Visitor Visa from US and VFS document mailing - how to do this right?

Well, It was a surprise for me to join a community and ask such questions as I've applied for many visas and never met such uncertainty on what I should do. Bravo VFS! Actually when living in Ukraine before we applied for UK visa twice and it was pretty straightforward. My problem is I always read and try to do exactly what's prescribed. With VFS handling the process you probably should be an artist...

So we applied from US as US residents but non-citizens.

Please help who knows the answers (who did this), I think that will help me and others too  Let's systemize this uncertainty:

1) UK government asked to provide full 10 years history of travel. Luckily we have older passports but that's still impossible. Some stamps are unreadable, some states do not stamp the passport (Israel) and we don't have all the records like e-mails, e-tickets etc. Technically we provided as much as possible but still missing some travels. Is it crucial? We remember ALL countries but they ask for specific exact dates and that's ridiculous.

2) Their website (UK Gov or VFS) somewhere (can't find where) tells that we should upload the passport and proof of residency in US. Or they propose to pay $75 so they scan for us. As we send passports anyway they still need a scan. Ok but what do they mean? First page with bio info and photo OR we should scan all pages or our passports? Can't find any details. What is the right answer?

3) They really demand scan of our passport and residency docs but on their website you see options to upload financial docs, employment docs and other typical types but no specific place to upload passport or residency docs. How should you upload passport? We decided to upload to "Other documents". So technically we did it, but... is this the right way to do this? Or we missed something. Their site is awful, buggy, unreliable and misguiding.

4) In their instructions they tell we should bring checklist and sign it during biometrics appointment but other people here tell USCIS ignores this document. What should we do with that checklist? Some recommendations are "upload to VFS" and we did that. But! Should we sign it before uploading? It should be signed both by applicant and by the officer. Should I attach my signature or just leave this field blank? Or just skip this doc?

5) In their instructions they tell this

Your biometric confirmation receipt will be stamped at your appointment. You then have 5 days to mail this, your application form, your passport and supporting documents to VFS Services USA Inc. All applications must be accompanied by a valid passport with at least one page blank on both sides. If the application is mailed without a passport the application will be refused.

What do they mean? That application form is what? We have some VFS document that includes some data and appointment info but it's not called Application. The only Application we have is actual Visa Application filled o UK Gov site. And they provided the way to download it but just for our records. This documet is more than 10 pages. Do they mean we should print our Visa Applications and send in paper form with passport? Or what Applications we should send with passports? Should we sign if printing?

6) The last nightmare is shipping labels. I spent several hours today trying to figure out. No shipping labels at their site, some broken link at UK Gov site... After reading this and other communities we understand they provided no info and everybody just visits UPS to order shipping labels. But what UPS service should we choose? And UPS askes to be specific with box size etc.VFS tells to include both shipping label and envelope so they return us documents. What size of envelope should we include? They also tell to send shipping label by e-mail if we forget to attach it. So envelope is not really necessary? You can't send envelope by e-mail.

Total confusion as we don't know what service to use, what size of the box or envelope (UPS operates boxes, never seen documents delivered by UPS actually, do they have envelopes of just boxes?), should we include envelope for return mail and what?

I feel like an idiot asking such questions so please excuse me. But I fear those guys just ruin our trip if we do something they consider "wrong". and their instructions are incomplete and conflicting. It seems like they do it purposefully to force people purchase expensive premium service.

Welcome to the forum

1) UK government asked to provide full 10 years history of travel. Luckily we have older passports but that's still impossible. Some stamps are unreadable, some states do not stamp the passport (Israel) and we don't have all the records like e-mails, e-tickets etc. Technically we provided as much as possible but still missing some travels. Is it crucial? We remember ALL countries but they ask for specific exact dates and that's ridiculous.

All you can do is make it as accurate as possible... if you don’t remember all the exact dates, then estimate the best you can.

2) Their website (UK Gov or VFS) somewhere (can't find where) tells that we should upload the passport and proof of residency in US. Or they propose to pay $75 so they scan for us. As we send passports anyway they still need a scan. Ok but what do they mean? First page with bio info and photo OR we should scan all pages or our passports? Can't find any details. What is the right answer?

I would scan every page of the passports, just to be thorough.

3) They really demand scan of our passport and residency docs but on their website you see options to upload financial docs, employment docs and other typical types but no specific place to upload passport or residency docs. How should you upload passport? We decided to upload to "Other documents". So technically we did it, but... is this the right way to do this? Or we missed something. Their site is awful, buggy, unreliable and misguiding.

Just do the best you can. As long as all your documents are uploaded, I don’t think it really matters which section. I think passports either go under Application Documents(?) or Other Documents.

4) In their instructions they tell we should bring checklist and sign it during biometrics appointment but other people here tell USCIS ignores this document. What should we do with that checklist? Some recommendations are "upload to VFS" and we did that. But! Should we sign it before uploading? It should be signed both by applicant and by the officer. Should I attach my signature or just leave this field blank? Or just skip this doc?

Fill it out and sign it, then upload it before biometrics. The part about signing it at biometrics is not relevant to US applicants giving biometrics at a USCIS Center because biometrics are taken by US immigration who have nothing to do with your application or documents... so the checklist is irrelevant to them.

For biometrics you just take your passports and printed appointment sheet, which will be stamped at the appointment. Then you send both to New York for processing within 5 days.

5) In their instructions they tell this

Your biometric confirmation receipt will be stamped at your appointment. You then have 5 days to mail this, your application form, your passport and supporting documents to VFS Services USA Inc. All applications must be accompanied by a valid passport with at least one page blank on both sides. If the application is mailed without a passport the application will be refused.

What do they mean? That application form is what? We have some VFS document that includes some data and appointment info but it's not called Application. The only Application we have is actual Visa Application filled o UK Gov site. And they provided the way to download it but just for our records. This documet is more than 10 pages. Do they mean we should print our Visa Applications and send in paper form with passport? Or what Applications we should send with passports? Should we sign if printing?

I believe you send the following:
- your passports
- your stamped biometrics sheet
- the first page of your application forms, with the barcode on it
- priority processing receipt, if purchasing
- return shipping labels and packaging

6) The last nightmare is shipping labels. I spent several hours today trying to figure out. No shipping labels at their site, some broken link at UK Gov site... After reading this and other communities we understand they provided no info and everybody just visits UPS to order shipping labels. But what UPS service should we choose? And UPS askes to be specific with box size etc.VFS tells to include both shipping label and envelope so they return us documents. What size of envelope should we include? They also tell to send shipping label by e-mail if we forget to attach it. So envelope is not really necessary? You can't send envelope by e-mail.

You do need an envelope now - so just send whatever size will fit the documents you are sending.

You can either purchase shipping labels on the VFS website (called the courier service) or go to UPS and buy your own. You can choose whichever UPS service suits you best.

It seems like they do it purposefully to force people purchase expensive premium service.

Almost no one here on the forum uses the expensive premium services so it’s certainly doable to not use them.



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Thanks so much! Their courier service is expensive, I already paid too much for their services and we have 2 applicants so should be 2 packages. Trying to find some "value for money" solution.

What UPS services you guys ordered? I'm kinda confused as I was always sure UPS is about boxes. Some flat rate 2-day avia service return shipping label is Ok?

And should I include "return envelope" as they ask or just shipping labels works fine? I want to send two applications in same box with two shipping labels. But if I include return packaging than my initial box should be much larger to fit two return envelopes/boxes. Do you all send return envelopes? Actually please clarify box or envelope On UPS website I only see boxes.

For the passport it will take me another hour to scan our two passports. If 10 minutes I won't even ask. Did anybody sent them just front pages? What was the result?

Sorry one more question. We send two applications. Somebody here mentioned we can use one box/envelope to send the docs but still include two return labels as they will return in separate packages. Is this correct? Using one box to send to New York saves money.

And should we use avia service to send to New York or any ground service works fine? I think that should but not sure how UPS handles such packages. What about risks to lose our passports? Do they lose "slow" packages more often? Another issue is that strange VFS demand to send in 5 days after biometrics. If we send by inexpensive ground service it definitely takes more time. Will they cancel our applications? What is the reason to give us only 5 days to send? Why do they care.

Thanks so much! Their courier service is expensive, I already paid too much for their services and we have 2 applicants so should be 2 packages. Trying to find some "value for money" solution.

If you are applying together, I think you’re supposed send your documents together in one package. But you will need to purchase 2 priority services, of using them, and I think you may need 2 shipping labels (not sure on that).

What UPS services you guys ordered? I'm kinda confused as I was always sure UPS is about boxes. Some flat rate 2-day avia service box?

Pretty sure you can just use your own packaging (and return envelope) and then just take it to UPS to buy the shipping labels.

And should I include "return envelope" as they ask. Technically if I put my documents to some box I can't include same size box. So I should send in some really large box just to include two smaller empty boxes insice...? Or I just ignore this and send tnem documents with shipping label and don't care about return envelope/box?

It’s now a requirement to send a return envelope. It didn’t used to be, but now it is.

You do NOT need a box. Just send an envelope that is big enough to return your passports (and any other documents you might be sending) in it.

For passports and a couple of sheets of paper, there is no need to send a box.

For the passport it will take me another hour to scan our two passport, may be more. If 10 minutes I won't even ask. Has anybody tried to send just front pages? What was the result?

It takes as long as it takes. If you need to spend an hour scanning, then you spend an hour scanning. You don’t want to risk a visa refusal because you didn’t take the time to scan everything properly.

For your current passports, as you are mailing them, I think you can just scan the page with your photo and bio details on it.

If you are including any previous passports, every single page should be scanned.


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Sorry one more question. We send two applications. Somebody here mentioned we can use one box/envelope to send the docs but still include two return labels as they will return in separate packages. Is this correct? Using one box to send to New York saves money.

And should we use avia service to send to New York or any ground service works fine? I think that should but not sure how UPS handles such packages. What about risks to lose our passports? Do they lose "slow" packages more often? Another issue is that strange VFS demand to send in 5 days after biometrics. If we send by inexpensive ground service it definitely takes more time. Will they cancel our applications? What is the reason to give us only 5 days to send? Why do they care.

My guess is that they use the 5 day limit for efficiency, so that they don't have applications piling up that can't be processed because the passports have not arrived.

If you are applying together, I think you’re supposed send your documents together in one package. But you will need to purchase 2 priority services, of using them, and I think you may need 2 shipping labels (not sure on that).

Pretty sure you can just use your own packaging (and return envelope) and then just take it to UPS to buy the shipping labels.

It’s now a requirement to send a return envelope. It didn’t used to be, but now it is.

You do NOT need a box. Just send an envelope that is big enough to return your passports (and any other documents you might be sending) in it.

For passports and a couple of sheets of paper, there is no need to send a box.

It takes as long as it takes. If you need to spend an hour scanning, then you spend an hour scanning. You don’t want to risk a visa refusal because you didn’t take the time to scan everything properly.

For your current passports, as you are mailing them, I think you can just scan the page with your photo and bio details on it.

If you are including any previous passports, every single page should be scanned.

So technically it means I should use one larger envelope to include two smaller empty envelopes and docs... I just don't know if I should pay more for larger. Probably the best idea is to go to UPS and use their envelopes and explain them situation.

Who used what service and what was approximate price?

Sorry one more question. We send two applications. Somebody here mentioned we can use one box/envelope to send the docs but still include two return labels as they will return in separate packages. Is this correct? Using one box to send to New York saves money.

I think so. As mentioned above, you DO NOT need to send a box. Just send everything in an envelope and include another envelope(s) for the return of documents.

And should we use avia service to send to New York or any ground service works fine? I think that should but not sure how UPS handles such packages. What about risks to lose our passports? Do they lose "slow" packages more often? Another issue is that strange VFS demand to send in 5 days after biometrics. If we send by inexpensive ground service it definitely takes more time. Will they cancel our applications? What is the reason to give us only 5 days to send? Why do they care.

Use whatever service you feel most comfortable with. I believe the courier service they offer on VFS is 2-day UPS shipping. Personally, I would go for a faster service, so that everything arrives quickly and you get it back quickly.

I assume they give you 5 days because they don’t want you to leave it too long between biometrics and them receiving your documents/passports so they can start processing the visas.

It used to be 14 days, but they reduced it to 5 days in September 2015. In most countries, you submit the documents and passports at the biometrics appointment, so in the US, you actually get extra time to submit.

Besides, the longer you leave it to send the documents, the longer it will take to get your visas.



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If you are applying together, I think you’re supposed send your documents together in one package. But you will need to purchase 2 priority services, of using them, and I think you may need 2 shipping labels (not sure on that).

Pretty sure you can just use your own packaging (and return envelope) and then just take it to UPS to buy the shipping labels.

It’s now a requirement to send a return envelope. It didn’t used to be, but now it is.

You do NOT need a box. Just send an envelope that is big enough to return your passports (and any other documents you might be sending) in it.

For passports and a couple of sheets of paper, there is no need to send a box.

It takes as long as it takes. If you need to spend an hour scanning, then you spend an hour scanning. You don’t want to risk a visa refusal because you didn’t take the time to scan everything properly.

For your current passports, as you are mailing them, I think you can just scan the page with your photo and bio details on it.

If you are including any previous passports, every single page should be scanned.

Just current passports. Previous passports include UK visas but I really hope they are able to find by name as I mentioned UK travel history in Application. There is probably no reason to include previous passports.

So if I include only current passport hope scanned first pages suffice.

I think so. As mentioned above, you DO NOT need to send a box. Just send everything in an envelope and include another envelope(s) for the return of documents.

Use whatever service you feel most comfortable with. I believe the courier service they offer on VFS is 2-day UPS shipping. Personally, I would go for a faster service, so that everything arrives quickly and you get it back quickly.

I assume they give you 5 days because they don’t want you to leave it too long between biometrics and them receiving your documents/passports so they can start processing the visas.

It used to be 14 days, but they reduced it to 5 days in September 2015. In most countries, you submit the documents and passports at the biometrics appointment, so in the US, you actually get extra time to submit.

Besides, the longer you leave it to send the documents, the longer it will take to get your visas.

We have almost 3 months so probably that's not an issue. Just trying to spend money reasonably. The only consideration is not to have application canceled and/or documents lost.

Today got pretty straightforward answer from their support. "If you have any questions contact our paid support, the prices are following.."

You know, it's quite embarrassing. We already paid them for two visas. Actually this forum helped greatly so I don't think they will give any more detailed answers than you guys...

The only thing I'm not 100% sure now if we should scan all pages of the passport we put to package or just the front page. Based on your replies front page should be Ok but still not sure.. Why? Because if UK is making the decision and Passport is stamped in New York than UK officer won't have physical document in hands and can't check all pages. So if they need it they need a scan.

Has anybody submitted just a front page scan and got Visitor Visa without problems?

So we finished biometrics and here update on our ee strange experience with UPS.

Shipping labels to return our docs were about $39 each BUT the price to send to Visa Center was $90 for a single package. I asked, again and again, how could this be possible that sending from A to B is more than twice than from B to A. UPS employee just told it's their rules/fares. He recommended using other postal service.

So purchased only return labels at UPS and now need to send to New York with other carrier.  What shoud I choose?

- USPS Priority Mail should be around $10 for 1-3 business days
- USPS Priority Mail Express around $25-30 for overnight.
- FedEx 2-day should be around $33 for Tuesday afternoon delivery (technically same as USPS Priority Mail).

Is simple and cheapest USPS Priority Mail flat rate service the right option? I don't care about 1-2 additional business days. I just care about our documents not being lost. And do those Visa Center guys accept USPS or they like only UPS/FedEx?

P.S. Also don't understand is USPS Priority Mail Express overnight good or no. They seem to guarantee overnight 365/7 delivery but if they really deliver Sunday morning to Vida Center who will sign it?

I never recommending using USPS - they are not reliable and your  documents could get lost and never arrive.

You need to use one of:
- UPS (preferred)
- FEDEX
- DHL


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Well, $90 for UPS is crazy. Tried creating FedEx shipment and they ask for telephone number, no telephone on Visa Center webpage.