Today, I’m sharing here the UK tourist visa requirements for Filipino citizens or Philippine passport-holders.
I successfully got my UK multiple entry visa for the first time, and someone asked me to share in this blog the list of requirements for applicants applying in the Philippines.
The VFS Global (in Makati and Cebu) handles the visa application for the UK embassy. I got mine after 15 days after I attended the appointment.
Remember, the earliest you can apply for your UK tourist visa is three months before you travel. For example, if you plan to visit the UK on August 30, you can apply for your tourist visa as early as May 30.
UK Tourist Visa Requirements for Filipinos:
- Application Form (this will be filled out and printed out via your online appointment)
- PSA Birth Certificate (I recommend you submit the latest one)
- Passport
- Old Passport with visa and travel stamps
- Bank Statement (latest 6 months)
- Bank Certificate
- Income Tax Return
- Certificate of Employment
- Pay Slips
- DTI Permit (with name and date the business started trading) – for self-employed
- Mayor’s Permit (latest one) – for self-employed
- Travel Itinerary
- Hotel Reservations (you can book hotel reservations at this link without payment)
- Roundtrip Flight Reservation
- Certificate of Stocks Investment (optional supporting document)
The UK embassy requires the original documents for verification. In my experience, they returned my original PSA Birth Certificate when they delivered my passport with my visa.
For old passports and visa stamps, you can submit colored photocopies. You can pay for their Certification service to keep hold of your original documents.
The list of documents above is for the Standard Visitor visa, and it follows the checklist below:
UK Tourist Visa Requirements Checklist:
When you apply for a UK tourist visa, VFS Global will hand you a checklist you need to accomplish as you submit your UK tourist visa requirements. The checklist is for you to identify the documents you are submitting.
It is not a list of documents you need to provide but rather an indication of the types of documents that are commonly submitted. You need to check if the document you submitted is an original or a copy.
Supporting Documents For a UK Tourist Visa:
- Valid passport or travel document
- Number of passport submitted
- One recent photograph as per UKVI guidelines required only for applicants exempt from giving biometrics
- Evidence of your permission to be in the country where you are applying, if you are not a national of that country
- Evidence of your sponsor’s leave to remain in the UK if you are applying as their dependent
Purpose of Application (including any related arrangements):
- Evidence of arrangements made such as: tour details, flight details, letter of invitation, evidence of sponsor’s immigration status in the UK
Evidence of Current Employment (or Studies):
- Evidence of the employment and all income stated on application form such as: letter from employer, pay slips, tax returns, business registration documents, business bank account statements
- Evidence of being in education (where applicable)
- Evidence of qualifications obtained
Finances:
- Evidence of monthly income stated on application form such as bank statement, bank books, bank letter, balance certificate, tax returns, crop receipts
- Evidence of ability to meet costs of trip, as stated on application form such as: the bank statements of the person paying for the trip
Accommodation:
- Evidence of assets like property or land such as: Property deed, mortgage statements, tenancy agreements, accountant’s letters, land registration documents
- Evidence of UK accommodation and travel details such as: hotel booking confirmation, travel booking confirmation, travel agent confirmation, sponsor accommodation details
UK Visa Additional Information:
- Evidence of your marital status such as: marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate
- Evidence of family members remaining in your home country whilst you travel
- Any other documentation such as: evidence of any correspondence, TB certificate
On the provided form by VFS, you need to check only the documents that you have or will submit. After that, you need to sign the form at the bottom section of the page.
You can print out a copy of the checklist from the UK embassy website so that you can already fill it out before you attend your visa processing appointment at VFS Global.
UK Tourist Visa Application Form
You need to fill out the application form generated through your visa4uk account, which can be found when you set up an online appointment. As mentioned, you need an online appointment before attending it at the VFS Global office (visa application center).
The complete steps and guides are discussed in these pages:
UK Tourist Visa Fees in the Philippines
The Standard Visitor UK Visa fees in the Philippines as of May 2022 are listed below:
- Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) – £100
- Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) – £376
- Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) – £670
- Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) – £837
Other Visa Guides:
- Australian Tourist Visa Requirements for Filipinos
- How to Apply for Australian Tourist Visa in the Philippines
- List of Accredited Travel Agencies for Korean Visa in the Philippines
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and is based on the author’s personal experience. There are different visa types and applications. If you’re not sure how to apply for your visa, seek the help of a professional visa advisor. The requirements above may change any moment.
I am British national with filipino, GF applying tourist visa to visit uk.
is it possible that I can use my UK bank statements as proof of income? to demonstrate proof that her living expenses are covered?
would it be recommended to open a joint account to show that she has access to funds in the UK?
Any advice would be wonderful – thank you so much
Hi mate make sure your lady has a bank account, slowly help her build it up to around 60,000 pesos by telling her to put the money in you can send her ,put it in stages and not one lump sum i.e. 3 or 4 stages , build your UK bank account up also in the UK , once she has the Visa she can withdraw most of the money and give it back to you if this is what you decide on….I know all this is such BS but the UK government do not trust the FILIPINO people as this amount of bureaucracy self-evident , they think the Filipino will over stay and hide, this is what this is really all about mate, this is a sad fact, if she was Chinese or Japanese or Singaporean it is a simple 3 forms to fill in for a UK visa.. no one wants to really here this TRUTH but there you have it….also write an affidavit letter stating your going to also support your llady while she stays in the UK..
Hello to every one is there any one knows how to applying visa to go to the UK from philippines. .because me and my boyfriend decide I going visit him in his country. .what documents needed? Please help us :(we will appreciate it so much if there’s any one could help us..I will very thank I do much in advance 🙂
Hi! for the proof of financial support, can I just show ITR & Business Permit (self-employed)?
Hi 🙂 Also submit bank statement and bank certificate
Is it really necessary to show the GF has 60000 pesos in her account to be considered for a 2 week visa to UK. is it possible if the I can show that she has same equivalent in a UK bank account ?
Hi, as you mention above. “Remember the earliest you can apply for your UK tourist visa is 3 months before you travel.” — Im planning to travel on April 25. And im currently arranging it this month. Should I declare April 25 as target date in application? Is it possible on April 25? Does it have impact if earlier than 3 months?
Thank you!
Hi 🙂 Make your travel date May 25 if you want to apply on Feb. 20ish. You can make your travel date April 25 but it’s not following the before-3-months rule. The decision is yours 🙂
it is necessary to submit ITR kun ang sahod ay tax free?
Yes, if you have one, it is recommended to attach it to support your proof of financial income
Hi, I became an online tutor last October 2019 and I’m listed as an independent contractor. I don’t have a Certificate of Registration from the BIR or a Mayor’s permit but I do have my payroll bank account statement of account. I also have my 2307 from the agency I work for. Is that okay?
Yes, 2307 will be considered and you bank statement that shows your regular payroll.
Here is the BIG problem, 90% of Pinays have not got a business and “IF” they have a job the payment in the Philippines is so low, so never enough to save in a bank account, as for paying TAX in the Phils that is very rare also, having lived there on and off for 30 years, here is the tragedy, if you are Chinese or Japanese or Singaporean your UK visa will be easy to complete just a few pages, but the UK government have made it very difficult for Filipinos, as they basically do not trust you, and they think you will over-stay and go into hiding, sorry to be blunt, yes it is very unfair..Ray in the UK
I have to say you have moderated my letter when it was accurate this is censorship by the back door, I work for the British government, and I am not to happy about you doctoring my letter, the letter stated basically if a government give special privilege to different countries and make it extra difficult for some countries that is in respect belittling a race of people and giving other countries races privilege this is tantamount to being discriminatory and prejudice about a said country i.e the Philippines, political correctness is not needed on factual comments. I would expect hat from states like North Korea.
Hi po, I am not employed, I don’t go to work at all no business or anything like that will the bank statements be enough? TIA po
Hi, you need to prove financial capacity and financial status. Bank certificate is also required. If you have properties, it may support your application, too but only the embassy knows if they would approve your visa
If yoiu have a boyfriend UK open a bank account in the Phils, tell your BF to send you money but put the monery in, in stages and not one lump-load make it maye 4 or five stages to be up to 60,000 Pesos then copy it on A4 for the paper work needed…be wise …one big lump sum into your account they will not grant you a visa…Ray in the UK
Hi Ray, I want to know more information or idea in applying tourist visa in UK before I’m going to start my application next month. Plan to visit in UK by MAY 2020. Maybe you can help me in providing some details. Please send me email I would be glad hearing from you soon.
thank you.
Hello, you never left your name/. anyway, I am Ray now back in Beautiful Norwich UK…there is a lot you must get correct, and it has to be done very accurately, this will be a team effort with you and your boyfriend, one BIG thing have you any pictures of you and your BF in the Philippines?…this is one of many items you need to have…e mail me on ..ray180756@aol.com
Mani, just see your name sorry..
HI maam,
the embassy confuses me..i am self-employed (sole prop), i provided all to them, itr, complete business registration and even business bank docs (copy of passbook). now they refused me for reason na hindi padin daw sila satisfied that i am earning kasi di daw ako ng provide ng pay receipts-i assume this is pay slips, why kasi need ko mag provide those, they had my business bank docs. they can see that there is in and out ng money..upon reading your blog and other blog pag self-employed yun na yung papers na need nila…huhuhu nakakaloka na si embassy..di ko na alam anong i provide ko.
Hi, I’m self employed. I submitted business docs (DTI and Mayor’s permit), latest ITR, bank certificate and bank statement (with the same balance). Bank statement shows the regular income I receive. I also attached latest 3-month payslip as proof where those income came from.
I’m just a filipino citizen, but if both of my parents are US citizens…will it be easier for me to get the tourist visa to England??
Hi, ELi 🙂 If you are a Philippine-passport holder, you still need a tourist visa to visit England and every visa applicant are equally required to apply. 🙂 God bless!
Hi. planning to visit my boyfriend in uk this dec wth my baby(his son). I dnt hve bank acct. Is it ok f i only show his bank statement as my sponsor? Its only 41 days vacation… do i really to pay full for my ticket reservation or only half ok coz its only reservation.tnk u and Godbless
Hi Cath, Is it ok to submit bank statement and bank certificate from my sponsor?
Do I need to buy travel insurance to apply for a visa? Also, I will be with a group tour, can I just present my deposit receipt from the travel agency in lieu of flight/ hotel reservation?
Hi! I am going to file for 3 application including mine…We are all seniors…can I samely declare that we are retired thus, we cannot produce ITR? Also, are the docs required need to be submitted online or during the interview itself? Thank u for your early reply
I have a boyfriend in london, but we dont meet yet personally, he wants me to go there, what we should do? What visa we need to apply for? Thnx
Tell him to visit you first in the Philippines, they wil not give you a visa on a dating and never met him policy I am Ray in the UK, just come back from Cebu, me and my mahal have a house there ..be dam careful okay.
Black n white ok for photocopy?
Hi, I have travel to Rome Italy next year but I’ll be travelling to London for one day only before heading back to Manila. Do i need to get a Tourist VISA as well to enter London? I already have a schengen visa approved. Thank you.
Yes, you do need it as UK is not in a Schengen area.
Do you submit colored photocopies or white n black? TIA!
I submitted colored
Hi its my first time to apply a Tourist visa and IM confuse,because i manage our own company but its a single prop and named to my husband, what should I do to prove them that I can sustain my stay in London Pls Help bit of confuse
Hi, you may submit latest ITR (Income Tax Return), bank statement, payslips, bank certificate and certificate of stocks investment if you have any
Is there a show money like in other country? Like for example my bank account should have at least a certain amount like 50k for few months. I’m planning to go there hopefully next year to visit my bf. But I don’t earn that much.
Hi, I am a Uk citizen so can I sponsor my girlfriends visit visa incase she can’t meet the income threshold etc?
Hi, Laz. Yes, follow the requirements for fiance visa
do you need a financial requirement to bring spouse to UK Filipino
I am a little confused as it states travel itinerary in supporting documents. However my flight to the UK is 40,000pesos. I have not booked a flight yet incase i do not receive approval ? Should i book the flight before my appointment ? If i do not get approved it means i have lost 40,000pesos ? Any advice ?
Hi, what I did was I made flight reservation (roundtrip), that way I did not have to pay for the full price of the flight. When my UK visa was approved, I booked and paid for my flight. You can do that from any travel agency you know
You can book without paying as a reservation booking, that way your name will be on a dated ticket and you can print it out…never pay before you get a visa okay …Ray in the UK
what kind of documents i will provide? planning to go in uk just to visit my friend, i am a plain housewife.
i think it is not necessary to provide a return flight reservation. it was mention on UK website that you should not send unless it is specifically requested. this is similar to Japan visa application ive made and i was approved.
I wanted to surprise my fiance but i dont know what visa im getting. I dont have any relatives living in uk. Pls help.. thank you
Hi
My partner is living in China and she is suggesting to use travel agency to help her process the visa but they are insisting on top of the application fee of £93 that she has to pay for a medical certificate costing $230, a police check clearance document costing $180 , and pay for the flight in advance.
This doesn’t make sense. She’s a Filipino working in China why does she need to pay fir medical for Uk visa and if so why so much plus why does she need a police check? I’ve never heard of this before for visit visa?
Can you advise of all requirements and suggested fees if any?
Thanks Nick
Hello! 🙂 You mentioned on your blog you got your visa 15 days after you applied in VFS? Is this business days or like 15 days including holidays and weekends? 🙂
Hi its my first time to join a blog. id like to ask if would it bear a higher percentage of approval as a tourist for 10days in london when i included in my application the invitation to attend a convention for my husband in london come march 2019. thanks
the 6 month visa is that for 6 months from the date of approval or is it to allow you to stay upto 6 months over a few years in multiple trips?
Hi, it depends upon what was issued on your visa. The date of validity is written on the visa. You can stay in the UK within those dates. You can go to the UK multiple times if your visa type is MULT (Multiple entry) otherwise you can only go one time if it is a SINGLE ENTRY