How to Apply for a UK Visa in the USA

Where can I get information?

The UK Border Agency and the British Consulates-General throughout the USA work in partnership with a commercial organisation: Worldbridge. You can find out whether you need a visa and how to apply through Worldbridge’s website. 

Worldbridge also provides information through an e-mail and telephone enquiry service, the number is 1-900-656-5000 and costs $3.00 per minute, or 1-212-796-5773 for a $12.00 flat fee. All the information provided is supplied and approved by the UK Border Agency.

Do I have to pay?

Website and email information is free of charge, but there is a charge for using the telephone service.

Where can I get advice?

Worldbridge and its staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:

Law Society of England and Wales
Law Society of Scotland
Law Society of Northern Ireland
Institute of Legal Executives

How do I submit my application?

You should submit your application through our online application service visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. Once completed you will be directed to make an appointment to have your biometrics collected. Once you have attended this appointment you must send your complete application to the British Consulate-General specified on your Visa Application Form.

Who decides whether I will get a visa?

Your visa application will be processed and decided by UK Border Agency staff. Neither Worldbridge, nor any of its staff play any part in, nor can they influence the outcome of your visa application. If any member of staff employed by Worldbridge claim to be able to influence your application you should inform any of the British Consulates-General listed below as soon as possible.

Service standards  - complaints and compliments

The UK Border Agency aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers. We welcome feedback that helps us to focus on where we need to improve

If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days.

• If you wish to complain about the service you received from the UK Border Agency at one of the Consulates-General below, please address your complaint to the Entry Clearance Manager at the relevant Consulate-General. Alternatively you may submit your complaint by email using the appropriate mailbox listed below. Please note that general enquiries will not be replied to. 

British Consulate-General
400 N Michigan Av, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60611
chicago.evisa@fco.gov.uk

British Consulate-General
11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90025-6538
complaintslavisa@fco.gov.uk

British Consulate-General
845 Third Ave
New York, NY 10022
Visa_ComplaintsNY@fco.gov.uk

•If you wish to complain about the service you received from Worldbridge, you may submit it direct to their website, in person, or to the Entry Clearance Manager at any of the above Consulates-General in writing.