New UK visa application procedure

25 October 2012 09:46 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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All visa applications submitted in Colombo will be processed by the UK Border Agency at the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai from Thursday, 1 November 2012, The UK Border Agency announced today.

The statement as follows:

Today, the UK Border Agency announced the details of arrangements for the processing of UK visa applications from Thursday, 1 November 2012.   From this date, all visa applications submitted in Colombo will be processed by the UK Border Agency at the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai.

The majority of Sri Lankan visa applications have been processed in Chennai since June 2008 and the UK Border Agency will ensure a smooth transition of the remaining visa operation. The visa section in the British High Commission will close on 31 October.

Applicants will continue to submit their visa applications at the visa application centre in Colombo and collect their documents from the same location, or request return by courier. The published processing times for short term visas is for the UK Border Agency to process 90% of applications within 15 working days, and this will not change.

For all applications submitted from 1 November, applicants will be required to pay a Sri Lankan Government levy of LKR 1,000 for the movement of their passport out of Sri Lanka. For the convenience of UK visa applicants, this fee will be payable at the visa application centre before the visa application is submitted. VFS will charge an administrative fee of LKR 200. There will be no change to the cost of the visa itself.

Visa applications, including passports and supporting documents, will be transported by secure courier between the visa application centre in Colombo and the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai.

These arrangements for decision-making for Sri Lankan visa applications are consistent with the UK Border Agency’s global approach to making the best use of resources to deliver an efficient and effective visa service. There are many examples of this kind of operation world-wide, in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Southern Africa.

UK visa applicants may make enquiries by:

•   Phoning VFS Global: 331 for Dialog subscribers and 0094 773908011 for international callers or
•   Sending an email to the UK Border Agency: chennai.visaenquiry@fco.gov.uk.

Comprehensive information about the visa application process is available at: www.vfs-uk-lk.com; www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/srilanka.

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Comments - 25

sinha Friday, 26 October 2012 08:35 AM

English education is good

Ami Thursday, 25 October 2012 10:14 PM

May not enough work at that end.

kandykolla Thursday, 25 October 2012 11:44 PM

Genuine students who intend to apply please think twice/thrice

kay Friday, 26 October 2012 12:16 AM

LKR 1000 is for the SL government and not for the UK Boarder Agency

mail_guy Thursday, 25 October 2012 10:01 AM

I don't want UK visa. I'm fine in Sri Lanka.

nation watch Friday, 26 October 2012 01:26 AM

Students would have less reason to apply if our higher education system were better. We would also keep more money in the country. But try to get this government to look that far....

lrok Friday, 30 November 2012 07:39 AM

this is crazy! i hate india..now i hate UK too

prasad Monday, 03 February 2014 02:06 AM

hi am have a complain to you

Upali Friday, 26 October 2012 03:15 AM

How will our non diplomats get diplomatic visas to UK under this system as was done in the past ??

roger Friday, 26 October 2012 11:49 AM

Rohan you will find that UK economy is alot stronger than most countries in the world and it is still a very attractive place to live work and study, we have some of the worlds leading universities and are way ahead in cutting edge technology and innovation. So hands off Britain is your LOSS!!

RF Thursday, 25 October 2012 11:46 AM

Oh what a joke. The applicant will have to pay 1250 in addition to the VFS fees and visa fees...

Uh Friday, 26 October 2012 12:33 PM

Rojer; if UK education is so good then why the record graduate unemployment rate?
Why was young kids rioting?

Shaik Ahamath Thursday, 25 October 2012 12:24 PM

This is a recipe for disaster with passports lost in transit etc. Surely UK cannot be that far behind in technology as applications for visas to visit Sri Lanka could be handled electronically over the internet. Why can't the UK do the same?

Rom Friday, 26 October 2012 12:46 PM

Sour grapes perhaps!!!!

Manchas Friday, 26 October 2012 01:44 PM

Hey Come on man. Chennai labor is so cheap. You just give a "Wade" and a "Palain tea" they will work for you. So it is economical for Britain to shift the VISA section to Chennai. This is the reason man nothing else.

Lobo Friday, 26 October 2012 05:04 AM

Yes it's a joke because in spite of these stringent checks still the bogus traveler is granted a visa but the genuine guy is denied for some petty reason.

Dee Friday, 26 October 2012 05:17 AM

Chennai out of all the places on earth?

Curious Thursday, 25 October 2012 02:44 PM

Why can't they process in SL, Colombo ?

mac Thursday, 25 October 2012 02:34 PM

u.k. is too advance so they are unable to process the visa . maybe they are going back wards....cheers U.K.

Rohan Thursday, 25 October 2012 02:54 PM

It is a joke and a half. People must decide if its worthwhile to come to UK when the economy is so bad. There are other countries where people go on to do their studies, business or whatever. So hands-off Britain is the BEST.

Esala Thursday, 25 October 2012 03:00 PM

Now UK think Sri Lanka as part of India. Long time ago they try to do this way.

Automatic Thursday, 25 October 2012 04:19 PM

Making the Indians do double the work tp process both India and SL applications. Trying to save money mabe?

michael Thursday, 25 October 2012 04:47 PM

Sri Lanka should shift its visa section from London to Middle East and should have 15 days notice for Britishers as well!

Shani Thursday, 25 October 2012 05:17 PM

This could be for two reasons. 1. Colombo officers are not capable of catching theives and liars while the officers in India are capable enough.2. Colombo officers are not trustworthy to allow to authorize visa. Besides,
It is not right think that all poor people,applicants are going lodge in UK.. In the future prospects, UK needs Sri Lanka more than SL needs UK.

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New UK visa application procedure

Comments - 25

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