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How to apply On this page you will find the information listed below. You can use the quick links listed here to take you the information or you can scroll down the page. • What is a visa? • When to apply? • How to apply? • Children as visitors What is a visa? A visa (or entry clearance) is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document that gives you permission to enter the United Kingdom (UK). On arrival in the United Kingdom a UK Border Agency officer may check that you are here for the reasons you have stated. For more information about what you might expect on arrival in the UK please visit the UK Border Agency website Top When to apply? You can apply for a visa up to 3 months in advance of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly advised not to confirm their travel arrangements to come to the UK until they have received their visa. Top How to apply? You can apply for a visa in 8 steps. You are advised to read through the application steps set out below before you make your visa application so you are clear about the procedure and requirements. Step 1 - Check if you need a visa • All Syrian Nationals & Iraqi need to apply for a visa to travel to the UK. You may want to read through the rest of the application process set out on this page so that you understand the visa application procedure. • If you are a non-Syrian/Iraqi national you should use the 'Do I need a visa' guide on the UK Border Agency website to see if you need a visa. Non-Syrian/Iraqi nationals who are legally resident in Syria and who require a visa to enter the UK should follow the visa application procedure set out on this page. • If you are a non- Syrian/Iraqi national and are not legally resident in Syria you can apply only for a visit, European Economic Area family permit or a 'creative and sporting' points-based system Tier 5 visa. Visa nationals (citizens of countries who always need a visa to enter the UK) who apply for any of these visa categories may experience delays because their application will be referred to their country of origin or where the country where they are legally resident. The UK Border Agency will not be able to process applications for any other visa categories from visa nationals who are not legally resident in Syria and they should return to their country of origin or the country where they are legally resident and apply for a visa there. Step 2 - Read the information on your visa category Before you decide to apply for a particular visa please make sure you familiarise yourself with the information on the visa category you are applying for. Quick links to visa category information can be found on the 'Visa Information' page on this website. You should especially read all the relevant guidance for applications made under the points-based system. You may also want to read the Immigration Rules as your visa application will need to meet these requirements. Step 3 - Complete your online visa application form You must submit an online visa application. You will need access to a computer, a personal email address that you can use and have the ability to print your form and any other information. When applying online you should have your passport to hand. You should submit 1 online visa application form for each individual applying for a visa, including children. Online visa application form Complete an online visa application in English only using the online application system. You cannot complete the visa application form in any other language. • Please ensure that you select the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit • Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application. The information in this section must be completed accurately. • Please print all the pages of the visa application form and bring it to the visa application centre. You should print your completed visa application form on good quality paper and ensure that the information does not extend beyond the margins on the paper. • Please make sure that the bar code appears on the final page of your printed visa application form and remember to sign it. • After you have saved and submitted your online application you will receive an email with a unique application ID number that starts with GWF. Keep your ID number for future reference. • Weapon or weapon like objects or explosive material of any kind. Note: The VFS Visa Application Centres in Syria will not accept visa applications and supporting documents sent by mail or courier. You must submit your application in person when you attend the visa application centre. Step 4- Make an appointment You must make an appointment to visit the visa application centre. You should not make your appointment until you have prepared all your documents. You can book your appointment in one of two ways:- 1 Online by clicking on the 'Schedule an appointment' page on this website. 2 Telephone +963 11 6125270 or +963 11 6125271 (local calls charges apply) .. Important: If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family or group must make an individual appointment. For example, if you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children (over 5 years-of-age) you must make 4 individual appointments. If you book an online appointment you should print a copy of your appointment confirmation and bring it with you to the visa application centre. All visa applicants (apart from exempt categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at the visa application centre to submit their biometric data. Although exempt categories and children under 5 do not need to attend the visa application centre, they will need to complete a visa application form. If you refuse to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot be processed. Step 5 - Prepare your documents Supporting documents Please see the UK Border Agency supporting document checklists for information on the types of documents you might want to submit with your visa application. Applicants must submit as much evidence as they can of their personal circumstances. This includes employment; studies; financial circumstances; any assets; details of travel outside Syria,details of family members in Syria and overseas. If someone else is paying for the trip, or sponsoring you in another way, there should be evidence relating to that person too. The absence of important documentary evidence of previous travel in a previous passport (if applicable) and incomplete supporting documents may result in the application not being successful. If you are applying for a visa under the points-based system you should also read the relevant policy document which will give information on specific document requirements. Links to points-based policy information can be found on the 'Visa Information' page on this website. Original documents & photocopies You must provide original documents with a photocopy for each original document you are submitting. If you are not able to include original supporting documents then you should submit certified copies from the issuing authority. Failure to submit original documents may mean your application is delayed or refused. You should also provide photocopies of your original documents (including your passport photograph page and biodata page). Please ensure that the photocopies are good quality and can be read easily. Your original documents might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies. Translations If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your visa application you should provide translations of any supporting documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original documents for verification. All translated documents must be translated through a Sworen translator. The translator should include all of the following information:- • Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document • The date of the translation • The translator's full name and signature • The translator's contact details Step 6 - Visit the visa application centre The visa application centre contact details can be found on the 'Contact Us' page of this website. You must apply in person to submit your biometric data (digital photograph and fingerscan) within 30 days of completing your online visa application form. Your visa application form will not be valid after 30 days and it will not be accepted. You should remember to bring the following with you:- • Your current valid passport or your refugee travel document; which corresponds to the information given on your visa application form and contains at least 1 blank page (both sides) for the visa to be inserted. Note: The UK Border Agency will retain your passport until they have reached a decision on your visa application. Please bear this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements, particularly if you plan to visit other countries before going to the UK. • Previous passports (if relevant) • Your visa application fee in cash in Syrian pounds only. There is no handling fee for paying in cash • Current photograph (see step 6) • Completed, signed visa application form (see step 3) • Your supporting documents (see step 5) • Printed confirmation of your appointment if you have booked online (see step 4) • 1 recent photograph (not more than 6 months old). The photograph should be in colour and • Taken against a light grey or cream background; • Clear and of good quality; • Printed on normal photographic paper; • 45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size • Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for religious or medical reasons. The subject should have their mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forward looking straight ahead. More information on photograph requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website. Important note: You will not be able to submit further documents after you have submitted your application at the visa application centre. The documents you submit at the time you made your application are the only documents that can be considered. The visa application centre will not accept applications and supporting documents sent by mail or courier. Biometric data collection Biometric data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all 10 digits) and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquids or chemicals are used. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example, henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit your biometric data. Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult when giving their biometric data; this cannot be a member of the UK Border Agency staff. Biometric data cannot be taken for visa applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied. Step 7 - Wait for a decision Wait for a decision on your visa application. Please refer to the 'Guide to Processing Times' page on this website for information on our processing times. You can use this information as a guide to our recent performance but it cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application processing time. You can use the free 'Track your Application' facility on this website to find out the progress of your visa application. You can also use the SMS text message service (fee payable) to receive a text message from VFS when the decision on your visa application and documents have arrived back at the visa application centre. Please see the 'Additional Services' page on this website for more information about the SMS text service. Interview procedures Exceptionally you may be asked to attend an interview. UK Border Agency staff will make a decision based on the documents you submitted with your visa application. It is essential that you submit all relevant documents with your visa application. Should an interview be required then you will be offered the first available interview date. Depending on workload, there may be a waiting period before the interview so please bear this in mind. Children under 10 years old applying for a visa will not be interviewed. Where the child is travelling alone an interview will be carried out with a responsible adult (for example a parent or guardian). Children aged between 10 and 14 may be interviewed, but this would only be in the presence of a responsible adult. Children aged over 14 may be interviewed alone. Step 8 - Collect the decision on your visa application You can collect the decision on your visa application along with your original documents from the visa application centre. You should bring the receipt that was given to you when you made your visa application. A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person will need to provide an authorised letter signed by you, your receipt and proof of their identity which includes their photograph. If you prefer you can have your documents returned to you by courier service. Please see the 'Additional Services' page on this website for information on costs. If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make sure that: • your personal details are correct • it correctly states the purpose for which you want to go to the UK, and • it is valid for the date on which you intend to travel. (You can ask for it to be post- dated for up to 3 months if you do not plan to travel immediately). If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact the visa application centre immediately. Top Children as visitors The UK Border Agency has a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. To issue a visa to a child under 18, the visa officer must be satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made for their care in the United Kingdom. This means that the application form must contain: • Children under the age of 18 years need to declare if they are travelling alone or with an accompanying adult. If travelling with an accompanying adult (including a parent, other relative or school teacher) this person's name must be declared and it will be recorded on the child's visa. The visa will not be valid if the child attempts to travel alone, or with a different adult. In all cases the visa officer must be satisfied that satisfactory arrangements have been made for the child's care in the UK. • The full address where the child will be staying. • The name of the person who the child will be staying with. • The necessary signed consent forms from both parents. • The name and passport number of the person accompanying them to the UK Top

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