Visas to take five working days

With effect from 2 November 2009, the British High Commission will follow other British diplomatic missions in Southeast Asia by sending all visa applications, accompanying paperwork and passports, to a regional hub of expert entry clearance officers in Manila for processing. This will help ensure consistency of UK Border Agency (UKBA) service levels and decision-making across the region. But the process will now take five working days.

There is no change to the system for online applications and we can still receive up to three months ahead of travel nor to the friendly and expert service provided by UKBA staff at the High Commission. We will continue to accept supporting paperwork, passport, biometrics and the relevant fee at the visa counter; from where customers will – as now – collect their passports after issue. What they will need to bear in mind, however, is the time required for transport by secure courier to and from the UKBA hub.

In the past, we have often been able to issue visas more quickly than this five day target – though five working days has actually been the UKBA global standard for some time. From next month, however, it will no longer be possible for us to “beat the target. The travelling public and their sponsors will need to factor this into their travel plans.

For further information on applying log onto visa4UK

Where can I get information?

UK Border Agency and the high commission work in partnership to provide a visa service here in Brunei.

Where can I get advice?

Our visa section staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:

• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Institute of Legal Executives

How do I submit my application?

You can submit your application through our online application service at the visa section of the high commission.

Service standards - complaints and compliments

UKvisas aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers.  We welcome feedback which tells us where we need to improve.

If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days.

If you wish to complain about the service you received from the UK Border Agency at this high commission, please address your complaint to the Entry Clearance Manager at:

Unit 2.01, Second Floor,
Block D
Kompleks Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Jalan Pretty
Bandar Seri Begawan BS8711
Brunei Darussalam

or by email at: The Visa Section Manager

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VISAS FOR THE UK – AN OVERVIEW

We have included information relating to the most popular types of visa applications we receive in Bandar Seri Begawan; we hope you will find it informative.

For types of applications not listed here and/or more detailed information, please visit the UK Border Agency.

Bruneian nationals need to apply for an entry clearance with us only if they plan to stay in the UK for longer than six months or if applying for certain categories of visas. Bruneian nationals wishing to undertake short holidays in the UK do not require prior entry clearance.

If in doubt, please check through here, UK Border Agency and the FAQs. If you remain unsure, please contact us.

We no longer accept paper visa application forms. All visa applicants should apply on line using the Visa4UK.

The processing time for different categories of visa applications varies. We endeavour to process straightforward visit visa applications within 24 hours. Settlement applications are processed within 8 to 12 weeks depending on the time taken for checks to be completed.

Other applications, including students, are processed as quickly as possible and often within 24 hours at the discretion of the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). However, applications can be deferred for additional documents; for further enquiries or for an interview. We therefore recommend that flight tickets should not be purchased until you have secured your visa to avoid disappointment.

QUICK START – THE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

There are four easy steps to applying for a UK visa online:

1. Read the information related to the type of visa that you wish to apply for;
2. Complete, save, print off and submit the online application form at visa4UK. At the end of this process, the system will require you to book an appointment to submit your application to us;
3. We encourage you to use our checklists to help you prepare your applications. Go to our Checklist page to find the checklist for your application; and
4. Come to the Visa Section at the time of your appointment with the following:

• A signed, completed printout of your online application form;
• The printout of the confirmation of your appointment;
• Your passport;
• The correct visa application fee;
• A passport photo on a white background; and
• Your supporting documents – originals plus one photocopied full set and one passport photographs (in colour, with a white background and measuring 45mm X 35mm).

All applicants, irrespective of nationality, will need to come into the High Commission in person to provide their fingerscans and a digital photograph (taken by us) to complete the visa application process. Only children under the age of 5 years of age and a limited number of other categories are ordinarily exempt from biometrics.

Visa application fees are set by the UK Parliament and are converted from Pounds Sterling to Brunei Dollars. Fluctuating exchange rates mean that periodic changes in visa application fees may occur. Please check the current visa application fees before attending the Visa Section.