Hi,

We are currently trying to organise a "visit for marriage" visa to the UK for my Australian fiancee. After completing on the online application form from worldbridge (the annoying private company part of the UK border service) you then have to organise a trip to the Munich visa application centre (VAC) to give biometric details (I assume this is a photo and a fingerprint).

The worldbridge website tells you that you then need to have "documents" couriered to Dusseldorf as the Munich centre is a limited service one.

This is where my problems start. Does anyone know what documents they send off??? THey have the application form electronically. The photo will be electronic. The fingerprinting is also done electronically. Do they really need to send the passport off to Dusseldorf?? Or is it just signed copies of the application document?

This worries me a bit - as the processing time, according to worldbridge are 2-3 days (excluding courier time) - or up to twelve weeks if you need to organise an interview for the visa. Giving a passport away for that long seems stupid - as 1. We travel a lot and need it, 2. Aren't you always supposed to have your passport or persoanl ID card on you in Germany (not that I do - but making excuses for 12 weeks if it was needed for some reason could be interesting)?

So what have other peoples experiences been? Have you had to give up your passport? Has the processing time been the 2-3 days promised (for a simple visa with no interview)?

Many thanks in advance if anyone can offer any help.
Rich