Frequently asked questions.
How can I apply for a British visa?
To apply for a British visa, you must meet the financial requirements even if someone invites you and covers your travel expenses. You must be employed and have your salary paid into a bank. You must also have savings commensurate with your income.
How long does the visa application procedure take?
Depending on the type of visa, the visa procedure takes 3–4 weeks from the moment fingerprints are taken. Fingerprint appointments are scheduled 5 days after the online application.
What is the cost of the British visa procedure?
Official visa fees are published on the British Government's official website and vary depending on the duration. The visa fee is paid by the applicant himself/herself using his/her own card. The official fees are: 6-month visa – €250, 2-year visa – €671, 5-year visa – €1,130, 10-year visa – €1,400. The office's service fee depends on the case, the volume of documents, and the type of visa, and is determined during the consultation following a preliminary meeting.
Can I apply for a British visa while living and working outside Albania?
Yes, you can apply from the country where you live and work if you hold a residence permit in that country. The procedure is online and is carried out entirely by our office once you send us the documents, and you can provide your fingerprints where you live and work.
Some British visas
Tourist Visa to the UK
Work Visa in the UK
UK study visa
Family Visa in the UK
Should I apply alone or with my family? Which is better?
Each application is assessed on your personal and financial circumstances, and applying as a family is not a determining factor in the approval or refusal of the visa.
How long can I stay in Britain if I have a visa?
The visitor visa is a visa that allows you to travel to visit your family, for tourist purposes, or for medical reasons. It is important to adhere to the days of stay you declared in your application. Although the number of days you may stay is specified on your visa, if you stay longer or show that you are living in the UK for extended periods during the visa's validity, your next application may not be successful because the Immigration Officer may argue that you are spending more time in the UK and may question the true purpose of your trip.
I'm confident; what are my chances of getting a visa?
Regular employment and payment of social security contributions are not the main criteria for a successful application. The decision is generally made on the basis of your monthly income, how satisfactory it is, your ties to Albania, and your broader financial and family circumstances.
If I have a sponsor in Britain, how easy is it to get a visa?
Even if you have a sponsor (guarantor) in the UK who can cover your travel and accommodation expenses, the decisive criterion is your personal circumstances. You must be employed or self-employed and demonstrate that you have a favourable and stable personal situation that does not render you an immigration risk in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, you must provide factual evidence of your relationship with your sponsor and, if you have met or have a family relationship, you must demonstrate the nature of that relationship through family certificates.
I have a business in Albania and I am the sole proprietor. Can I apply using only the business's bank account?
Although proof of income and the relevant documents are very important for demonstrating your financial circumstances, the absence of personal bank statements may result in your application being refused, as the Immigration Officer must be satisfied that you have funds available to which you have access as an individual and not as a business.
Is it easier to obtain a British visa if you have an American visa?
The application for a British visa stands on its own and is based on your relevant documents, so it does not directly affect it; however, it certainly forms part of your positive profile in this case.