How to apply for a UK visa in Pakistan

Where can I get information?

The UK Border Agency and the British High Commission Islamabad work in partnership with a commercial organisation: Gerry’s International. You can find out whether you need a visa and how to apply through Gerry’s website. Gerry’s also provides information through an e-mail and telephone enquiry service. The numbers are: 090010411 (PTCL land lines) or 8865 (short code for all mobile providers) and cost PKR 10 /min. All the information provided is supplied and approved by The UK Border Agency.

"Please note that the British High Commission Islamabad is unable to provide visa information to personal callers. Please contact Gerry's as described above."

Do I have to pay?

Website and email information is free of charge but there is a charge for using the telephone service.

Where can I get advice?

Gerry’s and its staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application, or advice about the UK’s immigration rules and requirements, you should contact a qualified professional immigration adviser or lawyer. You can also contact the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) for advice. The IAS is a voluntary organisation independent of government, and can provide confidential advice for you and your representatives. In the UK, these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (www.oisc.gov.uk) or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:

• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Institute of Legal Executives

How do I submit my application?

Gerry’s manages Visa Application Centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore where you should submit your application and your biometric fingerscans.

Who decides whether I will get a visa?

Your visa application will be processed and decided by the UK Border Agency staff. Neither Gerry’s, nor any of its staff play any part in, nor can they influence the outcome of your visa application. If any member of staff employed by Gerry’s claim to be able to influence your application you should inform the British High Commission.

Where to send appeals

You may send appeals by post to:

Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
PO Box 7866
Loughborough LE11 2 XZ
United Kingdom
Alternatively, you may fax them to: 0044 (0)15 09 221 699

Or

Visa Section,
British Embassy (Abu-Dhabi),
Khalid-bin-waleed Street,
P.O.Box 248,
Abu-Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates.

Please do not send the appeals to British High Commission Islamabad or the Visa Application Centres (VAC’s)

Service standards - complaints and compliments

The UK Border Agency aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers. We welcome feedback which helps us to focus on where we need to improve.

If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days:

Important
Due to the volume of applications that are processed, please refrain from contacting until after the current processing timeframe has elapsed. We are unable to provide updates on the progress of visa applications due to the volume of applications.
Visa Application Centres
If you applied for a visa at Lahore VAC (Gerrys Fedex) on or after 27 October 08 and wish to contact us, please email visa.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk (and any subsequent appeal enquiry should also be sent to this specific email address).

If you applied for a visa at Karachi VAC (Gerrys Fedex) on or after 10 November 08 and wish to contact us, please email visa.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk (and any subsequent appeal enquiry should also be sent to this specific email address).

If you applied for a visa at Islamabad VAC (Gerrys Fedex) on or after 21 May 09 and wish to contact us, please email visa.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk (and any subsequent appeal enquiry should also be sent to this specific email address).

If you applied for a visa at Mirpur VAC (Gerrys Fedex) on or after 19 June 09 and wish to contact us, please email visa.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk (and any subsequent appeal enquiry should also be sent to this specific email address).
Please note that Gerrys Fedex Gerry’s also provides information through an e-mail and telephone enquiry service. The numbers are: 090010411 (PTCL land lines) or 8865 (short code for all mobile providers) and cost PKR 10 /min. All the information provided is supplied and approved by The UK Border Agency.

Complaints
If you have a comment or complaint relating to this, please write to: The Entry Clearance Manager at the British Embassy Abu Dhabi, Khalid Bin Waleed St (Street 22) opposite Khalifa Bin Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE or email visa.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk.

Appeals
For any appeal that was lodged on applications prior to the above dates, the enquiry should be sent to visqry2.islamabad@fco.gov.uk If you have a comment or complaint relating to this appeal, please write to: Deputy Director Visa Services at Visa Section, British High Commission, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, PO Box 1122, Islamabad.

Settlements
All enquiries regarding settlement applications submitted on or after 28 January 09 should be emailed to: UKHUB.PAKISTANGeneralEnquiries@fco.gov.uk (and any subsequent appeal enquiry should also be sent to this specific email address).