Required Documentation - Making a Visa Application

Why do I need to provide documents to support my application?
UK immigration law says that it is up to you to satisfy the visa officer that you qualify for a visa. We aim to make a decision on your application without interviewing you, so it is vital that you send us the correct documents with your application. If you do not send us the documents we need, we may refuse your application without interviewing you. Where possible, please send us original documents, which can be checked by someone else. For example, it can be difficult to prove that a mobile phone number belongs to a particular person, whereas it is easier to prove that a landline number belongs to that person. We appreciate that it may not always be possible for you to provide these kinds of documents, but please be aware that it will help us make the decision if you can.

What sort of documents do I have to show?
Everyone's circumstances are different. This is why we don't ask for a set list of documents. We can provide you with a general idea of the kinds of documents, which will help the visa officer check that you have met the immigration rules. It is up to you whether you send us these documents, or different ones. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have read the available information on the category of visa you want to apply for. The list below does not cover every single situation, and producing all the documents on it will not guarantee you a visa. Please make sure that you include all supporting papers with your application, and don't send or fax us any papers separately.

Will you accept photocopies of documents?
Original documents should be included with all applications including good quality photocopies of the original documents. Please ensure that you separate your original documents from the photocopied versions before you submit your application. We see a lot of forged documents, and it is easier for us to confirm that an original document is genuine, rather than a photocopied one. We can examine original documents to make sure that they have not been tampered with. But we realise that some documents are too valuable for you to want to send them with your application, for example, a US Green Card. In these cases, please send us a good-quality photocopy of the original. Also, please make sure that, wherever possible, you do not laminate your documents.

Will you accept documents which aren't in English?
We strongly advise that all foreign language documents should be translated in English and certified before you submit you application. It will help the visa officer to make a decision if all supporting papers have been translated into English.

Are there any documents which you don't need to see?
Please don't send us credit cards, or original airline tickets.

What happens if I don't send the suggested documents?
If you have not included the documents we need to see with your application, the official at the British High Commission (Yaoundé), will point this out to you. She or he will also ask you if you want to make your application, knowing that you do not have all the documents to support it. It is entirely up to you whether you go ahead with your application or not. You can find more detailed information on UK visa requirements by visiting http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs or http://www.vfs-vfs-uk-gh.com

What if I want to apply for a visa for my child?
If your child is under 18, as well as meeting the immigration rules, they must show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care, and that they have suitable travel and care arrangements for when they travel to the UK. From 12 February 2006, the name of the adult accompanying them to the UK will now be on the visa, and the child must travel with this adult. If travel plans change and the child will travel on its own, or with another adult, you must apply for a new visa. Please also ensure that you provide a letter showing parental consent for the child to travel.

How do I make my application?
You must make your application in person due to the requirement to collect biometric data from all applicants. Please allow enough time for us to process your application, and remember that at busy times of the year, it may take slightly longer for us to make a decision about your application. We recommend that you do not buy your ticket before we have issued your visa.

What documents do I need if I want to go to the UK on a temporary basis (this is called a non-settlement application)?
You must provide the following documents.

• A passport, which is valid for at least six months. The visa we place in your passport will take up one full page, so please make sure that your passport has at least one spare page with no stamps, visas or endorsements on it.
• A clear, good-quality photocopy of the biodata page in your passport with your contact details clearly written on the photocopy.
• Two recent passport-sized colour photos, on a white background, 45 millimeters (2 inches) high and 35 millimeters (1.5 to 2 inches) wide. This should be glued, not stapled, to the application form.
• The correct fee.
• A fully filled-in and signed application form. Please make sure you use a current form, as we cannot accept the out-of-date versions.
• If you are a child under the age of 18 who will be travelling with an adult, please provide a good photocopy of the accompanying adult’s passport.

You can send us the following documents.

To satisfy the visa officer that you plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit

• You could show evidence of your personal circumstances in Cameroon, for example, letters of employment, evidence of a regular salary (if you have one) in the form of wage slips or bank statements, and evidence of your assets.

To satisfy the visa officer that you have enough money to support yourself and live or stay in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds

• If your sponsor, employer or anyone else is supporting you, you could show evidence of his or her immigration status in the UK. This includes six months' itemized bank statements, pay slips and evidence that they are willing to pay for your stay in the UK.
• If you are paying for any part of the trip yourself, you could show evidence of your personal circumstances in Cameroon/ Chad/ CAR/ Gabon, for example, letters of employment, six months' itemized bank statements, and evidence of your assets.
• If you are visiting the UK, you could show evidence that you have somewhere to stay, for example, a hotel reservation or a letter from your sponsor confirming that you are staying with them.
• If you are spending a longer period of time in the UK, for example, as a student or with a work permit, the visa officer needs to be satisfied that you have somewhere to live, that it is suitable for you and your family, and that the person who owns or rents it is willing to let you live there. You could do this by providing a local-authority property report, or written confirmation from the mortgage lender.

If you are going to the UK as a dependant of someone who is already there

• You can show us that you are related to them by sending us a copy of your marriage certificate. If children are applying to join a parent in the UK, we need to see their birth certificates.
• You can also send us evidence of their immigration status there, for example, a copy of the work-permit pages of their passport.

What documents do I need to live in the UK permanently (this is called a settlement application)?
You must provide the following documents:

• To enable a UK visa to be placed in a passport, there needs to be a visa page which is blank on both sides.
• A passport-sized colour photo not older than 6 months, on a white background, 45 millimeters (2 inches) in height and 35 millimeters (1.5 to 2 inches) wide. This should be glued, not stapled, to the application form.
• The correct fee.
• A fully filled-in and signed application form. Please make sure you use a current form, as we cannot accept the out-of-date versions.

You can send us the following documents:

• To show that you are legally married to each other or are in a civil partnership recognized in the UK (see note below): You could show a letter from your official sponsor, evidence of your relationship, evidence of your sponsor's immigration status in the UK, and a copy of your sponsor's passport.
• To show that your husband, wife or civil partner is present and settled in the UK (see note below): You could show a letter from your official sponsor, evidence of your relationship, evidence of your sponsor's immigration status in the UK, and a copy of your sponsor's passport.
• To show that your husband, wife or civil partner is not under 18: You could show a letter from your official sponsor, evidence of your relationship, evidence of your sponsor's immigration status in the UK, and a copy of your sponsor's passport.
• To show that you both plan to live together permanently as husband and wife or as civil partners: If your relationship has lasted for some time, you could provide evidence that it is ongoing, for example, letters and phone bills
• To show that you have met each other before: You could show photographs, or your marriage certificate may be enough.
• To show that you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds: It helps if you show evidence that you or your sponsor (or both of you) will be supporting you. This could include evidence of your sponsor's immigration status in the UK, six months' itemized bank statements, evidence of your or your sponsor's savings, your P60, or a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (if relevant).
• To show that you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds: You could provide evidence in the form of a letter from the mortgage company or tenant to show that the accommodation you plan to live in is owned outright, mortgaged or leased. You could also provide a property inspection report, or another independent report to show that the accommodation is suitable for your family circumstances, for example, that there are enough bedrooms for you all.

Note: You can find more information on what 'legally married' and 'civil partnership' mean by visiting www.ukvisas.gov.uk