Long a major global power, the United Kingdom contains a vast assortment of treasures from both the modern day and the past. With a history of global domination, industrial development and advances in science and literature, the UK is a fascinating place to both work and visit.

UK Visa / Entry Requirements

Only certain nationalities need apply for a UK visa. To apply, you should first attempt to complete the application online to reduce paperwork and documentation.

UK Tourist Visa

If you are from a country on the UK’s Visa and Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) nationals website, you must apply for a tourism visa to visit the UK. You can apply for the visa online, through the mail, through a courier or in person at a UK embassy in your home country or a visa application center located in certain countries.

To apply for a visa, you may complete an online application or print off a UK visa application to be completed by hand. If you do not apply online, you will need to also include the following with your application:

•    Your passport
•    A passport sized photograph in color with a light background, on normal photographic paper, and contain your whole face without hats, sunglasses or head coverings unless worn for religious reasons.
•    A visa fee. The fee is nonrefundable and is paid in local currencies.
•    Any other documentation to support your application such as bank statements, a means to leave the country at the end of your travels, and letters from a sponsor or family member.

By April of 2008, you will also be required to submit biometric information consisting of scans of all 10 of your fingers and a full-face digital photograph. This will be completed in person at a visa application center or the UK embassy.

UK Work Visa

A UK work visa requires the same application as a tourism visa, but you must also include a letter from the company inviting you the country. If the company is paying for your travel, that must be mentioned in the letter.

Work visas can be issued for six months, one, two, five or ten years, although you may not stay in the country longer than six months during a single trip.

Application Process

To apply for a UK visa, first work through the online application if you are able. If the online application isn’t appropriate for you, print off the UK visa application form and assemble all documents.

Contact the embassy or consulate in your area to determine where to take the completed stack of paperwork. You may be closer to a UK visa application center than an embassy building. It is possible to mail the packet, send it through courier or walk it into the center. If your country also requires biometric information, you must be physically present to have that information recorded.
 

Who Needs a Visa

Travelers from a country listed on the DATV nationals website require a visa to travel to the UK as well as those with no nationality. If you hold a passport or non-national travel document, you must also have a visa. Travelers from countries such as the United States, Canada, and the European Union do not require a visa.
Maximum Stay Period
You may apply for a tourism visa for duration of six months, one, two, five or ten years. You may only stay in the country for six months at a time, however, while the visa is valid.

UK Visa Resources

Official UK visa Website:    http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1018696642519
UK Visa Online Application: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/
UK Embassies: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029395231#U1