Indian nationals topped the list for UK visas in Visit, Study, and Work categories for the year ending June 2024, announced Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, at the launch of a new VFS Global UK visa facility in Delhi on November 12, 2024.
The revamped VFS centres aim to streamline the visa process, with biometric data collected first, followed by document scanning for non-digital applicants. These enhancements, part of a global contract secured by VFS in December 2023, are expected to reduce wait times and improve service quality. Several centres across India have also been relocated or upgraded.
Cameron highlighted the UK-India partnership and improvements to visa services, noting that most applications are processed within three weeks with no appointment caps.
Matt Heath, UKVI Deputy Director, praised VFS for managing nearly a million applications, emphasizing that UKVI consistently meets service standards with options like 15-day processing for standard visas and faster options for priority services.
Looking ahead, the UK is moving towards a fully digital immigration system by 2025, featuring eVisas for better security and efficiency. UKVI also warned of visa scams, reminding applicants to be cautious and follow official communication channels.
Yummi Talwar of VFS Global expressed excitement for the new facility and appreciation for the ongoing partnership with UKVI. Enhanced services are now available across relocated centres in eight major Indian cities, with additional options provided at 13 Premium Centres.
UKVI encourages travellers to stay informed via its official social media accounts- @UKVIgovuk to avoid fraud.
