How to Apply for UK Visa in Singapore

Early on, I've decided where I wanted to go for 2018. The place in question is United Kingdom.

As citizens of a third world country, I am obligated to apply for a visa.

So what does the UK Visa cover?

A UK visitors visa allows you to visit England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can also visit the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. Other parts of Ireland are not covered by the visa, thus, if you are planning to go and venture to Ireland, you need another visa.

Here are some tips when applying for a UK visa.

How early can you apply?
3 months before intended travel.

How long do they process General Visit visas?
Most applications are processed within 10 days.

How much is the cost of the visa?
As of Dec 2017, S$171

How to apply ?
When applying for a standard visit visa to the UK, you need to:
1. Fill up the application form online
The application form can be intrusive. You must have all the information at hand. I am travelling with my family, so I've included parents/siblings as companions to travel with during the trip. You don't need to scan the documents online. There are just questionnaires to fill up before the submission.

Some of the questions I've noticed while filling up the application are:
  • Everything must be list down accordingly if accommodations are booked. 
  • They will ask about mother's name and father's name. ( Given name, birth dates, nationality)
  • You have to make an essay as to why you want to go to UK (500 chars)
  • You have to make an essay on what is the nature of your job(500 chars) 
  • Companions of your trip ( limited to 1)
  • They will ask if you're travelling on a tour, if yes, name of the travel agency.  If no, have you booked your accommodation. if yes, list down all.  
  • You are to provide details of your previous passport 
  • You are to provide detailed travel history. 
    • What I did was since I've been to the countries more than once, I just put 1 country and the latest date of travel to that particular country. I've also exhausted the list, it can only accommodate (30) for travel history. 
  • If your country does not have any national identity card, you do not need to fill it in. 
  • The savings must be converted to GBP.
  • How long have you been renting/owning the place you're living. ( There was a document provided of tenancy agreement, but we did not provide it). 
  • You have to declare whether you were convicted of any crimes,etc. 
2. Supply the supporting document (Provide the originals too).
For this application, I've provided and submitted the following:

  • Passport
  • Photocopy of IC
  • Printout of the application form 
  • Printout of the checklist 
Accommodation
  • hotel bookings
  • Sample Itinerary 
Financial Evidence 
  • 6 months bank statement 
Employment Evidence 
  • Certificate of employment 
  • 6 months payslip *
  • last year IRAS statement * 
  • leave certificate (employment evidence)
* Duplicate the original in case they will not return the original documents to you

Travel History

  • past travels ( brought old passport) : front page photocopy + a few of the travel history ( not those mentioned)
  • Photocopy of front page of past passports ( within 10 year period passports)
I submitted a photocopy of the payslip and IRAS document but did not submit the original document.I kept it handy just in case they asked for it.
  • Original Payslip and IRAS

3. Pay for the visa fee online
Once you've noted all the details for online application, and have set an appointment, you need to pay the fees online.
4. Print out the form.
5. Book and attend an appointment at a visa application center.

How long is the processing time?
15 working days
(which means for 3 weeks, you will not have your passport with you)

When you attend your appointment, you must bring:
the original and a photocopy of all the supporting documents you need for your visa.

There is a caveat in the clause that for faster processing, the supporting documents are to be forwarded to the approving body first. For my application, I just submit the documents to vfsglobal and let them handle the rest.
You also have to pay more if you want processing express ( 5 working days) S$524.

For more information visit, vfsglobal Singapore. and check out the supporting documents you need to produce.

Where to apply:
135 Cecil Street,
#08-01 MYP Plaza,
Singapore 069536

Location Map
Nearest MRT Station:Downtown Line (Blue Line): Telok Ayer Station – DT18
North South Line (Red Line): Raffles Place Station – NS26
East West Line (Green Line): Raffles Place Station – EW14 ( Exit to Lau Pa Sat)
East West Line (Green Line): Tanjong Pagar Station – EW15 Exit H ( Going to Amoy Centre)

Location
  

Appointment day
Before the appointment

  • Turn off all phones before entering.
  • The Vfsglobal is shared office with Canada and Australia ( Hello VfsGlobal, we meet again)
  • Show the guard the documents ( The appointment letter and the front page of the visa application),and you will be subjected to a frisk search ( the usual one).
  • The guard will hand you a number and wait for the number to be called.

During the appointment

  • Biometrics will be taken after all documents are presented. They will also take a photo which will be used for the visa.
  • Present all documents.  Hold on to the original documents until asked.
  • Ask if they can return the original documents to you. They will ask you to present the original documents. These documents will not be returned to you unless you specify that they'd be return to you. Original documents are important if you are going to use it for other purposes -- other visa application,etc. 
  • Bring a pen ( just in case).  You will be asked to fill up the document checklist and sign it. 
  • You will be asked if you are going to pick up the passport and if you are going to use vfsglobal SMS service.I opted for self pickup and just the normal email notification. 
The whole time took about 30minutes. 15 minutes waiting time for the number to be called. Another 10minutes processing and 5-10mins for the biometrics.

After the appointment

  • Wait 2-3 weeks for the results. 
  • Validity of the visa will start on the month when you applied + 6 months later. So if you applied on the month of March, duration of when you can use the visa is from March - September. 
My application date: 21 March 2018.
My collection date: 03 April 2018 ( There was an email sent on 02 April 2018 to collect my visa).
Collection duration: 8 minutes

Good Luck!

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