Appointment mandatory for UK visa applicants

Those applying for the UK Visa at the British embassy’s Visa Application Centre in Doha should take prior appointment with effect from September 9. “This will allow applicants to arrange an appointment at their own convenience and significantly reduce the time applicants spend in the Visa Application Centre,” the British embassy said yesterday. Only those applicants with confirmed appointments will be able to submit an application from September 9. The only exception will be those applying in a genuine medical emergency and will be at the discretion of the UK Border Agency.   The British embassy in Doha processed over 25,000 visa applications for the UK in 2011. Among the applications, 15,800 were made by Qatari nationals. Qatari nationals and residents may apply for entry clearance in all categories at the visa application centre in Doha. The customer service target is to process 90% of non settlement applications within 15 working days. Throughout 2011 the embassy provided visa delivery for Qatari nationals and residents within five working days of application submission. Several new initiatives have already improved the UK visa service. These include premium lounge facilities, the submission of applications online and translated guidance in Arabic on completing visa application forms. In addition, the embassy also offers prime time appointments for those unable to attend the visa application centre during normal working hours and a priority service for those requiring urgent processing of their application. Further details and advice on completing visa application are available on the visa pages of the embassy website at: http://ukinqatar.fco.gov.uk/en/ Advice on booking appointments at the visa application centre is available at: https://www.vfs.firm.in/qt-apptsystem/appscheduling/appwelcome.aspx From gulftimes