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New Visa Applications forms from 29th October 2007

New visa application forms have been introduced by UK visas for all overseas applications. The old forms will cease to be accepted after 16th November 2007. There are 8 new forms, as set out below. Another 4 separate forms have been created for Diplomats or Officials of foreign governments.

• Application form VAF1 - Visitor
• Application form VAF2 - Employment
• Application form VAF3 - Student
• Application form VAF4 - Settlement
• Application form VAF5 - EEA Family Permit
• Application form VAF6 - Direct Airside Transit
• Application form VAF7 - Right of Abode
• Application form VAF8 - Overseas Territories

Each form comes with it's own set of Guidance Notes, but additionally there are further Information Sheets, which contain a much more comprehensive list of the various categories of entry to the UK for either employment or self-employment under the current immigration rules. The Information Sheets are particularly useful in directing applicants to the correct application forms that should be used.

At the end of each of the new forms, within the Declarations page to be completed by the applicant, they are now asked whether they have received any assistance from a representative or agent in the completion of the form, and if so, for their contact details to also be provided.

In relation particularly to Form VAF2, although it is stated to be for Employment, only Work Permits, Working Holidaymakers, Highly Skilled Migrants or Dependant of a Person in an Employment Category are specifically mentioned. However, careful reading of the explanatory information reveals that this form is also to be used by Persons setting up in Business, Investors and Retired Persons of Independent Means, as well as for other specific employment related categories within the Immigration Rules or policy. The inclusion of Retired Persons of Independent Means is curious, since this is a category in which employment is prohibited.

Form VAF 8 is intended for people wishing to travel to any of the British Overseas Territories, which are specifically set out on the form itself. This reflects the arrangements agreed between the Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom, in which citizens of the territories have a right to register as British citizens, and thus allow unrestricted rights of residence in the UK, but that the territories themselves would continue to maintain controls on their own rights of entry and residence.