Indian travellers would now receive tourist visas from the UK within a fortnight, according to a statement made by the British High Commissioner on December 16, 2022, signalling an end to the issue of delayed processing of U.K. visas for Indians.
According to High Commissioner Ellis, “Two months ago, I said that our aim was by the end of this year to be turning around visit visas from India to the U.K. within our standard time of fifteen working days. The great news is the team has now achieved that through fantastic work here in Delhi and across the whole visa network”.
If you are travelling for business, leisure, a short course of study, or to visit family or friends, you will need a UK Standard Visitor visa. The UK added that they have a large intake of student visas for the session beginning in January 2023 and that there is also a priority visa option, which now has a turnaround time of five days.
High Commissioner Ellis announced the information on his Twitter account. Additionally, he asked everyone, even students, to apply using accurate information.
The British High Commissioner stated, “We have a big intake of student visas for the student session starting in January of next year. Please apply as quickly as you can as there is a lot of demand”.
1,20,987 Indian students had travelled to the UK for academic purposes as of this October, according to Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan‘s response to a question in the Lok Sabha.
While 36,612 Indian students travelled to the UK in 2019, 44,901 travelled there in 2020, and 77,855 did so in 2021, according to data filed with the Bureau of Immigration, he added.
The official claimed that the streamlined visa application procedure will make it “much greater ease” for Indian nationals to visit the United Kingdom.
Alex Ellis stated, “This is good news for the living bridge alongside the welcome return of E-visas for Brits coming to India. You can, of course, use the priority visa channel if you still want. We are turning that one around within five days”.
The British High Commissioner to India issued a warning last week about visa scammers operating online who are tricking Indian individuals applying for UK visas by impersonating their identity.
He had urged Indians to exercise caution and warned them against disclosing their account or credit card information to scammers.
Ellis, the British High Commissioner, stated in a tweet, “I am seeing an increase in visa scams, using my name. Be suspicious: If it sounds too good to be true – such as an easy job in the UK, or a way to get a UK visa quickly and easily. If you are guaranteed a visa to the UK using documents the scammer provides.”
Ellis in another tweet said, “Be suspicious: If you are asked for money via email or phone. Do not share your bank account or credit card details. We’ll never ask you to make payments to personal accounts”.
India is prepared to reinstate the e-visa facility for British citizens travelling to India, according to an announcement made earlier this month by Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.
In a video tweeted by the High Commission of India in London, Vikram K Doraiswami the High Commissioner to the UK said, “We are rolling out e-visas once again and this service will be made available to you forthwith. (Dates will be announced shortly).”
“Team @HCI_London is delighted to confirm that the e-Visa facility will again be available for UK nationals travelling to India. System upgrade is underway & the visa website will soon be ready to receive applications from friends in the UK,” In a video tweeted by The High Commission of India in London tweeted.
