KEEP MY PASSPORT

Enjoy the peace of mind of keeping your passport with you while you’re waiting for a visa decision.

There are many situations where you might need your passport while you’re waiting for your visa application to be processed. You may need to travel elsewhere or need it for ID purposes, or you may just prefer to keep it with you.

By choosing ‘Keep My Passport’, your access to your passport will not be impacted by any potential travel restrictions, and you have the security and reassurance of knowing that you have your passport with you if you need it. If you combine it with Express Courier Return, you will not need to return to our Visa Application Centre a second time, reducing the number of trips you need to make.

PRIORITY VISA SERVICE (NON SETTLEMENT)

You can pay for a Priority Visa service for your visit, work or study application (‘non settlement’). This will put your application at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. The cost of this service is in addition to your visa application fee and is non-refundable if the visa application is refused, or in exceptional cases, if it takes longer to process. Using the Priority Visa service does not guarantee that your application will be successful. All visa applicants must meet the requirements of the UK Immigration Rules. How long does a Priority Visa application take?

UKVI aims to make a decision on your Priority Visa application within 5 working days from when you submit your biometric information.

However, every application is unique, and if your application is not straightforward, it may not be possible to meet this timescale. If this is the case, your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process, and UKVI will aim to process your application within global customer service standards. Your application may not be straightforward if you have:

• • been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
• • been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or;
• • been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
• • overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;
• • had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, and/or;
• • been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;
• • been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, and/or;
• • you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, and/or;
• • you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, and/or;
• • you have committed a criminal offence in any country.
If you fall into one of these categories, you may not want to use the Priority Visa service, as UKVI may be unable to process your application within the 5-day timescale.

Who can use this service?

All customers may apply for the Priority Visa service apart from applicants who are applying for visas to visit other Commonwealth countries, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), ECAA and EEA applications.

If you are applying for an EEA family permit or an EUSS family permit you will get a decision as soon as possible after attending your appointment at the visa application centre.

PRIORITY VISA SERVICE (SETTLEMENT)

You can pay for a Priority Visa service which puts your family migration / settlement application at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. The cost of this service is in addition to your visa application fee and is non-refundable if the visa application is refused, or in exceptional cases, takes longer to process. Using the Priority Visa service does not imply or guarantee that your application will be successful. All visa applicants must meet the requirements of the UK How long does a Priority Visa (family migration / settlement) application take?

UKVI aims to make a decision on your Priority Visa (family migration / settlement) application within 30 working days from when you submit your biometric information.

However, every application is unique, and if your application is not straightforward, it may not be possible to meet this timescale.

If this is the case, your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process, and UKVI will aim to process your application within global customer service standards. Your application may not be straightforward if you have:

• • been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
• • been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or;
• • been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
• • overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;
• • had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, and/or;
• • been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;
• • been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, and/or;
• • you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, and/or;
• • you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, and/or;
• • you have committed a criminal offence in any country.
If you fall into one of these categories, you may not want to use the Priority Visa service, as UKVI may be unable to process your application within the 30-day timescale.

Who can use this service?

All customers applying to live permanently (‘settle’) in the UK under family migration routes, and where a full settlement visa fee is payable. ECAA and EEA applications are not eligible for this service.

Important: Please note that you should not purchase this service in conjunction with the Priority Visa Service (non settlement), you must choose one OR the other according to your visa type.

EXPRESS COURIER RETURN

Avoid unnecessary travel, save time, and avoid the crowds by having your passport returned to you by courier.

If you’d prefer not to travel back to the Visa Application Centre to collect your passport when your application has been considered, choose Express Courier return for the ultimate in social distancing. As soon as your passport can be returned to you we’ll send it directly to the address of your choice* using a trusted and secure courier service, so you don’t need to travel to collect it.

If you have previously purchased this service and need to change the courier delivery address you provided at the time of submitting your application at our centre, address changes are permitted in certain circumstances**. Please log into your account for further details on how to request a change of return address and pay for this service.

*In certain locations this is limited to within the country in which you applied.
**Fees apply for delivery address changes requested after the submission of your application. Requests for a change of delivery address may be rejected if documents are already in transit.

Global Rescue Membership

TLScontact is a Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner

TLScontact is committed to supporting your travel experience, from when you first apply for your visa right through to your safe return home. That’s why we are a Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner.

Global Rescue is a leader in the travel services industry, providing medical and security advisory and evacuation services to travellers around the world. With operations centres staffed 24/7/365 by experienced personnel, you’ll always speak to an expert on the first call to help you get the care you need.

Click here to find out more and choose your membership.

A Global Rescue membership is the perfect addition to your standard travel insurance, ensuring peace of mind and financial protection.