VFS Global is all set to restart operations at some Visa Application Centres (VACs) in limited cities, with the approval of respective Embassies/Consulates in India, and with strict health and safety guidelines in place.
After specific Embassies/Consulates, as well as local authorities, have given their approval, VFS Global’s centers will accept visa applications for select countries and visa categories in specific cities.
Customers will have to mandatorily schedule an appointment online, through the website www.vfsglobal.com, prior to visiting the Visa Application Centre, The list of countries that will resume acceptance of applications are as below:
| Country | Visa Categories | Cities | Restart Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | All visa categories/ passport collection | 11 cities: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin & Hyderabad, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kolkata | 6 July 2020 |
| Ireland | Student and long-stay categories | 10 cities (same as above for UK) | 6 July 2020 |
| Italy | Re-Entry Visa Only | New Delhi | 3 July 2020 |
| Belarus | All visa categories | New Delhi | 1 July 2020 |
| Denmark | Residence permit, Employment, Dependents, Approval cases | New Delhi | 29 June 2020 |
| Norway | Residence permit | New Delhi | 29 June 2020 |
| Portugal | E6 for holders of expired Portuguese residence card, D6 for holders of expired Family Reunification D6 visas | New Delhi | 29 June 2020 |
| South Korea | Long term applications only | New Delhi | 29 June 2020 |
| Dominican Republic | Work/Resident/Business visa | New Delhi | 29 June 2020 |
| UAE (DVPC – eVisas for Emirates passengers, only for travel from July 7) | All visa categories | Online | 25 June 2020 |
| Turkey | All visa categories | New Delhi | 22 June 2020 |
VFS Global has established standardized protective measures to be followed across centers, including specific physical distancing and sanitation mandates.
All customers may be required to undergo body temperature checks at the entrance of the center. Customers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, including high fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing will not be permitted to enter the center.
They will be requested to reschedule their appointment and return once their health improves. Additionally, all customers and VFS Global employees are required to wear a facemask and observe physical distancing within the center.
Additional information on UK Visa
UK visa services to resume in limited locations in South Asia, including 11 cities in India
- Travellers from 11 cities in India, can submit their visa applications at the UK Visa Application Centres from July 6, 2020
- From July 6, 2020, UK visa services to also resume in Sri Lanka (Colombo).
- Optional Priority Visa, Super Priority Visa, and Walk-in services will not be offered initially
From July 6 2020, UK Visas and Immigration is beginning a phased resumption of services at select VACs in 10 cities in India, namely: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru (Global Tech Park only), Chandigarh, Chennai (subject to local lockdown regulations), Jalandhar, Kochi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai (Mahalaxmi only), New Delhi (Shivaji Metro Stadium only), and Pune.
Centres that will remain closed
All other Visa Application Centres in South Asia remain closed until further notice. VFS Global will contact customers who had previously booked appointments at these centers to arrange for them to complete their application at a different location.
Centres in the following cities in India remain closed: Lucknow, Goa, Jaipur, Bandra-Kurla Complex Centre in Mumbai, Gurgaon in Delhi, Electronic City and Whitefield centres in Bengaluru. Customers in these locations can book new appointments at the nearest available locations.
Passport collection: If a decision has been made on a visa application, VFS Global staff will contact customers to arrange for the delivery of the passport.
Existing customers: Customers who were unable to attend an earlier appointment will be able to log into their account to book a fresh appointment. Customers who completed their application on GOV.UK, but did not previously book an appointment at a Centre, can also do so for 06 July 2020 onwards.
Optional services: Some optional, premium services will currently not be offered, including Super Priority Visa, Priority Visa (for visit visas), Priority Visa for settlement visas, FlexiTime Service, and Walk-in Service. The available premium services will be listed on the website for customers during their online customer journey, before visiting the Centre.
Health Measures At The UK Border
There are new rules in place for entering the UK because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
For customers whose 30-day visa to work, study or join family has expired
Customers whose 30-day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired or is about to expire, can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year.
Overseas British Passport Applications
For British nationals who wish to renew or apply for a British passport from India, please visit https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports for details on how to do this.
(Source: TravelBizMonitor)
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