UKVCAS - UK Visa & Citizernship Application Services

Slight change regarding expiry of visa's.
Visitors are now required to register online

Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronav...uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

Registration for Visitors
https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/webform.asp?id=199&id2=5C97E7

Those requiring renewals are to continue with online process as far as possible. Anyone who cannot, then may be worth advising home office using CIH e-mail as it's coronavirus related.

Very disappointing that the government have took this view.

On the above link by oneworld the government are extending nurses and doctors visas by one year but for everyone else they are still expected to meet the requirements.

Some UKVCAS sites are planning to open from 1st June 2020

https://www.gov.uk/ukvcas

i didnt know there was one in southampton. handy for us.

UKVCAS are now planning to open more locations

https://www.ukvcas.co.uk/flash-message-detail?flashmessageId=74833

from 22 June 2020 UKVCAS will be opening service points in Belfast, Cardiff Bay, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Customers who currently have access to the booking system will now be able to book an appointment up to the 26 July. These customers will have access to the booking system until 20 June.

I guess that not until after 20th june, will new applicants be able to also book appointments? Only those presently in the system can currently book.

At present all appointment bookings are free at the limited sites that are currently open.

Once more sites start to open, they will be introducing some chargeable appointment bookings.

The UKVCAS guidance document has been revised
https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/soprasteria-ukvi-prd-ukvcas/FAQ.pdf

UKVCAS South West

For anyone in the South West, personal experience has found the Exeter site very good, has nearby parking and a quiet location.

The appointment took only 15 minutes to complete, just biometrics done, presummably the uploaded documents were previously checked, as no comment was made about them.








Now its just a wait for the result.

UKVCAS update 26th June 2020

Further UKVCAS Service points are soon to open
https://www.ukvcas.co.uk/flash-message-detail?flashmessageId=56249

Also Brand New Service points: -

Hi to all,
I am a Filipina married to a Britiash national. we live here in Asia.
I have a brother who works in retail in the middle east for 2 years. Hes hoping to visit the uk on a tourist visa for 1 month. He will then return to the middle east to continue his work. He is now looking for sponsor. Would it be possible my husband a British national who live here in Asia can sponsor him?

Thanks for your help,
Viaxxx

Tourist visa don't require a sponsor. It is up to the applicant to show that he is visiting for tourist reasons and will leave afterwards.

Evidence to support that would be job abroad and agreed leave to visit UK from employer. Also showing funds that he has to support himself on stay and that these are consistent with expected costs during visit.

If visiting friends then invitation from them may help as provides reason for visit.

Key thing is to convince them that you are visiting and do not have any plan to stay. That is there primary concern and thing you have to overcome.

Solid reasons with definite plan for the duration of the visit, evidence of enough funds and why you have to return on a certain date are probably the key things

If you were visiting UK at same time that might add to the case but otherwise not sure what benefit mentioning you in visa application would bring.

Further updates 2nd July 2020 regarding UKVCAS and affected visa applications

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronav...k-notifications&utm_content=immediate#history

Changes include, UKVCAS may consider working around providing finger print biometrics.

Hiyah,

I was reading through the new update which was updated yesterday. Im a bit confused, I'm currently here in the UK on a General Visitor Visa and it says on the page that we can switch to family visa or private life.

My question is, how can I make an appointment? Do I need to complete the application first where I have to encode all my personal details or it has to be done in different site like the UKVCAS? Then they will advice for the completion of details?

Thank you in advance.
Neri

1st your present visa situation MUST meet the criteria stated, i.e. your present visa is due to expire before 31 July 2020 OR visa expires after 31 july and visa urgently required.



The Visa application needs to completed online and fee paid (this is not UKVCAS).

Access to UKVCAS will need to be granted by UKVCAS after Home Office online application completed and paid. UKVCAS access is presently being prioritised. It is the home office online application that is important.

Any questions, suggest use CIH e-mail or contact Home Office diretly.
Note applications MUST currently be completed by 31st July.

Thank you for your reply. Almost same procedure from previous it's just different agency.

I have a visa that allow me to stay up to 6 months. Visa validity is not until Jan 2021, but my leave here is still good till August.

Attached is the screenshot where I expect this will let me apply (first paragraph) maybe my understanding is wrong .

The screenshot provided seems to be only applicable to those already with either a family or private life visa. You mentioned your visa is general.

What seems to be being offered by the government is a means to change visa IF already there were a plan to stay in the future according to existing requirements, however the intended application process has been hampered by pandemic restrictions. It's not an open door for all to seek ease changing visa route to quicken the settlement route.


Note: The change of path requires completed and paid visa application, which if application fails, then the applicant will have lost the money paid. Hence, anyone considering changing MUST be sure that the requirements are met, so need to seek advice from Home Office or Professional Immigration Advisor.

This site can only offer personal opinions, experiences, but not professional advice.

2nd July

Some applicants will not need to attend a Service Point (assuming the required documents have been scanned and uploaded and finger print biometrics have previously been provided?).

https://www.ukvcas.co.uk/flash-message-detail?flashmessageId=74833

Hi Br28016,
Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.
Will tell my Brother about this...

Cheers,
Via

UKVCAS Biometrics, response to COVID-19

For some chosen VISA/Citizernship applicants, previously supplied fingerprint biometrics will be reused and applicants will have the option to provide a facial biometric using a UKVCAS IDV app, instead of having to attend a UKVCAS appointment.

"In response to COVID-19, UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) is working closely with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to accelerate the application process and tackle the significant demand for appointments.

UKVI is changing the way it processes applications in response to COVID-19.
This new way of working involves reusing biometrics (fingerprints) that have been recorded in a previous application as part of the process to verify your identity.

To allow biometrics to be reused, UKVI and UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship
Application Services) have worked together to develop a way to submit facial
images using a new UKVCAS Identity Verification app (referred to below as IDV
app).

The IDV app lets you submit application information to UKVI without having to book or attend an appointment with UKVCAS. This new, free to use, way of submitting information to UKVI will involve you taking a photo of yourself and uploading supporting information onto your mobile device.

The IDV app is quick and easy to use and works on most Android and iPhones.

Rollout of the IDV app will take place in phases, beginning in August. We will invite eligible customers to use the new IDV app rather than require you to book an appointment at a UKVCAS service point.

The key advantage of the IDV app is you don’t have to attend an appointment at a UKVCAS Service Point. If you urgently need a decision about your application, (for example because you need to travel outside of the UK), the option to book an appointment is still available.
"