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United Kingdom · Official Resources

Government portals

  • UK Government (GOV.UK) — UK's unified government services portal — visas, taxes, driving licences, benefits and more
  • UK Visas and Immigration — UK visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and work authorization
  • HM Revenue & Customs — Self Assessment tax returns, National Insurance, VAT registration and payment

Banks

  • HSBC — Top choice for global cross-border banking with deep Asia presence
  • Barclays — One of UK's oldest banks with strong investment banking
  • Standard Chartered — Focused on emerging markets in Asia, Africa, Middle East; excellent cross-border services

Embassies in United Kingdom

Official forms

  • UK Visitor Visa Application — Apply online for UK Standard Visitor Visa
    Checked against the official page on 2026-08-09
    How to file
    1. Apply online from outside the UK — the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel
    2. Give your travel dates, accommodation, trip costs, home address, income and any criminal or immigration history
    3. Pay the fee — from £135 for a 6-month visit, up to £1,128 for a 10-year visa
    4. Book an appointment at a visa application centre
    5. Attend the appointment to give fingerprints and a photo, with your passport and supporting documents
    6. Your passport is normally returned the same day
    7. A decision usually arrives within 3 weeks
  • UK eVisa (replaced the BRP) — All BRPs have expired — UK immigration status is now a digital eVisa in a UKVI account
    Checked against the official page on 2026-08-09
    How to file
    1. Know where you stand — all BRPs have expired and been replaced by the eVisa, a digital record of your identity and immigration status
    2. Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to get access to your eVisa if you still have permission to stay in the UK
    3. Sign in, view the eVisa and check that every detail is correct
    4. Get a share code from the account when you need to prove your status to an employer, a landlord or anyone else who checks
    5. An expired BRP is now only good for three things: signing in to view your eVisa and get a share code, creating a UKVI account, and applying to extend your permission to stay
    6. That use runs out 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or on 31 December 2026 — whichever comes first
    7. Destroy the old card by cutting through your personal details, the royal coat of arms and the gold biometric chip
  • UK Self Assessment Tax Return — Self-assessment income tax return in the UK
    Checked against the official page on 2026-08-09
    How to file
    1. Register with HMRC by 5 October if you need to file for the first time, and keep your UTR
    2. You can file any time after 5 April, once the tax year has ended
    3. Gather income, expenses and any provisional figures you need
    4. Paper returns must reach HMRC by 31 October
    5. Online returns are due by 11:59pm on 31 January
    6. Pay what you owe by 11:59pm on 31 January — file online by 30 December instead if you want it collected through your tax code
    7. You have 12 months from the deadline to correct provisional figures
  • UK National Insurance Number Application — Personal identifier required to work legally and pay tax and National Insurance in the UK
    How to file
    1. Apply online via GOV.UK once you have a BRP or a visa granting work rights in the UK
    2. Provide passport, BRP, UK address, and employment details
    3. NI number letter arrives within 2-4 weeks by post
    4. Format: two letters + six digits + one letter (e.g., QQ123456C)
    5. Used for income tax (PAYE/Self-Assessment), pension, and Universal Credit
    6. Can start work before receiving NI using your application reference number
    7. Once issued, NI number is permanent — no renewal needed