If you’re currently applying for further leave to remain, settlement or naturalisation from within the UK, you will most likely need to make an appointment with UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) at one of the UKVCAS centres for your application to be processed.
UKVCAS is the digital system, launched by the Home Office in 2018, to administer all UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications submitted within the country. As of October 2024, UKVCAS are being managed by a new service provider, TLS Contact.
When you submit your online application, you will be told whether you need to use the services of UKVCAS to complete your application. The appointment is used to verify your identity, your biometric information will be enrolled, and any supporting documentation for the application will be digitised and checked.
UKVCAS is then responsible for submitting any biometric information and supporting documentation to UKVI for processing to be completed and a decision to be made.
With limited availability of appointments and in many cases, the need to travel some distance to a centre that will cater for your application needs, it’s critical for your application that everything is in order before you book and attend your appointment. All appointments at any UKVCAS centre must also be made in advance.
Where are the UKVCAS centres?
Centre locations, facilities and fees are subject to change and applicants are advised to check the UKVCAS website before making their application to confirm opening times, addresses and service availability:
| Location | Service Point | Opening Days |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford | TLScontact Oxford – UKVCAS Service Point Oxford Westgate | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Swindon | TLScontact Swindon – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, Windmill Hill | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Leeds | TLScontact Leeds – VCAS service point Regus, Princes Exchange | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| London (Gee Street) | TLScontact London – UKVCAS Service Point Ground floor, 15-27 | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Newcastle | TLScontact Newcastle – UKVCAS Service Point Regus Newcastle | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday except public holidays |
| Leicester | Pitman Training Leicester – UKVCAS Service Point Suite 12 | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| London (Enfield) | Enfield Town Library – UKVCAS Service Point Enfield Town | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| London (Stratford) | Stratford Library Site – UKVCAS Service Point 3 The Grove | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Reading | Reading Central Library – UKVCAS Service Point Reading | Monday except public holidays |
| Southampton | TLScontact Southampton – UKVCAS Service Point 31 | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton Library Site – Central Library, Snow Hill | Monday except public holidays |
| Aberdeen | TLScontact Aberdeen – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, 1 Berry Street | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Belfast | TLScontact Belfast – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, Forsyth | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Cardiff | TLScontact Cardiff – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, 5th floor | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Liverpool | TLScontact Liverpool – UKVCAS Service Point Cotton Exchange | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Nottingham | TLScontact Nottingham – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, 6th | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Exeter | TLScontact Exeter – UKVCAS Service Point Park Five Business | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Norwich | TLScontact Norwich – UKVCAS Service Point Sackville Place | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Birmingham | TLScontact Birmingham – UKVCAS Service Point Ground | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Bristol | TLScontact Bristol – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, Castlemead | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Croydon | TLScontact Croydon – UKVCAS Service Point The Lansdowne | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Edinburgh | TLScontact Edinburgh – UKVCAS Service Point Edinburgh, Abbey | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Glasgow | TLScontact Glasgow – UKVCAS Service Point Spaces, 1 West | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Maidstone | TLScontact Maidstone – UKVCAS Service Point 114 Kestrel House | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Manchester | TLScontact Manchester – UKVCAS Service Point (The Junction) | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Peterborough | TLScontact Peterborough – UKVCAS Service Point Soft | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Sheffield | Pitman Training Sheffield – UKVCAS Service Point, 5th Floor | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| London (Wandsworth) | TLScontact London Wandsworth – UKVCAS Service Point Ram | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Cambridge | Cambridge Central Library – UKVCAS Service Point 7 Lion | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Chelmsford | TLScontact Chelmsford – UKVCAS Service Point Market Rd | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
| Luton | TLScontact Luton – UKVCAS Service Point Regus, 960 | Monday – Friday except public holidays |
How do I book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre?
You can only attend a service point if you have an appointment.
You can book an appointment up to 28 days in advance at any of the service points. You can book an appointment in the following two ways:
- Online by either clicking the link to book an appointment from your UKVI account or by clicking the link in the UKVCAS account setup email you have been sent.
- By telephone by calling UKVCAS Support Line.
Free appointments are made available on the online booking system at 09.00, while chargeable appointments are released at midnight.
When booking an appointment you will be asked to choose a location by inputting a postcode convenient to you, and to choose a date and time from the available slots.
If you are unable to find an appointment at your desired location, date or time, you can search again using a different postcode or click on the link to see appointment availability for the following week.
You can book an appointment for yourself, or for a group of people where you all hold what’s known as a lead applicant/dependent relationship. If you have applied offline by making a paper application to UKVI directly, you will need to go through the appointment booking process for each group member separately.
What happens at your UKVCAS appointment?
At your UKVCAS appointment, you will have your identity confirmed, enrol any biometric information that may be required, and submit any documentation in support that you have not already uploaded online.
As such, you will need to attend with your supporting documentation, where required. You will be provided with a list of supporting documents you need to provide when you submit your application. You will also need to take your appointment confirmation email, and your passport or travel document.
At your appointment, you will be asked to provide any required biometric information, namely, a digital photograph of your face, a scan of your fingerprints and a digital copy of your signature. Any documentation not already uploaded will be digitised and checked. Finally, you will need to confirm that you are happy to send your application to UKVI.
The appointment time itself is relatively quick and can take as little as between half an hour to one hour.
Following your appointment, UKVCAS will then submit your biometric information and supporting documentation to UKVI for a decision to be made. This will usually take around eight weeks, unless you have paid for a priority service.
