How to Book a UK Visa Appointment in Nepal

Current UK visa application centres in Nepal

The official VFS Global UK page for Nepal currently lists a regular UK Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu, open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00, and a Pokhara Hotel Barahi Premium Application Centre with scheduled opening days and listed hours of 08:00 to 13:00. The Pokhara option is identified as premium, so additional service charges may apply.

Locations, addresses, holidays and hours can change. Use the GOV.UK “find a visa application centre” page and the live VFS Nepal-UK page on the day you book and again before travelling. Do not rely on an old map pin or social-media post.

What must happen before booking

GOV.UK states that you must apply for the visa before making a visa application centre appointment. Some applicants are instructed to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app instead. If the application gives you the app route, do not separately create a VAC appointment unless UKVI later instructs you to do so.

Step-by-step booking process

1. Finish the GOV.UK application. Review the declaration carefully and pay the required government charges.
2. Use the official continuation link. After submission, follow the link or task in your UKVI account that directs you to the authorised appointment provider.
3. Register or sign in. Use an email address you control. Record the login and application reference securely.
4. Check applicant details. Name, passport number and visa category should match the submitted application. Do not book under a relative’s identity.
5. Select the centre. Compare Kathmandu with any premium Nepal option offered to your application. Check travel and service cost.
6. Choose the appointment type. Look for a standard or free slot before buying a package. Paid prime-time, lounge, scanning or courier options are not required for approval.
7. Select a date and time. Leave enough time to prepare evidence and reach the centre. Peak student season can reduce convenient availability.
8. Upload documents. If self-upload is available, submit clear, complete files in the correct categories before the stated cutoff.
9. Pay only chosen extras. Read the service description and refund terms before payment.
10. Download confirmation. Save and print the appointment letter, document checklist and receipts.

Free appointment or paid service?

GOV.UK says most visa application centres offer free appointments within five working days, while some locations require a £76.50 standard appointment. It also says applicants may buy optional services such as document scanning, but paying for an optional service does not improve the chance of visa approval.

These VAC services are different from UKVI priority decision services. A premium lounge is not super priority, and paying for document scanning does not accelerate a decision.

Appointment deadline and timing

Current GOV.UK guidance says an applicant who needs a VAC must book and attend within 240 days of submitting the online application. Waiting that long is usually inappropriate for a Student visa because the course start date and processing time are much closer. Book promptly after documents are ready.

An outside-UK Student visa decision is usually made within three weeks after the application, identity and documents are completed, but cases can take longer. Do not buy non-refundable travel based only on a standard service estimate.

Uploading supporting documents

• Use short descriptive file names such as Passport, CAS, TB Certificate and Bank Statement.
• Scan every page that contains required information.
• Keep text upright, clear and at a readable resolution.
• Combine related pages logically without creating an unreadably large file.
• Include accepted certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.
• Check that the upload status shows complete before the deadline.
• Keep the original evidence and upload receipts.

The VAC collects biometrics and transmits documents; it does not decide the visa or guarantee that the evidence is sufficient. The applicant remains responsible for an accurate application.

What to take to the centre

Follow the personal appointment confirmation because required items can vary. Common essentials include:

• Current passport or travel document.
• Printed appointment confirmation.
• Submitted application or document checklist when instructed.
• Original supporting documents if the confirmation tells you to bring them.
• Receipts for services already purchased.
• Required responsible adult documents for an applicant under 16.

GOV.UK says applicants attending for a Student visa take their passport to the centre and can collect it on the day under the current process. Follow the exact notice given in your application if it differs.

Rescheduling or cancelling

Sign in through the official appointment account rather than creating a new visa application. The VFS Nepal page provides a route to view, schedule or change an appointment. Check whether the chosen service permits a free change, has a deadline or charges a fee. Save the revised confirmation and ensure the old appointment is no longer active.

If VFS announces a closure, applicants may be contacted and invited to reschedule. Monitor the email used for booking and the provider’s news page. Avoid paying a third party for a slot that can only be controlled through the applicant’s account.

Booking problems and safe troubleshooting

Scams to avoid

• People selling “guaranteed” appointment slots through messaging apps.
• Websites copying the VFS name but using another domain.
• Requests to share card OTPs, full passwords or UKVI recovery codes.
• Claims that a premium appointment guarantees approval.
• Unreceipted cash payment for an unofficial “embassy slot”.

VFS Global is the official UKVI partner shown for Nepal, but UKVI makes the immigration decision. Use links reached from GOV.UK or the official Nepal-UK VFS domain.

Final booking checklist

• Visa form submitted and government fees paid.
• Application requires a VAC rather than the ID Check app.
• Applicant identity and visa route match the booking.
• Centre, address, opening day and travel plan checked live.
• Standard/free slots reviewed before optional packages.
• Documents uploaded and confirmed.
• Appointment letter downloaded and printed.
• Passport and required originals ready.
• Email monitored for closure or rescheduling notices.