Steps to get a U.K. visa Published Dec. 6, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Kristopher T. Levasseur 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The RAF Lakenheath passport office offers Liberty Warriors and family members an opportunity to apply for a U.K. visa once a month. A U.K. visa is required for contractors, civilians and military dependents staying in the U.K. for longer than six months. "If you have dependents they require a UK visa to remain in country and if you do not get them one, they can be deported," said Senior Airman Anna Franklin, 48 Mission Support Squadron Department of State certified passport agent. "We have had military member's dependents sent back to the U.S. for not having their visas, but we give servicemembers the opportunity once a month to get their visas to make sure this never happens." The first step in acquiring a U.K. visa is getting the proper documentation together. The required documents are: - Further Leave to Remain (Other) form - passport - British size photograph available at Electric Avenue - a copy of the sponsors original orders - birth certificate if the dependent is not on original orders. For newborns, U.K. long birth certificate - marriage certificate if dependent is not on original orders - extension rip/indefinite approval - squadron letter (military dependents only) - applicant finance letter Additionally, contractors need a letter of contract and one month of pay slips. A U.K. visa can be applied for through the military personnel flight passport office and costs £595. "Re-imbursements for the £595 can only be obtained for people on a servicemember's original orders or babies born in this country," said Airman Franklin. "Everyone else has to pay out of pocket." Servicemembers should bring the visa and a copy of their orders to file for reimbursement. "Anyone needing a visa because they are extending at Lakenheath or had a child born here should also bring their extension paperwork or a copy of the birth certificate," said Senior Airman Kristy Stack, 48th Comptroller Squadron finance travel technician. "Once it is put in, it should take no more than five duty days to receive reimbursement." The cost of the U.K. visa can be put on a government travel card with the approval of the GTC representative and squadron commander. "Getting my visa was a simple process," said Betty Gonzales, spouse of Staff Sgt. Daniel Gonzales. "After filling out my paperwork, I received my visa in a matter of days. Even though I had to pay out of pocket, we were reimbursed within a few days." The passport office takes visa applicants to London monthly. Applications must be submitted to the passport office one week prior to the scheduled visa run, along with a British bankers draft for £595. Drafts can be purchased at the Community Bank and should be made out to 'Home Office Leave to Remain'. Visas will be available for pick up after 10 a.m. The following are due dates and pickup dates: Applications due to the passport office: Pickup date: Dec. 7 Dec. 14 2008 dates Jan. 25 Feb. 1 Feb. 22 Feb. 29 Mar. 21 Mar. 28 Apr. 18 Apr. 25 May 23 May 30 Jun. 20 Jun. 27 For more information, contact the RAF Lakenheath Passport Office at 226-2303 or 226-3386. The passport office is located in building 977.