Living in the UK: applying from overseas

This guide covers the journey from making your application and getting a decision to then sharing information about your immigration status with others.
Make your application
You can apply and pay for your visa online.
If you have dependants who want to come to the UK with you, the relevant GOV.UK application pages will explain whether they can come and how they can apply.
To submit a valid application, you’ll need to:
choose the correct application form on GOV.UK
pay the fee
pay the immigration health charge (if required)
provide any required biometrics
provide a passport or other document which proves your identity and nationality
meet any other specific requirements that are set out by the application route
Gathering your documents
You’ll need to provide documents to support your application.
For more information,
check which visa you need and view the documents required for that route
.
When to apply
Find out when to apply for your visa
.
Get an estimate of
how long it’ll take to process your application
.
Fees
There is a
fee for each visa
. The fee depends on which entry route you apply for.
You may be able to choose to pay more to get a faster decision for some routes.
In addition to your visa fee, each family member who applies to come to the UK with you must also pay a fee.
Pay for healthcare
You may need to pay the
immigration health charge
as part of your application.
Applying for someone else
You can only apply for someone else if, for example, a relative or your child cannot apply for themselves.
Enter the applicant’s details into the form, not your own.
Change, vary or cancel your application
If you want to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, for example a spelling mistake, or a change of circumstances,
contact UK Visas and Immigration (
UKVI
)
.
You can ask to
cancel (withdraw) your application
. You’ll only get your fee refunded if
UKVI
has not started processing your application.
If you want to vary the basis of your application, you can do so at any time before a decision on your original application is made.
If you wish to vary your application, you will need to submit the correct specified form for the second application.
Prove your identity
You’ll be asked to prove your identity as part of your application. The application process will explain how to do that.
If you’ve been asked to use the mobile app
If you have a biometric passport and a compatible smartphone, you’ll be able to prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
The app is free to download. Search ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ in your app store.
Check if the app is compatible with your phone
.
If you do not have a compatible smartphone, you can use the app on a family member or friend’s phone.
View further information on how to use the app
.
You’ll need to provide supporting evidence to prove your identity. The document checklist for your application will explain what you need to provide.
If you use the app, you will not need to send your passport anywhere to be checked. Instead you’ll just need to take a picture of the photo page of your passport using your smartphone camera.
If you’ve been asked to use the app to prove your identity and you’re unable to, you’ll need to make an appointment to attend a
visa application centre (
VAC
)
to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photograph).
If you need to prove your identity at a
VAC
You’ll need to make an appointment to attend a
visa application centre (
VAC
)
to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photograph).
At the appointment, you’ll need to submit documents that support your application. The document checklist in your application explains what to provide.
You’ll get your passport or travel document back on the same day.
Find out more about
attending a
VAC
.
You may have to travel to get to your nearest
VAC
(this could be in another country).
Proving you do not have tuberculosis (TB)
If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months you might need to have a TB test.
Check if you’ll need a TB test
.
If you do, you must provide a certificate showing you do not have TB with your visa application.
If you applied for someone else
The applicant will need to prove their identity.
If they’ve been asked to use the mobile app, and they have a compatible smartphone, they’ll be able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to prove their identity.
If they’re unable to use the app, or if they’ve been asked to prove their identity at a
VAC
, they’ll need to attend an appointment to provide their biometric information and documents.
If you applied on behalf of a child, a responsible adult will need to accompany them to their appointment.
A responsible adult means someone aged 18 or over who can help the child with their appointment, such as a family member or teacher. You will need to give their details on the visa application.
Get a decision on your application
You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
If you used the mobile app
You’ll receive an
eVisa
, a digital record of your identity and immigration status.
You need to create a
UKVI
account to
access your eVisa
. You’ll be notified by email with instructions on how to access it.
If you visited a
VAC
to prove your identity
If your application is successful, in most cases you’ll receive an eVisa only and will not need to return to the
VAC
.
If you did not apply with an acceptable identity document, you will be issued with a form for accompanying an eVisa (FAV) as well as an eVisa. Your FAV, when linked to your eVisa, allows you to travel to the UK. You will need to return to the
VAC
to collect your FAV before you travel to the UK.
Before you travel to the UK you will need to sign in to your
UKVI
account
to view your eVisa and check your permission.
eVisas and the conditions that apply to you
Your eVisa will include the conditions of your grant of permission to come to the UK.
To see your conditions, you will need to
access your eVisa
. An eVisa is a digital record of:
your identity and immigration status
the conditions of your status
For example, your conditions might say:
‘No access to public funds’ - you cannot claim benefits
‘No work’ - you cannot take paid or unpaid work in the UK
‘Restricted work’ - you can only work for your sponsor
Keep your details up to date in your
UKVI
account
You should update your
UKVI
account
if you’ve changed your:
mobile phone number
email address
name
identity document, such as your passport or national identity card
home address
postal address
It is really important that you keep your details up to date to ensure you can:
view and prove your rights to others, for example employers or landlords
be contacted by
UKVI
, for example if you’re waiting for a decision or to have documents returned
travel with your current identity documents
If your application is refused
You’ll receive a decision notice which will set out the reasons your application was refused.
Your decision will explain if you have the right to either an:
administrative review
immigration decision appeal
Your passport will be returned, if it was kept as part of your application.
Your immigration status
When your application is successful, you’ll be told how to view your immigration status through your eVisa.
You will be able to view and share your immigration status information completely online.
This is a fully secure service and allows you to share your status with prospective employers, universities, and other organisations.
To view your status, you’ll need:
details of the identity document you used when you applied (your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit)
your date of birth
access to the mobile number or email address you used when you applied - you’ll be sent a code for logging in
View your immigration status
.
Sharing your status
You can also use the View and Prove service to share your status with people or organisations, such as employers or universities.
This is an online service which allows people with eVisas to:
get a ‘share code’ to prove their status to others, for example employers
update personal details in your
UKVI
account, for example their passport number or email address
check what rights you have in the UK, for example the right to work, rent or claim benefits
Share your immigration status
.
Updating your details
It’s important that you keep your details up to date.
If you have online access to your immigration status information, you can
update your personal information in your
UKVI
account
, such as your contact details.
You must tell us about any changes to your personal details, such as your name and nationality. You should also tell us if any of the information displayed on your online immigration status profile is incorrect.
You will be able to check and update your personal details and link your current passport in your
UKVI
account. Always give yourself plenty of time to check both your personal details are up to date and your eVisa information is correct before travelling. Not doing so may mean that you are delayed or denied boarding by carriers.
You can also use the view and prove service to update your sign in details and passport or travel document details so that you can continue to access your immigration status information online.
Update your details
.
If you are outside the UK
You’ll need to
fill in an application form
before you travel and submit your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) at a visa application centre if you are outside of the UK and:
you have
a
UKVI
account
and need to update your personal details or add a new passport or travel document but cannot do so using your
UKVI
account; or
you do not have
a
UKVI
account
or an expired biometric residence permit (BRP) and you are unable to create a
UKVI
account from outside the UK
If you need help using the service
If you need help accessing your eVisa, you can
contact UK Visas and Immigration (
UKVI
)
.
Help accessing your
UKVI
account
Get back into your account
if you’re having problems singing in.
Contact
UKVI
for help with:
accessing your account
updating your personal details
sharing your status on your behalf, if you are unable to do so yourself
How we protect your data
You can find information on how we protect your personal data by reading our privacy notices:
Borders, immigration and citizenship
Making an application
Viewing and proving your immigration status in the UK