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HOW TO APPLY FOR A VISA

How do I apply for a UK visa_

If you want to apply for a visa you should complete the visa application form VAF1 (and related forms if applicable) which is available free of charge from the Embassy or from this website. You should submit your completed application form to the Visa Section with two recent passport photographs and your current passport, which must be valid for at least six months. If you have a previous passport it is helpful to submit it with your application. You will be asked to pay the appropriate visa fee (details below) which is non-refundable. You will also need to provide documents in support of your application, according to the type of visa for which you are applying. Full details are given below.

Please take care to complete all sections of the visa application form. Failure to do so can delay the processing of your application.

To download visa application forms please click here.

Must I apply in person_

You may need to attend the visa section in person to make an application. There are some exceptions e.g. for VIPs and those who travel frequently to the UK.

When should I apply_

You should apply for your visa several weeks before you plan to travel. If it is important for you to arrive in the UK by a certain date you should apply as early as possible before that date to avoid disappointment. Please note that in the summer months the Visa Section can get very busy.

Where do I apply for my visa_

At the Visa Section office of the British Embassy on the ground floor of Burj al-Fatih in Tripoli. Click here for full contact details and opening hours.

What supporting documents should I provide with my visa application_

You are normally required to provide documents to support your application. The documents you need to show the Visa Officer depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Examples are given below. Please note: you are not usually required to provide all of the documents listed, but the more evidence you make available to the Visa Officer the better are your chances of obtaining a visa quickly.

FOR A BUSINESS VISIT:

• A letter from the UK company or organisation inviting you, explaining the nature of your business and the likely duration of your visit. It should also say whether the UK company or organisation has agreed to pay for your ticket, expenses or accommodation.
  
  
• A letter from your employer in Libya confirming the above and stating when you are expected to return to work in Libya.
  
  
• If your employers in Libya are paying for your ticket, expenses or accommodation, a letter from them stating this.
  
  
• If your own company is funding the trip, evidence that your company has the necessary funds to support and accommodate you for the duration of the visit. Evidence should be in the form of company bank statements or accounts for at least the last six months.

FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT:

• A letter from a doctor or hospital in UK confirming the nature of the treatment you require, the estimated time of the course of treatment and any recovery in the UK and the approximate costs involved.
  
  
• If you have not already been examined by the UK medical authorities who have agreed to treat you, medical reports from Libya explaining the treatment you require and why you need to go to the UK for it.
  
  
• If you are paying for the treatment yourself, evidence that you are able to meet all the costs and that you can maintain and accommodate yourself (and any dependants) for the likely duration of the treatment. Evidence should be in the form of pay slips, bank or savings account details covering the last six months and deeds for land or property.
  
  
• If a sponsor is funding the treatment, evidence of their ability to meet the treatment costs and to maintain and accommodate you for the likely duration of the treatment.

FOR TOURISM OR VISITING RELATIVES:

• Evidence of your employment/business; a letter from your employer confirming that you have leave of absence and the date you are to return to work in Libya.
  
  
• If you are paying for the trip, evidence that you can meet all the costs (including for any dependants) for the duration of the visit. Evidence should be in the form of pay slips, bank or savings account details covering at least the last six months and deeds for land or property.
  
  
• Evidence of hotel or other accommodation bookings or receipts for payments for the holiday.
  
  
• An invitation from a UK sponsor (if appropriate - this may be a friend or relative in the UK) giving details of their relationship to you and the duration of your visit. It should say if the UK sponsor will meet the costs of maintaining and accommodating you (and any dependants). If the sponsor is a British citizen it should also include a copy of the first five pages of their passport. If the sponsor is not a British citizen it should also include a copy of the pages of their passport giving personal details and their last ‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’ stamp.
  
  
• If the UK sponsor is to pay, evidence that they are able to meet the costs of the visit. Evidence should be in the form of your UK sponsor’s pay slips, bank or savings book details covering at least the last six months and deeds for land or property.

FOR STUDIES:

• An acceptance letter from the educational establishment in the UK confirming that you have a firm place on a recognised course of study. The letter should say what fees have been paid and the amount outstanding to cover the whole cost of the proposed course. It should also give the number of hours of daytime classroom study [a week] which the course involves.
  
  
• A letter from your educational establishment in Libya stating the date you started your current course of study and the date you are expected to complete the course. It should also give details of any exams passed and (if you are to return to continue studies in Libya) the date you are expected to return to continue your studies.
  
  
• If you or your parents are paying for your study in the UK, evidence that you or they are able to meet the costs of your studies, living expenses and accommodation in the UK (and those of any dependants). Evidence should be in the form of pay slips, bank or savings account details covering at least the last six months and deeds for land or property.
  
  
• If a UK sponsor is to pay for your studies, a letter explaining why they are paying and evidence of their ability to meet all the costs involved

Why does the Visa Officer need to see details of finances_

According to UK law (the Immigration Rules), the Visa Officer must be satisfied that sufficient funds are available to the applicant for their maintenance and accommodation in the UK without recourse to public funds or employment.

FOR TRANSITING THE UK:

• If you are a Libyan national (or other national requiring a visa to visit the UK) and you plan to leave the airport and spend time in the UK in transit to your final destination you will need a visa. According to your proposed length of stay in the UK, you may be asked to produce documents similar to those required for tourism or visiting relatives (see above). You should also show the visa for your country of final destination and evidence of your confirmed onward booking to that country.
  
  
• Some nationals, need to obtain a visa even if they plan to stay within a UK airport before transiting to their final destination. This type of visa is known as a Direct Airside Transit Visa. It does not allow the holder to leave the airport or transfer to another UK airport. You will need to show the visa for your country of final destination and evidence of your confirmed onward booking to that country.
  
  For a full list of Visa and Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) Nationals Click here.
  

Please note that all transit visas must be issued in advance: they can not be issued in the UK.