Returning residents (INF 8)
Guidance - Returning residents (INF 8)
Last updated
16 July 2008
This guidance explains what you will need to do if you want to come to the United Kingdom (UK) as a returning resident, and what the Immigration Rules say. It is only a guide, but it aims to answer some common questions.
- What is a returning resident?
- How do I qualify?
- Do I need a visa?
- What is a visa?
- How do I apply for a visa?
- What are visa application centres?
- What will I need to make my application?
- What is 'biometric' information?
- What supporting documents should I include with my application?
- What will happen when I make my application?
- More advice and information
What is a returning resident?
A returning resident is someone who has left the UK and has been given permission to come back again to live in the UK, with no time limit.
'Settled' means living in the UK legally with no time limit on your stay.
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How do I qualify?
You will qualify if:
- you were settled in the UK when you last left
- you have not been away for more than two years and you are coming back to live here permanently, and
- you did not have help from public funds to leave the UK.
If you have been away from the UK for longer than two years, you may still qualify to return to the UK as a returning resident if, for example, you have strong family ties or have lived here most of your life.
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Do I need a visa?
If you have been away from the UK for more than two years, you must apply for a visa at the nearest British mission overseas with a visa section.
If you are travelling on a new passport that does not contain a stamp confirming that you live permanently in the UK, you should also carry your old passport or other evidence to show that you have lived in the UK before.
Similarly, if you get a new passport after returning to the UK, you should send it to the UK Border Agency so that your permission to enter or remain can be transferred to the new passport. (Contact details are under 'More advice and information' at the end of this guidance).
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What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission overseas. The visa gives you permission to enter the UK.
If you have a valid UK visa, we will not normally refuse you entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or did not tell us important facts when you applied for your visa.
When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration Officer may ask you questions, so take all relevant documents in your hand luggage.
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How do I apply for a visa?
You can apply in a number of ways, for example by post, by courier, in person and online. The visa section will tell you about the ways in which you can apply.
Some visa sections will only accept applications made online. To find out if you can apply for your visa online please visit www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
If you cannot apply online you will need to fill in a visa application form VAF4B - Returning resident. You can download the form from this website, or get one free of charge from your nearest visa application centre.
You must apply for your visa in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.
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What are visa application centres?
In some countries, we are working with commercial companies to run visa application centres (VACs). The VACs are in largely populated areas, making it easier and more convenient for people to apply for a UK visa. Trained staff at each VAC deal with all visa enquiries and applications. They collect your biometric information (see the relevant section of this leaflet) along with the relevant fees, and provide information on the application process, including whether or not you have included all the necessary documents. Entry clearance staff at the British mission will then consider your application and decide whether to issue or refuse your visa. VAC staff have no say in this decision.
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What will I need to make my application?
You will need to make your application online or fill in an application form:
Application form VAF4B - Returning resident
VAF Guidance notes
You will also need the following:
- Your passport or travel document.
- A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of yourself.
This should be:- taken against a light coloured background
- clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed
- printed on normal photographic paper, and
- full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for cultural or religious reasons (but the face must not be covered).
- The visa fee. This cannot be refunded, and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying.
- Supporting documents relevant to your application.
What is 'biometric' information?
All UK visa applicants, save for those benefiting from a limited number of exemptions and exceptions, are required to provide biometric data (10-digit finger scans and a digital photograph) as part of the application process.
You will have to go to your nearest visa application centre in person to provide your biometrics. In those countries where there is no visa application centre, you will need to go to the British mission.
Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information. The finger scans are electronic so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete. You should make sure that you do not have any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your finger scans. You should also make sure that if you have any cuts and bruises on your face, they have healed or disappeared before you have your photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full face and you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered).
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What supporting documents should I include with my application?
You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a returning resident. If you do not, we may refuse your application.
As a guide, you should include evidence that you used to live in the UK, for example a previous passport, National Insurance or income tax records, letters from employers or payslips.
We will refuse your application if we find that any documents are false.
What will happen when I make my application?
The Entry Clearance Officer will try to make a decision using your application form and the supporting documents you have provided. If this is not possible, they will need to interview you.
Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:
- your personal details are correct
- it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
- it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, contact the visa section immediately.
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If you need help with your application or advice about the UK’s immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC– www.oisc.gov.uk) or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. The Law Societies of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Institute of Legal Executives can provide a list of Law Firms who can advise on immigration matters. Their websites are:
Law Society of England and Wales
Law Society of Northern Ireland
Institute of Legal Executives
For more advice and information about extending your stay once you are in the UK:
The UK Border Agency
Croydon Public Caller Unit
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 2BY
Phone: (+44) (0)870 606 7766 (general enquiries)
Phone: (+44) (0)870 241 0645 (application forms)
Email: indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
For advice on bringing personal belongings and goods into the UK contact:
HM Revenue & Customs
Dorset House
Stamford Street
London SE1 9PY
Phone: (+44) (0)845 010 9000
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Drugs warning
Anyone found smuggling drugs into the UK will face serious penalties. Drug traffickers may try to bribe travellers. If you are travelling to the UK, avoid any involvement with drugs.
False documents
It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document with an application. Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. They may also be banned if they have breached immigration laws in the UK.
Travellers to the UK who produce a false travel document or passport to the UK immigration authorities for themselves and/or their children are committing an offence. People found guilty of this offence face up to two years in prison or a fine (or both).
Alternative formats
In the UK we also have versions of our guidance notes in Braille, on audio tape and in large print. If you would like any guidance notes in one of these formats, please contact us:
UK Border Agency, Visa Services Directorate
London SW1A 2AH
See Also