Tourist visa to England through Switzerland

Obtaining a tourist visa to England through Switzerland is a fairly popular solution for applicants who temporarily reside in this country. However, despite the seeming simplicity, the application procedure requires a clear understanding of the requirements of the British visa system and careful preparation of documents. Therefore, if you want to minimise the risk of refusal to obtain permission to enter the United Kingdom, read this article to the end.

For what purposes is a tourist visa to the United Kingdom intended?

A standard tourist visa to the United Kingdom allows you to:

• visit the country for the purpose of rest and travel;

• meet friends and relatives;

• attend cultural events;

• participate in short-term educational programmes;

• attend business meetings without performing paid work.

At the same time, it is important to remember that a tourist visa to England does not give the right to employment, long-term study or long-term residence in this country.

Who can apply for a tourist visa to England through Switzerland?

A tourist visa to the United Kingdom in Switzerland is available for:

• citizens of this state;

• foreigners who have the right of legal stay on the territory of the country (residence permit, study permission, work visa);

• temporary residents staying in Switzerland on the basis of long-term permits.

The main condition is the ability to confirm your legal residence status and financial stability.

Where can you obtain a tourist visa to the United Kingdom in Switzerland?

The application is submitted through the official visa centre of the United Kingdom — TLScontact. At the same time, it is important to take into account that the visa is applied for online through the gov.uk portal, and the visit to the visa centre for biometrics is scheduled in the nearest available city — Zurich or Geneva.

What documents are needed to apply for a tourist visa to England in Switzerland?

The standard package for applying for a tourist visa to the United Kingdom through Switzerland includes:

• a valid foreign passport;

• confirmation of legal stay in Switzerland (permits B, C, L, G, etc.);

• proof of financial solvency (bank statements);

• an employment letter, contracts or documents confirming employment or study;

• the travel route or an approximate travel plan;

• accommodation booking;

• other documents confirming your ties to the country of residence.

Important: some documents may be requested additionally if the visa officer considers it necessary to clarify the information he needs.

Application procedure and processing

The procedure for applying for a tourist visa to England through Switzerland includes:

1. registration on the gov.uk portal and selection of the Standard Visitor Visa category;

2. payment of the visa fee;

3. booking an appointment at the TLScontact visa centre in the chosen city;

4. submission of biometrics and all documents in accordance with the requirements of the British embassy;

5. waiting for the decision.

The average processing time for an application is from 3 to 6 weeks and may vary depending on the season and workload.

Cost and validity period of a tourist visa

A standard tourist visa to England through Switzerland is issued for up to six months, which is the basic option for most trips. However, applicants who plan to travel regularly to the United Kingdom can apply for long-term visas with a validity period from 2 to 10 years.

The cost of a standard tourist visa to England in Switzerland is approximately 100–120 Swiss francs. Additionally, about 90 francs are paid for submitting biometrics (an exception is if you apply in your country of citizenship, then this payment does not need to be made).

Main reasons for refusal

The most common reasons for refusal to issue a tourist visa to the United Kingdom in Switzerland include:

• insufficient proof of financial stability;

• errors or inconsistencies in the application form;

• doubts of the consul about the purpose of your trip;

• lack of ties to the country of residence;

• submission of an incomplete package of documents;

• previous violations of the visa regime of the United Kingdom or other countries.

Why should you contact us?

Working with United Kingdom visas requires accuracy and a deep understanding of the requirements of the British consulate. In particular, we offer our clients the following services:

• checking the application form and full preparation of documents;

• individual analysis of the situation;

• recommendations on financial proof;

• support at all stages of submission;

• minimisation of refusal risks thanks to expert experience.

Obtaining a tourist visa to England through Switzerland will be significantly faster and more reliable if you entrust this process to professionals. Our experts are well-versed in the nuances of the United Kingdom visa system and will help you avoid mistakes that may affect the final decision.