What is a visa application centre?

A visa application centre (VAC) is a place outside the UK where you give your fingerprints and photograph, and sometimes your documents, for a UK visa application. The Immigration Rules say it can be a commercial partner or a British mission authorised to take biometrics. Inside the UK, UKVCAS service points do this job.

How a visa application centre works

A visa application centre, often called a VAC, is where you give your fingerprints and photograph when you apply for a UK visa from outside the UK. You usually give this biometric information by going to a centre run by an external company. At the start of the application you find out whether you can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app instead.^{[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity}

The Immigration Rules define an “application centre” for entry clearance. It means a commercial partner, a British Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post overseas, or a designated government office overseas, authorised by the Secretary of State to take biometrics and receive documents from applicants for entry clearance.^{[3]Home Office, Immigration Rules: introduction}

GOV.UK publishes a page to find the opening times, address and contact details of centres outside the UK. If you apply from inside the UK, you use UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) instead.^{[1]Home Office, Find a visa application centre} Inside the UK, you attend a UKVCAS service point to give your biometric information.^{[5]Home Office, UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services} See our page on the biometrics appointment.

Booking and costs

You must apply for your visa before you can make an appointment at a visa application centre.^{[1]Home Office, Find a visa application centre} You book the appointment as part of your application.^{[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity}

All five rows come from the GOV.UK guidance on proving your identity, and from the centre finder.^{[1]Home Office, Find a visa application centre[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity}

If you apply for someone else, the person you apply for must attend the appointment to give their fingerprints, photograph and documents. Children under 16 must go with an adult who is over 18. Children under 5 must go to have a photograph taken, but they do not give their fingerprints.^{[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity}

Faster decisions at a centre

If you want a faster decision, check whether your centre offers a priority or super priority service for your visa. If a service is available, you select “priority” or “super priority” when you book your appointment. If you use the ID Check app instead, you select it during your online application.^{[4]Home Office, Get a faster decision on your visa, settlement or citizenship application: Applying from outside the UK} See priority and super priority service.

After the appointment

UK Visas and Immigration starts processing your application once you attend your appointment at a visa application centre, or complete identity checks using the app.^{[7]Home Office, Visa processing times: applications outside the UK} If you attended a centre and left your passport there, you should not return to the centre until you have been contacted.^{[7]Home Office, Visa processing times: applications outside the UK}

If you are issued with a form for accompanying an eVisa, you will usually need to return to the visa application centre to collect it. When it is linked to your eVisa it allows you to travel to the UK.^{[6]Home Office, Updates on the move to eVisas}

Successful new applicants no longer get a visa sticker. UK Visas and Immigration stopped issuing visa vignettes to successful new applicants on 1 July 2026, and a successful application gives you an eVisa.^{[6]Home Office, Updates on the move to eVisas}

Example

Tariq lives in a country with no visa application centre. He applies online and then chooses a centre in a nearby country. He pays his own travel costs. He books a free appointment within 5 working days, and attends within 240 days of submitting his application. His 4-year-old daughter Layla applies with him. She has a photograph taken but does not give fingerprints. Tariq leaves his passport at the centre, so he does not go back until UK Visas and Immigration contacts him.

What people get wrong

Booking an appointment before applying is not possible. GOV.UK says you must apply for your visa before you can make an appointment at a visa application centre.

A second mistake is missing the time limit. You must book and attend within 240 days of submitting your application, or you need to start a new one.^{[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity} A third is assuming that extra paid services help the outcome. GOV.UK says paying for optional services does not mean your application is more likely to be successful.^{[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Paying fees and proving your identity}

The bottom line

A visa application centre is where you give your biometric information for a visa application made outside the UK. Apply first, then book, and attend within 240 days. Pick a centre that fits your visa and any faster service you want. Inside the UK, the equivalent is UKVCAS. A successful application now gives you an eVisa, not a sticker.