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- Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if I need a visa?
You should use the "Do
I need a Visa?" guide on the UK
Border Agency website.
- Can I fill in my online application in a language
other than English?
No. At present only applications made in English are
supported.
- Can I pay for my visa online?
This is not currently possible. All applications must
be paid for in Ukrainian currency at the visa application
centre.
- I have a popup blocker installed on my computer.
Will this affect how the online application facility
works?
Most popup blockers are fine but some prevent certain
pages from opening. The blocker should advise you that
it is blocking a page and it should have options to
allow you to use pop-ups from the online application
facility.
- I am unable to retrieve my online application.
This could be because you did not save your application
by selecting the save option on the application form
or you did not retrieve your application within 7 days
of last saving it. If you are sure you saved your application
in the last 7 days, empty your browser cache (temporary
internet files) and try again.
- I was unable to or forgot to print my application
when I got to the end of the application process.
Depending on how you have configured your computer you
may get a JavaScript error when you try to print. To
retrieve a completed application, select the 'retrieve
saved application' link on the left menu. You will be
asked to enter your application number and email address.
Your application number was included in the email that
was sent you when you completed your online application.
When the application is successfully retrieved you can
use the standard print button on the top menu bar of
your browser to print your application form. Please
note: You are not permitted to edit your application
once it has been submitted.
- Can I apply online for a visa to visit a destination
other than the United Kingdom?
You can apply online for a visa to visit an overseas
territory or Commonwealth
country. Use the online
application facility, select a password and a reminder
and upon entering the page titled "Your visa requirements"
select the option "Overseas Territory and Commonwealth"
within the field "Purpose of Application". Complete
and save the form as instructed. When you have done
this you should contact the visa application centre
by email on territories@ukvac-ua.com
to arrange to submit your application and to pay the
application fee. See web page "Applying
for a Visa" for more details on making your visa
application.
- What supporting documents should I bring to the
visa application centre?
The type of supporting documents you require depends
on which visa you are applying for. Guidance
on visa categories and supporting documents can
be found on the UK
Border Agency website.
- I am unable to attend my scheduled interview,
what should I do?
If you are unable to attend your interview you will
have to make a new appointment online. Please remember
to cancel your original interview date.
- What will happen if I do not bring my application
form?
You must print and bring your completed online application
form, passport, photograph and any supporting documents
with you when you visit the visa application centre.
We need your completed visa application form to make
a decision on your visa application.
- Will you offer any assistance to applicants completing
their application form?
We cannot assist with completing your application form.
If you use the premium lounge service, staff can help
you complete your visa application. Premium service
lounge staff cannot advise you what responses to give
and they are unable to influence your application.
- Will a sponsor be able to accompany me to the
interview?
Unless you are making a settlement application, your
sponsor will not be able to accompany you and will be
asked to wait outside.
- If I travel with a child, should I fill in a separate
form for the child?
Yes, a separate application form has to be filled in
for each child travelling. Please note: if a
child is on your passport, their photo must be affixed
there by the passport office. You will also need to
submit the child's photograph,
birth certificate and authorisation letter from both
parents or legal guardians (along with photocopies of
their internal passports) for a child to travel authorised
by the lawyer. If the child is travelling with only
1 parent, or with other relatives, a notarised permission
from the non-accompanying parent(s) must be provided.
- I will transit through UK and will stay there
less than 24 hours. Do I need a visa?
The UK Border Agency operates a transit without visa
concession. At the discretion of an immigration officer
certain visa nationals, including Ukrainian citizens,
can transit through Gatwick or Heathrow without a visa
provided they have a confirmed booking on a flight departing
within 24 hours to their country of destination and
a valid visa to this country. For information on transiting
through the UK please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
- I wish to study in the UK. Which sort of
visa should I apply for?
Information on studying
in the UK can be found UK
Border Agency website.
- Does the premium service lounge fee include the
visa fee?
No the visa fee is an additional and separate charge.
- Will using of the premium lounge service guarantee
that I will get a visa?
No, your visa application will still be considered against
the Immigration Rules by a visa officer
- Do I need to fill in a visa application form
before going to visa application centre?
Yes. If you are using the premium lounge service, staff
can help you complete your visa application. Premium
service lounge staff cannot advise you what responses
to give, they are unable to influence your application,
but can assist you with the visa application procedure.
- Can I get my money back if my application is refused
or I withdraw it?
The visa application fee reflects the administrative
costs of processing an application and is not refundable
if your application is refused. If a payment has been
made and the application is not submitted or if the
applicant does not provide biometric details with their
application, then we will refund the fee.
- What length of visa can I apply for?
As a visitor, you can apply for a visa which is valid
for 6 months; 1 year; 2 years; 5 years; or 10 years.
This is the length of time that you can use the visa.
As a visitor, the longest that you can stay in the UK
on any one trip is 6 months. A 6 month visa is likely
to be the right one for you to apply for if:
* You have never travelled to the UK before; or
* On a previous trip to the UK, you did not comply with
UK immigration regulations;
Please note: Although you may pay the higher
fee for a visa that lasts longer than 6 months, the
UK Border Agency may only issue you with a 6 month visa.
If this happens, the difference in the fee will not
be refunded. Longer term 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 cannot refund the fee difference
of the validity of the visa.
- What validity visitor visa can I expect to be
given?
Longer validity visas are aimed at people who travel
frequently to the UK. If you are a regular visitor,
you will find it more convenient to apply for the appropriate
longer duration visa, and we encourage you to do so.
It is the visa officer's decision how long your visa
will be valid but the following guide should give you
an indication of the likely validity:-
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You will need to show that your financial circumstances
are likely to remain very similar for the full
time that the visa is valid for (for example that
you are likely to stay in full-time employment,
if that was what you were doing when the visa
was issued). |
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You also need to satisfy the visa officer that
you will not base yourself in the UK, but will
be making short trips there, and will leave at
the end of each visit. |
- What does a letter of invitation need to say and
does it need to be notarised?
There is no set form of words for a letter of invitation.
Sponsors should write the invitation in their own words.
It should be addressed to the person being invited and
must include details of the purpose and duration of
the visit and also the relationship between the applicant
and the signatory of the letter and /or the persons
inviting the applicant. These letters do not have to
be notarised. It should be clear from the invitation
why the person is being invited, by whom, for how long
and where they will stay.
- Do I need to have a letter from my employers indicating
my salary if some or all of my expenses are going to
be covered by my sponsor?
Evidence of your circumstances in Ukraine will help
prove to the visa officer that you are in settled employment,
and to understand your financial situation here. We
recommend that you include this information with your
application whether you are paying for the trip or not.
- Where should sponsors send their invitation letters?
Invitations should be sent direct to the visa applicant
so they can include it with their application. The person
applying for the visa should include the invitation
with their documents when they make their application
at the visa application centre. Please do not send (or
copy) invitation or sponsorship letters to the UK Border
Agency , as they do not have the resources to retain
them, or to link them to the application.
- If I am refused a visa, when can I re-apply?
You can re-apply at any time and your new application
will be considered on its merits. You should be aware,
that if there has been no significant change in your
circumstances since the last refusal, or if you are
unable to address the reasons for refusal, your application
may be refused again. A previous refusal will not though
mean that any subsequent application will be refused
automatically. If you have previously submitted forged
documents in connection with an application under the
Immigration Rules you may be automatically refused subsequent
applications for up to 10 years.
- Do I need to show my old passport when I apply?
It is extremely helpful if you do. If your old passport
contains visas showing previous foreign travels (for
example UK, Schengen, Swiss, USA ) you may wish to ask
for it to be returned to you by the Ukrainian passport
office when you renew it. You will then be able to attach
it to your new passport when you submit your UK visa
application. It is very useful for us to see direct
evidence of previous travel history and seeing an old
passport can often enable us to process your application
much quicker.
- Are there any other documents I need to show if
I am a foreign national living and working in Ukraine?
Under Ukrainian law, employers must obtain a work permit
for their foreign employee. The employee will be given
a work permission document to prove they are working
legally in Ukraine. If you are a foreign worker here,
you should provide the original permission (and a photocopy
for the UK Border Agency records) with your application.
If you do not have such permission and are working in
Ukraine (not just here on a short business trip), you
will have to satisfy the visa officer that you are working
here legally and explain why you do not have the permission
evidence. Please note: The visa officer may refuse
an application on the basis of the lack of such permission
to work in Ukraine. It is the responsibility of the
applicant to show that they are working legally.
- For a marriage visa, must the sponsor be present
at the interview?
UK Border Agency staff in Kyiv do not automatically
interview marriage visa applicants. If you are selected
for an interview, the sponsor will not be required to
attend. In most circumstances only the applicant needs
to be interviewed. You will be required to submit evidence
of the sponsor's residence status in the United Kingdom,
freedom to marry and ability to support and accommodate
without recourse to public funds. Please see the 'Documents
required' page on this website.
- If I am refused a visa, will I know why and can
I appeal against the refusal?
If you are refused, you will receive a written notice
from the visa officer explaining why you have been refused.
The right of appeal only exists for certain categories
and the visa officer will inform you in writing at the
time of refusal. Please see the 'Appeals'
page on this website.
- What happens if I win my appeal?
Your determination will be sent from the Asylum and
Immigration Tribunal to the UK Border Agency in the
United Kingdom, who then send it to Ukraine. It can
take several weeks before this arrives with the visa
officer at the UK Border Agency in Kyiv. You should
allow at least 6 weeks from the date, you or your representative,
received your appeal determination before you contact
the UK Border Agency in Kyiv. The UK Border Agency cannot
process your visa application until we get our copy
of your determination from official sources. For more
information and for contact details please see the 'Appeals'
page on this website.
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