Being a diverse country with a population count that surpasses 65 million, the United Kingdom (UK) has a long-standing rich history that dates back to the Roman invasion in 43 AD. It was in 1707 that Scotland and England decided to merge to form Great Britain. Later on, Great Britain and Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom that we know today.
While the UK is no longer a member of the European Union (EU) due to its controversial “Brexit” stance, the country is still the sixth-largest national economy in the world. It is also the fifth-largest importer and exporter of goods across the globe. It should be known that the service sector dominates the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the UK, with a staggering 82 per cent share. In addition to that, London is the second-largest financial centre in the world. And as of today, the country’s pharmaceutical and aerospace industries play a major role in boosting its economy.
If you are looking to visit the UK and maybe stay inside the country, depending on your needs, then obtaining a visa should be on top of your to-do list. If you have already applied for one or want to know the status of your current one, then our extensive guide can help you complete your objective seamlessly.
Steps to Check Visa Status Online
Checking your UK visa status is as easy as following a few simple steps. But, before you proceed to do so, keep in mind that you can use your “UK Visa Share Code” to prove to others (such as your employers) that your visa status is active.
Additionally, you can also use the visa status-checking service to update details in your UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account, such as your email address and passport number. Lastly, you can also have a thorough idea of the rights you have in the UK (based on your type of visa), such as rent/claim benefits, the right to work, etc.
Remember that viewing your UK visa status will require the details of the identity document that you use to sign in to your UKVI account, such as your national identity card, passport, or any other relevant document. In addition to that, you also need to state your date of birth, mobile number, and email address. Your mobile number and email address will be required for signing-in purposes via a verification code. So, without further ado, let us go through the steps that you need to follow closely.
- Start the process by first visiting the official website here.
- On the landing page, scroll down and select “Start Now”.
- You will be redirected to a new web page, where you will be required to select the type of identity document that you used in your visa application. The options will include a passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit.
- After you have selected your preferred option, click on “Continue”.
- In the next step, you will be required to enter the details of your identity document. For instance, if you have chosen “passport” as your identity document, then you will need to enter your passport number. Once done, hit “Continue”.
- Once done, you will be required to enter your date of birth, registered email address, and registered phone number. A verification code will be sent to both your email address and phone number.
- After entering the verification code, you will be able to access and view your visa status without any issues.
How to Contact For Help
Interested applicants can get in touch with the UK Immigration authorities via their official contact centre at +44 (0)300 790 6268 or +44 (0)203 875 4669. Phone lines are open from Monday to Friday, between 8 AM and 8:30 PM (local time), as well as from Saturday to Sunday between 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (local time). Additionally, you can also visit the official “Contact” web page here.
Overview of Visas
The UK Government has created a robust visa system based on the purpose or nature of visit to the country.
Work Visa: A work visa is created for professionals who arrive in the UK from other countries and wish to work and live there, either for a short-term or long-term period. A work visa also includes a business visa.
Student Visa: Ideally issued to international students who want to stay and study in the UK for courses, independent schools, or degrees.
Visitor Visa: Since the UK is a popular tourist destination, the visitor visa is created for applicants who want to stay in the UK for long or short periods. Usually, visitor visas are provided for periods less than six months, and foreign nationals are prohibited from obtaining a job inside the UK using a visitor visa.
Family Visa: Family visas in the UK are issued to family members living in the country. This means that if you have a family member who is working and living in the UK and you want to join them for more than six months as their dependent, then this type of visa should be a no-brainer. It should be known that the dependents can be a partner, wife (spouse), children, parents, or any other family members.
Transit Visa: Ideally created for foreign nationals who are not from Switzerland or the EEA countries (which include the EU countries, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) and want to use the UK as a transit country for their airlines to reach their final destination. Transit visas can be one to ten years long.
Refugee Visa: The refugee visa is only provided to those applicants who have had to leave their country and ask for protection in the UK.
