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- What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel
document that gives you permission to enter the United Kingdom.
On arrival in the United Kingdom a Border Force officer may check
that you are here for the reasons you have stated. Passengers
will also have their fingerprints scanned at border control to
verify that the individual entering the UK is the same person
who gave their biometric data when they applied for their visa.
For more information about what you might expect on arrival in
the UK please visit the UK Border Agency website.
- When to apply
For all types of visa, you can apply up to 3 months in advance
of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly
advised not to confirm their travel arrangements to come to the
UK until they have received their visa.
- How to apply
There are 9 steps to complete the visa application process.
Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
Please see the information below and use the 'Do
I need a visa' questionnaire on the UK Border Agency website to see if you need a visa. If you need a visa you should follow the steps below. You are advised to read through the application steps before you make your visa application so you are clear about the procedure and requirements.
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If you are a Malaysian passport holder going to
the UK for less then 6 months, you do not need to
apply for a visit visa unless you have had previous
immigration problems. If you have had previous immigration
problems you should apply for a visa, otherwise you may
be refused entry into the UK. |
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If you are a non-Malaysian without any long term
visa status in Malaysia you should wait until you return
to your home country or the country where you are normally
resident in order to make your UK visa application. |
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If you are a third country national with a long term Malaysian visa you can make your application in Malyasia.There may be some delay in processing your visa application as the UK Border Agency may need to refer your documents to your country of origin/normal residence |
Important note: If you have had any previous immigration
problems you are advised to apply for a visa to enter the UK.
Step 2 - Read the information on your visa
category
Before you decide to apply for a visa please make sure you familiarize
yourself with the information on the visa category you are applying
for. Quick links to information on visa categories and other helpful
information can be found on the 'Visa
Information' page on this website. You may also want to read
the Immigration
Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements.
Step 3 - Complete your visa application form
You should submit 1 visa application for each individual applying
for a visa, including children.
You can complete your visa application form in one of the following
2 ways, although Tier 4 applications and their dependants should
complete an online application.
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Online visa application form
Complete an online visa application in English at using
on the online
application system. |
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Please ensure that you select the correct visa application
for the purpose of your visit. Ensure that you complete
all the sections correctly |
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Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application.
The information in this section must be completed
accurately. |
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Please print all the pages of the visa application
form and bring it to the visa application centre.
You should print your completed visa application form
on good quality paper and ensure that the information
does extend beyond the margins on the paper. |
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Please make sure the bar code appears on the final
page of your printed visa application form and remember
to sign it. |
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After you have saved and submitted your online application,
you will receive an email with a unique application
ID number that starts with GWF. Keep your ID number
for future reference. |
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Paper visa application form
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Download the appropriate visa
application form free of charge from the UK
Border Agency website. You should
print your visa application form on good quality paper
and ensure that the information does not extend beyond
the margins on the paper. |
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Complete the application form in English using a
black or blue pen and sign it. Ensure that you complete
all the sections correctly. If you make a mistake
in filling in any of the sections you will need to
make the change on the form and sign against it. |
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Step 4 - Prepare your documents
Original documents
You must provide original documents with a photocopy of each
original document you are submitting. Your original documents
might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies
of the originals. Failure to submit original documents may mean
your application is delayed or refused. We recommend that you
make any necessary copies before you come to the visa application
centre, alternatively a photocopier is available at the visa application
centre (fee payable).
Translations
If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your
visa application you should provide translations of any supporting
documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need
to be submitted with the original document for verification. The
translated documents must include details the translator's name
and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original
document. It must also be dated and include the original signature
of the translator.
Supporting documents
Please see the 'Supporting Documents' page on this website for more information. The checklists on this page are a guide to applicants of the type of documents they might submit in support of their visa application; they are not intended to be a complete list of required documents. The absence of important documentary evidence of your travel history in a previous passport (if applicable) and comprehensive supporting documents, may result in your application not being successful.
Photograph
Provide 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old).
The photograph should be in colour and:
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Taken against a light grey or cream background; |
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Clear and of good quality; |
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Printed on normal photographic paper; |
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45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size |
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Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for
religious or medical reasons. The subject should have their
mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows)
and the applicant should be facing forwarding, looking straight
ahead. |
Important information for visa applicants and sponsors:
If your sponsor already has a visa and is established in the UK
(in addition to the above) you will need to show evidence of their
current status there. You should provide a certified copy of their
passport showing all the pages.
Step 5 - Schedule an appointment
All visa applicants (apart from exempt
categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at
the visa application centre to submit their biometric data. Although
exempt categories
and children under 5 do not need to attend the visa application
centre, they will need to complete a visa application form. If
you refuse to submit your biometric
data, your visa application cannot be processed.
Applicants can either make an online appointment to attend the visa application centre, or attend on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book your appointment online by using the "schedule an appointment" link on this website and follow the instructions. By booking your appointment online you will be added to the priority queue.
If you are unable to book any available dates it means that all
the places have been booked. In this case you can still walk in
to the visa application centre and submit your application.
Important: If you are part of a family or group, each member
of the family or group must make an individual appointment. For
example, if you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children,
you must make 4 individual appointments. Children over
5 years of age and adults should make an appointment. Children
under 5 years of age will need to submit a visa application to
enter the UK but they will not have to attend the visa application
centre.
Exemptions
Exempt visa categories may choose to send their visa application and supporting documents to the visa application centre by courier and not come in person or schedule an appointment. If they would like to have their passport delivered by courier after processing, they should see for the courier facility on the 'Additional Services' page on this website for the courier charges.
- Group appointments.
Online appointments are compulsory for groups of 6 or more
applicants. Applicants in this category arriving without an appointment
will be turned away.
Step 6 - Pay your visa application fee
Please see the 'visa application fee'
page on this website for information about how to pay your visa
application fee.
Step 7 - Visit the visa application centre
The visa application centre contact details can be found on the
'contact us' page of this website.
You must apply in person to submit your biometric data (digital
photograph and fingerscan).
You should remember to bring the following documents:
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Your current passport or your refugee travel document;
which corresponds to the information given on your visa
application form and contains at least 1 blank page (both
sides) for the visa to be inserted |
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your visa application fee or proof of payment (see step 6) |
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A current photograph (see step 4) |
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Completed, signed visa application form (see step 3) |
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Your supporting documents (see step 4) |
Important note: You will not be able to submit further
documents after you have submitted your application at the visa
application centre. The documents you submit at the time you made
your application are the only documents that can be considered.
Biometric data collection
Biometric data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all 10 digits) and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical is used. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example, henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. Female applicants will be required to take off their veil for biometric photo capture. A hijab will be allowed as long as full frontal view of the face is visible. VFS will ensure a female employee is present to capture the biometric data and will provide privacy in the booth. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit your biometric data.
Step 8 - Wait for a decision
Wait for a decision on your visa application. Please refer to
the 'guide to processing times' page
on this website for information on our processing times. You can
use this information as a guide to our recent performance, it
cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application
processing time. Visa applications are assessed individually and
processing times may vary.
You can also use the free 'Track
Your Application' facility on this website to find out the
progress of your visa application, or use the SMS
text service (fee payable) to receive texts about the progress
of your visa application. Visa applications are assessed individually
and processing times may vary.
Please note: The UK Border Agency in Malaysia will retain your
passport until they have reached a decision on your visa application.
Please bear this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements,
particularly if you plan to visit other countries before going
to the UK.
Interview procedures
Exceptionally, you may be asked to attend an interview. Visa staff
reserve the right to make a decision based on the documents you
submitted with your visa application. It is essential that you
submit all relevant documents with the initial application.
Should an interview be required then you will be offered the first available interview date. Depending on workload, there may be a waiting period before the interview so bear please bear this in mind. The UK Border Agency carries out interviews in English and also offers interpreters for Bahasa Malaysia and Cantonese. If you do not speak one of these languages you will need to arrange for an independent professionally qualified interpreter, for example an interpreter authorised by the Malaysian Courts, to accompany you to the interview. Unqualified friends or members of your family cannot be accepted as interpreters. Your interpreter will be required to provide documentary evidence to the visa officer of their qualifications.
Children under 10 years old, applying for a visa will not be interviewed.
Where the child is travelling alone an interview may be carried
out with a responsible adult (for example a parent or guardian).
Children aged between 10 and 14 may be interviewed, but this would
only be in the presence of a responsible adult. Children aged
over 14 may be interviewed alone.
Step 9 - Collect the decision on your visa
application
Collect the decision on your visa application along with your original documents from the visa application centre. You will need the original visa submission receipt that you were given when you attended the visa application centre to collect your documents. A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter signed by you and proper proof of their identity. If you prefer you can have your documents returned to you by courier service.
If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make sure
that:
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your personal details are correct |
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it correctly states the purpose for which you want to
come to the UK, and |
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it is valid for the date on which you want to travel.
(You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to 3 months
if you do not plan to travel immediately). |
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact
the visa application centre immediately.
- Using agents and fraud
You may decide to submit your application to VFS through an independent
travel agent, immigration agent or consultant. These agents will
charge for their services.
You should be careful when dealing with agents who make unrealistic claims. Agents cannot guarantee that they will be able to obtain a work or study visa for you. They cannot guarantee that your application will be resolved without an interview or the outcome of your visa application. They may be cheating you if they make these claims.
Many agents charge exorbitant fees for their services - often
many times the actual cost of the visa. If an agent charges you
anything more than a small and reasonable service charge, they
may be overcharging you or they may be supplying you with false
documents and statements. Visa officers will detect false documents
and statements, and your visa application will be refused. If
you provide false information, documents or passports in support
of your visa application, you will be refused a visa and all future
applications could be refused for up to 10 years. You may also
be prosecuted and could face a fine or even go to prison.
Remember the visa application is your application. You are the
owner of the information and any supporting documentation. A genuine
agent will only be able to help you to complete the form and advise
you what supporting documents you need to include. If you consider
that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should
report the matter to the police.
Email and website visa scams
The UK Border Agency advises customers that various email and website visa scams are in progress. Scam emails are being sent to customers posing as representatives from the British High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur. These emails are fraudulent and falsely claim that a customer's UK visa has been approved and that the customer must send money in order to get it. Scam websites are also falsely posing as official British High Commission and the UK Visa Services websites and providing incorrect information to applicants in order to obtain money.
The UK Border Agency urges all applicants to only use this website (www.vfs-uk-my.com/index.aspx) and the official UK Border Agency visas website www.ukvisas.gov.uk for information on all visa applications and how to apply.
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