Even though many locals would be interested in visiting the UK, they may be turned off by the unfamiliarity and complexity of the application process. Other factors include: expenses and visa length awarded, and the reduced amount of popular places of interests you can visit, compared to other visas.
So, I decided to take the plunge and finally try myself; these are the steps:
1. Fill Out the visa Application: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. The form requires a lot of information. If you think that the US application requires too much info, this one wins!
You can save your application and return to it to make changes. You can choose the questions to be only in English or in both English and Spanish.
2. Finish the application and pay the visa fees: The total cost for the application ends up being USD$202, including the VFS application center fee. This is for a regular 6-month visa. There are other options for longer term visas, as well a priority application fee to get yours decided on in 5 business days.
3. Schedule your appointment: you’ll be prompted to a calendar to select your appointment date. Appointments are readily available and can be changed later. Just like the Schengen visa, you should pick an appointment date that is within 3 months of your intended travel date.
https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/dominicanrepublic/english/book_appointment.html
4. Gather your Documents : Do not staple your application or supporting documents. You’ll need similar documents as for other visa applications: bank statements, property titles, proof of employment or business registration, etc; if you have kids or anyone who depends on you, include their birth certificates.
You should also include copies of valid and expired visas and from stamped pages on your passport.
You don’t need to buy travel insurance.The application guide says that you don’t need to include hotel or flight reservations, but the checklist does, so I think it’s better to include them and have your application as complete as possible
They also accept University diplomas as supporting documents.
5. Translate Documents that are not in Spanish or in Welsch. Well, it says everywhere that everything must be translated. I only got a couple of documents translated and brought the rest in Spanish. I asked the person in charge of checking the application if they also accepted documents without their translation and she said yes.
6. Attend your appointment:
You need to go to the application center in person and get your biometrical data taken. The UK VFS application center is at the IOM office, Calle Moisés García No. 25, between Rosa Duarte and Pedro A. Lluberes, Gazcue. You should be there 15 minutes before your appointment.
Things go kind of slow here. You can bring your cell phone but no laptops. We were waited on according to the time of our appointments. First you'll wait outside and will be asked to come in to a room with other applicants. They'll check your application and supporting documents, clasify them and see that everything's okay. You'll also pick a delivery address to get your passport returned.
After more waiting, you'll be asked you go into another room for your biometrics. They'll scan everything with a superfast printer and return it to you.
7. Wait for a decision and get your Passport Back: They'll send your passport back to you via Fedex. Most applications are processed within 10-15 business days. This may take longer If you have ever been a US or UK visa.
So, I decided to take the plunge and finally try myself; these are the steps:
1. Fill Out the visa Application: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. The form requires a lot of information. If you think that the US application requires too much info, this one wins!
You can save your application and return to it to make changes. You can choose the questions to be only in English or in both English and Spanish.
2. Finish the application and pay the visa fees: The total cost for the application ends up being USD$202, including the VFS application center fee. This is for a regular 6-month visa. There are other options for longer term visas, as well a priority application fee to get yours decided on in 5 business days.
3. Schedule your appointment: you’ll be prompted to a calendar to select your appointment date. Appointments are readily available and can be changed later. Just like the Schengen visa, you should pick an appointment date that is within 3 months of your intended travel date.
https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/dominicanrepublic/english/book_appointment.html
4. Gather your Documents : Do not staple your application or supporting documents. You’ll need similar documents as for other visa applications: bank statements, property titles, proof of employment or business registration, etc; if you have kids or anyone who depends on you, include their birth certificates.
You should also include copies of valid and expired visas and from stamped pages on your passport.
You don’t need to buy travel insurance.The application guide says that you don’t need to include hotel or flight reservations, but the checklist does, so I think it’s better to include them and have your application as complete as possible
They also accept University diplomas as supporting documents.
5. Translate Documents that are not in Spanish or in Welsch. Well, it says everywhere that everything must be translated. I only got a couple of documents translated and brought the rest in Spanish. I asked the person in charge of checking the application if they also accepted documents without their translation and she said yes.
6. Attend your appointment:
You need to go to the application center in person and get your biometrical data taken. The UK VFS application center is at the IOM office, Calle Moisés García No. 25, between Rosa Duarte and Pedro A. Lluberes, Gazcue. You should be there 15 minutes before your appointment.
Things go kind of slow here. You can bring your cell phone but no laptops. We were waited on according to the time of our appointments. First you'll wait outside and will be asked to come in to a room with other applicants. They'll check your application and supporting documents, clasify them and see that everything's okay. You'll also pick a delivery address to get your passport returned.
After more waiting, you'll be asked you go into another room for your biometrics. They'll scan everything with a superfast printer and return it to you.
7. Wait for a decision and get your Passport Back: They'll send your passport back to you via Fedex. Most applications are processed within 10-15 business days. This may take longer If you have ever been a US or UK visa.
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