UK (United Kingdom) Business Visa & Tourist Visa Requirements

Before You Begin

U.S. Citizens do not require a visa to visit the UK as a tourist for up to 90 days; these instructions are for non U.S. citizens only.

Step 1: Gather the items listed below

Valid Passport

Passport Requirements: Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, with at least one blank visa page available for visa stamp(s). Amendment pages in the back of the passport are not suitable for visa stamps.

Visa Application

Complete and sign one UK Visa Application Form. This form can only be completed and paid for online. Click on the "Visa Application Form" heading and follow the prompts. Please print a copy of the completed form and mail it to SPS for processing. Failure to complete and pay for this form will delay the processing of your visa

UK Priority Service Payment

Go to UK Priority Service Payment, then choose United States as the country you are traveling from. On the next page it brings you to select "Purchase Products and Services" on the left side and you will find the Priority Service option there. Failure to complete and pay for this portion of the application will delay the processing of your visa

One Passport type Photo

Photo Requirements: Photos must have been taken in the last 6 months, be 2 inches by 2 inches in size, and have white background. Please face forward in your photo.

Option 1: email a photo to Swift Passport Services orders@swiftpassport.com using the following guidelines. Swift Passport will size and print your passport photos for a nominal fee of $15.

• Photo file needs to be attached to the email as a .jpeg file.  Other file formats cannot be properly formatted
• Have someone else take the picture of you; please do not send pictures you take of yourself.
• Please do not attempt to resize or format the photo in any way

Option 2: Obtain 1 passport photo from a passport photo service (Walgreens, CVS, FedEx, etc.).

Biometrics Receipt

You will need to obtain biometric finger prints locally. Upon completion of the application form, the applicant will be prompted to schedule an appointment to submit biometric information. This biometric information consists of scans of all 10 fingers and a full-face digital photograph. Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided your biometric information.

Financial Requirements

Applicants Evidence of available funds for your trip to the UK, your most current bank statements (within the last 30 days). If not original must be certified by the bank. Evidence of any other assets such as properties, savings, taxes. If your sponsor will be supporting you during your visit, or paying for the cost of the visit, you will need: payslips, bank statements, or some other evidence to show that they have enough money to support you. No cash or credit cards will be accepted

Proof of Legal Status

• "Original" plus Copy of US Permanent Resident Card or valid US visa (I-94, I-20, H1B, etc.) attached to their passport.
• Copy of informational passport page (Picture page with Issue & Expire date).
• If you have a greencard, please send the original, physical greencard

Hotel Confirmation

A copy of confirmed hotel reservations. If staying in various hotels, please provide copies of each reservation.

1 Letter of Authorization

Print and sign the Swift Passport Services Letter of Authorization

Photocopy of Plane Ticket or Travel Itinerary

Computer generated flight itinerary from the airline or a travel agency or copy of airline ticket. A signed letter on the travel agency's letterhead confirming round-trip booking may also be acceptable.

Additional Items for Business Visas

• Letter from your work or school: If you or your spouse is employed, an employment letter stating your position, salary and number of leave days given for the trip with specified dates. If you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing. If you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating which course you are on, its start and finish dates and the dates of the holiday period during which you intend to visit the United Kingdom; it will also help if you can show that you have family or social ties and responsibilities to return to.

Additional Items for Business Visas

• A Letter of Invitation: A letter of invitation from the host company or individual explaining the relationship to the applicant and the purpose of travel. The letter must indicate the length of stay, place of stay, and contact information of the sponsor. The invitation should indicate the desired type and validity length of the visa.
• A Letter from Sponsor: Letter from your company or employer, on company letterhead, introducing the applicant, indicating the applicant's employment status/position held in the company, and clearly stating the purpose of visit to United Kingdom. The business letter must indicate who will be financially responsible for the applicant and must provide detailed contact information in host country.

Payment

• Swift Passport Service Fee:  Regular processing $99, Rush $175. Regular processing in NY is 5-7 business day, rush in NY is any attempt to obtain it faster than 5-7 days. Regular processing in L.A. is 5 days, rush is less than 3.
• UK Consulate Fee (must be a postal money order To complete the Application process, applicant must pay online when completing the visa application form and book a biometric appointment (photos & finger printing) in order to start the visa process.
• Shipping:  starting at $15.  Swift Passport Services offers inbound and outbound shipping upon request

If you would like Swift passport to print your photos, there is a $15 fee as mentioned above

Submit your order to make payment for the above fees.

Step 2: Submit Your Order

• Option 1: Submit your order online
• Option 2: Call 877.917.9438 and place your order over the phone. Placing your order on the phone takes only a few minutes. Please be prepared to give us payment and shipping instructions.
• Option 3: Click here to print an order form. Complete the form and send it to Swift Passport with your visa application materials.

Step 3: Ship all Application Materials to Swift Passport Services

We highly recommend that you use FedEx to ship your application materials, as they are the most reliable shipping service and will provide you with accurate tracking information. Please ship your application materials to our Chicago location unless you have discussed an alternate location with our passport and visa specialists. Swift Passport Services can email you a pre-paid FedEx airbill to use for inbound shipping upon request. Please call or email us if you would like us to email you a pre-paid airbill. Applications will be submitted the day they are received if they are sent PRIORITY overnight.