March 20, 2014
KOLKATA: If you are planning a vacation in the UK or any other countries in Europe this summer, you won't have to run around to different locations to apply for visas.
One will not have to run around to different locations to apply for visas any more. Just a trip to one address in Kasba will do.
March 20, 2014
KOLKATA: If you are planning a vacation in the UK or any other countries in Europe this summer, you won't have to run around to different locations to apply for visas.
One will not have to run around to different locations to apply for visas any more. Just a trip to one address in Kasba will do.
A trip to just one address in Kasba will do. Visa applications will be scrutinized, accepted and processed here. Biometrics (finger print and photo scan) will also be done at this centre as will be interviews via video-conference.
"From April, we will be processing visas for 20 countries from a single office. While the UK visa office is already operational from March 3, a joint visa application centre will begin next month where visa applications for Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Slovenia and Sweden will be accepted. Visas for Canada and Australia will also be processed on the same floor but in separate enclosures," said Vishal Jairath, South Asia head of VFS Global that processes visa applications for 45 countries.
While the UK visa application centre is spread over 4,000 sq ft and has nine counters, including one for the disabled, the combined application centre will be housed in an additional 6,000 sq ft on the same floor and will sport 18 counters.
Scott Furssedonn-Wood, British deputy high commissioner to eastern India who was at the state-of-the-art visa application centre on Wednesday, said the new facility would soon introduce a host of facilities to further simplify the application process. "VFS plans to install improved cameras from June. Thereafter, applicants will not be required to furnish photographs as per UK specification. The photograph taken during the biometric capture will serve the purpose," he explained.
While applicants are currently required to carry hard copies of forms submitted online at present, the entire process will become paperless soon. UK Visa & Immigration operations manager (north India, Nepal and Bhutan) Ronnie Pattison said the 'Passport Passback' service that was currently on offer in Chennai will be extended to Kolkata by next month. This service allows applicants to retain their passports while visa decisions are being made. This will come handy for business travelers who may be required to travel in the interim period.
Last year, around 22,000 visa applications to UK were processed in Kolkata and around 20,000 visas were issued. Another 25,000 people apply for visas to 16 other countries that VFS services.
Furssedonn-Wood said applications for UK visas have been consistently growing and the UK, in turn, has focused on ensuring that the very best visa services are provided to Indian applicants. Mentioning processing speed, convenience of application process and a fair price as some of the advantages the UK provides, he emphasized that the UK is open for business, visitors and students. He was confident that visa applicants would welcome the new service centre in Kolkata. It takes anywhere between three to 15 days to get the visa with the average at eight days.
Also, from April 1, answers to queries on visa application process will be available in more than 20 languages at a new international contact centre operated by Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS).
Furssedonn-Wood clarified that procuring a visa for the UK being difficult was a myth. "The UK is open – for business, for visitors, for students. We look forward to welcoming even more Indians to Britain this year. Indians who visit the UK have a good time and leave with a good impression. We aim to make that good impression on you before you even leave India – with the best visa service there is," he said.
Pointing out that the UK issues more visas to Indians than to any other nation, he said nine out of 10 Indians who apply for a UK visa get one. More than 4,00,000 Indians got visas in 2013, 5% more than 2012. "We issued more visas for visitors, whose numbers rose by about 10% last year, more visas for workers and more visas for dependents. If you are a legitimate traveller, you will get your visa," the UK deputy high commissioner said.
Courtesy: TNN
