18th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships - Birmingham 2009

Events

Visa Information

05 Jul 2009

In 2008 the UK started a global review on the application for entry into the United Kingdom. Please ensure that you make checks to see if there have been any amendments to the requirements of your country for entry clearance into the UK.

To find out if you must make an application for entry clearance into the UK please visit www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. Please note that the following countries have also been added to the list of countries requiring a visa as of March 2009: Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela, however Taiwan will no longer require a visa.

An application for entry clearance as a visitor can be made at any British diplomatic post offering a visa service. All other entry clearance applications must be made to the British diplomatic post in the country or territory where you live. A list of the British diplomatic posts is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website www.fco.gov.uk.

It is advisable (if possible) to go on to the website www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk to make an appointment at the visa application centre (VAC), as this can make your application much quicker and smoother.

Following the steps below will give you an idea of what you are required to do:

STEP ONE – go on to the website www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk and make an application for a visa this should be a VAT 17 – Sports Visitor Visa (see below), forms can be downloaded but it is advisable to submit an online application. It is important that you choose the correct category then an appointment slot will be allocated to you at your relevant Visa Application Centre or British Embassy.

STEP TWO – Go to the Visa Application Centre or Embassy to submit your biometrics (see below) and Invitation letter from UKA (the governing body for Athletics in the UK).You will also have to pay a fee, which starts at £65.00 (є74 euros) or payable in local currency, this fee will increase if an express visa is needed. All fees are non-refundable.

STEP THREE – Wait for the entry clearance to make a decision, this can be anything up to a few weeks for a busy VAC or Embassy.

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.

If you do not have an Embassy in your country you will have to find the nearest one to your country and they may courier your visa to your home address for you. (This is not a guaranteed, reliable service).

It is important that you allow plenty of time for these procedures to take place.

LOC Contact

The LOC will provide assistance for countries which do not have consular representation please contact Cherry Alexander at UK Athletics via calexander@uka.org.uk

BIOMETRICS

What is biometrics?
All UK applicants, besides 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.

VAT 17 – Sports Visitor Visa
When applying for your visa, athlete should request a Sports Visitor Visa.

This is for those visitors coming for a specific event, tournament, or series of events as individual competitors or as members of an overseas team. The intention is to enable sportspersons coming to the United Kingdom for one of these purposes to do so outside the Points Based System.

Fee Refund
Please be aware that an athlete can apply on line to access an appointment date in good time. Payment needs to be made at this stage, however if the athlete is then not finally selected by the Member Federation and the application not fully progressed, the full fee will be refunded to the athlete or to the Member Federation.