Can I apply for a UK visa from outside home country?
I'm Australian, but wanting to switch the Ancestry visa for the UK. Given the whole corona thing I'm struggling to get home without paying thousands as the airline messed up my original flight. My current visa expires in a few days so was hoping to go across to Germany or somewhere to switch visas as I need to have left the UK. I've called around but no one seems to be able to give me an answer.
Best Answer
Unfortunately, you can only apply for a limited list of UK visas outside your country of residence, which does not include the Ancestry visa.
You can make applications for a visit visa, a short-term study visa, an EEA family permit, Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting), Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) and Global Talent entry clearance in any visa application centre, British diplomatic mission or consular post overseas where entry clearance applications are accepted.
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Applications for other types of entry clearance should be made in the country in which you are living.
A normal strategy for antipodeans in your situation is to apply for a working holiday visa in a European country which grants them to Australians, such as France or Ireland, and then apply for your UK visa from there. But if your UK visa expires in a few days, you don't really have enough time to do this, and most of these programmes seem to be suspended due to the pandemic anyway. Unfortunately returning to Australia is likely your only option.
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Can you apply for a visa outside your home country?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.Can I apply UK visa myself?
You can apply for a visa for someone else. For example, a relative overseas who does not have access to a computer or your child, if they cannot apply for themselves. You must get permission from the person you're applying for, or written permission from their parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18.Can I apply online for visa from in UK?
If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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