Applying for a UK Visa: Online Form Guide

If you have a route to the UK and want to handle the visa application process yourself, this article will help you. 🙂

My first Schengen visa was done through a visa center with the excitement of firsts. With this experience, I naturally completed my second Schengen application myself, saving 40 € in the process.
Inspired by this, I thought I would also apply for the UK visa myself, and I did. However, I can say it is much more challenging compared to Schengen. In this article, you can gain insights from my experiences regarding the process.

1. Online Application Form
You can reach the form at https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/. Before starting to fill out this form;

  • Bring your passport and your parents’ identity cards with you.
  • Your computer should be connected to a power source, or you should have at least 2 hours of battery life 🙂
  • It is good to have some familiarity with English. Though all the questions have Turkish translations next to them, there were still questions that seemed a bit odd in translation.

Since I was applying for a visa for tourism purposes, I applied for the ‘Standard Visitor Visa’, and all the necessary documents I will mention later in the text will be recommended documents for this visa type.

Step 1. Registering on the application site and filling out the form
When you log into the site, you create an account by clicking the “Register an Account” button. This allows you to save the form while filling it out, so you can come back later to continue. You register on the site by entering your personal and contact information in English. Click on the link in the registration email sent to your email address to unblock your account. Once you log in, if you are applying for yourself, you will select ‘Apply For Myself’ and dive into an endless sea of questions. If you are going as a family, after filling out the form for yourself, you should click ‘Apply For Someone Else’ to fill out the forms for other family members as well. Remember, a separate form must be completed for each family member. Each form consists of about 11-12 pages 🙂

UK Visa

Confirmation email link

If you have any doubts about how to answer questions while filling out the form, you can refer to the Guidance Notes PDF.

Step 2. Signing the form
After filling out all the questions, you will come to the ‘Declaration Sign’ section, where you essentially sign the form you filled out. Since you cannot provide a wet signature on the computer, you type in your Name and Surname and click complete. Then, you will also be signing the printed version of this form.

Step 3. Selecting an appointment date
Once you have signed your form, it’s time to choose the day you’ll go to submit all your documents. The system shows you available dates and times. As you select one that suits you, keep the following in mind;

  • All your preparations must be completed by that day.
  • The submission location is inside a shopping center. Even if your appointment is at 8:30, the location opens at 10. In this case, you may need to walk around the building instead of using the main entrance and use other entries. But no problem, the staff at the door will likely ask if you are there for the visa 🙂

Appointment confirmation email

Step 4. Payment
Next is the ‘Payment’ phase. All payments are made using a credit card; you do not have the chance to make cash payments at the application center; everything is online.
The amount to be paid for a Tourist Visa of 6 months or less is $126. This ends up being the cheapest option. Fees increase as the duration extends (e.g., for 1 year, etc.). If you are like me and wonder what the exchange rate is after making the payment, please note: there is a +15 TL bank commission on the deducted amount.

Payment confirmation email

Step 5. Registering on the application tracking site and additional services
Your application process has now come to an end. You will receive your application confirmation email within 1-2 days. Immediately after completing your application, don’t forget to register at https://uk.tlscontact.com/tr/IST/register.php. You will track your application from there. You also have options like purchasing shipping for passport delivery and paying extra to speed up the standard decision process.

Confirmation email

For documents you should submit for your visa application, you can follow my article on Required Documents

About Blogger Man 96 Articles
Nomadic Notepad : Nomadic Notepad is a passionate traveler and storyteller who finds joy in exploring the world’s hidden treasures and sharing them with fellow wanderlust enthusiasts. From uncovering the best-kept local secrets to reviewing futuristic accommodations, their blog offers a unique blend of travel guides, culinary adventures, and cultural insights. As a tech-savvy creator, Nomadic Notepad also dives into innovative travel trends, ensuring readers stay ahead of the curve while planning their next adventure. Every post is a window into a new journey, inspiring others to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.Whether it’s strolling through animal-themed streets in Helsinki or unraveling the mysteries of Balinese traditions, Nomadic Notepad combines personal experiences with practical advice to craft immersive narratives. Join them to embrace a world of wanderlust, and let every story spark your own path to adventure!

1 Trackback / Pingback

  1. Essential Tips for a Successful UK Visa Application – Globetrotting and Storytelling

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*