2nd part of email
which is general information
The visa section within the High Commission continues to operate normally.
 How do I submit an application?
 How long does it take to process an application?
 What documents should I submit?
 Will I be required to attend an interview at the British High Commission?
 How do I check the status of my application?
 I want to know the outcome of an application but I am not the applicant?
 Is there a procedure for making an emergency application?
 Can I post-date the start of my visa?
 Who can apply for a premium visit visa?
 What if my visa is valid for a shorter time than I asked for?
 How do I lodge an appeal against a decision to refuse my visa?
 What happens next?
 If my review stands, how long does it take for the case to be heard?
 I have further appeals related queries where do I send them to?
 Where do I get independent appeals advice?
 How do I lodge a complaint?
 How do I report visa fraud or illegal immigration?
 I have further queries that I haven't been able to resolve, despite using the call centre, website and this general information. What do I do?
How do I submit an application?
You can apply for your visa online by visiting one of the following websites:
www.visas4uk.foc.gov.uk;
www.ukvacpk.com or wwwukvisas.gov.uk. By choosing to apply online you can select an appointment time convenient for you to enrol your biometrics. Alternatively you can apply at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), located at Karachi and Lahore.
Visa Application Forms (VAF) are available free of charge from any VAC during working hours or may be down loaded from our web site
www.ukvisas.gov.uk or
www.ukvac.pk.com
For general information on visas and procedure to apply please visit
www.ukvacpk.com.
Gerry’s International (our commercial partner) operate the VACs on our behalf. They also operate a call centre on our behalf (details later).
How long does it take to process an application?
We endeavour to process all visa applications promptly upon receipt of the application, passport and all other relevant paperwork, including the fee. Islamabad is currently processing all straightforward applications within 10 working days. However if secondary checks are required this may extend up to 15 working days. Some applications may take additional processing time if further enquiries need to be made, for example if there is a need to refer to the Home Office in the UK,
We aim to process settlement applications within a similar timeframe, however if secondary checks are required this may extend up to 60 days.
Applicants are therefore advised to consider timescales when lodging applications and not to make travel plans until the application process is complete.
What documents should I submit?
It is essential that you include all supporting documents with your application. Our commercial partner provides a checklist of the documents, which is a useful but not exhaustive guide. If applying in a long-term category, you will need to supply an up to date TB certificate, provided through the IOM, which has a 6-month validity. Details can be obtained from the call centre. Where possible, please submit original documents, along with English translations. The onus is on applicants to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules through the documents they provide and the details they give on their application forms. If you have travelled and complied before you will still need to provide details of supporting evidence, along with an explanation if you have stayed in the UK for periods longer than you had initially applied for.
Will I be required to attend an interview at the British High Commission?
The British High Commission aims to resolve the majority of applications without an interview. Applicants called for an interview will be provided with seven days notice of the interview date by our commercial partner. The waiting period is usually no more than 10 days.
How do I check the status of my application?
For a status update on your visa application you should contact the call centre, on 0900 10411 from a landline or 8865 from a mobile. These calls are charged at a premium rate of 10 Rps per minutes. If you are calling from the United Kingdom, the number to call for telephone enquiries is 00 92 51 209 8999.
Alternatively you can visit our website on
www.ukvacpk.com.
I want to know the outcome of an application but I am not the applicant
Under the terms of the Data Protection Act we can not give out specific details about any application without the written permission of the applicant, (except in the case of parents of children under the age of 18). If you wish to know specific details about an applicant's case please provide us with a copy of the applicant’s permission in writing.
Is there a procedure for making an emergency application?
Only extremely compelling and compassionate cases will be considered as urgent.
If you consider your application meets this requirement, please notify our commercial partner at the time of application submission and explain why on your application form. Requests made due to the confirmation of travel arrangements will not be considered urgent.
Can I post-date the start of my visa?
If you require your visa to be post-dated please notify this to the VAC staff and also mention this on your application form. We can not post-date visas by more than 3 months.
Who can apply for a premium visit visa?
Anyone can apply. But premium visas are aimed at people who:
 Travel regularly; and
 Have established a history of complying with immigration regulations.
What if my visa is valid for a shorter time than I asked for?
There is no right to appeal. You can apply again when your visa has run out. We do not ordinarily refund visa fees, even in circumstances where you have paid a long-term visa fee and received a short-term visa. The final decision on the length of a visa to be issued is at the Visa Officer’s discretion.
