World news story

New online visa application service launched in Sri Lanka

As part of a global rollout, a new visa application form, Access UK, has launched in Sri Lanka for customers applying for a UK visit visa.

A shorter form, with questions logically ordered based on customer feedback

A shorter form, with questions logically ordered based on customer feedback

The new service will make it quicker and easier for customers to apply for their UK visa. Benefits include:

  • a shorter form, with questions logically ordered based on customer feedback
  • more local languages, although customers will need to provide their answers in English
  • the application fee is displayed in the correct local currency
  • customers can apply, book their Visa Application Centre (VAC) appointment to give biometrics, and pay for the relevant service standard seamlessly
  • the service is available on mobile devices
  • the form can pre-populate a Schengen Visa application form which customers can then download and print.This makes it much easier for customers applying for both visas at the same time.

Following the successful launch of Access UK in China in June 2014, UKVI is rolling it out globally to customers applying for a Standard Visitor Visa, Visitor (Marriage & Civil Partnership), or Visitor (Permitted Paid Engagement) Visa.

To make it more straightforward for customers, Access UK will soon be rolled out in Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Bengali, with a roll-out of more languages planned.

Access UK is available on the [Apply for a UK Visa]9https://webmail.digital.fco.gov.uk/owa/www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa) website. However the Visa4UK website will continue to be available for visitors and for applicants applying visas on other routes.

Published 27 July 2016