Britain makes online payment mandatory for UK visa applications in India
Updated: Dec 06, 2013 12:55:10pm
New Delhi, Dec 6 (KNN) All UK visa applicants in India who are making a new application will have to pay their visa fees online via Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or via e-wallet (PayPal or Skrill) from December-16, 2013.
The British High Commission in India issued a notice to this effect here yesterday.
“Customers in India already apply for their visa on-line by visiting http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx, however, from 16 December 2013, customers will have to pay for their visa online, using Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or via e-wallet (Skrill), as part of the online application process. Other methods of payment, including payment at the visa application centre, will be discontinued effective from 16 December 2013 for those making applications on or after this date,” it said.
The Visa Application Centres will not be accepting the visa fees either in cash or demand draft.
Commenting on the notice, UK Visas and Immigration Regional Director for Central Asia, South Asia and Turkey Thomas Greig said, “The move to online applications and payments India will deliver a streamlined application process and is consistent with a wider global trend to online transactions and payments. This is part of our on-going commitment to offer the best service to our Indian customers.
“It is also part of the Home Office’s programme of modernisation. It meets the requirements of the UK Government’s Digital by Default initiative and will help cut costs in the management of the visas operation, which in turn helps to keep visa fees down,” he said.
It will also be a safer and more flexible system for both customers and staff as it reduces the risk associated with cash payment, Greig said.
Further, if the applicant needs to create an e-wallet account, they need to do this a few days before they apply to ensure that the funds will be available to use.
Significantly, payment online will need to be made in Indian rupees. When the applicants have paid their fee online via Visa4UK, they will receive a payment confirmation email from WorldPay. They should print off this confirmation email and take it with them to the visa application centre when they submit the rest of their visa application.
With regard to applicants intending to travel on work, study or settlement visas, they can ask their UK sponsor to make the online payment. Those applying for visit visas can also ask their travel agent to pay for their visa application as part of a package when booking flights and/or accommodation.
Applicants who have applied and made online payment for their visa will still have to attend the visa application centre to submit their documents and provide their biometric data, including fingerprints and digital photograph. (KNN/ES)
The British High Commission in India issued a notice to this effect here yesterday.
“Customers in India already apply for their visa on-line by visiting http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx, however, from 16 December 2013, customers will have to pay for their visa online, using Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or via e-wallet (Skrill), as part of the online application process. Other methods of payment, including payment at the visa application centre, will be discontinued effective from 16 December 2013 for those making applications on or after this date,” it said.
The Visa Application Centres will not be accepting the visa fees either in cash or demand draft.
Commenting on the notice, UK Visas and Immigration Regional Director for Central Asia, South Asia and Turkey Thomas Greig said, “The move to online applications and payments India will deliver a streamlined application process and is consistent with a wider global trend to online transactions and payments. This is part of our on-going commitment to offer the best service to our Indian customers.
“It is also part of the Home Office’s programme of modernisation. It meets the requirements of the UK Government’s Digital by Default initiative and will help cut costs in the management of the visas operation, which in turn helps to keep visa fees down,” he said.
It will also be a safer and more flexible system for both customers and staff as it reduces the risk associated with cash payment, Greig said.
Further, if the applicant needs to create an e-wallet account, they need to do this a few days before they apply to ensure that the funds will be available to use.
Significantly, payment online will need to be made in Indian rupees. When the applicants have paid their fee online via Visa4UK, they will receive a payment confirmation email from WorldPay. They should print off this confirmation email and take it with them to the visa application centre when they submit the rest of their visa application.
With regard to applicants intending to travel on work, study or settlement visas, they can ask their UK sponsor to make the online payment. Those applying for visit visas can also ask their travel agent to pay for their visa application as part of a package when booking flights and/or accommodation.
Applicants who have applied and made online payment for their visa will still have to attend the visa application centre to submit their documents and provide their biometric data, including fingerprints and digital photograph. (KNN/ES)
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