How to get a UK Visa for Filipinos

The thing about UK is that they call it “a sampler to Europe”. Even if the United Kingdom is in Europe, it is not part of the Schengen agreement, hence, not covered by the Schengen visa.

Here’s how to get your first UK Visa

1. Check out the latest list of requirements. Again this depends on your visa type. I applied for a Standard Visitor Visa. It is best to direct at the VFS Global sites, in case requirements change. Here is a guide from the UK government regarding the documents needed in the visa application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/549692/Visitor_Supporting_Documents_Guide_-_English_version.pdf

To break it down, simply:

• Passport (current and previous, prepare photocopy)
• Itinerary (tickets, hotel reservations)
• Proof of current educational status
• Proof of employment: Certificate of Employment, leave of absence
• Financial proof (bank statements, earnings, employment details)
• Proof of deep rooted ness in the Philippines (you may include your birth certificate, etc)

For UK Visa, no actual paper will be submitted to VFS Global. The requirements will be scanned. You have to have everything printed and photocopied in an A4 sized paper.(That is the size of their photocopying machine). If you have documents smaller than A4, this must be photocopied into a A4 sized paper) Don’t put staples on the documents, because they will be scanned.

2. Book an appointment at VFS Global. The most basic service they’d give would be the scanning of documents and the biometrics. There are other services like document sorting, premium lounge, keep your passport while waiting, express service and many more. These will cost you. We only applied for the scanning of documents (Php 650). Take note that this will only mean they will simply scan your documents. They will not even look at it if it is complete! At the end of booking the appointment, you will have to pay for the service you applied for. https://myappointment.vfsglobal.co.uk/MyAppointment/Account/Register
3. Fill out the online application form. The application form for UK is very tedious and they do have a lot of questions, prepare your list of previous travels and the dates, they will also ask that. At the end of the application, you will be asked to pay the visa fee online. The application will be marked incomplete until you pay for it. I think it costs approximately 7000 Php.
4. Go to VFS Global Ecoplaza for your appointment. Come on time. You will be asked to leave your bags at the locker which costs 75 Php, only folders and cellphones are allowed inside. Then, you will be given papers which contains barcodes/ categories of the requirements (example: Documents to prove financial capacity, Documents to prove deep rootedness, etc.). If you purchased the document sorting service, then they will help you with this. But since we only purchased the document scanning, we had to sort out our papers ourselves. We have to separated our documents and place the relevant barcode separator on top of each pile of documents. This should be done before our number is called by the application submission counter. After that, your number will be called and the documents will be scanned infront of you. Then, you proceed to biometrics. The following are the categories in each of the papers with barcodes given to us:
   1. Accommodation- Permanent/ Temporary
   2. Employment Evidence- I passed my payslip and certificate of employment
   3. Educational Evidence: This is mainly for traveling students, I think but for me, I photocopied my diploma
   4. Financial Evidence: Bank Book, Bank reference letter, Account statements, Fixed deposit letters
   5. Consent Letters/ Proof of Relationship: i think this is for minors, who need consent to travel and proof of relationships can be done by submitting the birth certificate, so I just did that
   6. Additional Documents
5. Wait for 15 working days. Unbelievable! 15 days!! I availed the SMS service, wherein they will be sending me an SMS regarding the status of my visa. After 7 days however, I received an SMS that my a decision has been made regarding my visa application, and I could now pick up my passport from Ecoplaza. 🙂