UK visa procedure from the USA
UK visa procedure from the USA has its specifics. However, the key main stages are the same as in any other parts of the world: 1. Submitting an application online. 2. Attending biometric appointment in person for your photo and fingerprints to be taken. 3. Waiting for Home Office decision & travelling to the UK once your visa is granted.
Further below we will guide you on how to submit your UK visa application from the USA.
Providing biometrics
Once you have completed your online application you will be prompted to book a biometric enrolment appointment where your photo and fingerprints are taken (known as ‘biometric information’). The biometric appointment can be booked either at an Application Support Centre (ASC) OR you can attend a VFS Premium Application Centre (PAC). If you choose to attend a VFS PAC, you will have to purchase a Premium Service so please take it into account when choosing the VFS PAC option. The Premium Services tend to be rather pricey.
The VFS Global premium services are NOT mandatory and you can choose to use Application Support Centre (ASC) rather than paying for VFS services.You can still purchase the priority visa processing service if you wish to receive your visa decision faster.
Attending an Application Support Centre (ASC) OR VFS Global premium service centre
You can only attend your ASC appointment on your scheduled date and time. If you arrive on a different date or time, you will not be processed. Do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
When you visit the ASC for your biometric appointment, you must take your current valid passport and a copy of your appointment confirmation letter. Cell phones, cameras, and other recording devices are not permitted inside the ASC.
If you paid for VFS Global premium service they will hand over your passport to UKVI so there is no need for you to send it to UKVI Scanning Hub in New York.
Sending your application
Once your appointment confirmation letter is stamped at the ASC, you will have 5 days to mail this, your application form, current passport, UPS return shipping label, and any supporting documents (if you haven’t uploaded them online) to:
VFS Services USA Inc.
UKVI Scanning Hub
128 East 32nd St
Floor 4
New York NY
10016
All applications must include your current passport with at least one blank visa page on both sides. If your application is submitted without a passport the application will be refused.
UK visa processing time when submitted from the USA
Standard UK visa processing times are approximately 3 weeks for work and student visas & about 12 weeks for spouse/unmarried partner/family visas. There are 5 working day priority for work and student visas or 15 working day priority for spouse/unmarried partner/family visas. Home Office service for processing your UK visa application will only begin once these documents have been received at the above address.
