More visa
application centres
become 'user pays'
1 September 2015
UK Visas and Immigration are converting a number of visa application centres (VACs) in to ‘user pays’ centres.
From 1 September 2015, applicants attending the overseas VACs outlined below will be charged a fee of £52 to make use of available services such as the submission of their UK visa applications, the collection of original documents, and their visa decision.
This amount is slightly reduced from the £59 payable by UK visa applicants using current ‘user pays’ VACs and will be payable in addition to the normal visa application fee.
These existing VACs will be converting to ‘user pays’ centres and charging the new fee of £52 from 1 September:
- Dusseldorf, Germany
- Madrid, Spain
- Rome, Italy
- Warsaw, Poland
These existing ‘user pays’ VACs will be charging applicants a reduced fee of £52 after 1 September:
- Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Jalandhar, India
- Osaka, Japan
- Jinan, China*
- Izmir, Turkey
- Rostov, Russia
- Zurich, Switzerland
*Jinan will convert to a user pays centre on 1 October.
What is a ‘user pays’ VAC?
A ‘user pays’ VAC is a visa application centre which is strategically placed so that UK visa applicants do not have to travel long distances or to another country in order to apply for a UK visa. For its services, including the submission of the applicant’s biometric information, passport and other necessary original documentation, users must pay a fixed fee in addition to their visa application fee.
User pay VACs usually have a varying range of opening times so it is always wise to check these ahead of making an appointment.
Please speak to an SSW advisor today for friendly and professional advice on the preparation and submission of your UK visa application.
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