This article will discuss frequently asked questions as they relate to the UKVCAS Birmingham Service Point.
For a step-by-step guide about the application process for in-country UKVI applications, we have written aUKVCAS / Sopra Steria Guidance [STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR 2022]article.
What is the address of the Birmingham Service Point?
The address is 1 Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD, United Kingdom.
What are the opening hours for the Birmingham Service Point?
Day | Birmingham Service Point opening hours |
Monday | 07:00 – 20:30 |
Tuesday | 07:00 – 20:30 |
Wednesday | 07:00 – 20:30 |
Thursday | 07:00 – 20:30 |
Friday | 07:00 – 20:30 |
Saturday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Sunday | Closed |
Is there car parking near the Birmingham Service Point?
There are several car parks close by, including:
- Paradise Circus Car Park, Brindley Drive, Birmingham B1 2NB and
- NCP Car Park, Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 1SW.
Both are around 0.3 miles or a 5-minute walk away from the service point.
Please note, the service point is also very close to Birmingham New Street train station, which is around half a mile away.
What optional services are available at Birmingham Service Point?
i) Interpretation
Language support is available at Birmingham Service Point if an applicant needs additional help at their appointment.
UKVCAS will provide a qualified telephone interpreter.
The service is available for an additional £70 fee.
ii) Document scanning
Staff will scan and upload supporting documents at the service point if an applicant opts for the document scanning service.
The documents will be scanned and upload while the applicant is at the appointment and the documents will be returned to the applicant before the appointment ends.
The fee for document scanning is £54.
Please be aware that if you are using a paper (offline) application form, the document scanning service will not be required.
iii) Express appointments
Express appointments are available at the Birmingham Service Point.
This service involves one dedicated member of staff dealing with the appointment from when an applicant arrives with the aim of completing the appointment within 30 minutes.
There is an additional £75 fee for an express appointment.
Where are the other nearest UKVCAS service points to Birmingham Service Point?
The next two closest service points to the Birmingham Service Point are:
- Wolverhampton Central Library, Snow Hill, Wolverhampton WV1 3AX, which is 12 miles away, and
- Gloucester Main Library, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HT, which is 45 miles away.
An applicant search for closest UKVCAS Service Points by inputting their postcode on the UKVCAS website here.
What are the reviews from Google for Birmingham Service Point like?
The Google reviews for Birmingham Service Point are positive. It has an average star rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 99 Google reviews (at the time of writing).
A lot of the reviews mention the helpful and friendly attitude of the staff.
How do I cancel my appointment at Birmingham Service Point?
To cancel an appointment, an applicant can use this link.
There are no available appointments at Birmingham Service Point. What should I do?
UKVCAS releases new appointments every day. If none are showing as available, an applicant can log back into the UKVCAS website at another time to see if new appointments are available to book.
Appointments are available up to 28 days in advance and UKVCAS releases new free appointments at 9am each day and chargeable appointments at midnight.
Alternatively, an applicant can consider booking their appointment at another nearby service point by using the postcode locator on the UKVCAS website, as detailed above.
What happens at the appointment at Birmingham Service Point?
The first thing an applicant must remember is to take their QR code for the appointment with them. Otherwise, UKVCAS will not allow the appointment to continue.
The QR code is sent by UKVCAS in a confirmation email after the appointment is booked.
Following arrival at the service point, an applicant will be shown to a self-service booth to scan the QR code.
After this, the applicant will then scan their passport ID page.
Next, the applicant will have their photograph taken in the booth. Please be aware the photograph must meet the required standard which means no glasses or hats, for example.
The photograph can be retaken if there is a problem or if the applicant is unhappy with their first effort.
The next step is fingerprint scanning.
Finally, the applicant then provides a digital signature.
Staff at the service point will help if an applicant has difficulty with any part of the process.
An applicant should allow up to 1 hour to complete the appointment although the time needed is often shorter. The amount of time needed will depend on whether other services, like document scanning, have been purchased and the number of other applicants at the service point at the time.
There is no listed direct phone line for Birmingham Service Point. You can contact UKVCAS on the phone s through the UKVCAS Premium Support Line on 0844 8920232. Calls normally cost £0.04 per minute.
It is possible, depending on an applicant’s circumstances and any additional services they have chosen, that staff will normally:
- Confirm an applicant’s identity against the ID document (typically their passport);
- Upload any outstanding supporting documents brought to the appointment by an applicant on the day. A charge is likely for this service;
- Check the uploaded supporting documents to make sure they are complete, legible and in English (or translated appropriately if necessary);
- Check the biometric information provided by the applicant to ensure it meets quality standards.
After an applicant has completed their appointment, UKVCAS will send their supporting documents digitally and securely to UKVI for a decision on the application.
An email should also be sent by UKVCAS to the applicant confirming their supporting documentation has been sent to UKVI.
What do I need to do when I attend the appointment at Birmingham Service Point?
In line with current public health guidelines, applicants are still currently being asked by UKVCAS to wear a face mask when they attend their appointment. Face coverings may also be worn by staff at the service point.
Applicants should not arrive early for appointments because there is limited room in waiting areas at service points.
In most cases, the only people who should attend an appointment are the applicants. In very limited circumstances, it may be possible for one other person to attend – more details can be found in the FAQs section on the UKVCAS website under the Attending my Appointment category here.
If the application is for a child (minor), the responsible adult who is named on the application must also attend the appointment and will need to bring an ID document with them.
Please be aware an applicant must bring a travel document (in most cases their passport) for their ID to be confirmed at the appointment. If an applicant does not take a suitable travel document, UKVCAS will not allow the appointment to go ahead.
Also please remember that the QR code on the applicant’s appointment receipt must be taken to the appointment. The QR code can either be printed off or alternatively can be read off the applicant’s appointment confirmation email on their smart phone.
If guidelines are not followed, applicants should be aware UKVCAS staff have the authority to deny access to appointments.
Will I be interviewed at Birmingham Service Point?
Applicants will not be interviewed at their appointment.
UKVCAS staff have no role in the decision-making process for an application and therefore do not interview applicants at the appointment.
In addition, UKVCAS staff are usually not qualified to provide immigration advice. They are mainly there to carry out administrative tasks to make sure the appointment process goes smoothly and help with any additional services an applicant has chosen.
How do I complain about the service received at Birmingham Service Point?
Complaints about the service can be made via email using the web-form here.
The UKVCAS contact centre is open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
UKVCAS will try to resolve the complaint using their internal complaints procedure, but if that does not deliver a successful outcome, UKVCAS will provide further information about its alternative dispute resolution provider.
How should I prepare for my appointment at Birmingham Service Point?
Initially, an applicant should read the instructions sent in the UKVCAS email confirming the appointment details. This email also includes the QR code in an attached PDF file the applicant must take to the service point.
Additionally, an applicant must also take a suitable ID document (usually their passport) when attending the appointment.
Would it be helpful to have an immigration advisor with the applicant when they attend Birmingham Service Point?
In most cases it will not be helpful.
Although some immigration firms offer a service which involves an advisor going with the applicant to the appointment, it is unlikely to be worth the additional cost.
The UKVCAS appointment is mainly about providing biometric information. As mentioned above, UKVCAS staff have no role in deciding whether an application is approved or not, they have no power to interview applicants and are, in any case, unlikely to be trained in the relevant Immigration Rules.
Furthermore, the UKVCAS website also states a legal advisor can only attend “only if a legal adviser is absolutely necessary”.
Who will need to attend the appointment when the applicant visits Birmingham Service Point?
All those named on the application must attend the appointment.
This would include the named Responsible Adult if the application is for a child.
As highlighted above, family and friends who are not named on the application will normally not be allowed to attend.
There are a small number of exemptions to this.
In limited circumstances, an additional person may be allowed to attend, such as a carer or a young child(ren).
More information is available in the FAQs section on the UKVCAS website under the “Attending my Appointment” sectionhere.
Other Frequently Asked Questions Relating to the Birmingham Service Point
Do I need to bring my supporting documents if I have already uploaded them before the appointment?
No. If the applicant has already self-uploaded their supporting documents, there is no need to take the uploaded supporting documents with them to the appointment. The applicant will, however, need to bring their original passport to the appointment.
What should I bring with me to my appointment at the Birmingham Service Point?
Applicants will normally need to take their passport or travel document; any documents being taken to the appointment for scanning and the QR code in the email confirming the applicant’s appointment.
Do my documents need to show that I met the requirements on the date of attending the visa centre appointment?
Normally, no. This is because the key date that the documents must show that the requirements are met is normally the date of application (the date that you paid the Home Office fees on the online application) rather than the date the applicant attends their UKVCAS appointment.
Will I get a refund if I cancel my appointment at Birmingham Service Point?
A refund can be obtained if an applicant cancels the appointment more than 48 hours in advance. UKVCAS will retain £10 as an administration fee. If, however, the appointment is cancelled less than 48 hours before it is due to take place, it is likely that no refund will be available and UKVCAS will keep your appointment fee.
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