Applying for UK Visitor visa in India whilst holding a US green card and US residence

Applying for UK Visitor visa in India whilst holding a US green card and US residence - Bridge with metal arch among concrete buildings

I need to apply for a UK visitor visa for a scientific conference I am attending at the end of June 2017. I am an Indian citizen (Indian passport holder) with a US green card and a valid H1-B visa stamp as well.

On perusing the UK visitor visa information page, it would seem that I need a biometric scan and a visa appointment at likely two different locations.

Given that I am a college professor I cannot miss multiple days of work (as is the case for many other professions, of course) from my remote town in Michigan to travel to different application support centers for (1) biometric scan (2) visa interview. The application support centers (ASC) and their locations are different from UK visa centers/consulates and their locations. Several hundreds of miles separate my residence with the ASCs and the visa centers.

The nearest application support center is two states away (Milwaukee, WI) for me and the nearest visa center is also two states away (Chicago, IL).

Since I am traveling to India in May for my semester break, I was planning on doing my UK visa application process then.

Does this raise red flags? Considering that I have a US residence with a US green card + H1-B in the US but I am applying for a UK visa (legitimate practical reasons) in India?



Best Answer

When someone wants to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, there's a single appointment needed: the biometric enrolment at a VFS. Depending on the country, the applicant may have the opportunity to upgrade their application to 'priority'.

Applicants in the United States get an additional option, they can use a 'premium service' (cf 'priority'). These are sited at British consulates and have the equipment to enrol the applicant's biometrics and review their application (to help ensure its success) and pouch it to the British Consulate General in New York for a decision.

Having that as background, let's take a look at the form itself...

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Critically, note the use of 'or' in the explanation. It's clear that a single appointment is required.

The same single-appointment process works for India, except there are no provisions for a 'premium service'. In fact, anywhere in the world, applying for a UK Standard Visitor Visa is a matter of a single appointment where the applicant's biometrics are enrolled.

Your questions...

The nearest application support center is two states away (Milwaukee, WI) for me and the nearest visa center is also two states away (Chicago, IL).

Pick Chicago if you want the premium service otherwise pick one of the DHS facilities.

Since I am travelling to India ... I was planning on doing my UK visa application process then. Does this raise red flags?

They don't care; it will not raise 'red flags' and it will not be treated as exceptional either positively or negatively. Honestly, they don't care. Depending on which Indian VFS you apply through, you may be able to qualify for 'priority', but as explained there are no 'premium services' available in India.

Notes

  • An applicant for the Standard Visitor Visa can apply from anywhere in the world (given that a British consulate exists).
  • A description of some the various premium services available in the USA are here, those not listed are available on a case-by-case basis.
  • In the special case for applications in the United States, the applicant reports to a DHS facility where their biometrics are enrolled. They get a receipt. The applicant then prints out their application and encloses the biometrics receipt along with a photograph(s) and passport. The whole bundle is then posted to the British Consulate General in NYC.

  • There are also 'premium services' at Heathrow, etc for 'leave-to-enter'/visa-on-arrival applicants.

  • A further thought on appointments and as a rule of thumb, if the consulate asks you to make a personal appearance for an interview with an ECO, you should consider withdrawing the application at once.



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Do U.S. green card holders need a visa for the UK?

Do Green Card Holders Need Visa for UK? Yes, they do. If you would normally require a visa to enter the UK, then you will have to apply for one even if you have a Green Card. Unfortunately, a Green Card does not allow the holder to enter the UK just like it does not allow them to enter the European Union.

Can US permanent residents visit the UK?

Green Card holders or US residents may be required to obtain a visa to travel to the United Kingdom depending on their country of citizenship and the purpose of travel. The UK government has established types of visas that fit every traveler based on their purpose of entry.

How can a US resident apply for a UK visa?

To apply for a UK visa in the USA you need to:
  • apply online.
  • pay your fee.
  • book and attend your biometric appointment.
  • Attend an Application Support Centre ( ASC )
  • post your application.


  • Can Indian citizen apply for UK visitor visa from USA?

    Indian Citizens (or for that matter any country's resident) can apply for UK Visa while they are in USA. The requirement is to prove that your stay in USA is legitimate, which means you have to prove it by means of your current US Visa.




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Charles Parker, Charles Parker, Ivan Samkov, Dziana Hasanbekava