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LODGING OF VISA APPLICATIONS - GENERAL INFORMATION
The British High Commission is accepting visa applications from all categories except Working Holiday Makers.
UKvisas in Pakistan operate a courier assisted application service through Gerry's/FedEx Offices.
Processing times for all straightforward non- settlement visa applications will be up to 5 working days. Applicants should allow 4 working days transfer time between Gerry's/FedEx and BHC offices in addition to the processing time. Please see separate information leaflets on the collection of biometric fingerscans.
Some non-settlement visa applications assessed by British High Commission staff are not straightforward and may require additional enquiries to be made. Processing times for these applications are likely to extend up to 15 working days. Again applicants should factor in the time it takes Gerry's/FedEx to process and transfer applications between their offices and the British High Commission.
Due to a significant increase in the number of visa applications received for travel to the United Kingdom this summer, applicants are advised that it may take longer than the advertised 15 working days to process non-settlement visa applications requiring additional checks / enquiries.
Applicants are therefore advised to submit their visa applications in good time, but no more than three months before the desired date of travel.
We currently process all straightforward settlement applications within 12 weeks. Some settlement applications that are not straightforward may require additional processing if, for example, there is a need to refer to the Home Office for advice or a decision. In all such cases the applicant will be advised that their application falls into this category.
Applications should be submitted in good time with full accompanying documentation (help-lists of what is required for different kinds of application are available from Gerry's/FedEx offices and our website
www.britainonline.org.pk. The applicant must sign their visa application form unless the applicant is a child under 18 years of age in which case a parent or guardian should sign the visa application form.
Gerry's/FedEx will deliver passports to third parties on production of a letter of authorisation signed by the applicant (signature must match the one in the passport), a National I/D card & the original receipt.
Applicants and third parties with written permission are requested to pick up their own/third party passports and documents from the Gerry's/FedEx offices between the hours of:
Submission: Mondays - Fridays: 0900 - 1230
Collection: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi & Mirpur:
Mondays - Fridays: 1400 - 1630 hrs
Saturdays: 0900 - 1200 hrs
Collection Rest of Locations: 1400 - 1630
Agents drop off time: 1200 - 1300
For Saturdays: Only Collection 0900 - 1300
Originals of all supporting documents should be provided in a separate clear plastic folder, with a complete set of photocopies attached to the application form with a tag. Gerry's/FedEx can help applicants do this. Documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Single sided forms downloaded straight from the internet can now be accepted. However, check that all the pages of the application form are there. All forms must be stapled at the top, middle and bottom at the left hand side of the form. There is no longer a requirement for original forms to be used or that forms downloaded from the internet have to be copied again into booklet form.
Please make sure the application is complete when submitted to Gerry's/FedEx. We will not be able to accept unsigned application forms. Children under 18 years of age should have a parent or guardian to sign the form on their behalf. We will not be able to consider documents sent to us separately by sponsors or by applicants. Applicants should ensure that documents from sponsors are included with their applications.
Applicants are requested to submit original passports and National ID Cards (NIC) together with photocopies of each passport. These copies will be retained by Visa Section after processing.
Children applying for UK visas must have their own passports. Visas for children will not be affixed to parent's or guardian's passports.
Dependent children under the age of 18 are able to apply for UK visas if their parents have previously travelled and they apply with them or they are able to provide evidence that their parents have valid UK visas.
All children under the age of 18 applying to visit the United Kingdom need to declare whether they are travelling alone or with an accompanying adult.
If travelling accompanied by an adult, their visa will be endorsed to that effect and will only be valid if the child travels with that adult/s. Visas can be endorsed with the details of up to 2 accompanying adults.
If the child is issued an accompanied visa and travels with an adult not named on the visa, or alone, they will be denied boarding by the airline or could be refused entry to the UK. If the details of the accompanying adult change they must obtain a new visa before they travel.
If travelling unaccompanied the child will have to provide a letter from their parents/guardians explaining why they are not travelling with them and who they will stay with the UK.
Whether travelling alone or accompanied the child will have to satisfy the ECO that satisfactory arrangements have been made for their care while they are in the UK. In most cases it will simply be a matter of recording the child's parent's details, with whom the child is travelling, and where they will be staying.
Existing visas will remain valid. The VAF 1 form has been amended in order to capture the additional information and should be used for all visit applications. Please ensure all parts of this form are filled out correctly. This form has been made available to all Gerry's/FedEx offices in Pakistan.
Each application must be accompanied by one photograph, which should be as follows:
Taken against a light background (white/off-white/cream/light grey etc) so that features are distinguishable;
Clear and of good quality;
Printed on normal photographic paper;
Unmounted - 45mm x 35mm in size. Miniature or oversize photographs are not acceptable;
Full face (without sunglasses & normally without a hat or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background
No digital photographs will be acceptable;
The photograph should be securely glued to the relevant space on the application form.
If an applicant requires assistance Gerry's/FedEx uniformed staff will check that the form has been properly completed and describe what supporting documents are required. It is not necessary to employ the services of an agent and doing so can be counter-productive. Some agents are expensive, offer poor quality advice and claim to be in a position to influence Visa Officers' decisions. Such claims are not true and any person making them is not to be trusted. Do not give false information on an application form or submit forged or fraudulent documentation. The Visa Section frequently checks the authenticity of information given and if fraud is detected, the application will be refused. Furthermore, any subsequent applications will be unlikely to succeed.
Payment of visa fees, as set out in the attached table must be made in cash at Gerry's/FedEx offices. No banker's draft will be accepted. When an applicant pays the fee a receipt will be given. It is important that you make sure this receipt is received and kept safely because it will have to be produced later in the application process.
The handling fee for Commonwealth or Dependant Territories applies only to applicants seeking visas for other Commonwealth countries or Dependant Territories that do not have Diplomatic Missions issuing visas in Pakistan.
Travel should be planned well in advance, in order to complete the visa application process.
It will not be possible to return passports until a decision has been made on the application.
The times listed above are subject to change. Please do not contact the British High Commission for a status check on applications unless a passport has not been received within the time scale specified above.
BIOMETRIC FINGERSCANNING
With effect from 6 March 2007, the British High Commission introduced the capture of biometric fingerscans in Pakistan.
All visa applicants must have their fingerscans taken, with the exception of those applicants under the age of five and those over the age of 60. An exception may also be granted to applicants, who for genuine medical reasons cannot provide fingerscans.
Fingerscans will be collected from each applicant by using an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical will be used and the procedure will take no more than two minutes to complete.
If an applicant refuses to provide fingerscans, the application cannot be processed.
All applicants should ensure that their fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (henna, for example), abrasions or other markings prior to attending the British High Commission, Islamabad or British Deputy High Commission, Karachi, as these may affect their ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Visa applications cannot be processed until applicants are able to provide acceptable fingerscans.
Applications should be submitted to Gerry's FedEx and applicants will be advised of when they can expect to visit the BHC/BDHC. They will be asked to attend up to one hour in advance of appointment time and to ensure that they have no mobile telephones or bags with them. We regret, that for security reasons, if an applicant fails to attend at the correct time and date, they will not be admitted to the BHC/BDHC.
Once fingerscans have been taken, applicants may be asked to remain for a brief interview or, alternatively, asked to leave. Applications will then be processed and the decision notified via Gerry's FedEx.
TB SCREENING
Also from 6 March 2007, The British Government introduced TB Testing for all visa applicants submitting their application in Pakistan, intending to visit the UK for a period in excess of 6 months.
Before applying for entry to the UK, applicants will be required to visit a designated clinic (see below) to undergo TB testing. Once this test confirms that the applicant is clear of infectious TB, a certificate will be issued. Once the certificate is obtained, applicants may lodge their applications at their nearest Gerry's/FedEx office.
This programme is administered in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). To make an appointment at the nearest IOM clinic and for further information on TB Testing, applicants should call the UAN number listed below.
TB Certificates will be required for the following applicants:
Students and their dependants intending to stay for more than 6 months;
Work Permit holders and their dependants intending to stay longer than 6 months;
All dependants of persons settled in the UK applying for spouse/civil partner/ unmarried and same sex partner entry clearance and EEA Family Permit applications.
TB Certificates are not required by:
All visit and transit visa applications;
Short term students (less than 6 months)
Children under 11 years old
Returning residents
Diplomatic passport holders travelling to the UK on official business or for a posting;
Others who qualify for 'Exempt' status.
The designated clinics are:
ISLAMABAD
Nayab Medical Centre
12 Balochistan Plaza
17-E, Fazal-e-Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad
LAHORE
CARDEX Hospital
3-A, Jail Road, Lahore
KARACHI
Aga Khan Hospital (Clifton)
House 66
Block D
Clifton, Karachi
MIRPUR
Noor Memorial Hospital
Mian Muhammad Road
Chowk Shaheedan
Mirpur
UAN (for all clinics): (051) 111 466 472
STUDENT APPLICATIONS
Student applicants are encouraged to consult the list of approved UK educational establishments published on the DFES web site. The list may be accessed by using the link,
www.dfes.gov.uk. Students are expected to submit all relevant documentation with their application. This includes all detailed marks certificates, results intimation cads, consolidated marks certificates and transcripts. Without such documentation, applications will not be accepted.
Students who have missed their course start date are required to produce a letter from their chosen educational establishment certifying that they will be accepted onto the course later than the original start date of the course.
SETTLEMENT APPLICATIONS
All applicants will be required to attend for biometric fingerscanning and possible interviews.
Applications can only be lodged in person at any office of Gerry's/FedEx in Pakistan. We will not accept applications submitted directly to the Visa Sections in Islamabad or Karachi.
Afghan residents seeking to lodge UK settlement applications must do so in person at any office of Gerry's/FedEx in Pakistan. However, applicants may retain their passports for return travel to Afghanistan by providing Gerry's/FedEx with a copy of all pages of their passport.
Demand is high and processing times may vary. Gerry's/FedEx will notify you of the outcome once the application has been processed. In the meantime, please do not approach the British High Commission for the application to be expedited as we will be unable to do so.
Full documentary evidence in support of the application must be included at the time of application. Applications submitted with inadequate documents may be refused.
Guidance on the requirements of the Immigration Rules will accompany the settlement application form and can also be found on the websites detailed below.
If you need further information please look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or our own websites -
www.fco.gov.uk and
www.britainonline.org.pk - or read the guidance leaflet and checklist which accompanies the application form.
DIRECT AIRSIDE TRANSIT VISA APPLICATIONS (DATV)
Evidence of confirmed bookings both in and out of the UK must accompany applications. Required by all Pakistani Nationals.
There are certain exemptions to this requirement. The following categories of traveller are not required to hold a DATV and may still benefit from the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) concession. Holders of:
a valid visa for entry to Canada or the United States of America and a valid airline ticket for travel via the United Kingdom as part of their journey from another country or territory to the country in respect of which the visa is held. Holders of first time immigrant papers to the US or Canada also qualify under this category as they are regarded as having a US or Canadian visa;
a valid airline ticket for travel via the United Kingdom as part of a journey from Canada or the United States of America to another country or territory, provided that the transit passenger does not seek to transit the UK on a date more than 6 months from the date on which he last entered Canada or the US with a valid visa;
a valid US 1 - 551 permanent resident cards issued after 21 April 1998;
expired cards may be accepted if the passenger holds a letter (I - 797) issued by the Bureau of Citizenship authorising an extension;
a valid US Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration - Form 551;
a valid Canadian permanent resident cards issued on or after 28 June 2002;
a category "D" (all categories except visitors) visas issued by any European Union or EEA State with more than 3 months validity;
a valid common format European Union or EEA residence permits;
a diplomatic or service passport issued by the Peoples Republic of China;
a diplomatic or official passport issued by India;
a diplomatic or official passport issued by Vietnam;
Those travelling to Ireland via the United Kingdom require a full visit visa, not a DATV.
UKVISAS, PAKISTAN COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
The Visa Section aims to provide an efficient and courteous service to all visa applicants. If applicants have any complaints about the standard of service provided or the personal conduct of any member of Visa Section staff, they should write to the Director, Visa Services at the British High Commission, Islamabad who will initially acknowledge receipt where possible within 5 working days. All complaints will be subject to a thorough investigation and complainants will receive a full reply of our findings.
In the event of any complaint about either the standard of service provided within the Visa Section or the personal conduct of Visa Section staff, applicants should approach reception area. Once at the counter, they should ask to speak to an Entry Clearance Manager who will make him or herself available to address any complaint(s) on the day in question, or where necessary to make further enquiries into any issues raised prior to replying in writing.
FURTHER HELP AND ADVICE
For enquiries about applications already submitted, call the Visa Section Telephone Helpline: Islamabad:
201-2901 (LOCAL)
051-201-2901 (NATIONAL)
0092-51-201-2901 (INTERNATIONAL)
Please visit our website
www.britainonline.org.pk for further guidance & to download forms.
Please see the following website for general information:
www.i-uk.com
GERRY'S/FED-EX OFFICES IN PAKISTAN
Gerry's/FedEx offers a courier assisted visa applications facility (CAVA) in collaboration with the British High Commission, Islamabad and British Deputy High Commission, Karachi.
ISLAMABAD
Q 13, Al-Markaz, Jinnah Super Market Near Shell Fuel Station, F7 Markaz Islamabad TEL: 051-111-811-111 PESHAWAR
35 Hurmaz Plaza (near Balana Restaurant) University Road, Peshawar Tel: 091-5840409 Email:
pewfedex@gerrys.com.pk
MIRPUR (AZAD KASHMIR)
Rasheed Plaza-Secrot F1 Kotli Road.Opposite govt Girl High School Mirpur-Azad Kashmir Tel: (058610) 52037-40 LAHORE 58, A-II, Ghalib Market, Gulberg III Lahore Tel: 042-111-811-111 Fax: 042-5750400 Email:
lhefedex@gerrys.com.pk
SIALKOT
Opposite ABL, Paris Road Tel: 0432-111-711-111 Email:
sktfedex@gerrys.com.pk
FAISALABAD 574-B, Satiana Road People's Colony Tel: 041-111-711-111 Email:
fsdfedex@gerrys.com.pk
MULTAN
Hotel Sindbad, Nishter Chowk Tel: 061-111-711-111 Email:
muxfedex@gerrys.com.pk
GUJRANWALA Shop 6-B/C, Trust Plaza, G.T. Road Tel: 0431-253878
KARACHI (CORPORATE OFFICE)
43/1/D, Razi Road, Block 6, PECHS Tel: UAN: 021-111-811-111 Email:
khifedex@gerry.com.pk
KARACHI (GULSHAN-E-IQBAL)
Shop # 2, Shelzone Center, Block 15, Main University Road Tel: 021-4979763
KARACHI (CLIFTON)
Quality Arcade, Shop # 5 B.C.7., Block 7, Main Clifton Road Tel: 021 5360417 KARACHI (I.I. CHUNDRIGAR RD) Shop # 1, Ground Floor, Uni Center, Main I.I. Chundrigar Road Tel: 021-2414678
HYDERABAD Shop # 1, Defence Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Thandi Sarak Tel: 0221-781368) QUETTA Shop No. S-9, Swiss Plaza, M. A. Jinnah Road, Quetta Tel: 0300-9381051
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, ISLAMABAD VISA FEE CHANGE WEF MONDAY 2ND APRIL 2007
FEES HAVE BEEN CALCULATED AT RS125 = £ 1
CATEGORY FEE (£) FEE (Rs)
TRANSIT
Direct Airside Transit (DATV) Visitor in Transit Joining Ship/Aircraft Handling fee for Commonwealth/Dependant Territories £ 44.00 Rs.5,500
SHORT TERM MULTIPLE ENTRY
6 Month Visit Medical Treatment Visit For Marriage/Civil Partnership £ 63.00 Rs.7,875
STUDENT
All categories of Student Applications £ 99.00 Rs.12,375
LONGER TERM MULTIPLE ENTRY
1, 2 & 5 year Visit Academic Visitor PLAB Test Minister of Religion Self Employment Establish a Business Retired Persons of Independent Means UK GP Certificate of Entitlement Sole Representative Returning Resident £ 200.00 Rs.25,000
EMPLOYMENT
Work Permit HSMP Permit Free Employment £200.00 Rs.25,000
SETTLEMENT Adoption Husband Wife Child for Settlement/Other Dependent Relative for Settlement Marriage/Fiancé(e)/Civil Partnership £500.00 Rs.62,500
Yours Sincerely,
Correspondence Section
BHC Islamabad
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