The UK government last week launched a new Super Priority Visa service which will allow some Indian visa applicants the chance to apply for and receive their visas in a single day.
The new same day service is open to applicants who:
– Are applying for a six-month or two-year multiple entry visitor visa (excluding student visit visas) and who have travelled without difficulty in the last five years to one of the following countries: UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or a Schengen country;
Or
– Are employees of companies that are members of the Business Express Programme (managed by UK Trade and Investment in India) and are travelling as an official business visitor.
UK Investments
The service is the first of its kind announced by the British Home Office and is available at selected British high commissions in India. The visa costs an additional £600 to the regular cost of a visa.
“This government is committed to encouraging international business to invest in Britain, said Mark Harper, the UK’s Immigration Minister. “India and Britain have a long history of trade and we run our largest visa operation in the world there. We are delighted to be able to launch our first same day visa service in Delhi and Mumbai, and make our world class visa service even better.”
The Home Office has also announced that the same-day visa service will soon be offered at the Chennai office as well, while there are plans in place to launch a similar 24-hour service in China, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.