The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department has issued an advisory warning Indian applicants about potential visa scams. Alongside this advisory, the UK has announced service enhancements for Indian nationals, including improved visa centers, faster processing, and a fully digital system projected for 2025.
UKVI urged Indian applicants to remain cautious, as scammers often impersonate officials, claim they can expedite visa processing, or request payments through unofficial channels. The advisory clarified that UKVI will never contact applicants via social media, request payments by email or personal accounts, or guarantee visas in exchange for third-party payments. All payments should be processed only through GOV.UK or its official partners.
Indian nationals remain the largest recipients of UK visas in the Visit, Study, and Work categories as of June 2024.
To streamline the application process, HE Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, inaugurated a new UK visa application facility in Delhi. Cameron emphasized the significance of UK-India ties, citing the millions of personal and professional connections between the two countries. She highlighted the upgrades as a commitment to enhancing services for Indian nationals.
Enhanced Processes and Faster Appointments
The upgraded VFS Global UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India now feature a streamlined two-step process, starting with biometric data collection followed by document scanning for non-digital applicants. This aims to cut down wait times and boost efficiency.
Applicants may also access services at any of the 13 Premium Application Centres across India, located in cities like Amritsar, Noida, and Vizag, which offer added amenities for a smoother application experience.
Matt Heath, Deputy Director at UKVI, noted that VFS Global processed nearly a million applications from Indian nationals over the past year. Standard applications are typically processed within 15 days, while priority and super-priority services offer processing times of five days and one day, respectively.
By 2025, the UK Government plans to implement a 'digital by default' immigration system, introducing eVisas for enhanced convenience and security.
