
Travellers are restricted from engaging in the below-listed activities if they are travelling to the United Kingdom under Online UK Visa.
- Long-term academic courses are not allowed
- The duration of stay longer than 6 months
- Engaging in paid and unpaid work in UK companies
- Living in the UK via multiple entries
- Claiming benefits and public funds
- Marrying in the UK
Online UK Visa Application Rejection
Online UK Visa rejections are possible, and the common reasons are providing incorrect information and invalid documents, previous violations of the immigration law, etc. Even after the Online UK Visa application denial travellers can enter and stay in the United Kingdom by obtaining a valid UK visa. Do not skip reading the Online UK Visa rejection letter because it is important to address the rejection issue.
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The frequently asked question about Online UK Visa helps travellers to understand the travel requirements and the important details of Online UK Visa. Learn more at Online Online UK Visa - Frequently Asked Questions.