What Is the VFS Biometric Appointment?
After completing your online UK Student Visa application, you must attend an in-person appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre to submit your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) and hand over your original documents.
In Nepal, VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in Kathmandu (Thapathali) and Pokhara. Almost every applicant uses Kathmandu, because Pokhara releases very few appointment slots. There is no centre in Birgunj.
Is There a VFS Centre in Pokhara?
Yes — VFS operates a UK visa application centre in Pokhara as well as Kathmandu. In practice, though, Pokhara releases very few appointment slots, so almost every Nepali student ends up giving biometrics in Kathmandu. If you live in Gandaki and a Pokhara slot appears on a date that works, take it. Do not wait for one.
Students from Pokhara, Baglung and Beni sometimes delay booking while they wait for a local appointment, then find nothing appears and the Kathmandu slots have also filled. In the June–September peak that can cost weeks. Book the first workable slot at either centre — a day trip to Kathmandu is far cheaper than missing an intake.
| Centre | Slot availability | Who uses it | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu — Rotary Complex, Thapathali | Regular releases; still tight in peak season | Almost all applicants, nationwide | Default choice. Book as soon as you have paid the visa fee |
| Pokhara | Very limited | A small number of Gandaki applicants who catch a slot | Check first if you are local, but do not delay booking Kathmandu while you wait |
House of Admissions has offices in both cities, so students in Gandaki can have documents checked at our Pokhara office whichever centre they attend. Slot availability: House of Admissions operational experience, 2016–2026 (self-reported).
Where Is VFS Kathmandu Located?
The UK Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu is at Rotary Complex Building, Thapathali, Kathmandu. It relocated from Chhaya Complex in Thamel, and many search results, map pins and consultancy pages still show the old Thamel address. Always check the address printed on your own appointment confirmation email before you travel.
Students still arrive at Chhaya Complex because a stale listing told them to. A missed biometric appointment means rebooking, and in the June–September peak the next available slot can be weeks away — long enough to miss a course start date.
- Centre
- UK Visa Application Centre, operated by VFS Global
- Address
- Rotary Complex Building, Thapathali, Kathmandu
- Former address
- Chhaya Complex, Thamel — closed
- Who decides your visa
- UKVI. VFS only collects biometrics and documents
- Appointments
- Pre-booked online only; walk-ins are not accepted
- Before you travel
- Confirm the address on your appointment email
How to Book Your Appointment
- Complete your online visa application on gov.uk and pay all fees
- After payment, you will be redirected (or emailed a link) to the VFS booking portal
- Select Nepal as your location, choose your preferred VFS centre, and pick an available date and time
- Save your appointment confirmation email — you will need to present it at the centre
Book your appointment as early as possible, especially during May–August when demand is highest for September intake.
Documents to Bring on the Day
- Appointment confirmation (printed or on your phone)
- Passport (original) — the same passport used for the application
- All supporting documents in original (bank statements, TB test certificate, academic certificates, IELTS/PTE certificate)
- Printed copies of your online application form (GV3) and payment receipt
- Passport-size photographs (even if uploaded online — centre may ask for physical copies)
- CAS statement (printed)
What Happens at the Centre?
- Document submission — a VFS staff member will check your appointment confirmation and direct you to a counter
- Document scanning — originals and copies are scanned and checked
- Biometric enrolment — fingerprints from all 10 fingers are captured, and a digital photograph is taken
- Passport collection arrangement — you can opt to collect your passport from the centre or request courier delivery
The entire process typically takes 30–60 minutes, though wait times can be longer during peak season.
How Long Does a UK Visa Take from Nepal?
| Service | Decision target | Extra fee | At VFS Kathmandu? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 15 working days (~3 weeks) | None | Yes — the default |
| Priority | 5 working days | ~£500 (NPR ~97,500) | Yes, subject to slots |
| Super Priority | End of next working day | ~£1,000 (NPR ~1.95 lakhs) | No, in HOA’s experience |
Decision targets: UKVI service standards for non-settlement applications. NPR converted at the Nepal Rastra Bank reference rate of NPR 195 to the pound — confirm the exact charge in the booking flow.