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
Please can you tell me in regards to submitting bank statements on behalf of my girlfriend from Manilla for a tourist visa –
1. how many months bank statements need to be provided?
2. do they need to be original i.e do I have to send by post to her or can i just email her pdf for her to print?
3. how much needs to be in my account to satisfy?
Also in regards to after the online application – how does one get the appointment with vfs and how long does it take to get the appointment to submit documents?
thx
Chris
Hi Chris
we had the same question before with my husband but in my experience as we applied for
EEA FAMILY PERMIT my husband had his previous 6 months bank statements up to the month when we apply..he just scan and send it to me by email via PDF. and i just print it out. I believe they usually ask a photocopy only all documents .. but you have the option to give original.most of the documents i submitted is photocopy except for my Birth certificate and our marriage contract which has both red ribbon on it and authenticacted.
with question number 3 Im not sure how much your bank account should meet for tourist visa because every type of visas has this finacial criteria . i think the amount should be enough to support your girlfriend for the whole duration of her trip .
and last one is your girlfriend should have the option to choose her appointment date and time if its availble too or not .right after she completely filled up the online application she just need to follow the steps and she will have the page where she choose her appointment schecdule. submitting of docs might be take 10-15 mins including the bio metric scans however it also take up to 3-5 hours or more on waiting depends of how many applicants ..
I hope i was able to help you :)
Pearly,
Thats super helpful. Thx.
Hi Pearly,
Actually dont really know where to start, anyway…i have a lot of questions regarding this process, i will also apply for an EEA Family Permit , my questions will be as follows:
1. Would u mind writing down all the documents that u submitted.
2. Where to get the document checklist.
3. Do i need to submit bank statement as well,even if im unemployed and im fully dependent on him.
4. Did u go for a TB test? is it before or after ur application.
5. Do i need to do an English Language Test?
I’m sorry for asking so many question as I dont know whom to ask, then i came across this blog and read it each comment and finally i found u, which is applying for the same visa as mine.
I knew u already got ur visa.Lucky you, Hopefully and in Gods grace i will get mine to soon…
Thank u in advance and God bless.
Your response will be very much appreciated.
Mitchelley
hi Pearly,
I just want to ask how many days before you receive the decision of your EEA Family permit?
Hi Pearly, this is really helpful. I’d like to clarify because I have the same case and I will apply next week. A family member who lives there will sponsor my UK trip and has sent me photocopies of her bank statement/building society stock. Among my documents, her bank statements/building society and proof of house ownership in the UK will be the only photocopies I will submit, while the rest are original. So, you submitted photocopies/scanned copies of the bank statements and got approved? How many copies are needed? :)
very helpful, thank you so much Wanderlass at sa lahat ng mga.comments d2. God Bless sa inyo, I got my visa and so happy. Glory be to GOD.
hi miss Pearly!
same po tayo, I aapplied for an EEA family permit too. Just want to ask how many days before you received the decision from UKVI?
thank you :)
@Cristina – what are the other options? Thank you!
Hi po ask q lang po kung ok po b ung sasabhn q s cover letter q n uuwi nmn po tlga aq ng pinas after 6months kasi dto kmi ppakasal s pinas ipapasa q rin po ung round trip ticket q at ticket nya .. (Resevation) .. Ksi po sabay kmi uuwi nextyear dto s pinas papasa q dn po ung leave paper nya ok n po kaya un n patunay n uuwi nmn tlga aq ng pinas wala po kasi q work dto ee at wala dn nmn aq bank statement .. Sya nmn po ksi gagasTos s lahat .. Ok na po kaya un? Thanks po s sasagot ..
July 28 n sched ko ?
Hi,can ask something regarding visa,ngwowork kasi ako dito sa singapore,e my nghihired sakin sa UK,as nanny,ano pong visa ang aplayan ko if dito na po ako mgapply ng visa in UK,kasi po pag uuwi pa po ko ng pinas baka mas mabagal pa don…at ano pong mga requirements???hope u can help me..thanks godbless
Hi can i ask please help me ,gusto ko po malaman kung anong visa ang kukunin ko kasi never pa kami nag meet ng taong ito online lang kami nagkakilala,everyday kami nag uusap ,4 na buwan na kmi nag uusap lagi gusto nya magkita kami ako ang pupunta doon ,pero gastos nya lahat pwede po ba ang ganun na ako pupunta willing sya ibigay lahat na kailangan ng visa maraming salamat po .Jermelin Pilapil.
Hi, i just want to ask if VFS is an agency. Will it require another payment? Or the £83 visa payment you mentioned is all? Thank you
hi,,hope someone could hepl me some ideas..pwd po magtanong if we are already maried here in philipines and my husband wanted me to come to uk,,Is it necesarry the requirements 18600 pounds?do it needs in the requiremnts?help me pls what other idea please thanks Izninz
Hello Izninz
You can apply for the spouse visa and your husband (sponsor) will be the one to meet the financial requirements you need to have the 6 months pay slips , 6 months bank statements and P60 as a proof.
All good things,
Cristina
And yes its £18,600
#Cristina Hi cristana thanks you so much for the info…but sad to say my bf cannot reach the 18600,,still think Positive,nothing is imposible and to be patience. thanks:)
Hi there
I forgot to tell you that there are other options in financial requirements to meet. Can i have your email address and we can talk more.
hi cristina thank you for giving me a hope..nothing is imposible:)i realy hope you can help me..
Hi Cristina, Hope all is well with you.
Just a question, My husband is an EEA National and just started in working in london for 3 months now, and we are trying to complete my requirements for me to go there. my question is is the 3 months payslip, and bank statement, would be enough??
Thank you in advance..God Bless…
Hi Cristina, what are the other options?? Thank you!!
Hi Izninz and Aimee,
They could go over time to reach the min. requirement if they are under category A (salaried employment) or savings or being disable person those are the options. You can see these lists on the financial form.
@ Mitchelley unfortunately the requirement is it should be 6 months of pay slip and bank statements.
Pasensya na ngayon lng nka reply na bz ako sa wedding preparations this month na kasi.
hi. Ms.cristina. can u help me …bigyan kita ng email add q. sana matulungan mo ako about sa visa
@Cristina congarts:)happy to hear na ikakasal kna po…ok lang po..and ive waited on your rply…pwd po ulit tanong…what u mean category A?pasensy na po..i think yearly income is only 16000 and it is stated that 18600 so d nya po na meet yung finacial requirement..but my kunti po sya na saving pag combine nya po un aabot sa 18600 but the question is it allowed to combined savings it says yearly income is 18600?pasensya na po talaga ha…pwd po ba mahinge email add mo po,,,?thanks
Hi ask ko lang po pwede ko po bang sabhn n 6months tlga q mg stay s uk for tourist visa mg bibigy ng invitation letter ung boyfriend ko at father nya para skn at sgot n bf lahat ng kailangn ko ksi after nang 6 months babalik nmn tlga aq kasi papaksl kmi dto s pinas kasby q sya umuwi .. Ongayon july 28 n schd ko s makati at balak ko umalis is oct 30 balik ng pinas april2017 ok lang po b un n mg apply n ako ngaun july palang.? Or s oct nlng aq mg aaply? Thanks sana po matulungan nyo ako
helli anyone who could help me to make a cover letter? you have any sample please? thank you po. I will be applying here in Abu Dhabi soon. My aunt in Manchester will sponsor me. Thank you & Godbless.
Hi guys ask lang ako last. ? Kase yung nakalagay sa invitation ko 1 month lang ako dun. Pero dahil yung visa ko is for 6months consume ko laht yun. Is it ok?
Hi. Guys, tomorrow is my 15th day ng pag ng visa ko, wala akong na text or mail, first messsage na nreceinamenreceivedA ko is yung The visa application for GWF was forwarded to UKVI on 6/17/2016.After nyan wala na. Sana ma approved. Anyways congrats sa mga, im so happy for you guys.
Hi buti ka pa may na-recieved na text. Ako wala natanggap, pang 7 days ko pa lang naman kaso bakit wala pa din text na naforward na sa UKVI
Ok lang dw po un bsta wag ka mg overstay
sa june 28 n po interview ko sa apllication ano po dapat kong gawin ??please po asap :(HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELLED OUTSIDE YOUR COUNTRY
OF RESIDENCE, EXCLUDING THE UK, IN THE LAST 10 years??
NO po answer ko e dapat YES coz i travelled 4 countries n po . na stress npo ako dont know what to do ?
please help po thank you:)
hi po. ask ko lng po pano ang ggwin ko if nagkaron ako ng error sa uk filling ko, upon printing po kase, mali po ang sagot ko sa HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELLED OUTSIDE YOUR COUNTRY
OF RESIDENCE, EXCLUDING THE UK, IN THE LAST 10 years? no po kase nasagot pero it must be yes po .. ano po advice para hnde ako mdenied?/ thank you
Edit m
Hi everyone!
Thank you sa mga comments niyo..learned alot,pro just want to ask.. if how many slots ba ang usually available sa visa appointment sa UK or kunti lang bah every month like US? next week pa kasi kmi makakapgbook have no idea if gaano ka frequent in a week..may target sched kasi ako sana maka habol…
sino rin po dito ng apply ng settlement visa sa Uk…2 weeks din ba ang decision malalaman?
thank you po.
Hello steph,
About the slots u will find out pag nasa page kana sa visa4uk website to book your appointment and youll choose date and time. For settlement depende if mg aavail kayo ng priority service syempre youll receive the results earlier my 5 days to 3 weeks than standard time na 1-4 months. In my case I got my marriage visa in 6 weeks it was standard.
All good things
Cristina
thank you for answering cristina! one last question…when you booked your appointment… how frequent were the slots available o scarce din?
kinda worried kasi if our required docs will be out of date na..then my husband has to send another docs ulet., like bank cert which is only valid for 28days dw. i hope may available pa sa july. we are waiting for bank to clear then we can pay and book.
6weeks pala tlga….anyone here got earlier approval sa spouse visa?
thanks cristina!
Hi Cristina ,, fiancee’ visa kinuha mo ? ano requirments, gsto q sanang mag apply.
Hi Chel,
Yes i applied twice first visit visa din marriage/ fiance visa. Can we talk through fb messenger mas madali kasi dun.
Thanks.
Hi cristina can i add you n fb too? I have questions as well .Please
Hi Nev,
Sure can i have ur name search kita sa fb tnx
Please find my fb name Mary Isabelle.Thank you so much
Hello,
I already sent a message
My bb kaba sa pix ung super pretty? Dalawa kc kapareha mo.
@Cristina
Ito fb ko Chelle Olita profile ko kami ni bf