Service update on UK
VACs in India

27 August 2021

As the impacts of the pandemic continue, many UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) overseas are still running at a reduced service capacity, or subject to temporary closures. Customers seeking to file an application for a UK visa should be aware of any service disruptions currently affecting their local VAC before attending.

With this in mind, the team at Smith Stone Walters’ Mumbai office would like to share the following key service updates regarding VACs in India and surrounding countries.

India

  • India is currently on the UK government’s Amber List
  • VACs in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai South, New Delhi and Pune are open.
  • The remaining VACs and Enrolment locations in India will not be open for some time.
  • Priority and Super Priority services will be available at some UK VACs for all visa categories:
    • Priority services are available at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai (South), New Delhi, Pune.
    • Super Priority Visa Services available at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai (South), New Delhi, Pune.
  • All new customers visiting the Cochin VAC will be required to purchase a courier return service, either while booking your appointment online, or at the VAC when you attend to give your biometric information.
  • Visit visas for the UK from India are now being processed, along with all categories of visa in green and amber locations, subject to individuals meeting the relevant immigration rules and complying with prevailing domestic restrictions.
  • Walk-in services in India still remain suspended until further notice.

UAE

  • UAE is currently on the UK government’s Amber List.
  • VACs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are open.
  • VAC in Sharjah will not be open for some time.
  • Super Priority, Priority and Priority Visa for Settlement services and walk-in services are currently not available.
  • Visit visas for the UK from UAE are now being processed, along with all categories of visa in green and amber locations, subject to individuals meeting the relevant immigration rules and complying with prevailing domestic restrictions

Nepal

  • Nepal is currently on the UK Government’s Red List, however the VAC in Kathmandu, Nepal is open.
  • UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) continue to pause issuing visit visas to individuals in Red List countries. If you apply for a visit visain Nepal and you meet the UK Immigration Rules, your application will be paused.
  • Priority Visa Service, Priority Visa for Settlement Service and walk-in services are suspended.

Bahrain

  • Bahrain is moving to the UK Government’s Amber List and the VAC in Bahrain is open.
  • Visit visas for the UK from Bahrain are now being processed, along with all categories of visa in green and amber locations, subject to individuals meeting the relevant immigration rules and complying with prevailing domestic restrictions.
  • Due to restrictions still in place globally, VFS Global is not currently able to offer Super Priority Visa, Priority Visa Service, Priority Visa for Settlement Service and Walk-in services.

Iran

  • Iran is currently on the UK Government’s Amber List
  • VAC in Tehran is open.
  • Currently, additional services are not offered in Iran.

Pakistan

  • Pakistan is currently on the UK government’s Red List.  However, VACs in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Mirpur remain open.
  • UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) continue to pause issuing visit visas to individuals in red list countries. If you apply for a visit visa in Pakistan and you meet the UK Immigration Rules, your application will be paused.
  • Please be aware that there is currently a high demand for visa appointments in Pakistan. For this reason, booking an appointment will be difficult and customers are advised to keep checking the VFS website for appointment slots to be released.
  • Premium services are currently unavailable at all centres in Pakistan.

Keep up to date

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 the above list of countries 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 Mumbai, Hong Kong, New York and London are on hand to provide advice and support on filing a UK visa application in your region.

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

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