All immigration applications made from inside the UK are handled through the UK Visa Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS). UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has authorised a private company called TLScontact to run this.
UKVCAS includes all extension applications, and any switching between visas and applications for both Settlement and Citizenship. Applications from outside the UK are made via the Entry Clearance process.
What are the steps to apply through UKVCAS?
1. Complete the online form
2. Pay Home Office fees
3. Book and pay for an appointment
4. Attend your appointment
5. Receive the decision
Step 1: Complete the Online Form
The UKVCAS process is designed to allow applicants to complete as much as possible online. The first stage involves completing an online form. This form will be specific to the immigration route you are applying for. While filling out the form, you will be asked a series of questions about your personal background, and about the documentation required for the application.
Step 2: Pay Home Office Fees
On completion of the form, you will be asked to pay the relevant Home Office fees for the service. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This is £776 for applicants under the age of 18 and for student and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) applicants. For all other applicants it is £1035 per person.
If you wish to pay for a quicker decision to be made there are two options:
- The priority service aims to provide a decision within 5 working days of attending your UKVCAS appointment. This costs an additional £500.
- The super priority service aims to provide a decison within 24 hours of attending your UKVCAS appointment (if that appointment falls on a weekday). This costs £1000 in additon to the application fee.
If you wish to make use of these priority services, you must choose that option at the point of application.
Step 3: Book and Pay for an Appointment
Following the completion of the online form and the payment of these fees, you will now be able to book a biometrics appointment. The appointment system is delivered by TLScontact.
TLScontact maintains aproximately 30 Service Points around the UK. Choose a convenient Service Point that you will attend for your appopintment. You can search for your nearest Service Point on the TLScontact site. Alternatively, we maintain an up to date complete list of all UKVCAS Service Points, including full address and postcode.
Standard appointments are free and prime time appointments are charged at £60. If you do not want to upload your documents ahead of your appointment you will need to book an assisted appointment for £50.
Once your appointment is booked - if you haven’t paid for the assisted service - you are now able to upload your supporting documents.
Step 4: Attend Your Appointment
The UKVCAS appointment is where you will provide biometrics (e.g. photos and fingerprints) and present your passport and Biometric Residence Permit, if you have one. Hard copies of your documents only need to be taken to the appointment if they haven’t been uploaded beforehand.
Please be aware that if you choose not to upload documents beforehand your waiting time at the appointment will probably be longer.
At the appointment, there will be self-service biometric kiosks, and UKVCAS staff on site to assist you. All your original documents and your passport will be returned to you at the end of the appointment.
Step 5: Receive a Decision
After you have attended your appointment a decision will arrive usually within 8 weeks.
For Settlement applications, the decision time is much longer, at 6 months.
For the priority service, waiting times are cut to 5 days, and the super priority fee allows a decision within 24 hours.
UKVCAS: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a UKVCAS appointment?
Book online by visiting the UKVCAS booking page
What is the UKVCAS appointment fee?
- Basic application fees are available on the gov.uk website
- You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1035 per person. This is reduced to £776 for applicants under the age of 18, students, and for Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) applicants.
- There is no additional charge for Standard appointments. Assisted appointments are £50, which includes the scanning of documents. Prime time appointments are £60.
- Priority applications are charged an additional £500
- Super Priority applications are charged an additional £1000
What biometrics will be required at the appointment?
You will need to provide your fingerprints, and have a photo taken. See our biometrics explainer for more information on this process.
What do I need to bring to the appointment?
You will need to bring your appointment confirmation, your passport and your BRP (if you have one). Note that passport sized photos are no longer needed. If you are planning to use the scanning service you will also need to bring all original documents.
Can I talk to a case worker at the appointment?
UKVCAS Service Points are operated by a private company - TLScontact. Therefore the staff at your appointment will be purely administrative. They do not play any part in making a decision on whether or not to grant a visa and cannot pass on any information to the Home Office. If your circumstances are unusual you should write a letter explaining this and upload it along with all other documents.
How long does a decision take?
After you have attended your appointment a decision will arrive usually within 8 weeks. Settlement decisions typically take 6 months. Priority service applicants receive a decision within 5 days, and Super Priority applicants receive a decision within 24 hours.
What if my Priority or Super Priority application takes longer?
If the time frame is not met in your case, then you should request a refund of the additional fee. (It seems to us that sometimes the refund is made automatically, but in other cases it needs to be requested.)
Can I withdraw the application?
Yes, but if you withdraw the application after attending the appointment you will not be eligible for a refund of the Home Office application fee. The IHS charge will however be refunded.
How can I check on the status of the application?
Unfortunately there is no way to check on the status of your application.
How can I phone the Service Point to discuss my appointment?
Unfortunately, there is no phone number for any of the Service Points. Instead, there is an online enquiry form.
Can I rearrange the appointment?
At the moment there is no facility to rearrange your appointment. We understand that the UKVI plan to add this function. At present, if you find you cannot attend the appointment after you have booked it then you have to cancel, await a refund, and pay a second appointment fee.
How can we help?
At White Rose Visas we have a thorough understanding of the UKVCAS process and are here to guide you through every step of your application.
We are able to assist in the full preparation of the application, as well as completing the online form on your behalf. Most importantly, we ensure that you have all the necessary documentation for a successful application, including a thorough check of every document to be submitted.
For your appointment, we can issue you with a written guide that explains everything you need to know about your appointment.
Even if you choose not to use White Rose Visas to prepare your application on your behalf, we still welcome your enquiry. We are happy to provide a free 30 minute consultation, with no obligation to use White Rose Visas’ services thereafter.
