New premium visa services for top business travellers
The UK government today announced further improvements to the visa system to attract the brightest and best to work, do business and invest in the UK.
Our visa application centres will be able to provide business travellers with more premium services than ever before.
Over the next 12 months additional improvements in India will include:
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A passport passback pilot in Southern India. The service will allow visa Indian applicants to keep their passport while their visa is being processed. This means they can travel or apply for another visa if they need to, reducing the time it takes to get two visas.
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An introduction of a mobile visa clinic in India, allowing high-value applicants and companies to apply for visas at their own offices rather than visiting a visa application centre.
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The launch of the GREAT Club, an invitation only service providing top business executives with bespoke support from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The Club will start in the New Year as a 12-month pilot aimed at business leaders who use the visa service and have strong links to the UK.
The details of these will be announced in due course.
British Home Minister Theresa May said:
I created UK Visas and Immigration in March to provide a focus on delivering excellent customer service. These changes will allow us to maintain a world class, competitive visa system that can innovate in order to serve the ever-changing needs of business and ensure Britain succeeds in the global race.
We will continue to listen and respond to the needs of high-value and high-priority businesses so that we can provide them with a service that supports economic growth, while at the same time maintains the security of our borders.
Further Information:
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While members of the Club will still be subject to the same visa checks as any other applicant it aims to provide Club members with exceptional service from when they first apply for their visas to arrival in the UK. They will be provided with an account manager to ensure their journey through the visa and immigration service is swift and smooth. The account manager will also be able to arrange visa services tailored to each individual’s needs at no extra cost during the pilot.
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These New additions follow the successful introduction of the Same Day Visa Service in India.
Marcus Winsley, Director,
Press and Communications
British High Commission,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
Tel: 44192100; Fax: 24192411
Mail to: Michelle.Francis@fco.gov.uk
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