FAQ
In this page, you could find answers of some frequent asked questions regarding general visa rules, application process and detail requirement of documents.
Please click on the questions you wanted to ask or type “Ctrl+F” and type in the key word of your questions, you will be suggested with relevant answers.
If you still have other feedback, please Contact Us.
Visa Information
- What is a Visa?
- Do I need a Visa?
- When Should I apply for a Visa?
- How much is the application fee?
- How to contact UK Visas and Immigration directly?
- What changed to contact UK Visas and Immigration?
Application process
- How to register on TLScontact website?
- Who is TLScontact?
- What proves that my passport is at the possession of the Visa Application Centre once I submit my application?
- After submission, how long does it take to have a decision of my application?
- How can I collect my passport?
- What will happen if my application is refused?
- In what case can I apply for a refund and what’s the process?
- What should I do if I need my passport back urgently (withdrawal process)?
- Information about minor applicants (under 18 years old)
- Can I apply to settle in the UK?
Enhanced application experience
- Can I attend my appointment earlier?
- Can I have my passport delivered to my home/company?
- Can I take my visa photo at the Visa Application Centre?
- Can I receive assistance with the online process and form filling?
- Can I receive a SMS to notify me when my passport is ready for collection?
What is a Visa?
A visa is an authorization issued by the government authorities of a specific country granting a non-resident person entry to their territory.
Do I need a visa?
Applicants should visit this website to check whether or not they need to apply for a UK visa.
When should I apply for my visa?
Applicants can apply up to 3 months prior to their travel date.
How much is the application fee?
Applicant can find the visa fee for each type of visa on this website.
How to contact UK Visas and Immigration directly?
You can find more information on how to contact UK Visas and Immigration directly here.
What changed to contact UK Visas and Immigration?
From 1 June 2017, all customer enquiries will be handled by a new commercial partner, Sitel UK. For more information please read here.
How to register on TLScontact website?
You can find more detail information on how to register on TLScontact website here.
Who is TLScontact?
TLScontact is a commercial company that works with UK Visas & Immigration to provide services to people applying for visas for the United Kingdom.
Please note that TLScontact cannot guarantee you a visa. TLScontact staff do not play any role in the assessment or processing of UK visa applications. Applications are processed by UK Visas and Immigration, which is a separate entity to TLScontact.
If you have any questions, please Contact Us.
What’s the procedure to apply for a Visa?
Please visit How to apply page.
What proves that my passport is at the possession of the Visa Application Centre once I submit my application?
After submission applicants will receive a receipt/checklist acting as acknowledgement for the documents you have submitted. You will be able to track your application via website.
After submission, how long does it take to have a decision of my application?
For normal applications, please see Service Standard page.
For priority or super priority applications, please check relevant service description in Added Value Services page.
How can I collect my passport?
Please visit Address page and check if Passport Return is Available or Not Available in the Visa Application Centre you are applying from. Accordingly to stated information, please refer to one of two options:
Available:
After you have received the notification email saying that your passport is returned to the Visa application centre, you can come and collect it.
To collect your passport at the Visa Application Centre, please ensure to come with the following documents:
- TLScontact checklist (Form provided to you after the documents reviewing);
- Copy and Original of your photo ID document;
- (If collected by a representative) Original Authorisation form and representative’s valid photo ID document (copy & original) should be added to above documents. If collecting for a minor, a copy of the birth certificate is required.
If coming back to the Visa Application Centre is not convenient, why not select the Express Courier Return delivery service ?
For more channels to get notification or collect your passport, please check whether relevant Added Value Services is available in the Visa application centre you are using.
Not Available:
After you have received the notification email saying that your passport is returned to the Visa application centre, your passport will be delivered to the address you indicated during the application process. This will be done via third party Express Mail service provider.
What will happen if my application is refused?
All fees and additional service charges are non-refundable once the application has been processed even if the visa has been refused.
However, applicants are free to re-apply at any time if your application has been refused. There is no specific waiting time between reception of refusal and making a new application.
In what case can I apply for a refund and what’s the process?
All Visa Application fees are paid online during completing visa application form and are received by UK Visas and Immigration. Please find more information for Visa Application fees and the refund process on the link here. Please pay attention that TLScontact does not receive visa fee payments and cannot process any refund requests regarding such payments.
For Added Value Services charges the refund process should be done on TLScontact website via the Contact Us form. Please visit our Terms of Payment to find out about terms and conditions of refunds.
What should I do if I need my passport back urgently?
If you knew in advance that you will need to keep your passport during the application process, you can check whether the Added Value Service Keep My Passport When Applying is available at the Visa Application Centre that you are using. If you need to know the decision and have your passport back to you in a shorter time than standard processing time, you could check whether Priority Visa Services are available.
To withdraw your UK visa application, please follow the instructions and obtain UKVI approval on cancel visa.
You may also request UKVI approval for a withdrawal at the Visa Application Centre by submitting the withdrawal form. You will need to make this request in writing and this will take between 2 and 7 working days depending on the location where you applied to. Your passport cannot be returned to you at the Visa Application Centre without UKVI approval.
There are two options:
- In person at the Visa Application Centre (only available in Visa Application Centres opened 5 days/week). You will need to complete and sign a withdrawals pro-forma. This form will then be sent to the Decision Making Centre who will arrange for the return of your passport either to the Visa Application Centre where you applied or to your nominated return address, by courier, if you purchased this additional service.
- Send an email to the International Enquiry Service. This email will then be sent to the Decision Making Centre who will arrange for the return of your passport either to the Visa Application Centre where you applied or to your nominated return address, by courier, if you purchased this additional service.
Information about minor applicants (under 18 years old)
The following is a matrix of what must be submitted by applicants/parents in cases of accompanied and unaccompanied children:
| Type of application | Birth/Adoption certificate | Permission to travel from parent(s)/adopted parent(s) |
| Child unaccompanied | yes | yes |
| Child accompanied by one parent/adopted parent | yes | yes (the parent not travelling) |
| Child accompanied by both parents | yes |
Can I apply to settle in the UK?
To get more information about UK Visas and Immigration Settlement visa applications please visit our Useful Links page.
Can I attend my appointment earlier?
Please check whether the Added Value Service Prime Time Appointment service or Walk In Without Appointment service is available at the Visa Application Centre that you are using.
Can I have my passport delivered to my home/company?
Please check whether the Added Value Service Express Courier Return is available at the Visa Application Centre that you are using.
Can I take my visa photo at the Visa Application Centre?
Please check whether the Added Value Service Passport Photos is available at the Visa Application Centre that you are using.
Can I receive assistance with the online process and form filling?
Please check whether the Added Value Service Form Filing Assistance is available at the Visa Application Centre that you are using.
Can I receive a SMS to notify me when my passport is ready for collection?
Please check whether the Added Value Service SMS Notification is available at the Visa Application Centre that you are using.
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