Service update on UK visa
application centres overseas

9 July 2021

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdown measures being implemented by governments worldwide, some UK Visa Application Centres overseas are currently closed or running at a limited capacity.

Those planning on submitting an application for a UK visa from overseas should check the current availability at their local centre before travelling. With this in mind, Smith Stone Walters immigration advisors in Hong Kong and Mumbai would like to make applicants aware of the following service updates for UK Visa Application Centres in the Asia Pacific region and India.

Visa application centres in Asia Pacific

Due to local lockdown restrictions, some UK Visa Application Centres in parts of South East Asia are temporarily closed.

Customers seeking to file an application at centres in Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia should be aware of the following service disruptions:

  • Indonesia – Centres in Bali, Surabaya and Jakarta are closed from 2 July until 20 July.
  • Vietnam – The centre in Ho Chi Minh City is closed for two weeks from 9 July. However, centres in Hanoi and Da Nang City remain open.
  • Malaysia – Malaysia’s one and only VFS centre in Kuala Lumpur is closed, but is set to re-open on 12 July with limited capacity.

Elsewhere in the APAC region, UK Visa Application Centres remain open in the following countries:

  • China (all 15 centres)
  • Japan (Tokyo and Osaka)
  • South Korea
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong (North Point)
  • Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney)
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand (Bangkok (Trendy) & Chiang Mai)
  • New Zealand (Premium Application Centres in Auckland, Auckland-Standard, Christchurch and Wellington)
  • Cambodia
  • The Philippines (Manila & Cebu)
  • Burma
  • Laos

Priority services for settlement and non-settlement applications are available in all the above listed locations, except for Indonesia, Burma and Laos.

Visa application centres in India

UKVI continues to accept all applications at Visa Application Centres in India, however issuing visit and transit visas are currently on hold due to the travel ban and therefore only non-visit visa cases are being processed at present.

Visa Application Centres in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai South, New Delhi and Pune are open. The centre in Cochin is open but operating at a limited capacity, only accepting applicants who could not attend appointments during the most recent closure. Such applicants will be contacted by the centre staff to advise when they can attend an appointment.

Walk-in service at all centres is currently unavailable. However, there are Priority and Super Priority services on offer at some centres for all visa categories except visitor visas. Priority services must be purchased at the Visa Application Centre.

Priority service is currently available at the following locations:

  • Ahmedabad
  • Bengaluru
  • Chandigarh
  • Chennai
  • Hyderabad
  • Jalandhar
  • Kolkata
  • Mumbai (South)
  • New Delhi
  • Pune

Super Priority service is available at:

  • Ahmedabad
  • Bengaluru
  • Chandigarh
  • Chennai
  • Hyderabad
  • Kolkata
  • Mumbai (South)
  • New Delhi
  • Pune

Where to find more information

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication. However, opening times and service availability is subject to change at short notice. Visa Application Centres in India and Asia Pacific are run by VFS Global, a commercial partner engaged by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to provide UK visa services abroad.

Smith Stone Walters advises all applicants to check the VFS Global website for the most up to date information and opening hours for your chosen centre. Alternatively, our immigration advisors based in Hong Kong, Mumbai, New York and London are on hand to provide advice and support.

To speak to a member of the team, please contact us today.

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