UKBA visa application centres overseas

[Tony M]

UKBA have announced that there will be some changes to their overseas visa application centres. I wonder if they will get rid of VFS ? Maybe they will also open an application centre in Chiang Mai, or somewhere ?

Changes to our visa application centres overseas

30 January 2014

On 1 April new commercial partner contracts will come into effect. Our commercial partners run more than 300 visa application centres on our behalf overseas. We are working closely with existing and new commercial partners to ensure a smooth transition for our customers.

From February, in order to support this move, we will be making a number of changes to the visa services that we offer our customers overseas.

These changes will mean an increase in the number of places you can apply for a visa worldwide. In some locations opening hours will be reduced, while customers at lower volume visa application centres may be charged for their services.

More information about which locations will be affected will be available on the country pages of this website over the coming weeks.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Tony M

[soihok]

Had a bad experience with the VFS here in Kuala Lumpur last year, my Thai wife applying for a visa based on visiting family in UK.

Basically it was really awkward, would not accept my overseas (out of Malaysia) bank account statements and refused her photo as her "ears were not showing", both were wrong.

Luckily we only live about 1 kilometre from the VFS office in KL, so going back wasn't a problem really - just a pain in the ass as the waiting time was about 3 hours.

Anyway - don't expect to be applying for another UK visa for my wife as she doesn't want to go again (can't say I blame her, I'm not that bothered either).