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 Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool and Sheffield your wait may be shorter than this.

Arrival at the public enquiry office

Follow the signs to the public enquiry office (at Croydon, follow the signs to appointments). You must make an appointment in advance.

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. 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 Birmingham, Glasgow 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 saying which floor you should go to. 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.

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.

Consideration - 30-45 minutes

After payment, you will be called to a counter (at Croydon, you will either stay on the first floor or go to the second floor, as stated on your appointment ticket).

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 it is before the office closing time, you may choose to leave the building and return after a couple of hours to collect your documents. The doors are locked at closing time so you must return by this time to be allowed back into the building. We continue to process applications until we have seen the last customer but lock the doors for security reasons. You will still be able to leave the building.

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

Insertion of residence permit into passport - 60 minutes

If your application is not complex, 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.

Logging and return of completed documents - 15 minutes

The final stage of your application involves an officer updating our records with your new immigration status. You will then be called to a counter where an officer will return your passport and documents. You should check your residence permit to ensure all the details are correct.