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All UK visa applications to be made online

To improve the UK visa service, all applications will be made online from Sunday 19 May 2013.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

From Sunday 19 May 2013 anyone, including dependents, applying for a visa under the UK’s points-based system will need to make their application online.

All visa applications will be made online from Sunday 2 June 2013.

From these dates manually completed application forms will no longer be accepted.

To make an application, customers will need to visit Visa4 UK website and submit their application online, following the guidance available in both Bangla and English. This will mean spending less time at the visa application centre as their information will have already been received and recorded before they visit. It also allows relatives to assist them when they complete their application form online.

Customers will then print out a copy of their completed application form and bring this with supporting documents to their nearest visa application centre in Dhaka or Sylhet. No appointment is needed unless using a premium service. As before, the centre will take applicants’ biometric details (finger scans and digital photograph). Customers can either pay the application fee during this visit or prepay at one of the designated branches of BRAC Bank, in which case the centre will ask for proof of payment.

Applicants without access to a computer connected to the internet and printer can arrange in advance to use equipment provided at the centre by the UK’s commercial partner, VFS Global, for a small fee. They can submit their application and supporting documents at the same time, avoiding the need to visit the centre twice. Full instructions on how to access the website and submit an application form will be on display. Applicants wishing to use this IT service can contact VFS at:

The IT service will cost BDT 160 for the first 30 minutes and then BDT 80 for each subsequent 15 minutes, with printing charged at BDT 30 per page.

Customers may continue to make an appointment separately to use the Premium Lounges, Fast Track and Prime Time services to submit their applications. Further information on these services can be found at VFS Global in Bangladesh.

Guidance on the visa submission process and location of visa application centres is available at VFS Global in Bangladesh.

See UK Border Agency website for guidance on visa applications and supporting evidence.

Published 13 May 2013