The United Kingdom government has announced amendments in the processes for visa applications by foreigners, including Kenyans, who had already applied for visas to visit its territories.
In a statement released by the UK High Commissioner in Nairobi on Monday, October 21, the changes will also impact applicants from other regions worldwide.
The UK Government announced it has awarded its visa printing commercial contract from TLScontact to VFS Global.
"The commercial partner will change in some locations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, between September 2024 and January 2025, from TLScontact to VFS Global," the statement read in part.
This means that applicants in Kenya could start their application process with TLScontact and complete it with VFS Global.
The Embassy has assured the applicants that the change is a routine consideration from a security point of view, adding that it should not be a cause for alarm.
The Embassy has also informed Kenyan applicants that they will be getting emails from both the old partner, TLScontact, and the new one, VFS Global, to guide them through the process.
"If your application is impacted, then you will receive emails from both TLScontact and VFS Global. Please read all the emails that you will be receiving from TLScontact and VFS Global. They may contain further actions for you to take to progress your application," partly reads the statement.
The Embassy has advised applicants to regularly check their email inboxes, including junk folders for any missed important messages.
Kenyans who had already made appointments for interviews were asked by the Embassy to attend as scheduled.
Applicants who wish to change their appointment dates must pay the Mandatory User Pay a second time but can claim a refund for previously paid fees through TLScontact.
"Please attend your appointment as usual. Please refer to your email confirmation for the address of your appointment. You may have to pay the mandatory user pay again if you change your appointment. If this is the case, you will need to request a refund from TLScontact," it said.
Despite these changes, the UK High Commission still insisted that the new procedures would not affect the overall period of time taken to process a visa application.
It will transition to the new Kenyan partner, VFS Global, on October 22, 2024.
.png)
0 Comments