Global Partner Programme�Introduction���

Global Partner Programme (GPP)

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• Purpose
• Opportunity to discuss visa service, application method, and offer direct guidance
• Development of working relationship on a local level
• Objectives
• Understanding the end-to-end customer journey and visa application process
• Understanding and Practical Use of the Global Partner Programme for Business Visits
• Please kindly be reminded that GPP meetings will not be the appropriate forum in which to raise individual cases

Service Standards – UKVI Visit Visa Applications

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Processing Times for Visit Visa Applications:

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• Standard: You will have a decision on your application within 15 working days.

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• Priority: You will have a decision on your application within 5 working days. £500

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• Super Priority: You will have a decision on your application within the next business day. £1000
• You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.

Global Partner Programme Benefits*

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• The GPP is designed to streamline the visa application process for the companies who regularly send staff to the UK for business purposes
• Reduced documentary requirement – completed visa application form, passport, and employment letter required.  
• Members of the programme will be provided regular guidance and visa process updates either in person via meetings and/or emails
• Visa duration can be any of the visit visa durations that suit your business needs.
• Members can contact UKVI directly with visa related enquiries via a dedicated GPP email inbox UKVIGPP.Istanbul@fcdo.gov.uk.
• We aim to respond to emails within 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays)

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Global Partner Programme

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• On Demand Mobile Biometrics (ODMV) – As a GPP member, you can use this service from TLS with a 10% discount.

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• Relevant updates on changes to the Immigration Rules that might affect business travel; news on new services and offers from UKVI.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

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• The UKVI GPP is a free service.
• The standard visa and optional priority service fees will apply as usual.

GPP Visa Application Process

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GPP Visa Application Process

Step 1. Apply online for a Standard Visitor visa

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Visit www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk to complete the online application and pay the relevant visa fee. UKVI can issue visas starting from three months before the intended travel date. The cost of a UK Visa application may be checked online - www.gov.uk/visa-fees

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Important note: It is critical that when the online visa application form is being completed, the applicant uses your GPP Unique Identification Number (UIN) in both the ‘Employer’ and ‘Extra information’ sections of the form. Without this information, the application may be delayed.

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GPP Visa Application Process

GPP Visa Application Process

Once the visa fees have been paid online and the application form is complete, on the last page of GOV.UK you will see the step below where you can proceed to the TLS (Visa Application Centre) Website, where the applicant will be able to book an appointment to submit application in person.

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GPP Visa Application Process*

Step 2. Prepare the supporting documentation

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• When the applicant attends their appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), they will need to submit the following in support of their application:

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• A valid passport

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• An official employment letter quoting your GPP UIN and one of the signatory signatures provided on your GPP Enrolment Form

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• *PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS PROVIDED, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYMENT LETTER, MUST BE IN ENGLISH.

Sample GPP Business Letter

GPP Visa Application Process

Step 3. Notify UKVI of the application

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• You must use the online MS Teams Form to notify UKVI of any applications made under the GPP. This is a requirement, and must be done for every application. The form is accessible by the designated signatories specified on the GPP Enrolment Form.

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• The information required on the form includes information made available only to the Point of Contact and Signatory noted in the GPP Enrolment Form submitted to UKVI by your company. Therefore, the form must be submitted from the authorised Point of Contact and/or authorised Signatory for your company.

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• The designated signatories may delegate this access to other members of their organisation, but care should be taken to safeguard passwords and prevent unauthorised use.

MS Teams Form: GPP Pre Alert Form Link

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MS TEAMS FORM – GPP PRE ALERT FORM

MS TEAMS FORM – GPP PRE ALERT FORM

MS TEAMS FORM – GPP PRE ALERT FORM

MS TEAMS FORM – GPP PRE ALERT FORM

GPP Application Process – GPP Pre Alert Form

WHEN UKVI IS INFORMED OF THE APPLICATION

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• After you click ‘submit’, UKVI is informed of the application. We crosscheck the details on the form with the details you’ve provided to UKVI in your GPP Enrolment form, including your company name, authorised signatory name, authorised signatory email address, and UIN.

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• As visa decisions may be made in any UKVI Decision Making Centre around the world, it is imperative that the Pre Alert form is completed and submitted in support of a GPP application. ***THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR EACH APPLICATION, EACH TIME***

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• The Pre Alert form ensures that decision making centres everywhere are informed that the application being submitted is being done so under the Global Partner Programme.

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• Failure to complete and submit the Pre Alert form may result in delayed processing times and possible entry clearance refusals, due to unfamiliarity with your applicant’s GPP membership association.

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Main Responsibilities of GPP Members

• All members must take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules
• Provide and update UKVI with point of contact within your organisation to use if we have any enquiries in relation to a visa application made under the scheme.
• Ensure that your Points of Contact and Signatories have read the GPP Information Pack and GPP Welcome Pack sent to you from UKVI.
• Ensure all employment letters and employee details provided are accurate and correctly reflect the employee’s circumstances.
• Inform UKVI when an employee who has a current UK visa leaves the company, for whatever reason.

Note (we may also): request additional information directly from the applicant in certain circumstances; contact you to clarify information provided on the employment letter; contact you to discuss your internal procedures relevant to the Global Partner Programme and/or request to visit your company premises

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Important Reminders for Applications

Important Reminders for Applications

• Ensure each application has a complete employment letter, including:
• Name of your company and company logo on letterhead
• Inclusion of your GPP UIN on employment letter
• Name of employee, position, date they started working, monthly salary
• Dates they are travelling to the UK and the reason for their travel
• Confirmation that ‘All costs associated with this visit will be met in full by [company].’
• Letter is signed by an authorised signatory, and clearly shows their name and date it was signed
• Ensure that your organisation’s GPP Authorised Signatories are current, and that UKVI is informed of any changes to Signatory or Point of Contact.
• Ensure that the employment letter is in English
• Ensure that the MS Teams Pre Alert Form is completed and submitted to notify UKVI of the application.

More Information*

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• If you have any questions, or if there's anything else you want to share with us you can contact us via UKVIGPP.Istanbul@fcdo.gov.uk

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You can also visit the below links for more information:

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• Home Office

https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

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• Our Commercial Partner TLS (Visa Application Centre)

https://pos.tlscontact.com/

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• Complain about Visas and Immigrations (UKVI)

https://www.gov.uk/complain-uk-visas-immigration 

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THANK YOU!