Following the Home Office announcement on 17th May 2018, the UK Visas and Immigration is about to launch its new visa processing system for the in-country application.
Under the new arrangements, people using the service will be able to submit biometric information including photos, fingerprints, and signatures and their supporting evidence at a single appointment. The evidence will then be copied and sent to UKVI, meaning that people won’t have to hand over important documents, such as passports, whilst the applications are processed.
In addition, the new process will mean that individuals can choose to upload digital files in advance of their appointment, saving even more time. You can download the new tool guidance here.
Implementation timescale
- From 2nd November Sopra Steria will have their appointment booking tool live
- from 5th November: the new UK VCAS centres will start to open around the country;
- and all locations will be open by 29th November.
- During the period of 5th November – 29th November, the majority of customers can choose whether to enrol their biometrics and submit their documents via these new centres or use the existing processes via Premium Service Centres.
- 29th November: Premium Service Centres will close.
