Immigrationn Corner | What to expect after applying for a UK visa

Dear Mr Bassie,

Please explain what is entailed in the process after an application has been made for a United Kingdom visa.

GG.

Dear GG,

Having made the application for the visa, persons will get a letter or an email advising them that the Home Office has made a decision on their application, and this document will advise the applicant what he/she will need to do next. Those persons who have not received an email should check their spam or junk folder to see if it is there.

IF THE APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL

If successful, persons will be given a sticker called a vignette that will be affixed in their passport, that is if they gave their biometric information at a visa application centre. Alternatively, they may receive an online record of their immigration status in the form of an ‘eVisa’.

It should be noted that the vignette or online immigration status information will provide the following information:

• What type of visa he/she has been granted (for exams, Student visa)

• The dates the visa is valid (start date and end date)

• The conditions that are attached to the vi.sa

THE VISA CONDITIONS

The conditions advise what persons can and cannot do in the United Kingdom (UK). For example, it might state:

• ‘No access to public funds’ – that is persons cannot claim benefits

• ‘No work’ – persons cannot take paid or unpaid work in the UK

• ‘Restricted work’ - persons can only work for their sponsor

GETTING THE VIGNETTE

If the visa application centre kept the passport, they will either:

• Send it to the applicant with the vignette inside – if he/she paid for this service when they applied

• Ask him/her to collect the passport and vignette

If the applicant kept their passport, they would need to take it to the visa application centre to collect the vignette.

If there is an error in the vignette, persons should contact the visa application centre immediately to correct it before travelling to the UK.

If the error is noticed after arriving in the UK, the holder must report it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within three months of arriving or he/she will need to make a new application.

OBTAINING AN eVISA

Just for clarity, it should be noted that an eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration status. Persons will be able to view their immigration status information online and share it with others, for example, employers or universities.

It should be noted that some government organisations and public authorities will be able to access persons’ immigration status information, for example, when they travel through the UK border. Please be aware that these persons will not get a vignette or a biometric residence permit.

GETTING A BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE PERMIT

After arrival, persons will need to collect a biometric residence permit (BRP), if all the following apply: Persons have received a decision on their application before October 31, 2024; received a vignette; and they are going to the UK for more than six months.

Persons must ensure that that this is done before the vignette sticker expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later. Persons are able to choose where to collect their BRP from during their application.

Upon receipt of the BRP, persons should check that the details on it are correct. Please be aware that, if the name is long, it may appear ‘cut off’. This is not a mistake – it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there is a spelling mistake on it, this must be reported. Any errors on the BRP card should be reported within 10 days of collecting it.

IF THE APPLICATION IS REFUSED

If refused, persons should be aware that they will get a letter or an email explaining why their application was refused. At this point, the applicant’s passport will be returned if it was kept as part of their application, and the refusal letter will explain if he/she has the right to either an administrative review or an immigration decision appeal.

Good luck!

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com