Where do I get a visa application form?

You must apply online at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk . You need to make a separate application for each applicant, including children who are on the same passport.

Do I need an appointment to apply for a visa?

When you apply online, you will select an appointment that is convenient for you. Please see How to apply or continue reading.

What do I need to make an application?

Please see How to apply 

Do I have to come to the Visa Section myself?

If you are applying for a visa for the UK, except if you are a government minister or a diplomat travelling on official government business, you must attend the Visa Section of the British Embassy in Dakar or the British High Commission in Banjul in person, in order to have your fingerscans (digital fingerprints) taken. If you are applying for a visa for a Commonwealth country or an Overseas Territory, you may send a representative to submit your application on your behalf.

When can I submit my application?

When you complete your visa application form online you will select the day that you wish to come to the Visa Section to make your application.

How much does a visa cost?

Please see Visa Fees

How long will I have to wait once I have submitted my visa application?

When you submit your application, you will be told the date on which you can return to the Visa Section to collect your passport. If you have travelled to the UK within the last two years and you have provided all the information and supporting documents you will normally be able to collect your passport in 9 working days. If not, you will be able to collect your passport after 15 working days. Settlement visas, however, can take up to 12 weeks.

I’m coming from Mali, Guinea-Bissau or Cape Verde; how long will I have to stay in Dakar or Banjul?

There is no requirement for you to remain in Dakar or Banjul whilst your application is being processed. If you wish to remain you should be aware that standard applications will take up to  9 working days and non-standard or incomplete applications up to 15 working days. Settlement applications may take up to 12 weeks. You may be able to travel back to Mali, Guinea-Bissau or Cape Verde using your national identity card and arrange to have your passport sent back there. However, this can take time, so you should apply at least six weeks before you plan to travel.  Remember: if it is easier for you, you can make your application at the British High Commission in Banjul.

How can I contact you about my application?

By email to dakar.visaenquiries@fco.gov.uk or by phoning (+221) 33 823 9065 between 0800 and 0930 Mon-Fri.

I applied for a UK visa before and was refused. Can I apply again?

Yes, you can make another application at any time. But if the reasons for the previous refusal (explained in your Notice of Refusal) still apply, you will be refused again.

What documents do I need to provide?

Everyone’s circumstances are different. This is why we do not ask for a set list of documents. The list below gives you a general idea of the kinds of documents which help the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) to be satisfied that certain requirements of the Immigration Rules are met. It is up to you whether you submit 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 eventuality, 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 do not send any papers to the Visa Section separately. All supporting documents should have at least an annotated English translation.

For non-settlement applications

To show the Visa Officer that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit:

          You could show evidence of your personal circumstances in Senegal, for example letters of employment or details of your studies if you are a full-time student in Senegal; your trader's license; evidence of a regular salary (if you have one) in the form of wage slips/bank statements; 6 months itemised bank statements.

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

          If your sponsor, or employer, or anyone else is supporting you, you could show evidence of his/her immigration status in the UK; 6 months itemised bank statements; payslips; evidence that they are willing to finance 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 Senegal, for example letters of employment, 6 months itemised bank statements.

          If you are visiting the UK, then 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, e.g. as a student or work permit holder, 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 work permit holder;

          you must present the original work permit within 6 months of the issue date, and travel to the UK before the work permit expires. We cannot accept photocopies or out-of-date work permits.

If you are going to the UK as a student;

          You need to show that you can pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without working or needing help from public funds - see above.

          You need to show that you intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies (see above), although if you are a degree student and you successfully complete your studies, you may be able to take work permit employment if you meet the requirements.

          A good way to show your academic ability is to provide any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have. If you have a degree, then it is helpful to submit any mark sheets and passing certificates as well as your degree certificate.

          A good way to show that your English is good enough for you to follow the course is to provide an original IELTS/TOEFL certificate.

          A good way of showing that you have been accepted and that the course meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules is to provide a letter from the institution confirming this, together with a statement of charges for the course.

          Your chosen educational establishment must be on the UK’s Department for Education and Skills (DFES) Register of Education and Training Providers www.dcsf.gov.uk/providersregister/search.cfm

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

          You can show us that you are related to them by providing us with a copy of your marriage certificate, or - if children are applying to join a parent in the UK - their birth certificates.

          You can also provide us with evidence of their status there - a copy of their work permit, pages of their passport, etc.

If you are going to the UK for medical treatment;

          You could show us a letter from a doctor in the UK giving details of an appointment, nature of the treatment and an estimate of the costs and duration of the treatment.

          A medical report/referral from your doctor outside the UK

What documents do I need for a settlement application?

          You could show a letter from your official sponsor; your marriage certificate; evidence of your relationship; evidence of your sponsor’s immigration status in the UK; a copy of your sponsor’s passport.

          If your relationship has lasted for some time, you could provide evidence that it is ongoing, e.g. letters, emails, phone bills, photographs.

          To show that you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds; it helps to show evidence that you and/or your sponsor will be supporting you. This could include evidence of your sponsor’s immigration status in the UK; 6 months itemised bank statements; evidence of your/your sponsor’s savings; payslips; P60; letter from the Dept of Works 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/tenant to show that the accommodation you intend to live in is owned outright; mortgaged; or leased. You could also provide a Property Inspection Report, or another form of independent verifiable report to show that the accommodation is suitable for your family circumstances, e.g. that there are enough bedrooms for you all.

How long will my visa be valid for?

The period for which your visa is valid is always shown on the visa placed in your travel document. A standard visit visa is usually valid for six months, but we also issue visit visas that are valid for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years to frequent travellers. All visit visas can be used for an unlimited number of entries to the UK. You may stay a maximum of 6 months on each visit, or to the expiry date of the visa, whichever is shorter. If you are coming for another reason, the validity of the visa and how long you can stay can vary.

What if I want to apply for a visa for my child?

If a child is under 18, then as well as meeting the requirements of the Immigration Rules, they must show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care, that they have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements concerning their travel to the UK. The passport number of the adult accompanying them to the UK will be endorsed on the visa, and the child must travel in the company of this adult. If travel plans change and it is proposed that the child will travel unaccompanied, or with another adult, then a new visa must be applied for to reflect this.You have kept some of my documents; how do I get them back?

We only return original documents (such as payslips and birth certificates) if you provided a photocopy of each document. This is because all documents that are relevant to a visa application must be kept on file so that the Entry Clearance Officer’s decision can be properly reviewed.

Will I be interviewed? 

In exceptional cases you may be required to attend for an interview. This will delay the processing of your visa, will involve extra travel for you and can be avoided if you correctly complete your application form and submit all the necessary supporting documents. If you do not complete your application form and do not submit the necessary supporting documents, your visa will probably be refused without an interview.

Does my sponsor need to come to my interview?

No. The only time we ask for someone other than the applicant to come to the interview is when the applicant is a child.

Can I travel to France or Portugal with my UK visa?

No. UK visas permit entry only to the UK.

What happens if you refuse my visa?

If your application for a visa is refused, you will get a written notice explaining why. To ensure that we have made a fair decision, in accordance with the Immigration Rules, an Entry Clearance Manager reviews every refusal without a right of appeal within 24 hours. For the categories of visa where there is a right of appeal, you will be given:

* the Notice of Refusal (this tells you why the Entry Clearance Officer has refused your visa)

* if you are applying in a category that attracts a right of appeal you will also receive the Notice of Appeal (you must fill this in and post it to the address shown on the form to explain why you think they were wrong to refuse your visa);

* a leaflet explaining the appeal process.

I submitted an appeal and have not had any response; who should I contact to find out what has happened?

Appeals are managed by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the UK. The British Embassy in Dakar cannot assist you in checking the progress of your appeal; you must contact the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal directly, by email to Customer.Service@tribunals.gsi.gov.uk or on 0845 6000 877. You will need to quote your reference number.

How do I extend my visa once I am in the UK?

Certain categories of visa can be extended in the UK. The UK Border Agency website explains which categories of visa can be extended and under which circumstances. For further enquiries, you should contact the Home Office Immigration Enquiry Bureau on +44 (0)870 606 7766. The British Embassy in Dakar cannot assist you with this matter.