January 19, 2018 10:00am - lodged my application
January 19, 2018 3:54pm - application forwarded to UKVI
January 25, 2018 4:57pm - received a text that there was already a decision on my visa application
January 26, 2018 noon - received the passport containing the Visa
That was 4 working days for UKVI to evaluate my application. It was as if I opted for the Priority Visa Service but without paying the crippling Php 12,328.00 (or US$ 238.424 as of this writing). How strong your supporting documents are would determine the time needed to evaluate your application.
It was not stated anywhere if UKVI requires a certain amount in your bank account to get a sure Visa. You have to take into consideration the amount of money you make in a year vis-à-vis the amount you plan to spend for the entire trip. You can surely be extravagant in spending, say, Php 100,000.00 for a ten day trip, thinking it would be more than enough to convince the consul. But if that money comprises half your annual salary, surely red flags will be raised.
Travel history perhaps play a big role in the approval of your Visa request. Past Visas and immigration stamps in your Passport are the readily available and verifiable evidence that you have indeed traveled and returned to the Philippines.
The VFS Global UK has updated their website not a week has passed since I received my Visa. They have added "Premium Services" options to your application.
For the first timers applying for the UK Visa at the VFS, how does it go?
Arrive at the Mezzanine Floor Unit M01, Ecoplaza Building at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. At this point, you should have the following with you:
- Passport (present and all your past passports required by UKVI)
- Application form, printed
- UKVI Document Checklist, printed, unsigned
- All your supporting documents, including the email receipt of the Visa payment
note: The VFS checklist is not really needed by VFS (and UKVI for that matter), even though it is posted in their website. While I had prepared two signed copies at their convenience, it found its way back at my house.
The Security Guard at the entrance will check your appointment confirmation, as told by the VFS Guidelines. Of the two instances I have been there in the span of 2 weeks, the guards don't really check your papers. They just asked me what time is my appointment and to which country I am applying for.
At the UK and Australian Visa counter, the VFS personnel will get your appointment confirmation and your printed application form. You will then receive a receipt with a serial number that will be called inside when it is your turn.
Inside the UK Visa Application Center, approach the counter when called. The VFS personnel will gather all your documents, place it inside a clear plastic envelope for delivery to UKVI in Taguig. I was expecting a thorough checking of all supporting documents, like what we experienced when applying for Schengen Visa via French Embassy, the VFS personnel just shoved everything inside the envelope. If you prefer to avail of their SMS and Courier service, they will ask you to sign some forms and pay everything directly at the same counter.
A comparative fee schedule of the French and UK tourist Visas:
Application Fee:
UK: US$ 125 / €100 / Php 6,458.75
France: US$ 74.95 / €60 / Php 3,770 (they used the September 2017 exchange rate)
SMS Service Fee:
UK: Php 157.50
France: Php 110.00
Courier Fee:
UK: Php525.00
France: Php 330.00
Logistics Fee (VFS)
UK: Php 0.00
France: Php 1,640.00
Total:
UK: Php 7,141.25
France: Php 5,850.00
But who cares about the fees? We are here for expanding our knowlegde, seeing the world, and most essentially embellish our instagram accounts.
There's a plethora of User Pay Services offered to you by the VFS personnel ranging from the ultra luxurious Super Priority Visa Service (Php 61,573), which doesn't even guarantee approval, to the silly Form Filling Assistance (Php 750). If you are well prepared and apply at three months before your intended travel date, you would never have to avail of these expensive services. Other Bloggers who also applied for the UK Visa, never bothered getting the SMS service fee, which is good call as I've only received 2 messages from them: the day they dispatched my documents to UKVI and the day a decision was made (it never said approved nor denied). While other bloggers stated that they received an email regarding the status of their Visa application, I did not.
Once you've settled your account, you will have to wait for the extraction of your Biometrics. There are two rooms for that but at the time I applied, only one was operational. The experience inside will be everything you expect it to be. As I would recall, there are 5 things you need to do.
- State your name
- State your birth date
- Look at the CCTV camera for 10 seconds
- Look at the Camera
- Have your fingerprints taken
Once you're done, it's over. You have to leave. The wait begins. Do not obsess over reading blogs finding our when they released their respective Visas. It will happen eventually. Patience is your ally.
Some FAQ's:
Can I submit Original Documents?
Yes you can. I gave them a duplicate title I got from LRA with full knowledge that I may not get it back. They sent the same document back to me together with my passports. This also goes for Original Marriage and Birth Certificate.
UKVI kept the original Bank Certificates and the Certified True Copies of other important documents.
When does my Visa's validity start?
My intended travel date I wrote at the application form was March 27. In my Visa, it says Date Issued is January 24, 2018 and that it will expire on July 27. I would assume that I can get in UK before my declared travel dates.
It doesn't say anywhere that we should provide UK Passport approved Photographs.
Because they UKVI doesn't need it. Your photo will be taken by them at the last stage of your application.
But why does photo companies at malls sell you photos needed for UK Visa?
Because they don't know any better.
How do we obtain evidence that our family members will stay here in the Philippines whilst I am in the UK?
It is very difficult for me, in my present situation, to provide proof that there are family members that will remain in the Philippines while I am gone. I just made a notarized affidavit saying that my parents will just hang around at their home and office. I am not entirely sure if this what UKVI is looking for, nor why they are asking for such evidence.
I asked the same thing to the VFS personnel handling my application. He said other people just submit photographs of their family. That's it. Even he doesn't know if that is what UKVI is looking for.
Did you use your cellphone while inside the VFS?
Yes. I browsed facebook briefly before catching some Pokemons. In France VAC, they require you to turn off your mobile device.
Can you show me your Visa?
No.
Okay... Did you really apply for a UK Visa?
Yes.
Why is your blog not as flashy and image-filled with fashion shots of you walking the streets of London?
The purpose here is to fill you in with what you may not have already known. I can't ruin your knowledge input by desecrating this article with my photos or photos not taken by me. Also, I don't know how to set up a blog with advertisements. Help me.
