How to apply for UK Tourist Visa

We plan to go to London this year, but since we are one of the countries who needs a UK visa, we need to have that first to fulfill this plan. So how to apply for UK tourist visa?

First, you need to VFS site. Then select the country where you are applying from. For more info, you can go to UK visa site. To know what visa type you will need to apply. For us, it’s UK tourist visa.

Then, go to next step which is How to Apply. There will be a link in the site where you will be redirected to UK gov site where you need to create an account to be able to fill out the questions or the online application forms. Which is something like these:

 

If you’re still not sure when to apply, or you need time to review your answers, you can save it and then go back later to finish it.

Once you’re done verifying and checking all the details of your application, you can now proceed to pay for the visa fee and book your appointment schedule. Visa fee is US$130. You will receive an email as confirmation of your appointment, as well as the document checklist which you need to include altogether with other requirements. And a copy of you application form.

Third step is your appointment. Be sure to be there 15 minutes before your appointment.

For the day of my appointment, they didn’t check my documents, they just asked me if it’s complete. Then signed the application form. I paid for C$4 for SMS to inform me if it’s ready for pick up. After that, they scanned all my documents and gave it back to me. The last step, they took my bio metrics and picture for the visa.

Lastly, passport pickup. They will email/text you when to pick up your passport. The processing took 15 business days. And viola! We got our multiple entry UK tourist visa for 6 months.

Here are the requirements:

• Fully completed and duly signed application form
• Original and copy of my permanent resident card in Canada.
• Original and copy of my passports.
• Planned Itinerary
• Copy of flight ticket quote from British Airways for Toronto – Heathrow (London) – Toronto
• Copy of our hostel reservation in London City.
• Letter of Invitation
• Copy of Passport of the inviter
• Employment Verification letter and last 3 paystubs.
• My bank certificates
• Recent credit card statement and Receipt of annual rent as evidence of home address
• Copy of phone/landline bill statement as evidence of my family members remaining in my home country. Addressed to my mother’s name.
• Copy of previous visas and stamps

Tips:

Hostel Reservation:
You can book your hotel or hostel via Expedia, just make sure it is free cancellation.

Round trip ticket:
You can get a quote from some Airlines. The one that I know of are the British Airways and the Qatar Airways. Once you picked your travel dates, you will then be redirected to the next page of the cost of your flight. For British Airways they have a quote button, that you can request to send to your email.

You can use this documents for your application without risking of buying the tickets for the purpose of the application.

Sample Cover letter