Changes to UK visa
processing in the US

13 September 2018

From today, all applications for UK entry clearance visas made within the United States of America will now need to be posted to the VFS services hub in New York city. VFS Global is an official partner of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

The UK visa process continues to require applicants to provide biometric information at any of the Department for Homeland Security application centres.  There are currently 10 of these centres around the US (in NYC, Washington DC, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle and Miami).

Once that stage is completed, supporting documentation should be then forwarded to VFS. From there, the application will be scanned to the decision-making hub in Sheffield, England for processing.

We have been advised by UKVI that these changes will not affect how long it takes to complete the application. However, applicants seeking a swift decision in their case may wish to opt for a premium appointment. The UKVI’s Gold Service offers to conclude the visa process within 48 hrs for the additional fee of $1,800.

Smith Stone Walters: Here to help

Moving people to the UK is our business and this is exactly what our fantastic team in NYC has been doing since 2008. From their Midtown location, our US team excel in providing their clients with a friendly, comprehensive and up-to-date UK immigration service.

Click here to read about our highly experienced, multi-lingual and multi-cultural specialists placed across the globe, dedicated to delivering a professional and up-to-date UK Immigration service on a daily basis.

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