KOCHI:
VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, is re-opening some Visa Application Centres in limited cities, with the approval of respective Embassies/Consulates in India, and with strict health and safety guidelines in place.
After specific Embassies/Consulates, as well as local authorities have given their approval, VFS Global’s centres will accept visa applications for select countries and visa categories in specific cities. Customers will have to mandatorily schedule an appointment online, through the website www.vfsglobal.com, prior to visiting the Visa Application Centre.
In order to ensure a safe, productive work environment for employees, while still protecting communities to the maximum extent possible from the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, VFS Global has established standardised protective measures to be followed across centres, including specific physical distancing and sanitation mandates.
All customers may be required to undergo body temperature checks at the entrance of the centre. Customers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, including high fever, cough and difficulty in breathing will not be permitted to enter the centre. They will be requested to reschedule their appointment and return once their health improves. Additionally, all customers and VFS Global employees are required to wear a facemask and observe physical distancing within the centre.
Additional information on UK visa:
UK visa services to resume in limited locations in South Asia, including 11 cities in India
Travellers from 11 cities in India, can submit their visa applications at the UK Visa Application Centres from 06 July 2020
From 06 July 2020, UK visa services to also resume in Sri Lanka (Colombo).
Optional Priority Visa, Super Priority Visa, and Walk-in services will not be offered initially
From 06 July 2020, UK Visas and Immigration is beginning a phased resumption of services at select Visa Application Centres in 10 cities in India, namely: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru (Global Tech Park only), Chandigarh, Chennai (subject to local lockdown regulations), Jalandhar, Kochi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai (Mahalaxmi only), New Delhi (Shivaji Metro Stadium only), and Pune.
From 06 July 2020, UK Visa Application Centres will also be operational in Sri Lanka (Colombo). Centres that will remain closed:
All other Visa Application Centres in South Asia remain closed until further notice. VFS Global will contact customers who had previously booked appointments at these centres to arrange for them to complete their application at a different location.
Centres in the following cities in India remain closed: Lucknow, Goa, Jaipur, Bandra-Kurla Complex Centre in Mumbai, Guragaon in Delhi, Electronic City and Whitefield centres in Bengaluru. Customers in these locations can book new appointments at the nearest available locations.
Passport collection: If a decision has been made on a visa application, VFS Global staff will contact customers to arrange for the delivery of the passport.
Existing customers: Customers who were unable to attend an earlier appointment will be able to log into their account to book a fresh appointment. Customers who completed their application on GOV.UK, but did not previously book an appointment at a Centre, can also do so for 06 July 2020 onwards.
Optional services: Some optional, premium services will currently not be offered, including: Super Priority Visa, Priority Visa (for visit visas), Priority Visa for settlement visas, Flexi Time Service, and Walk-in Service. The available premium services will be listed on the website for customers during their online customer journey, before visiting the Centre.
Health measures at the UK border
There are new rules in place for entering the UK because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. We request you to please check the latest information before you travel at https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control.
For customers whose 30-day visa to work, study or join family has expired:
Customers whose 30-day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents#outside-uk for details.
Overseas British Passport Applications
For British nationals who wish to renew or apply for a British passport from India, please visit https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports for details on how to do this.
