Visas for the UK
Important Visa Appointments Update
Due to an increase in the number of visa applications and a reduction in the number of appointment slots available in Tehran we are currently unable to meet customer demand. We apologise for the inconvenience that this may be causing but please be assured that we are working with London to try and increase the number of appointment slots as soon as possible. Meanwhile we advise that you apply for your UK visa at least 23 weeks before your intended travel date.
We strongly advise that you do not purchase a non-refundable, non-flexible air ticket before receiving your visa. We do not accept responsibility for any financial loss and we do not fast track applications solely due to planned date of travel. Should you have an urgent compassionate need to travel; for example for urgent medical treatment, the illness or death of a close relative then e-mail visaenquiries.Tehran@fco.gov.uk . Please put in the subject title of your email 'Urgent Medical' 'Urgent death' ‘Urgent sick relative’. The definition of a close relative is Mother, Father, Brother, sister, son, daughter, grandfather, and grandmother. You will need to attach evidence with your request that the need to travel is critical.
Applicants may also make an application in person at:
Abu Dhabi Visa Application Centre
Office No 1, Level O2 Khalidya Tower 1st Zayed Street (Al Khalidya Street)
Al Khalidya Area full details available from www.vfs-uk-ae.com
You can apply for any category of visa and do not need to be resident in UAE to lodge an application in Abu Dhabi.
Visa Application Process in Tehran:
- Make an online visa application at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
- After submitting the online application full details on how to make an appointment will be automatically sent to the e-mail address you have provided at the time of making the online application.
- Attend the Embassy Tehran at your scheduled appointment time to submit the necessary supporting documents, pay the fee and provide biometric data. Only the applicant with the correct name and passport number will be admitted for the appointment. Passports will be checked to verify this.
Document requirements
Please note that ALL visa applicants, irrespective of previous travel to the UK, must provide full supporting documents for their visa application. Please read carefully ou checklists which set out the documents required for each type of visa application. All supporting documents submitted with visa applications must be originals and in English. For documents not in English, you must provide a certified translation, signed and dated by an official translator.
Applicants must also provide a complete set of photocopies of all documents submitted with the visa application. This includes:
- Your completed online visa application form
- Photocopy of the first page of your passport with your photo and personal identification details
- All supporting documents provided by your sponsor in the UK, such as letter of invitation, bank statements, evidence of immigration status etc.
- All your personal supporting documents, such as property deeds, evidence of employment, bank statements, savings book or long-term deposits etc. A photocopy of the original Farsi document together with the certified translation is required.
- Please ensure that ALL your personal supporting documents are up to date at the time of lodging your application with the British Embassy in Tehran please as it is important that your documents recent.
Applicants who fail to provide the necessary supporting documents, in original form and with translations and a complete set of photocopies are likely to have their application refused.
We will retain your passport until we have reached a decision on your application. This will take up to 15 working days, so please bear this in mind when making any travel arrangements.
Where can I get information?
You can find out whether you need a visa and how to apply on the UK Border Agency website.
Where can I get advice?
The British Embassy and its staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:
How do I submit my application?
You must make your application online and then follow the instructions on how to book an appointment to attend the British Embassy in Tehran to submit your supporting documents and enrol biometrics. One appointment per person is required, and one application form must be completed for each applicant, including children. Please note that appointments will be allocated in strict order. Once an appointment has been made it cannot be changed or transferred.
We are aware that some unscrupulous agencies and organisations have in the past tried to sell visa appointments. We do not charge a fee for appointments and have made no arrangements with any agencies for them to do so. If you are charged a fee for booking an appointment, or have any other concerns, please inform us by email to Visa Enquiries
Who decides whether I will get a visa?
UK Border Agency staff will process and decide your visa application. Visa Officers are now authorised to refuse entry clearance for up to 10 years to anybody providing false documents or information with their applications. We will check your documents and we will refuse your application if anything is found to be false
Service standards - complaints and compliments
UK Border Agency aims to offer a fair and professional service to all its customers. We welcome feedback, which tells us where we need to improve.
If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know by e-mailing Visa Enquiries. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days.
Customer Confidentiality and Data Protection Legislation
The Data Protection Act (DPA) requires all organisations which handle personal information to comply with a number of important principles regarding privacy and disclosure. This means that information concerning individuals must not be communicated to other persons or bodies unless required to do so by law, or with the consent of the individual concerned.
This means that the UK Border Agency cannot discuss details of applications with any third parties, without the applicant's written consent. For this reason, UK Border Agency staff at the British Embassy are unable to deal with telephone enquiries about specific applications. All enquiries about applications must be made in writing:
- If the person who made the application is making an enquiry, it must be from the email address they used on their online application form; or as a hard copy letter, signed by them.
- If someone else is making an enquiry, or representations, on the applicant’s behalf, the email must include a scanned copy of the applicant’s signed letter of consent. If the enquiry is being made by post, the applicant’s letter of authority must be included.
