UK Visa for Philippine Passport Holders (Updated 2014)

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. 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,
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,
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.

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). So much more consideration than the US Embassy.

1,467 Comments

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Wilson on 08/15/2018 at 10:39 pm

Hi Wanderlass can I change my flight bookings when I get the visa? Really appreciate if you get back to me.
- joythatwanders on 08/20/2018 at 6:48 pm
  
  Yes you can. You don’t have to stick with the flight date as you stated in the visa application. As long as it’s within the range of your visa validity, you’ll be fine.
Wilson on 08/12/2018 at 2:26 pm

Hello po, Can I change my flight bookings. Just in case they grant me the Visitor visa. ? Thank you
Mike on 05/21/2018 at 8:07 pm

I Have a question for UK VISa: when is the start date of 3 months prior to the date of arrival when applying for visa application

1. Is it the date start when confirming and submitting your application “online”?

OR

2.Is it a date start when submitting your documents “personally” to VFS (Philippines)?

Thank you hope to hear from you.
- joythatwanders on 08/20/2018 at 6:47 pm
  
  It’s the date that you wish to enter UK. Say you want to fly to UK on the 1st of September. You should apply no earlier than June 1st.
John on 01/25/2018 at 7:29 pm

Hello po! I need your help or suggestions regarding with my Tourist Visa. I applied a tourist visa for 15 days and thank God it has been granted. My plan travel will be on 24th of Feb until 11th of March but my sponsor will book me a flight for 2 months. So, I will be travelling to UK on 24th of Feb until 19th of April. My questions is magkakaproblema po ba ako if nasa immigration na ako and they will check my record na my application is only 15 days and yet my return ticket is on 19th of April instead of March 11?????? I am looking forward your feedback. Thank you very much!!!
- wanderlass on 01/29/2018 at 9:25 pm
  
  if you have 6 months visa then you can stay until the end of that 6 months (from issue of visa not entry to UK)
  - joythatwanders on 08/20/2018 at 6:46 pm
    
    I believe you can stay up to 6 months form the date you enter UK. Visa validity only gives you the range of date that you can enter the UK.
ma. soraya atanacio mapilis on 10/04/2017 at 5:08 pm

Hi pls help me wala.kasi kaming property, wala.din ako job ano po pwd for strong tie pls help me
- joythatwanders on 08/20/2018 at 6:45 pm
  
  The questions there is, what’s your purpose of you going to UK and who will fund this travel? Those are two big things the ECO will check.
Grecilyn Domingo on 09/18/2017 at 1:04 pm

Since we will be in manila on January 15, 2018 he wants me to do my online application that same date so we can be in the British embassy on the same day. Is that fine or i need to do online application ahead of time..
Grecilyn Domingo on 09/18/2017 at 12:59 pm

My boyfriend is Italian but was settled in UK for 13 years now, and he will be visiting me here in the PH next year from January 2-15, 2018. More than 1 month palang ako sa new job ko but then since he will be here january i decided to file resignation at the end of november but i still need to render 1 month at work so by january i will be free na. And were planning na susunod ako by March first week. We both decided that i will apply for visitors visa. He will be the one to pay for my stay and i will also be living with him for my whole stay there.. So i need to have the documents checklist, as written above only four docs. 1. Valid citizen/Residense ID or Passport, 2. Bank statement 3. Address and contact details 4. Invitation letter stating their support

Question:
1. In requirements #1 just photocopy of it?
2. In requirements #2 is there a minimum money required for the bank statement?
3. If hes the one paying for everything, do i need to provide any docs?
4. If yes what are those documents i need to prepare?

Note: He will be supporting me althroughout my stay in UK.
Gina on 08/26/2017 at 5:37 am

I’m currently a temporary resident in the UK. My family plans to visit me this year and they’re already starting with the application. Would just want to ask if any of you have successfully got a UK visa whilst being unemployed? Also, does anyone know if there’s any violation with the UK law if my family stays with me and my husband in a one bedroom apartment (it’s gonna be 6 of us)?

Thank you.
Gloria Bueno on 07/23/2017 at 11:00 am

Hi wanderlass

I am planning to get a visit visa for UK,since a lot here says it took them a while to get back the approved visa, i felt hesitant to get it because i will be travelling to the US this coming Sept 2017.

My daughter who is US base and me plans to go to UK next year maybe around April 2017… i guess no problem will arise on her part since she is a PR in US, me, i am a philippine passport holder yet.

Well, can i apply a visit visa for UK while in NYC, my daughter will be paying for my fare, we will stay in my sons’ house in UK. Or is it wise enough to apply here in the Philippines..

Thanks wanderlass
- Elna U. Saliente on 09/26/2017 at 8:44 am
  
  Hi,maam pa help po ng online application ako sa UK as temporary worker,I need confirmation kung totoo n process yon,last June,2017.I am Elna U. Saliente from Brgy.Calsadahay,Pastrana,Leyte my employer is Niquey Atkins to be nanny of her child.Her agent is Chris Bailey,tulungan po ako ma’am kng totoo po.Baka niloloko ako meron n tracking# pro klngan mgbyad 21,500sa customs india andon n held visa@travel docs.Tulungan mo ako ma’am ma verify talaga.Salamat po,kindly email me @ elnasaliente88@gmail.com
goryo on 07/01/2017 at 12:30 pm

Hello, need help! may part lang po kasi na confusing sakin sa UK document checklist nila, nakalagay kasi they need
“Evidence of family members remaining in your home country whilst you travel”. Our family will travel as Tourist sa UK. e wala naman maiiwan sa home country namin. Need pa ba ilagay yung iba naming kamaganak na nsa Pilipinas sila? like Tito, Tita? We will submit Land titles naman sa application ng mom and dad ko.
Thank you!
- Gina on 08/26/2017 at 5:38 am
  
  Hi Goryo! How was your application? Was it successful? Ilan kayo nag apply