How to get UK visa from Philippines requirements and fees

Getting a UK visa from the Philippines can feel overwhelming at first, but once you break it down, the process is actually very clear. Whether you want a tourist visa to explore London, visit family in Manchester or take a short course in Edinburgh, the basic steps for Philippines-based travellers are the same: choose the right visa, apply online, book your biometrics appointment and wait for a decision. If you understand the key UK visa requirements for Filipino citizens early on, you can save both time and money.

How the UK visa process works for applicants in the Philippines

If you hold a Philippine passport, you need a visa before you travel to the United Kingdom. You cannot get one when you arrive in the UK, so you must apply from the Philippines in advance.

In simple terms, here is what usually happens:

• You decide which visa you need (for most holidaymakers, this is the Standard Visitor visa).
• You complete and pay for your application online while you are in the Philippines.
• You book a biometrics appointment at an official visa application centre in the Philippines.
• You upload or submit supporting documents that show your purpose of travel, your finances and your ties to the Philippines.
• You wait for a decision within the UK visa processing time given to Philippines applicants when they apply.

Throughout the process, UK decision-makers are asking the same basic questions: why are you going, can you afford the trip and will you return to the Philippines when your visit ends? Every document you prepare should help answer at least one of these points clearly.

The key things Filipino travellers need to plan for

If you want to understand how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines without extra stress, it helps to focus on 3 main areas: time, money and documents.

• Time: Most visitors apply several weeks before their planned flight. The standard UK tourist visa from Philippines processing time is usually measured in weeks, not days, so try not to book non-refundable tickets until you know your visa decision.
• Money: You pay your visa fee online in pounds, but the final cost on your bank or card statement appears in Philippine pesos. When people ask “how much is UK visa fee in Philippines?”, they are really asking how the pound amount converts to PHP on the day they pay.
• Documents: Requirements for a UK visa from the Philippines normally include your passport, your travel plans, evidence of income or savings and proof of strong ties back home, such as your job, business or close family in the Philippines.

In the next sections, you will see each of these areas explained in more detail-from the specific UK tourist visa requirements Philippines travellers must meet, to where to apply for a UK visa in the Philippines and practical tips that can help improve your chances of approval.

When you apply for a UK visa from the Philippines, the first thing to get right is the visa type. The UK Home Office will assess your application against the rules for that specific visa. So before you dive into the UK visa requirements for Filipino citizens or follow a step-by-step guide on how to apply, make sure your plans match the right visa category.

Main UK visa types for Filipino citizens

• Standard Visitor visa (tourist, family visits, short business trips)
  This is the most common tourist visa to the UK from the Philippines. It covers UK holidays, visiting friends and family, short business trips, attending conferences or short study courses (up to 6 months). In most cases, you can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
• Student visas
  If you have an offer from a UK college or university, you’ll usually need a Student visa. Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), proof of funds and English language level are key requirements here.
• Work visas
  If you want to build your career in Britain, there are several work routes for Filipinos-for example, the Skilled Worker visa or Health and Care Worker visa. These normally require a UK employer with a sponsor licence, a suitable job offer and a minimum salary. If you’re exploring this route, our guide on Filipinos working in the UK explains the basics in more detail.
• Family visas
  If your partner, spouse, parent or child is already settled in the UK or is a British citizen, you may be able to apply for a family visa to live with them. These have strict rules on relationship evidence, income and suitable accommodation.
• Short-term study and other specialist visas
  There are also more specific visas for English language courses, creative workers, charity workers, graduates and other specialist roles. These are less common, but one of them might be the right fit for your situation.

How to decide which UK visa you should apply for

Before you get into the practical steps of how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines, ask yourself these 3 questions.

• What’s my main purpose? A 2‑week holiday or a month with family is almost always a Standard Visitor visa. A 1‑year degree course is a Student visa. A full‑time job offer usually means a work visa.
• How long do I want to stay? If you plan to stay for up to 6 months, you’ll usually look at a visitor visa. Longer stays for work, study or joining family need the relevant long-term visa.
• Will I earn money or study? If you plan to work (even part-time) or take a longer course, a visitor visa is not enough-and applying for the wrong category can lead to a refusal.

Once you’re clear on the right visa type, it’s much easier to match the UK visa requirements from the Philippines, understand the UK tourist visa from Philippines processing time and, later in this guide, check how much the UK visa fee is in the Philippines and where to apply.

General UK visa application steps and timing

The GOV.UK guidance explains that you can apply and pay for most UK visas online. It sets out when to apply, how long decisions usually take, the fees you can expect to pay, and extra costs such as the immigration health surcharge.

There are also rules that can affect applicants from specific countries. For example, if you are applying from the Philippines for a visa that lasts more than 6 months, you will usually need to take a tuberculosis (TB) test at a Home Office-approved clinic. Each family member or other dependent must complete their own online form and pay a separate application fee and surcharge.

The GOV.UK page on how to prepare your UK visa application gives high-level, global guidance rather than country‑specific detail. If you are applying from the Philippines, you should always read it together with official, Philippines‑specific instructions and up‑to‑date fee information from GOV.UK and the visa application centre in Manila or Cebu.

When you apply for a UK visa from the Philippines, the documents you submit matter just as much as your online form. The UK visa requirements for Filipino citizens mainly focus on 3 things: your identity, your plans in the UK and your finances. If you cover these clearly and honestly, you’re already a step closer to approval.

Core documents every Filipino applicant must provide

These apply to almost all routes-from a tourist visa to the UK from the Philippines to work and family visas:

• Valid Philippine passport – it must be signed, in good condition and usually have at least 1 blank page on both sides. It should be valid for your whole trip.
• Completed online application form – printed or saved as a PDF after you submit it and pay the fee.
• Visa application payment receipt – proof that you’ve paid the fee online.
• Appointment confirmation – the email or PDF you’ll show at the visa application centre in the Philippines.
• Biometrics – your fingerprints and photo are taken at the visa centre. You don’t prepare these in advance but you must attend in person.
• Recent passport-sized photo – sometimes needed, as most centres now take your photo. Check your booking confirmation so you know what to bring.
• Travel history documents – old or expired passports showing previous travel, especially to Schengen countries, the USA, Canada, Australia or the UK. This helps show you’re a genuine traveller.

If you’re thinking about how to get a UK visa from the Philippines without delays, make sure these basics are complete, accurate and consistent across your form and documents.

Financial, employment and visit-specific documents

For most visitor and tourist applications, you’ll also need:

• Bank statements – usually 6 months’ worth, clearly showing your name, account number, regular income and balance. The Entry Clearance Officer will look for finances that are stable and believable for your plans.
• Proof of income or study – for example:
  • Employment: certificate of employment, payslips, approved leave and sometimes your contract.
  • Self-employed: DTI or SEC documents, business permits, tax documents and business bank statements.
  • Students: certificate of enrolment and approved leave of absence if your trip is during term time.
• Travel plan – a simple day-by-day outline, a return flight booking (a reservation is usually fine) and any hotel bookings or invitation letters. The UK doesn’t need a strict tour package, but they do want to see clear, realistic plans.
• Proof of ties to the Philippines – house or land titles, tenancy agreements, business documents, family records or anything that shows you genuinely plan to return after visiting the UK.
• Sponsor documents (if someone in the UK is supporting you) – their invitation letter, a copy of their UK passport or BRP, proof of their address and recent bank statements or payslips. Make sure their letter matches what you write in your own form.

Specific visas-like work, study or family visas-have extra rules, and you’ll need to match each one with the right evidence when you prepare your requirements for a UK visa from the Philippines. In the next section, you’ll see how these documents fit into each step of how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines and what to expect at the visa application centre.

To make your UK visa application from the Philippines less stressful, it helps to see every stage clearly. Here is how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines in order-from your first click to getting your passport back. This is where all those UK visa requirements for applicants in the Philippines come together.

Step 1: Create your online application

• Go to the official UK government visa application website and create an account.
• Choose the visa type you identified earlier (for example, Standard Visitor if you are applying for a tourist visa to the UK from the Philippines).
• Fill in the online form carefully-dates, employment history and travel plans must match your supporting documents.
• Upload digital copies of documents if the system asks for them at this stage.

Double-check everything before you submit. Inconsistent information is one of the quickest ways to delay the UK visa processing time applicants in the Philippines experience.

Step 2: Pay the fee and book your biometrics

• Pay the visa fee online in pounds sterling using a card. This is the same base amount you will see when you search for “how much is the UK visa fee in the Philippines”, but your bank or card provider might add their own charges.
• Once payment is confirmed, you will be taken to choose a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the Philippines and book a biometrics appointment (fingerprints and photo).
• Pick a date and time that gives you enough time to gather any final paperwork and print your application form.

Some appointment slots cost extra-such as prime-time or weekend bookings-so factor this into your budget.

Step 3: Prepare your appointment pack

• Print your completed application form and appointment confirmation.
• Print and arrange your supporting documents in a logical order (identity, finances, ties to the Philippines, travel plans).
• Include translations where needed, following any rules in the official requirements for a UK visa from the Philippines.
• Organise everything in a simple folder-no staples or bulky binders needed.

If you want a fuller walk-through before this stage, you can also check our step-by-step UK visa guide for Filipinos.

Step 4: Attend biometrics and submit your documents

• Arrive at the VAC at least 15-20 minutes early with your passport and document pack.
• Have your fingerprints and photograph taken and hand over your documents-or scan them if the VAC uses self-upload stations.
• Keep any receipt or tracking reference they give you.

Step 5: Wait for a decision and collect your passport

• Track your application using the reference number provided.
• When a decision is made, you will receive an email telling you to collect your passport or confirming courier delivery.
• Check your visa vignette carefully-name, dates and visa type must be correct-before you book flights to the UK.

Follow these steps calmly, keep copies of everything, and your UK tourist visa requirements from the Philippines will work harder for you.

When you start your UK visa application from the Philippines, 2 practical questions usually come up straight away: how long will it take and where do you go to give your fingerprints and photo. This bit focuses on the Standard Visitor visa (the usual UK tourist visa from the Philippines), which most Filipino travellers use for holidays, family visits or short trips to Britain.

UK tourist visa from Philippines processing time

After you submit your online form and attend your biometrics appointment, your application goes into the decision queue at United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in the UK.

Here is how timings usually look (they can change, so always check the latest guidance when you apply):

• Standard processing: many visitor visa applications from the Philippines are decided in around 15 working days from your biometrics appointment.
• Peak periods: around March-September (UK spring and summer, plus school holidays and Christmas) it can take longer, so build in extra time.
• Priority services: in some years UKVI offers priority (aiming for around 5 working days) and sometimes super priority (next working day) for an extra fee. Availability in Manila and Cebu can change, and slots often sell out quickly.

Processing only starts once:

• you have paid the visa fee, and
• your biometrics have been taken in the Philippines.

If UKVI asks for more documents or an interview, your UK tourist visa from Philippines processing time can be longer. That is why it helps to get your paperwork right the first time.

As a rule of thumb, many Filipinos planning a short trip to London or elsewhere in Britain start their application around 2-3 months before their intended travel date. That gives you a buffer for any delays and makes it easier to plan annual leave, hotel bookings and flights from Manila or Cebu to the UK.

Where to apply for a UK visa in the Philippines

You complete the form and pay the fee online, but you still need to attend a visa application centre (VAC) in person to finish your UK visa requirements Philippines checklist with biometrics.

At the time of writing, Filipino applicants normally have access to:

• Manila VAC – the main centre, used by most applicants living in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
• Cebu VAC – convenient if you are in the Visayas or Mindanao and want to avoid the extra cost and time of travelling to Manila.

Appointment slots can fill up quickly before big UK events (summer festivals, Premier League matches, Christmas in London). If you are planning how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines for a specific date, book your VAC appointment as soon as the system allows.

On the day of your appointment, arrive early with:

• your passport,
• your printed or clearly saved appointment confirmation, and
• any physical documents you are submitting, neatly organised.

When you get these logistics right, you save yourself a lot of stress and keep your “how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines” plan on track, even when you are juggling work schedules, family commitments and limited-time flight deals to the UK.

Knowing how much to budget is just as important as knowing the UK visa application steps from the Philippines. When people ask “how much is the UK visa fee in the Philippines?”, they usually mean the government fee. But there are several other costs linked to the UK visa requirements Philippine applicants must meet-especially if it is your first time learning how to apply for a UK visa from the Philippines.

Typical UK visa fees for applicants in the Philippines

Below are typical UK Home Office application fees in pounds sterling (GBP). You pay online by card when you submit your form. The peso amount will depend on the exchange rate your bank or card provider uses.

• Standard Visitor visa (tourist visa to the UK from the Philippines, up to 6 months): around £115.
• Longer Visitor visas (2, 5 or 10 years, still max 6 months per visit): higher fees-often several hundred pounds and up.
• Student visa: commonly around £490 or more.
• Skilled Worker and other work visas: usually several hundred pounds, and sometimes more depending on length and type.
• Priority processing (optional, if available in Manila or Cebu): an extra fee on top of the standard charge. This can be a similar amount again or more, in exchange for a faster decision.

These figures change regularly, so always double‑check the latest fee table on the official UK government website before you apply-especially if you are watching the UK visa processing time from the Philippines and planning to pay for a priority upgrade.

Other costs to factor into your budget

The UK visa fees in the Philippines are only part of the picture. Many refusals happen because people focus on “how much is the UK visa fee in the Philippines” and forget the wider costs that show they can genuinely afford the trip.

• Visa application centre costs
  You can usually use a standard appointment at no extra cost. But if you choose extras-like weekend or evening slots, walk‑in options, document scanning support or courier return of your passport-there will be extra service charges.
• Travel to the visa application centre
  If you live outside Metro Manila or Cebu, include bus or flight fares, local transport and possibly a hotel stay for your biometrics appointment. If you miss the appointment, the Entry Clearance Officer will not refund your application fee.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
  For visas over 6 months (for example work or study), you usually pay the IHS for each year of your visa. This can add hundreds of pounds to your total, but it lets you use the National Health Service in the UK in a similar way to a local resident.
• Supporting documents and admin
  You might pay for bank certificates, translations, photocopying, printing, or professional help with your forms. If you are preparing strong proof to meet UK tourist visa requirements from the Philippines, it is worth setting aside a little extra for this.
• Flights, accommodation and everyday spending money
  This money is not paid to the Home Office, but you still need to show you can afford return flights, UK accommodation and realistic daily costs in Britain-from an Oyster or contactless payment for the Tube in London, to meals, local travel and basic sightseeing.

When you plan how to get a UK visa from the Philippines, remember that the visa fee is non‑refundable whatever the decision. It is usually safer-and cheaper in the long run-to apply once with complete documents and a realistic budget than to rush your first application and end up paying twice.

The best way to improve your chances is to think like a UK caseworker. They never meet you in person, so your forms, documents and answers have to tell a clear, consistent story that fits the UK visa requirements Philippines guidance, your chosen visa type and the UK visa processing time Philippines expectations.

Show strong ties to the Philippines and a realistic plan

• Explain exactly why you’re going to the UK – whether it’s a tourist visa to the UK from the Philippines to see Buckingham Palace and the Scottish Highlands, attend a cousin’s wedding in London, or a short business trip to Manchester. Your purpose should match your documents (invitation letters, hotel bookings, work letters and any tour confirmations).
• Prove you’ll return to the Philippines – this is one of the biggest reasons for refusals. Include evidence of your job or business, studies, family responsibilities and any property or long‑term rental contracts. A simple letter saying “I will come back” is not enough.
• Make your travel plan believable – if you only have 5 days off work, an itinerary that jumps from London to Edinburgh to Cardiff may look unrealistic. Show flights, routes and daily plans that actually fit the time and budget you have.

Be honest, consistent and clear with money

• Never hide information – if you’ve been refused a visa before (for the UK or another country), say so and explain briefly. The Home Office can see your history, so hiding it is a quick route to refusal.
• Match your application and bank statements – if you say your salary is ₱40,000 per month but your account shows something very different, explain it. Add payslips, work contracts or a short cover letter to clarify any gaps or extra income.
• Avoid “lump sum” surprises – large, recent deposits without explanation look suspicious. If a parent or partner has helped, add a letter from them, proof of their income and show your normal spending pattern over several months.
• Stick to your sponsor story – if a relative in Birmingham is paying, your answers, their invitation letter and their UK bank statements must all say the same thing about who pays for flights, accommodation and daily costs.

• Follow the document checklist exactly – for any UK visa application Philippines travellers make, a common reason for refusal is missing or incorrect documents. Check names, dates, signatures and translations carefully before your biometrics appointment.
• Write a short cover letter – this is optional but helpful. In 1-2 pages, summarise who you are, why you’re travelling, how long for, who is paying and what ties you have back home. It helps the officer understand your case quickly.
• Don’t overstay or break conditions – future applications (for example if you later ask how to apply UK visa from Philippines again or move to a different route) are much stronger if you have a clean record, no overstays and you followed all rules on previous visits to the UK or Schengen.

If you keep everything truthful, well organised and clearly linked to your real life in the Philippines, you improve your chances of success-whatever type of visa you choose, from a simple visit to a longer stay.