Submitting Visa4UK online

Hello,
This is probably a dumb question but what happens when I hit the "Submit Application" button?

I'm not ready to apply just yet but I'm curious if there's a way to book my biometrics appointment in advance - before paying and everything. I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is no, but I just thought I'd ask.

I'm worried that I won't be able to find a "same week" bio appointment and it's stressing me out!

Also what can I expect once I hit that button? Do I need to print out my form? How does the NHS thing work? How much time do I have before it runs out online and how soon do I have to book my Bio App for?

Also do I purchase priority service/roundtrip shipping from VFS Global beforehand? Does it need to be done the same day? Is there a place in the VAF4A application that I need to note I will have Priority Service?

I'm so tempted to hit submit and find these things out myself but I'm scared that that will just mess everything up.

Thanks everyone! x

When you submit the application, you will:
- pay for the visa
- book biometrics
- pay IHS surcharge (? - not sure exactly when this is prompted)

Don't hit submit until you are completely ready to mail everything to Sheffield, as the date you submit becomes your official application date.

I haven't heard of anyone having to wait more than a week for biometrics. You can book biometrics at any of the 129 USCIS Application Support Centers in the US, so if you can't get a decent appointment at your nearest one, you can try a different one. Also some people have had luck booking one for a few days away and then just going in earlier and managing to get a walk-in appointment. It only takes 5-10 min anyway.

You should be prompted to pay the IHS surcharge during the application... Not sure when, though, maybe after you press submit?- if you aren't prompted, you may be applying for the wrong visa (make sure you have selected the visa type as Settlement -> Wife not Settlement -> Marriage).

You can keep saving the application for as long as you need to before you submit it - it will say in the visa4uk FAQ how long it stays in the system for (quite a while I think).

You book the biometrics for whenever is the most convenient time for you. You only have 5 days after the biometrics to post your documents to Sheffield, so you'll need to work out your timing from that.

I think you can purchase priority/shipping whenever you like. You don't mention it on the application form, but you must print and include the receipt for priority with your documents and also write SETTLEMENT PRIORITY PROCESSING on large letter on the front and back of your package - so it can be easily seen, as that is how they know to put the application in the priority pile.

Remember that the paper VAF4a form is not accepted in the US so you'll need to include:
- printed online application
- completed VAF4a Appendix 2 form


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When you submit the application, you will:
- pay for the visa
- book biometrics
- pay IHS surcharge (? - not sure exactly when this is prompted)

Don't hit submit until you are completely ready to mail everything to Sheffield, as the date you submit becomes your official application date.

I haven't heard of anyone having to wait more than a week for biometrics. You can book biometrics at any of the 129 USCIS Application Support Centers in the US, so if you can't get a decent appointment at your nearest one, you can try a different one. Also some people have had luck booking one for a few days away and then just going in earlier and managing to get a walk-in appointment. It only takes 5-10 min anyway.

You should be prompted to pay the IHS surcharge during the application... Not sure when, though, maybe after you press submit?- if you aren't prompted, you may be applying for the wrong visa (make sure you have selected the visa type as Settlement -> Wife not Settlement -> Marriage).

You can keep saving the application for as long as you need to before you submit it - it will say in the visa4uk FAQ how long it stays in the system for (quite a while I think).

You book the biometrics for whenever is the most convenient time for you. You only have 5 days after the biometrics to post your documents to Sheffield, so you'll need to work out your timing from that.

I think you can purchase priority/shipping whenever you like. You don't mention it on the application form, but you must print and include the receipt for priority with your documents and also write SETTLEMENT PRIORITY PROCESSING on large letter on the front and back of your package - so it can be easily seen, as that is how they know to put the application in the priority pile.

Remember that the paper VAF4a form is not accepted in the US so you'll need to include:
- printed online application
- completed VAF4a Appendix 2 form


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You are amazing! Thank you so much! You say that "you only have 5 days after the biometrics to post your documents to Sheffield" does this include days it takes to ship there? Hoping it won't take too long to get there!


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No, it's 5 days to put it in the mail, not to arrive in Sheffield. You should be mailing it either UPS or DHL  next day/2-day service. The VFS Global Shipping is UPS 2-day shipping.

See here for more info about posting the application (and applying in the US in general):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-apply-for-a-uk-visa/apply-for-a-uk-visa-in-the-usa#post-your-application


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