When applying for a UK visa, a question often arises as to whether it is mandatory to attend a Visa Application Centre each time you apply. This blog shall explore the circumstances in which you would need to attend a visa centre, and when you would not.
When applying for a UK visa, applicants are required to verify their identity as part of the visa application process. This can be done either by attending an in-person appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre, or by using the ID App. For out-of-country applications, the Home Office have outsourced this service to third-party providers TLScontact and VFS Global with visa centres located all over the world. Follow this link to find out which service provider is available in your chosen country of application. For in-country applications, the Home Office have outsourced this service to the third-party provider Sopra Steria.
If you have any of the following documents, you may be eligible to verify your identity using the ID App, which means you will not need to attend a UK Visa Application Centre:
- A passport with a biometric chip, from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
- A biometric British national (overseas) (BNO), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or European Economic Area passport if you are applying for the BNO visa
- A Biometric Residence Permit (this is dependent on the visa you are applying for).
Biometrics registration is a key requirement for a UK visa application; without biometric information, you will not be able to make a valid application to the Home office, and your application will likely be rejected.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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