General Overview of UK Immigration

This section is an introduction to the UK immigration process. You can find out which visa routes are available to take, how entry clearance decisions are made, standard terms and definitions, about trouble with aquiring identification, whether you need an advisor/solicitor, what the advisor's roles are and how to find one.

You can also learn about UKvisas, the UKBA, how immigration rules are made, how to make a complaint, about Biometrics and National Insurance Numbers.

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General FAQ

Does the British Consulate need my biometrics in order to begin assessing my application?

Yes. The consulate will begin only after your fee has been paid and your biometrics have been collected.

Once I have enrolled, how long does it take my biometrics to arrive at the consulate?

Your record is transmitted electronically, like email, so it is virtually instantaneous.

What can I do to expedite the biometrics process?

You can try to change your appointment by selecting a different centre. You can also try to see if a different biometric centre can take you without an appointment, but there are no guarantees that this will be successful. A British consulate will not expedite an application simply because you have booked a flight; and we have always advised that flights should not be booked until a decision has been made and your passport has been returned.

Can I have my biometrics taken at the British Consulate?

Biometric enrolment is usually outsourced to 3rd party contractors although a few posts in smaller countries still have the equipment and can enroll you. In larger countries, this is not an option.

How much does biometric enrolment cost?

All of the costs are included in the application fee paid to the consulate.

Is it morally right to collect biometrics?

On a site like this, it doesn't matter. It is the right thing to do for those seeking an entry clearance to the UK because without biometrics, the application will be refused.

Why are my biometrics being given to the United States Government?

Because both governments believe there is a mutual benefit to doing so.

How are false matches handled?

False matches occur when your biometrics match someone else's. The theoretical probabilities of this are small, but computer glitches and inaccuracies wrought from using different equipment raise the chances to a visible level. False matches are currently dealt with manually on a case-by-case basis.