I have just completed three online visa application forms for members of my wife's family who plan to visit the UK later this year. The application forms were "signed" by me electronically online and I am noted as the person who completed the forms on their behalf. I have emailed PDF copies of the forms to applicants with the instruction that they should be printed and signed. Can I just confirm that it is the visa applicants (and not myself) who need to sign the physical printed copies? The only reason I have a small area of doubt in my mind is the visa processing centre may ignore the fact that I completed the form online and therefore require a physical signature from me.

In case there is any doubt regarding my question, the form is worded as follows:

Applicant's signature: *blank*

Date signed: *blank*

Form completed by: *pre-populated-with-my-name*

It is to be signed and dated by the visa applicant.

I don't think you should have signed the application electronically either. You are not the applicant, and the "Declaration" that is signed online ( and in the hard copy) is a declaration by the applicant. That is why it asks for the applicant's signature. You are able to complete the form, but you cannot sign it for the applicant ( unless you are signing for a child, and you are the parent or guardian). The hard copy should be accepted by VFS, as it will have the applicant's signature on it, but the ECO will also have the electronic copy. He will probably accept the written copy as evidence of the applicant's declaration, but could request a new electronic copy.

It is to be signed and dated by the visa applicant.

Thanks for the confirmation.

I don't think you should have signed the application electronically either. You are not the applicant, and the "Declaration" that is signed online ( and in the hard copy) is a declaration by the applicant. That is why it asks for the applicant's signature. You are able to complete the form, but you cannot sign it for the applicant ( unless you are signing for a child, and you are the parent or guardian). The hard copy should be accepted by VFS, as it will have the applicant's signature on it, but the ECO will also have the electronic copy. He will probably accept the written copy as evidence of the applicant's declaration, but could request a new electronic copy.

I was making the application on behalf of another person(s) as allowed by the website. The only way to proceed with booking the appointment on their behalf is to electronically "sign" the documents too. When I signed the documents, I understood this to mean the details I provided were correct. The truth is, the applicants wouldn't be able to read when I had written (in English) on the form anyway.

I don't think you should have signed the application electronically either. You are not the applicant, and the "Declaration" that is signed online ( and in the hard copy) is a declaration by the applicant. That is why it asks for the applicant's signature. You are able to complete the form, but you cannot sign it for the applicant ( unless you are signing for a child, and you are the parent or guardian). The hard copy should be accepted by VFS, as it will have the applicant's signature on it, but the ECO will also have the electronic copy. He will probably accept the written copy as evidence of the applicant's declaration, but could request a new electronic copy.

I was making the application on behalf of another person(s) as allowed by the website. The only way to proceed with booking the appointment on their behalf is to electronically "sign" the documents too. When I signed the documents, I understood this to mean the details I provided were correct. The truth is, the applicants wouldn't be able to read when I had written (in English) on the form anyway.

I'm not having a go at you, just commenting on what you asked. Of course you are allowed to complete the form for someone else, as many applicant's globally cannot read or write English. But, consider it as a paper application form. Would you sign a paper application form on the applicant's behalf, even if the applicant couldn't read what you had written ? Plus, it clearly says " Applicant's signature".