How soon do you need your United Kingdom Tourist Visa for Non-U.S. Citizens?

What steps are involved in getting my United Kingdom Tourist Visa from TDS?

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Document Requirements

These requirements are applicable for Non-US Citizens applying for a United Kingdom Tourist visa in New York

Please send TDS your current valid and signed passport. It must not expire within 6 months and must have at least one blank visa page. Foreign Embassies cannot issue a visa on a page not labeled as a Visa page. Amendment and Endorsement pages in the back of the passport cannot be used for issuance of a visa.
A visa cannot be stamped on a page even if only one Small Stamp is on the visa page. If your passport expires within 6 months, you must renew your passport and then we will secure your visa with the new passport.
In addition please include any previous passports held as evidence of travel history.

 

Please send 1 recent professional passport-type photograph.
Digital and non-passport photographs are not acceptable.
Passport Photo Guide - Click Here

 

 

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Original Alien Registration Card (Green Card) -or- Original U.S Visa (If the U.S Visa is in an expired passport then the expired passport has to be submitted with the current passport)

 

 

Please send a copy of your round trip airline tickets, or itinerary or e-ticket, or letter of confirmation from a travel agent. The itinerary must show the applicant's name, date of arrival and departure from the country, and flight information. The Embassy does not recommend purchasing your ticket prior to a visa being issued.

 

 

Original Letter of Employment stating that the applicant is an employee of the company and is in good standing.
The letter must indicate the dates for which leave was approved and the intended date of return to the company.

 

 

If you are visiting a friend or relative a Letter of Invitation is required from the host explaining the relationship to the applicant and the purpose of travel.
The invitation letter must also include the Length of Stay, Place of Stay and contact information.
A copy of the hosts British passport, (or British visa if the host is not a British citizen) must be attached.

 

 

A copy of your hotel confirmation(s) is required.
A letter from inviting family member or friend is required if they are providing accommodations to the applicant.

 

 

Evidence of sufficient funds to support stay in United Kingdom is required.
An original letter of employment stating that the applicant is employed of the company and in good standing. The letter must indicate the length of employment with the company, salary that the applicant is being paid, dates for which leave was approved and the date the applicant will be returning to the company.
Three most recent months of bank statements and a recent pay stub, both must be originals, scans and photocopies will not be accepted.

If someone other than the applicant is paying expenses:
If the applicants host is paying expenses please provide the hosts current bank statement and an employment letter.
If the applicants parent(s) are paying expenses please provide the parent(s) current bank statement , employment letter and a copy of the applicants birth certificate.

 

 

Travel Document Systems can submit United Kingdom visa applications for priority service 10+ business day processing only.

This requires an Additional priority service processing fee (determined by nationality) payable to the UK government that must be paid online directly through the VFS Global website. This "Priority Processing Fee" is in addition to the visa fee paid directly on the visa application form.

Click here to enter VFS Global visa application payment website, select the United States as the country of residence and your visa category.

The payment receipt from VFS Global must be included with the visa application materials.

Your visa application form (below) must be completed prior to processing the Priority processing fee.

Applications submitted directly to the UK government for a visa process without priority service take on average 20+ business days to be issued.

This Priority Processing Fee is required for traveldocs to be able to assist you, however it does not guarantee 10+ business processing as the UK consulate reserves the right to take additional time at their discretion.

 

The Consulate of the United Kingdom has introduced a web based visa application form.
Complete and sign one visa application form. 

Applicants must follow the step by step instructions and pay visa fees online.

Once you have completed your visa application on GOV.UK, you will need to select whether you want to attend one of our Premium Application Centers  or Temporary Enrolment Locations to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph). To attend a VFS Global Premium Application Centre, you will need to purchase a Bronze Package.

Please note: once you have selected the type of center to attend for your biometric appointment on GOV.UK, you will not be able to alter your selection without cancelling your application and starting a new one.

After selecting the type of center you wish to attend, you will directed to the VFS Global website to https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/gbr/your-appointment

The visa application must be submitted no earlier than 24-36 hours after and no later than 2 weeks after biometric submission.

Please send the visa application and supporting documents to Travel Document Systems New York office for expedited processing.

 

Upon completion of the online visa application form, the applicant will be prompted to schedule a biometrics appointment: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/gbr/login
 to submit biometric information. Please note that there might not be a time available immediately. 

You will need to take your receipt and passport to the appointment. This biometric information consists of scans of all 10 fingers and a full-face digital photograph. After you receive the completion stamp from this appointment, you can submit application materials to TDS New York Office for processing. 


The visa application must be submitted no earlier than 24-36 hours after and no later than 2 weeks after biometric submission.

Shipping Instructions

Please forward a printed copy of your order confirmation for a United Kingdom Tourist visa for Non-US Citizens and all required documents to:

Travel Document Systems, Inc.
100 Park Avenue
Suite 1646
New York, NY 10017

Local Phone Number: 212-647-1122

Urgent applications for a United Kingdom Tourist visa should be shipped to TDS using only the FedEx Company.

Please use FedEx Priority Overnight. Do NOT ship "First Overnight." This will delay the delivery of your package.

Once your order is complete, your Passport with the visa sticker/stamp will be returned to you via FedEx Overnight.

FedEx Return ShippingFedEx Logo
Continental USA Only Price
Next Business Day - up to 3 passports $36.00
Next Business Day - 4 or more passports $39.00
Saturday Delivery $41.00
Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI Price
Next Day Letter (No Saturday Delivery) $39.00
International Price
Call for a quote. Call.