November 20, 2015 TnH Global 0

New and Improved UK Visa Application Centre Opens in Connaught Place, Delhi

The British High Commissioner for India, Sir James Bevan KCMG, formally inaugurated the UK & Ireland’s new Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Connaught Place, Delhi today.

The new VAC brings a number of benefits to customers in the capital. As well as a more central location, the new VAC is situated in the same premises as the Schengen VAC, allowing customers planning a European holiday or business trip the convenience of applying for both visas at the same time. Customers can simply apply for their UK visa, purchase the passport pass back service in order to keep their passport while their UK application is processed, and then go across the hall to the Schengen VAC to apply for their Schengen visa.

Sir James Bevan KCMG said, “Following Prime Minister Modi’s successful visit to the UK last week, we hope that more Indian visitors will be inspired to choose the UK for their next holiday. Not only do Indian visitors benefit our economy (last year they spent £444m in the UK) they take back to India good memories of the UK, which benefits the wider relationship between our two countries.

“We are committed to improving the visa service we offer to Indian customers to make it as straightforward as possible to apply for a visa and the opening of this new Visa Application Centre is another example of the improvements we are making.”

Gerry Kelly, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Ireland said, “I’m very pleased to welcome the opening of the new Visa Application Centre which will provide an improved experience for Indian citizens travelling to Ireland. We have seen a large increase in the number of Indians travelling to Ireland in recent years and I’m sure this new facility will help the Embassy in providing a high quality service to our visa applicants.

“The introduction of the British Irish Visa Scheme has made it more convenient and better value for Indian visitors to travel to both Ireland and Britain as they now require only one visa in order to visit both countries.”

Other recent improvements to the visa service in India include the introduction of new services at selected VACs across India, provided by UKVI’s commercial partner, VFS Global. Many of these services were initially suggested by travel agents and customers.