How to Apply for a UK Visa in Zimbabwe

Part 1: Understanding Which UK Visa You Need

The first and most important step is choosing the correct visa. Applying for the wrong type will result in an automatic refusal. The main categories for Zimbabweans are:

• Standard Visitor Visa: For tourism, visiting family and friends, short business trips, or short-term study (under 6 months). This is the most common type.
• Student Visa: For longer-term academic courses at a licensed UK institution.
• Work Visas: Includes various categories like the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa, etc. These almost always require you to have a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer first.
• Family Visas: For joining a spouse, partner, or parent who is settled in the UK.

Part 2: The Online Application Process

All UK visa applications must be completed online through the official GOV.UK portal. Do not use any third-party websites that claim to simplify the process.

1. Go to the Official Website: Start your application at www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk.
2. Create an Account: You will need to create a personal account to start and save your application.
3. Complete the Form: The form is very detailed and can take several hours to complete. Answer every question truthfully and accurately. Any inconsistencies can lead to a refusal.
4. Pay the Fee: The visa fee must be paid online in USD using a valid debit or credit card at the end of the application.
5. Book Your Biometrics Appointment: After payment, you will be redirected to the website of the commercial partner, **TLScontact**, to book an appointment at their centre in Harare.

Part 3: Required Documents

You will need to upload digital copies of your supporting documents to the TLScontact website before your appointment. While the exact documents vary by visa type, most applications will require:

• Current and Previous Passports: Your valid Zimbabwean passport and any previous passports to show your travel history.
• Proof of Financials: Recent bank statements (usually 3-6 months) showing you have sufficient funds to support your trip. The funds must be stable and the source explainable.
• Proof of Ties to Zimbabwe: This is critical. You need to prove you have strong reasons to return home. This can include:
  • A letter from your employer confirming your job, salary, and approved leave.
  • Proof of property ownership (title deeds).
  • Evidence of family ties (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children).
• Accommodation and Itinerary: For visitor visas, proof of where you will stay (hotel bookings or an invitation letter from family/friends) and a rough plan for your trip.

Part 4: The Biometrics Appointment in Harare

Your appointment will take place at the **TLScontact application centre in Harare**. This is not the British Embassy.

• What to Bring: Your passport, your appointment confirmation, and your document checklist.
• The Process: At the centre, they will check your documents, take your digital photograph, and scan your fingerprints. This is not an interview; the staff are administrative and cannot influence the decision.
• Decision: Your passport and documents will be sent to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) decision-making centre in Pretoria for processing. You will be notified by TLScontact when a decision has been made and your passport is ready for collection.