LAST UPDATED: 27 JULY 2020
Please check back for updates.
ANNOUNCEMENT: for all applicants waiting for biometrics fingerprints reuse and facial image upload. Please read
QUESTION: Do I still need to upload my documents on UKVCAS?
Yes you can still upload documents to UKVCAS (and you may have the option to submit them!). Remember that once you submit them, they are gone! You cannot edit anything.
QUESTION: If I click submit, what happens?
Once the submit button is pressed, your documents will be available to view by your UKVI caseworker immediately. This info was confirmed by UKVCAS.
Please note: no one knows if this will speed up the process people are guessing that it will. It may speed up the process once the facial image is uploaded but nobody is sure. It is YOUR choice to submit or not.
QUESTION: When will facial recognition system be live?
Facial recognition system is expected to be live by mid August according to UKVI. They confirmed this in an email. So you can prepare your photo in advance to upload later once system is live
QUESTION: What are the guidelines for the photo upload?
Guidelines:
Your facial image is required as part of your application. You must follow the guidance below to avoid your photograph being rejected. You can take a ‘selfie’ photograph yourself, or ask a family member to take it. You must ensure your digital photo:
· contains no other objects or people
· be taken against a plain light-coloured background
· be in clear contrast to the background
· does not have ‘red eye’
· is not edited or filtered
We need to be able to see your face clearly, your photo must:
· not have hair in front of your eyes
· not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
· not have anything covering your face
· be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
· have your eyes open and visible
· not have any shadows on your face or behind you.
Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses. You can wear other glasses if you need to, but your eyes must be visible without any glare or reflection.
Your photograph may be rejected if your facial image cannot be compared against the image contained in your identity document. You can refer to the passport photograph standards as guidance on providing facial photographs, but you must provide us with a fresh image, not a photograph or scan of a previous picture or passport photo.
QUESTION: How did UKVI decide which applicant will reuse fingerprints biometrics?
Reuse of fingerprints is only possible for people applying in the work, study, family and private life, citizenship and Windrush routes. The process cannot be used for individuals who last enrolled their biometrics before July 2015 and children under 18 who have not enrolled their biometrics within the last two years. Also, if any applicant within a family group is ineligible to have their fingerprints reused, then the whole family group must enrol their biometrics together in person.
A different process applies for individuals or family groups whose fingerprints cannot be reused. Those who registered an account with UKVCAS after 27 March 2020 but before 1 May 2020 should have received an email before 4 July 2020 asking them to book an appointment.
