We all know that the UK is the best place on earth. It’s just planet earth in general is boring but you have it all here. The weather, people and most importantly the British culture is amazing. Now if you’re a student or a worker and you want to come to the United Kingdom for learning or for work purposes the first thing comes into your mind is getting a visa.
UK visa application process is a long and complex procedure that typically takes many weeks. Our company has considerable experience in handling the immigration procedures. Our immigration services cover every step from notifying the immigration authorities and providing assistance with your visa documentation, to making sure we have covered all the bases for your successful application for UK Visa in Uganda. For those foreign nationals who wish to travel to United Kingdom, first of all they need to obtain a visa. A British visa allows you to come and visit the United Kingdom (UK) lawfully, for a particular period of time, on an entrance permit granted by the Home Office. We will base our discussion today on – How To Get A Uk Visa In Uganda. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: how long does it take to get a uk visa in uganda and uk visa application form uganda
How To Get A Uk Visa In Uganda
UK Standard Visitor Visa for the citizens of Uganda
iVisa | Updated on Sep 16, 2022
The citizens of Uganda who wish to travel to the United Kingdom for business, tourism, or medical tourism must first obtain a visa. While the UK Standard Visitor Visa is not available online, iVisa can help with a part of the application process. In case you are interested in learning more about the UK Standard Visitor Visa and the online application process, please take a look at the answers to some of the most common questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the online application process work?
If you want to obtain a UK Standard Visitor Visa, you must go to the nearest British embassy and apply there. However, we can help with the application form. All you have to do is provide iVisa with some documents and information, and we will handle the initial application form for you. We will also send you a document checklist so that you know what to bring along when you go to the embassy for your interview. That way, you do not miss anything.
What documents and information are required for the online application process?
When you fill in the online application form, you must have at hand some information and documents that will help iVisa get started. Here is what you will need:
- Biometric passport – it must be valid for at least another 6 months from your date of arrival in the United Kingdom
- Accommodation information – a travel itinerary will suffice
- Means of sustenance – you must prove that you can provide for yourself and your dependents during your trip to the United Kingdom
- Proof of business or any other activity that justifies the purpose of your visit
- Means of payment – iVisa accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Alipay, and WeChat
- E-mail address – all the documents that come as a result of the online application process will be sent to you via e-mail
How long does it take for my online application to be processed?
That depends. One of the benefits of using iVisa’s services is that you are at liberty to choose the timeframe in which your online application form is processed. You are given three options so that you can make the best possible decision for yourself. They are as follows:
- Standard – 30 days
- Rush – 30 days
- Super Rush – 30 days
How long does it take for a UK Standard Visitor Visa to be ready?
It takes the embassy about 15 business days to process your application form and issue the UK Standard Visitor Visa. However, just to be on the safe side, we advise you to apply for it at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure.
How much does a UK Standard Visitor Visa cost?
The cost of a UK Standard Visitor Visa is determined by two factors: nationality and processing time. As you can imagine, the faster you want your application to be processed, the more you are charged. Here are the fees for each processing time option that a Ugandan has to pay:
- Standard – USD $167.99
- Rush – USD $211.99
- Super Rush – USD $260.99
How long is the UK Standard Visitor Visa valid for?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa has a validity period of 180 days after issued
How many entries does a UK Standard Visitor Visa ensure?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa is a Multiple Entry visa.
What is the duration of stay of a UK Standard Visitor Visa?
When you hold a UK Standard Visitor Visa, you are allowed to stay in the United Kingdom for no more than 180 days in Total.
Extensions are possible.
Uganda ranks among the top countries in Uganda which is ranked by the UK High Commission Uganda on the grounds of conducive living conditions, moderate climate and a high quality public health system among others. Most applicants are required to go through one of the four following categories when applying for a UK Visit Visa:
The concept of Uganda citizenship by investment is not new, but it is gaining popularity as a means of fast tracking exceptional individuals. There are those that have tried to navigate this process and failed while others have succeeded. A lot depends upon how the process is navigated.
Whether you are a student, tourist or business traveller, you will require a UK Visa. Here’s everything you need to know about the UK Visa application process and what documentation is required for a UK visa application.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign state in Europe. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, it includes the island of Great Britain—a term also applied loosely to refer to the whole country—the north-eastern part
WHAT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE REQUIRED FOR THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS?
When you fill in the online application form, you must have at hand some information and documents that will help iVisa get started. Here is what you will need:
- Biometric passport – it must be valid for at least another 6 months from your date of arrival in the United Kingdom
- Accommodation information – a travel itinerary will suffice
- Means of sustenance – you must prove that you can provide for yourself and your dependents during your trip to the United Kingdom
- Proof of business or any other activity that justifies the purpose of your visit
- Means of payment – iVisa accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Alipay, and WeChat
- E-mail address – all the documents that come as a result of the online application process will be sent to you via e-mail
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MY ONLINE APPLICATION TO BE PROCESSED?
That depends. One of the benefits of using iVisa’s services is that you are at liberty to choose the timeframe in which your online application form is processed. You are given three options so that you can make the best possible decision for yourself. They are as follows:
- Standard – 9 days
- Rush – 7 days
- Super Rush – 5 days
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A UK STANDARD VISITOR VISA TO BE READY?
It takes the embassy about 15 business days to process your application form and issue the UK Standard Visitor Visa. However, just to be on the safe side, we advise you to apply for it at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure.
HOW MUCH DOES A UK STANDARD VISITOR VISA COST?
The cost of a UK Standard Visitor Visa is determined by two factors: nationality and processing time. As you can imagine, the faster you want your application to be processed, the more you are charged. Here are the fees for each processing time option that a Ugandan has to pay:
- Standard – USD 170.00
- Rush – USD 200.00
- Super Rush – USD 220.00
HOW LONG IS THE UK STANDARD VISITOR VISA VALID FOR?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa has a validity period of 186 days after arrival
HOW MANY ENTRIES DOES A UK STANDARD VISITOR VISA ENSURE?
The UK Standard Visitor Visa is a Multiple Entry visa.
WHAT IS THE DURATION OF STAY OF A UK STANDARD VISITOR VISA?
When you hold a UK Standard Visitor Visa, you are allowed to stay in the United Kingdom for no more than 186 days in Total.
Extensions are possible.
Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK
You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. You’ll only be refunded if we have not started processing your application.
When your application’s waiting time starts and ends
Once you’ve submitted your application online, the waiting time starts when you either:
- attend your appointment and provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
- verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app – this will depend on the visa you apply for and you’ll be advised if you can use this
The waiting time will end when you get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Visit the UK
Visit visas, including standard visitor visa applications, are currently taking on average 5 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to visit the UK:
- for a holiday or to see family or friends
- for a business trip or meeting
- to get married
- to study for 6 months or less
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Travelling through the UK
Transit visa applications are currently taking on average 5 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel through the UK on your way to another country.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Study in the UK
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a:
- Student visa
- Child Student visa
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Short-term study in the UK
Short-term study visas are currently taking on average 5 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a:
- Short-term study visa
If you are studying for 6 months or less and have applied for a Standard Visitor visa, please refer to the visit the UK decision times.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Work or invest in the UK
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a visa to work or invest in the UK.
You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a Turkish Businessperson visa.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Join family in the UK
You should get a decision within 24 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK.
If you are applying as the dependent of another applicant, you will get your decision at the same time.
If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit you will get a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.
Family reunion
You should get a decision 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection.
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa
You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.
Commonwealth citizens
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for an Ancestry visa.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Windrush Scheme
If you are applying under the Windrush Scheme read the Windrush Scheme guidance and the latest correspondence on the work of the Home Office in relation to Windrush.
Returning residents
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a returning resident visa.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.
Replacing biometric residence permits
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel to the UK to replace your biometric residence permit (BRP).
Replacing residence cards
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to travel to the UK to replace a lost or stolen residence card.
Transfer your visa from your passport
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to transfer your visa from your passport.
Certificate of entitlement
You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a certificate of entitlement to prove you have right of abode in the UK.
Priority services – get a faster decision
Priority and super priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new family visa applications.
For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service.
Collection within 5 working days (priority service)
If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country you’re applying from, you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.
A decision will be made within 5 working days of your appointment at the visa application centre.
Check with your visa application centre to see if the priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from. The priority visa service is available in most countries.
Next day collection (super priority service)
If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country you’re applying from you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.
UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your super priority visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected by the end of the next working day from when you provide your biometric information.
Check with your visa application centre to see if the super priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from.
If you’re applying from The Gambia or are a Gambian national
Most entry clearance visa applications from Gambian nationals are subject to additional checks and it may take longer than usual to get a decision. Find out if your application is likely to be affected.
What happens next
If you verified your identity at a visa application centre you will be contacted when your documents are ready for collection.
If you verified your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, and your application was successful, then you do not need a biometric residence permit (BRP). Your immigration status will be completely online.
Check your email spam / junk folder
Sometimes emails from us can end up in spam or junk folders, so check these folders.
When you’ll get your biometric residence permit
If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months and you verified your identity at a visa application centre you will need to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP). Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK.
You must do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.
If there’s a problem with your BRP
Report any problems with your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.
When you might wait longer
You might wait longer for a decision if your application is not straightforward and more information is required before a decision is made, for example:
- if your supporting documents need to be verified
- if you need to attend an interview
- because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
If you applied for a priority or super priority visa and your application is not straightforward, you may have to wait longer, but your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. UK Visas and Immigration will try to process your application within our standard timescales.