What will happen on the day?

This page explains the process you will follow when making an application at one of our public enquiry offices. The processes vary slightly, depending on which office you attend, but the following is a general guide to what you can expect.

The times given are approximate ones for Croydon and may vary depending on the number and type of applications we receive on the day. You should allow for the possibility that your application may take longer. At Solihull, Glasgow, Liverpool and Sheffield your wait may be shorter than this.

Premium applications

Arriving at the public enquiry office

Follow the signs to the public enquiry office (at Croydon, follow the signs to 'Appointments'). You must have booked an appointment in advance.

Belfast public enquiry office is currently enrolling postal applicants only - a premium application service is expected to be available later this year.

Security - 10 minutes

For your own safety, you will go through an airport-style security check. Your personal possessions will all be scanned and any sharp or dangerous objects will be taken away. Please do not bring penknives.

There is nowhere for you to leave luggage, so if you bring large bags you will have to carry them with you at all times. We strongly recommend that you do not bring luggage into our Cardiff offices due to the limited capacity of our waiting area. There are lifts at the Liverpool office, at Croydon lifts are only available for the elderly, those with young children and people with disabilities. The Solihull, Glasgow, Cardiff and Sheffield offices are on the ground floor.

Reception - 10 minutes

You will be called to a counter at reception where an officer will complete some preliminary checks on your application. Please have all your documents ready. The officer will advise you whether your application can be considered in the public enquiry office today or whether you need to apply elsewhere or by post or provide extra documentation.

The best way to avoid arriving unprepared is to look at the information on this website, read the forms carefully and call the Immigration Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766 if you have any queries.

If you are applying as a student, please ensure that your college or university is registered because we will refuse your application if it has not been registered.

We will only accept original documents. Any computer printouts must be validated. For example, a printout of your bank statement must be validated by your bank. This means that someone at the bank must officially stamp the printout and sign it.

If your application can be considered on the day, your application form will be stamped and you will be directed to the payment desk. At Croydon you will be given a ticket and advised where you will need to go. Please keep this ticket handy, as you will need to show it to both staff and security throughout your time in the public enquiry office.

If you are applying on FLR(S) and FLR(M) application forms you will be reminded that you will required to provide your biometrics before your application can be considered.

Payment - 10 minutes

See how much will it cost for more information about fees and how you can pay them. You should make sure that we will accept the method of payment you wish to use.

If you are paying with a credit card or debit card that is not in your name, the person named on the card will need to be present to authorise the transaction.

After payment, you will either be called to a counter to have your application processed or if you are applying on FLR(S) and FLR(M) application forms you will be called to a counter to have your application registered and biometrics taken.

Case Registration 5 - 15 minutes

If you are applying on application forms FLR(S) and FLR(M) your application will be registered on our Immigration database before your biometric enrolment. You will be asked to take a seat and wait to be called to the Biometric Enrolment booth.

Biometric enrolment 10 - 30 minutes

Once your case has been registered you will be called to provide your Biometrics. You will be asked to sign an acknowledgement form to confirm that you understand what you are required to do. You will then be asked to place your fingers, followed by your thumbs, on a fingerprint scanner. Once your fingerprints have been recorded we will then take a photograph of your face. You will then be asked to take a seat and wait to be called to a counter.

Case Consideration 30 - 45 minutes

At the counter, an officer will examine your papers and make a number of checks on our immigration databases. You will be asked questions about your application and your case will be considered according to current immigration rules and regulations.

Once the officer has confirmed that your application can be processed, you will be asked to take a seat while your passport and documents are taken to another area to be updated.

If you are applying on application forms FLR(S) and FLR(M) you will be notified of the decision made on your application and, if successful, advised that you will receive your Identity Card by post. Identity cards will not be issued on the day of your appointment.

If your application is refused, we will give you the appropriate notice of this and details of any right of appeal you have.

We continue to process applications until we have seen the last customer but lock the doors at closing time for security reasons. You will still be able to leave the building.

Insertion of residence permit into passport - 60 minutes

If your application is not complex and you have not applied on application forms FLR(S) or FLR(M), your passport will be scanned and a sticker known as a vignette will be inserted into it stating your permission to stay in the United Kingdom. The vignette includes the photograph you provided with your application. You will be called to a counter where an officer will return your passport and documents. In our Cardiff offices your passport will be returned to your correspondence address by special delivery. You should check your residence permit to ensure all the details are correct.

Issuing Identity cards

If your application is made on application form FLR(S) or FLR(M) you will not receive a vignette in your passport. You will be sent an Identity card by post within 5 working days of your appointment. Identity cards cannot be issued on the day of your appointment. If you need to travel before your Identity card can be issued you will need to apply for a visa outside the United Kingdom before making your return journey.