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Visas and Work Permits
New UK Visa application centres
The UK makes visa services in India customer-friendly
The British High Commission introduced improved visa application facilities
and procedures for its customers across India in February. New visa
application centres have been opened for business in New Delhi, Jalandhar,
Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad
and Pune. Applying for a visa is now much easier. Applications for
all categories of UK visas are accepted at these application centres.
This improved service has been developed as part of the British High
Commission's continued commitment to make UK visa services more accessible
to Indian customers. Announcing the new service, Chris Dix, Director,
Visa Services for India, said: "The new visa procedures represent
a massive expansion in our services here, and the people who will
benefit will be our 250,000 customers this year."
These procedures have been introduced after detailed consultation
with customers. Many are now obtaining UK visas without the need to
make the often long and difficult journey to the British High Commission
in New Delhi, or to one of the Deputy High Commissions. They lodge
their applications at one of the conveniently situated application
centres much closer to their homes. Those who still require an interview
can fix an appointment at a suitable time. At the centres, trained
staff will accept the applications, explain the latest visa rules
and offer advice, if required. All applications are then immediately
forwarded to the High Commission or the relevant Deputy High Commission.
In many cases, the application is approved and the customer's passport,
endorsed with the appropriate UK visa, returned to the application
centre by courier, or sent to the customer's home or office address.
For those customers who still need to attend a visa interview, the
appointment is arranged by the application centre. All customers need
to pay a small service charge of Rs.300 to take advantage of these
new facilities and procedures. The application centres are operated
by Visa Facilitation Services (VFS), which is responsible only for
accepting applications and providing advice and guidance where necessary.
All visa applications will continue to be assessed by Entry Clearance
Officers at the British High Commission and Deputy High Commissions.
In cases of emergency, applications are, of course, still being accepted
at the High Commission and Deputy High Commissions.
Website: www.ukinindia.com
Credit: British Commercial News
Press & Public Affairs Division, British High Commission
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