November 2, 2022
2 mins read

India’s new visa centre opens in London

A Visa at Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, at a cost of around GBP 180 within 25 miles of a centre, has also been introduced for those travelling to India from the UK…reports Asian Lite News

 A new Indian visa centre has been opened in Marylebone, central London, for swift processing of applications, along with other initiatives like doorstep service and document verification facility.

The visa centre, which was inaugurated on Tuesday by Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, will be operated by VFS Global — the outsourcing and technology services provider for governments and diplomatic missions.

“The number of appointments we have been able to do has increased greatly… to about 40,000 per month, thanks to our partners at VFS,” Doraiswami said in a video message shared on Twitter.

He added that opening of a new visa processing facility “should be able to facilitate greater access and greater ease of applications”.

The centre is now open for up to 200 appointments a day, according to the Indian High Commission in London.

The new centre is the third Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in London, with a total of 10 IVACs across the UK in Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, central London, Hounslow, Leicester, and Manchester.

Doraiswami also announced that a new process is being introduced for those travelling as a group, typically, via a travel agency to the same destination using the same flights.

A Visa at Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, at a cost of around GBP 180 within 25 miles of a centre, has also been introduced for those travelling to India from the UK.

“For passengers looking for an easier way of getting visas, our visa service provider will be rolling out Visa At Your Doorstep services. You will be able to have your visa collected from your residence and brought to you after processing against a cost,” Doraiswami said.

“The new IVAC will increase the visa application capacity in London by providing additional appointment slots. This along with the recently opened visa centre in Glasgow will double the capacity of visas handled by VFS Global,” said Aditya Arora, COO, VFS Global.

There has been a massive surge in demand for Indian visas, with travellers from the UK reporting long waits and in some cases having to cancel trips due to in-person visa application rules.

ALSO READ-Dubai issues first multi-entry visa to FIFA WC fans

Previous Story

US SC temporarily blocks release of Trump’s tax returns

Next Story

Sunak backtracks on COP27 snub

Latest from -Top News

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural communities The United Arab Emirates and Egypt reaffirmed their strong

‘UAE leads global fight against plastic waste’

UAE accelerates its fight against plastic pollution with a bold single-use plastic ban and expanded environmental policies to safeguard natural ecosystems for future generations The United Arab Emirates continues to lead the

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, the

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the sun blazed overhead and temperatures climbed to a sweltering 41°C,

EID MUBARAK!

UAE marks Eid Al Adha with housing support, children’s gifts, pardons, and cultural celebrations, reflecting a national spirit of compassion, unity, and shared community values Across the UAE, Eid Al Adha is
Go toTop

Don't Miss

New India will give befitting reply to adversaries: Rajnath

The defence minister was at Shaheed Samman Yatra in honour

Opposition tears into BJP’s ‘corrupt’ electoral bonds

SC’s decision to strike down the scheme as unconstitutional has