UK Visa for Philippine Passport Holders
It was a week ago that I revealed my RTW plans and the beginning of my quest for visas.  Every Filipino who have experienced applying visas to Japan, US and Europe (Schengen, UK) can relate to this agony.  I went through both before but it doesn’t get easier. Since I’m going through the whole process again, I thought I’d make an outline to give future Filipino applicants a starting point. Digging through pages and pages of requirements can truly cause nausea, no kidding. So here you go, a blow by blow account on how to apply for UK Visa for Philippine Passport Holders.
UK VISA
The United Kingdom (UK) is composed of the following 4 countries: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.  As a Filipino passport holder, let it be a default to assume we needed visa to travel anywhere outside Southeast Asia. UK is no exception. There are several visa types but I’ll be focusing on Tourist Visa.  UK visa is applied through official partner VFS Global.
My focus will only be the application of UK Visa For Philippine Passport holders applying for TOURIST VISA. If you’re studying, working, marrying, or visiting family, I’m sure there’s a whole other bunch of stuff you need to prepare. I can’t help you with it, sorry.
Restrictions in visiting UK as a tourist:
- Visit to UK cannot be for more than six (6) months;
- Leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- Have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the UK without working or needing help from public funds.
- Will not take paid or unpaid employment.
- Will not marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership.
- Will not get private medical treatment.
When to Apply for UK Visa?
As with most countries, UK visa can be applied maximum of 3 months before intended entry.
Where to Apply for UK Visa?
There are 2 parts in UK Visa Application: (1) Online Application  (2) Appointment to submit biometric and supporting documents.
You’ll need to have in hand your passport, UK address (hotel booking or friend’s address), email address and begin your  online visa application.  You’ll need to go through the following:
- register for an account
- fill in the application form in English
- pay for the visa fee online (in most cases)
- print out your form
- book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre
You also need to:
- have all the supporting documents you need for your visa
- translate any supporting documents and include them with the originals if they aren’t in English
What to bring to the Appointment?
- A printed and signed copy of your online visa application form
- Your current valid passport  Note: The UK Border Agency will retain your passport until they have reached a decision on your visa application. Bear in mind if you have travel plans before going to UK.
- Previous passports
- Original supporting documents, with photocopies and translations
- Printed copy of the supporting document checklist
- Payment or proof of payment of visa application fee.
- 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) according to below specification.
Photograph Strict Specification
- Taken against a light grey or cream background;
- Clear and of good quality;
- Printed on normal photographic paper;
- 45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size
- 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.
What are supporting documents?
Simply put, these are documents that show evidence that you have ties in the Philippines and that you are coming back–job, family ties, properties, etc.
Also documents that shows you are capable of supporting yourself while in UK without the need to find employment–Bank statements, certificates, employment payslip, credit cards, etc.
You also need to submit details of accommodation plans and trip itinerary. However, please don’t pay for your accommodation until visa is issued.
All these should be submitted during the appointment. No further documents will be accepted after. Now, while the absence of these documents may result in unsuccessful visa application, submission does not guarantee visa issuance. More info on UK Visa Supporting Document
If you’re not paying for your own way, or have friend(s) in UK who will support you, you should present them with the following documents:
- Valid Citizen/Residence ID or Passport
- Bank Statement
- Address and contact details
- Invitation letter stating their support
How much is UK Visa for Philippine Passport Holders? Where to pay for UK Visa? (Updated 2-Sept-2014)
Tourist Visa {short term up to 6 months} costs £83 to apply.
Since December 17, 2012, visa fee can only be made online. It will form as part of the online application process. When all items are filled up, you will be directed to the website of WorldPay where you have the choice to pay with Visa or Mastercard. Â They no longer accept payment in person like I did before.
Waiting for Result
If there are no further delays (lacking or unverifiable document), you should have result in approximately 4-5 working days. Track your application through the free Application Status Tool.  You can collect documents personally or have the option to have it delivered to your home by paying Php 450. You also get an SMS saying it’s on its way.
Update: So lesson learned, if you are planning to visit in summer, you have to apply earlier. March and April is really hectic. I received mine in 15 days. This is also because of the Royal Wedding coming up on April 29, 2011.
UK Visa Application Centre
VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc., MANILA
Mezzanine Floor Unit M01, Ecoplaza Building,Â
2305 Pasong Tamo Extension Makati City, Metro Manila 1231
VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc., CEBU
9th Floor, Keppel Center, Unit 905, Samar Loop
cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue,Â
Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000
Note – Applicants who wish to lodge their UK visa application at the visa application centre in Cebu will be required to pay an additional service fee of Php 4, 425 in cash at the visa application centre.Â
UK Visa for Filipino Passport Holders kicks off the Visa for Pinoy Series I’m starting in this blog. Here’s hoping it will be a good starting point in your application. I had to go through labyrinth of information to get here.  I don’t have my visa yet but I’ll update often!  Now, moving on to a totally unrelated topic, this is my 100th post! :)
NOTES & UPDATE: I just came back from a very easy application submission. My schedule was for 9:40am and I was there 9:30am as the website suggested.  You have to reschedule if you’re more than 20 minutes late. Total wait time is about 2 hours but once my number is called, it took less than 5 minutes for them to check my documents and then another 5 minutes for them to take my biometric data.
Like I said I was there for 2 hours with about 80 people ahead of me. I saw a lot of people being sent back and forth to rearrange their document, or having to fill up more forms, or worse, being asked to come back. Here are few notes to guarantee you out in a jiffy!
- No need to submit photocopy your application form and passports. They’ll ask you to take it out. Save trees too!
- Paste the photo on to the application form. Not stapled, not taped, but pasted.
- Print copy of the supporting document checklist and check (tick) those supporting document that you’re submitting.  Some people didn’t, so they have to fill this up when there.
- Arrange document in the order presented on the checklist.
- Bring original supporting documents and have a photocopy of them.  I don’t know how many people had to go out and have their document photocopied. Note that you will leave with them ALL your original document (land title, lease document, business registration, bank statements, financial statement, etc.) to be returned with your visa.
- You can only go in with your documents placed in an envelope. Bags and phones will have to be left at their package counter (at the guard). Â So much more consideration than the US Embassy.
Related Visa Posts
How to Apply Australian Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Japan Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Chinese Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Tongan Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Korean Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply South African Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Schengen Visa in the Philippines
Hi wanderlass What if Kung mag papakasal na kami ng bf ko dito sa phil sa ikalawang pag balik nia dito. My possibilities ba na ma grant yung visa ko.either tourist or fiance visa??.. by the way he will be paying for everything and i will be staying in their house naman ..and I’m working as a regular employee for almost 1yr and 5 months na.. I still have plans to go back here for my work
Looking forward For your response Thank you.: )
ITR is required?
hello there im appreciate you a lot anyway im here in Singapore working its possible here that i can apply tourist visa to Uk or need to going back to Philippines then i applied there?
hi goodday i am ernie from davao
a student , is it possible to get the tourist visa before february end if i apply ?
i just dont have passport yet. and planning to stay there 7 days in UK
hi there .. just really want to know if accomodation certificate really needed when applying Visa? hope you can reply back ,,
thank you …
it will be helpful. anyway, most accommation can be cancelled 3 days before.
hi ms wanderlass please help me maybe you have idea on my problem….my schedule of interview for UK visit visa is on nov 29 and i dont have my ticket yet,do you think its ok just to get a reserve ticket in phil airlines for my interview?and how many days to re-apply again after denial of application?one last question if ever will gave me 6month visa it is possible to come and go back and forth till my visa expired?sorry for many inquiry,,,your answer will be so helpful to me,,,hope to hear your answer soon..thanks God bless
thank you !!!
Hi! Thanks for the awesome article! Just have a question. I already made my payment online via worldpay and I have also received the emails confirmation regarding my payment. However, as I logged back into the system to download and print my application form, it still tells me that I need to pay. Would you have any thoughts on why this is happening and how I might fix this? Appreciate all your help!! Their visa application system is so complicated…
hi ms wanderlass i am apply for visit visa. this is my 1st ever. apply any visa no idea how much gonna pay.. i am done singe my online application and i pay online too. in 132$ this is my question. that is all the payment of my visa process, wish to heard you answer thank you.
Hi wanderlass, My boyfriend is inviting me to visit his country for hoilday for a tour and to meet his parents, he already been here in the philippines thrice to be with me. so its my turn to visit his country and meet his family. i dont have job, business, bank statements, but he has everything to show that he can support me for all my travel expenses. sinusuportahan niya ako monthly to pay my rent, food and my personal needs. Property ito ng parents ko pero kami ng bf ko ang nagpagawa nung apartment but im still paying for my rent. is it possible that i can get a tourist visa? can i show my monthly income na pinapadalan ako ng bf ko monthly? can i show my apartment as a strong ties na babalikan ko ang pinas? i really dont have any intention to overstay sa uk. thanks
me and my daughter invited the father of my niece in london, and then my visa is underway .. how i will know if my visa is granted?
Hello! I’d just recently been granted a 6-month visitor visa and am booked to go to the UK in September. We are flying Emirates and transiting thru Dubai and I am just wondering if I need a special UAE transit visa? Our layover is only for about 3 hours.
Hi,
I am from the UK and me and my family are looking to sponsor my girlfriend to visit us here for the first time, and was just wondering what show money I would need to provide for the visa? I will be paying all expenses and she will be staying with me and my family for the entire trip (just under a month). Any help you could provide on this would be brilliant.
Excellent blog, very informative :)
i suppose just need to show an active bank account where money goes in and out regularly. and money enough to support another person. u should be able to gage better than i do. cheers.
If you’re sponsoring your girlfriend then you’ll be the one who’s providing a financial statement not your girlfriend, you must provide the prof of residency in uk your house, job, etc… It says in application form everything that you need to provide..