NEW DELHI: The UK is moving towards a “digital by default” immigration system by 2025 and will introduce eVisas. When this is launched in India remains to be seen. The eVisa is expected to offer additional security and convenience to travellers, including doing away with the need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after a visa decision is made.
Britain continues to issue the maximum number of visas to Indians, a trend that has been seen post Covid. British high commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said Tuesday “Indian nationals were the largest group to receive UK visas for visit, study and work categories in the year ending June 2024.”
In a bid to reduce processing time for the expensive UK visas in India — fees ranging from Rs 13,308 for a six-month visa to over Rs 1.1 lakh for a 10-year visa with an optional additional GBP 500 priority service fees to get a decision within five working days — biometrics will be enrolled first, followed by document scanning for non-digital customers at VFS UK visa application centres.
The UK levies same visa application fees across the world. The fee quantum is for reducing the burden on UK taxpayers and ensuring it does not place a burden on vital public services in the UK, while giving a decent experience to applicants, said an official.
While opening a new UK visa application facility in Delhi Tuesday operated by VFS Global, Cameron said: “The UK-India partnership is built on millions of personal connections, shared dreams, and collective aspirations. I’m delighted to launch the refurbished VFS visa application centre (VAC) for UK visa and passport applications in Delhi. We’re introducing significant improvements in our visa services across India, further strengthening our already excellent visa offering for Indian nationals. The vast majority of visit, work and study visa applications we receive are processed within three weeks and there are no caps on visa appointments.”
The roll-out of the new centre is a part of the global contract awarded to VFS Global, which was last year appointed to deliver UK visa and passport services in 142 countries. VFS says “UK visa customers from India will now enjoy a smoother process. At VFS Global UK VACs, biometrics will be enrolled first, followed by document scanning for non-digital customers. This change reduces wait times and enhances service under the global UK visa services contract secured by VFS Global in December 2023. Many VACs have also relocated or upgraded to state-of-the-art facilities across India.”
Matt Heath, visits & ETA network deputy director, UK Visas and Immigration, said: “Looking ahead, the UK government is moving towards a ‘digital by default‘ immigration system by 2025, introducing eVisas to enhance the customer experience, deliver excellent value, and increase the security and efficiency of our immigration system. While we’re excited about these innovations, we’re also committed to ensuring the safety and security of all visa applicants. I urge everyone to stay vigilant against visa fraud. Remember, UKVI will never contact you through social media, ask for payment by email or into a personal bank account, or guarantee visa offers in exchange for payment to third parties.”
UK processed close to a million visa applications for Indian nationals in the year ending June 2024. “For the last two years, UKVI has consistently met our customer service standards, making visa decisions for visit, work or study routes within 15 working days for standard applications, 5 working days for priority applications, and an impressive 1 working day for super priority applicants. VFS consistently offer biometric appointments for UK visa applicants within 5 working days. In fact, the current waiting time is a mere 1 to 2 working days.… UKVI does not cap appointments at the front end. We consistently have appointments available for customers at our visa application centres, ensuring flexibility and convenience for all applicants,” Heath said.
Yummi Talwar, VFS Global COO (South Asia), said: “We are deeply humbled by UKVI’s continued faith and support and are excited to welcome travellers to the UK at this new facility. Our partnership with UKVI and the British High Commission has grown from strength to strength through our 21 years of association here in India, and their steadfast partnership encourages us to keep putting our best foot forward in providing UK visa services across our locations of operations.”
VFS Global’s UK Visa Application Centres in eight cities across India have relocated to new, larger premises – Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mysuru and Kochi. Additionally, travellers can visit one of the 13 premium application centres across India in Amritsar, Bhopal, Calicut, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Indore, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Mohali, Nasik, Noida, Shimla and Vizag.