A new India visa application center in the UK; A host of visa services offered

Highlights: A new Indian visa center has been set up in central London

• A new IVAC (India Visa Application Center) has been erected in Central London, in Marylebone.
• The new India visa application center in the UK will be run by VFS Global and will be the third IVAC in London.
• The aim of setting up the new IVAC is to increase the capacity for visa application processing and delivering other services.
• This is the latest in the string of measures taken by the UK to provide better visa services to applicants.

A new India Visa Application Center in the UK (IVAC) has been opened in Central London. This new IVAC erected in Marylebone is the third IVAC in London.

The new IVAC will bring with it many advantages with regard to the processing of visa applications for those intending to travel to India from the UK. With the new IVAC, the capacity to process India visa applications will be increased. Along with this, special services for applicants like assistance in filling visa application forms and doorstep delivery of visas will be provided.

The new IVAC in Marylebone was inaugurated by Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK. This center will be run by VFS Global, which provides outsourcing and technology services and operates for governments as well as diplomatic missions.

What are the services provided?

There will be a streamlined process for group tourism or people traveling as a group through a travel agency where the destination and flights taken are the same.

Those who are traveling to India from the UK as tourists will get an option of a VAYD (Visa at Your Doorstep). This service will cost GBP180. Under this service, the applicants will get their documents and papers collected at their homes. The papers will be delivered to them at their address after processing.

Another service on offer is getting the applicants’ documents checked online. This service will be provided for a small cost. Besides these, VFS Global will also provide a form-filling service.

Also read: Rishi Sunak becomes first Indian Origin Prime Minister of the UK

Where are the other IVACs situated in the UK?

There are 10 IVACs VFS Global is operating across the UK. These are situated in:

• Belfast
• Cardiff
• Central London
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Hounslow
• Bradford
• Glasgow
• Leicester

"The new VAC will increase the visa application capacity in London by providing additional appointment slots. This along with the recently opened visa center in Glasgow will double the capacity of visas handled by VFS Global,"

Aditya Arora, COO of VFS Global

Since March 2022, partnerships have been formed by VFS Global with the High Commission of India situated in London along with the Consulates it has in the UK. The aim was to start weekend consular camps across the UK.

Also read: Indian degrees (BA, MA) to get equal weightage in the UK

The bottom line

The efforts made in advancing the collaboration between the UK and India to facilitate international travel is a great sign of improving relations between the two nations. This could translate well into easier pathways even for Indians to move to the UK and better opportunities to utilize career opportunities arising in the UK. The true potential of these recent steps will be revealed in time.

If you are willing to visit the UK, talk to Y-Axis, the leading immigration and career consultant in the world.

Also Read: Portugal Job Seeker Visa is open for Indians from Nov’ 2022. Apply now!

Web Story: India establishes new visa center in London to facilitate the high travel demand to the UK