UK WORKING VISA HOW TO - Don't Pay a company to do this for you

As you are probably aware there are a number of companies out there trying to Capitalize on the whole Visa application process.  They make out it is both hard and very time consuming trying to organise all the paperwork.

I am here to tell you that “It is not” and you do not need to fork out $400+ to have some company ‘Organise your paperwork’.

Visa Types & Info

Step by Step Guide

1. Make sure you have a Current Valid Passport (with at least one blank double sided page available)  current cost of passports is $250

2. Carefully read all the information relating to the category of visa you are seeking. Make sure you  provide full supporting documentation and your current valid passport.

For me this involved Proof of Funds (Bank Statement / Account Balance etc)

Proof of any Criminal Convictions (I had Spent Conviction from when I was 18 - which I included)

2. Complete the online application and pay the fee by credit card (around $250 as of Feb 2011). Save the application and print off a copy. You will be prompted to book an appointment online to have your biometric data taken. This is a simple process of submitting electronic fingerprint scans and having a digital photo taken.

3. Book an appointment to submit your biometric data in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane or Canberra - if you don't live in one of these cities bad luck. Print off the appointment letter that has been emailed to you.  

4. On the day of your appointment, go along to the office (I live 5 hrs out of nearest City so this became a costly exercise for me) you have chosen with your printed appointment letter, application form, current passport, and submit your biometric data.

5. Sign the printed copy of your online application form

6. Enclose a recent passport photo

7. Make sure the relevant appendix is attached for all PBS applications.

8. Enclose all your supporting documentation, passport and a prepaid self-addressed return envelope for the return of your documentation.  

Use a  trackable service such as Australia Express Post Platinum (around $12 each).  

9.  Send your application along with all your supporting documentation, passport(remember to enclose a self addressed return courier envelope) to:

British High Commission - Visa Section,
Locked Bag 5010
Piccadilly House,
39 Brindabella Circuit,
Canberra Airport,
ACT 2609

10. Applications will be processed in the order they are received. Make sure you allow enough time for the application process to be completed before you make any travel plans.  

You are able to Post-date 3 months ahead of when Visa is approved (ie if you don't intend to travel to UK immediately after Visa receivable)

11. You will receive the following email when Visa Section in Canberra receives your application:

Dear Applicant,


Your application has arrived safely at the Canberra office and is currently being processed. The estimated processing time for non-settlement applications is 15 working days plus mail time.

11. You will then receive another email when Visa Section in Canberra has approved your application (for me this took only 2 days from when received/February 2011/)

Your approved application will be dispatched within 2 working days. New Zealand applications may take 3 more days to arrive in the postal system before they can be tracked. NZ Post do not intercept packages before delivery.