1 Applying for a UK visa in South Africa

1 1 Applying for a UK visa in South Africa The UK s visa Service in South Africa 98% of visa applications from South Africans are successful 99% of all non-settlement visa applications from South Africans were resolved within 15 working days Remember! Average turnaround times can vary significantly throughout the year. UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) in Pretoria handles ~160,000 applications every year from customers in 27 countries across Africa . While you, or someone you know, may have received a faster ordinary service the last time you applied, we have peaks in demand and can be extremely busy at any point. UKVI s global service standard for any Visitor visa application is 15 working days, and we encourage all customers to ensure they apply in good time to travel!

2 2 Customer Service Standards 3 We are committed to providing first-class customer service and our published service standards state that; You will be able to book an appointment at a convenient visa Application Centre (VAC) within 5 working days. Non-settlement visa applications (for visitors , Short-term Stay, PBS Tiers 1, 2, 4 & 5, UK Ancestry) will be resolved within 15 working days from submission of biometric data at the VAC. Settlement visa applications will be resolved within 60 working days from submission of biometric data at the VAC. Where an application is not straightforward, and will (likely) take longer to resolve than our published service standard, we will inform the applicant, and keep them informed. Remember! Plan travel and ensure you apply for a visa in good time.

3 Remember! You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before you intend to travel and we can post-date a Visitor visa by up to 3 months where you tell us to do so. Remember! It is not possible to purchase a priority service to fast-track a standard application after you have submitted your application and biometric data at the VAC. Important note! When communicating with customers, UKVI will use the email address or phone number entered on the visa Application Form (VAF). Ensure this information is noted correctly! We advise that all (adult) applicants provide their own personal contact details. UKVI cannot be held responsible for messages sent that are not communicated or passed on to the visa applicant where alternative contact details (for an agent s) have been provided on the VAF.

4 visa Routes for visitors to the UK 4 There are now just four Visitor visa routes; Visit (Standard) Visit (Marriage & Civil Partnerships) Visit (Permitted Paid Engagements) Visit (Transit) Remember! A Visit Permitted Paid Engagements visa will be valid for single entry only to cover the period of the event in the UK. Further information and a full range of online UK visa guidance for visitors is available at: Remember! UKVI does not ask that any customer Applying for a visit visa include confirmed flight tickets, hotel reservations or travel itineraries. All online guidance advises against purchasing travel ahead of a visa decision. Important note! A Marriage Visitor visa allows you to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK to conduct the legal ceremony.

5 It is usually valid for 6 months but remember you cannot settle in the UK afterwards. Check guidance carefully at this page to understand what type of activity is considered a Permitted Paid Engagement and view full details of what you can and can t do. business visitors business visits. A Standard Visitor visa is suitable if you want to come to the UK for a short time to carry out activities relating to your business or work. Permitted activities include: Attending meetings or conferences. Negotiating or signing trade agreements or contracts, and making deals. Undertaking fact-finding missions. Checking details or goods. Conducting on-site visits. Promotional activities. Consider a long-term visit visa if you are a regular traveller and visit the UK frequently.

6 5 Important note! A Standard Visitor visa is usually issued for 6 months and is valid for multiple entries to the UK during that period. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. If you can prove you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period, you can apply for a long-term Visitor visa that is valid for 2, 5 or 10 years. Remember! You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit, a 10-year Visitor visa does not allow you to remain in the UK for 10 years and you cannot spend long periods of time in the UK through frequent visits. Other visa Routes Remember! It may not be appropriate to apply for a Visitor visa . There are many occasions when a Standard Visitor visa is not the correct option, or where other conditions apply, and guidance should always be read carefully for individual circumstances.

7 The following pages provide generic Top BritishTIPS! for the following categories; Child Visitor. Domestic Workers in a Private Household. Overseas Territory. EEA Family Permit. UK Ancestry. Vignette Transfer. 6 Other visa Routes Child Visitor Guidance for Minors Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor. In the same way as other countries, the UK is obliged to protect children and ensure the vulnerable are not exploited. visa applications for children are usually linked to a parent or legal guardian. Please note the following; Where a child will be accompanied, the parent s passport details will be endorsed onto the visa . This means that the child can only travel if accompanied by that adult. Take care when noting the accompanying adults on the VAF.

8 If it is possible the child may travel regularly over the 6 months with either one of the parents only, it is advisable to include details of both adults in the endorsement. The child s visa will then read only valid if accompanied by x or y. Tip! The accompanying adult s passport number is endorsed on the child s visa , take note of when the adult s passport is expiring for long-term Child Visitor applications. It is possible to apply for a Child Unaccompanied Visitor visa , if the child will travel alone, or for example to take part in an organised group/school trip. We may require some additional information or authorisation from the parents. Unaccompanied is useful for long-term Child Visitor visas. Important! Please check endorsements carefully on receipt of your visa .

9 Any mistakes made in noting the details of the accompanying adult may result in denied boarding by the airline carrier. Remember! On turning 18 a minor is considered to then be an adult and will be treated as such. Any child Visitor visa issued will therefore only be valid for up to 6 months past the applicant s 18th birthday. 7 Important note! Online guidance is clear and there are several alerts during the online application process. Any Visitor visa issued to a minor, regardless of duration applied for ( including long-term Visitor visas usually valid for 2, 5 or 10 years) will only be a valid for a maximum of 6 months past the applicant s 18th birthday. Customers are advised to remember that the difference in fee will not be refunded! Pay particular attention when Applying for long-term Visitor visas for children.

10 Other visa Routes Domestic Workers in a Private Household This includes nannies, au pairs, chefs, security personnel, personal carers. Any employee of an individual travelling with that person to undertake their duties in the UK while their employer visits the country is not a Standard Visitor and must apply for a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa to accompany their employer on their visit to the UK. Please note the following; The applicant must have been employed in the same role for a minimum of 1 year. A contract of employment must be included with the application. The applicant must intend to travel with the employer and leave the UK within 6 months or at the same time as the employer leaves, whichever is sooner. The employer must state officially that the employee will be paid at least the UK minimum wage for the duration of their time in the UK.