UK in the USA
Washington, DC 01:27, 30 Jul 2010
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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.
Reminder for all student applicants
Applicants seeking entry to the UK as students should carefully review the requirements of 'Student Visitor' and 'PBS Tier 4 Student' in order to establish the appropriate category before submitting an online application. Please note you should only be applying as a 'PBS Tier 4 Student' if you have been assigned a valid 'Certificate of Acceptance for Studies' (CAS). This is an electronic reference number that will have been issued to you directly by your from a Tier 4 licensed sponsor. Tier 4 applications not accompanied by a valid CAS number will not attract the required points and will lead to refusal of the visa.
Important information for all Tier 4 Students
Please be aware that UK entry clearance as a Tier 4 Student can only be post-dated by three months. If you are studying a courses that is six months or more, or a pre-sessional courses less than six months you may have entry clearance commence one month before the start date listed on your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies. If you are studying a course that is less than 6 months, and is not a course to prepare you for study you may be granted 7 days before the start date listed on your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies.
All Tier 4 Students should not apply more than three months prior to the earliest start date that may be granted. All Tier 4 student applications submitted to UKBA for consideration outside this period will be voided and returned unprocessed. No refunds will be offered on these cases. Refunds are not authorized on any application once biometrics have been provided and processing begun, as per UKBA refund policy.
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
zzvisacomplaints@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.
Notice about biometric data of those applying for UK visas
The biometric data of those applying for a UK visa in the United States will be checked against the US Department of Homeland Security’s watch list of criminals and immigration offenders.