Applying for a UK visa?
Shobha Warrier | March 20, 2006 | 14:57 IST
According to Mike Connor, British deputy high commissioner in southern
India, the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai is the sixth
largest UK visa issuing post in the world. This Commission processes
visa applications from all the four south Indian states
Visa applications from south India rose by almost 15% in 2005 across
all categories -- business, tourism, students and visits to family.
The British High Commission has come out with new ways to help
applicants in south India get their UK visas.
Where to apply
You can apply at the four Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) offices in
south India. These VFS offices are�located at Chennai, Bangalore,
Hyderabad and Cochin. Visa applications from all the centres will then
be couriered to Chennai, the visa issuing post in south India.
The visa fee
The visa fee is category-specific. For instance, a six month visit
visa costs Rs 4,000, but the VFS processing fee is fixed at Rs 445.
The British High Commission specifically says that if you are in
doubt, take advice from VFS or by logging onto www.ukindia.com.
When should you apply?
Though the process of issuing straightforward visas usually takes only
48 hours, the High Commission recommends�you apply at least two weeks
in advance of travel. March to June are the busiest months of the year
for the Commission.
Changes in the immigration rules
The UK has, with effect from February 2006, made a change to
immigration rules for children under 18 years of age who wishes to
travel to the UK.
What is the change?
From now on, all people under the age of 18 must show
~ They have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care in
the UK and their home country.
~ Their parent or guardian consents to their travelling.
~ They have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements
concerning their travel to the UK.
~ They must travel in the company of the adult identified on the visa.
Two parents can be named on the child's visa by using their passport
numbers.
But the High Commission insists the application process has not
changed. The only change is that there is a new visa application form
(still called VAFI).
The visa will only be valid for the holder if s/he is travelling
within the dates specified on the visa, and with the adult(s) on the
visa.
Points-based system
The British government, as a part of their five-year strategy for
asylum and immigration, has introduced a new points-based system to
enable the UK to control migration more effectively, tackle abuse and
identify the most talented workers.
Under this, there are five tiers:
Tier 1: Highly skilled persons like scientists, entrepreneurs, etc.
Tier 2: Skilled workers with a job offer like nurses, teachers, engineers, etc.
Tier 3: Low skilled workers filling specific temporary labour
shortages like construction workers, etc.
Tier 4: Students.
Tier 5: Youth mobility and temporary workers like working holiday
makers (those who go there to see the place and then do temporary work
as well) or musicians going to play a concert.
The system aims to ensure that only those migrants who benefit the UK
can go to work and study, like highly skilled surgeons or scientists
or those who are going to fill gaps in the labour market that cannot
be met from the domestic workforce, such as teachers and nurses.
~ Check your visa status on your cell phone
URL for this article:
http://www.rediff.com///getahead/2006/mar/20visa.htm
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TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM;
DEV BOREM KORUM.
Gabe Menezes.
London, England
