The United Kingdom (UK) Government is making major changes to its visa application services, which will affect applicants worldwide.
Starting in October 2024, the UK Home Office will transition to a new commercial partner responsible for processing visa applications.
These changes will affect applicants in the UK and in over 140 countries and are expected to be completed by early 2025.
UK visa applicants should benefit from faster and more secure processes once the transition is complete.
However, the Home Office assures that processing times and visa decisions will not be affected.
Here’s everything you need to know about which travelers are affected and how these changes will affect them.
Change in service providers of UK visa applications
The Home Office previously announced that visa application services provider VFS Global will take over from TLScontact in 2024.
VFS Global has handled UK visa services for over 20 years and will expand its services to cover 142 countries as part of the new contract.
The transition will affect UK visa applicants in some locations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
The transition will begin in October 2024 and run through February 2025.
Since 3 October 2024, VFS Global has been managing the visa application center in Belgium.
Starting on 22 October 2024, VFS Global will also take over centers in several African countries, including:
- Algeria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- Tunisia
Then, from 5 November 2024, VFS Global will begin operations in additional locations, including:
- Cyprus (North)
- France
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Occupied Palestinian Territories
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
As the transition progresses, more countries will soon be added to the list.
Within the UK, the change involves replacing Sopra Steria with TLScontact for in-country applications starting in mid-October 2024.
What to expect from new visa service provider
Visa applicants in affected regions should be aware of the following critical updates:
Transition of service providers
This shift will apply to both new applications and those already in the system.
Those whose applications are affected will receive emails from TLScontact and VFS Global.
Applications already in process during the transition will be securely transferred to VFS Global.
Those who have already booked an appointment with TLScontact should attend the appointment as usual.
More application centres
VFS Global will open 240 new Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (VCAS) in the regions it covers for easier access to services.
These centers will introduce advanced technologies for a more efficient experience, including improved online tracking tools.
Improved security
The introduction of new technology will strengthen and improve the security of visa processing.
This will be particularly useful for identity checks, ensuring that the system’s integrity is maintained.
Additional services in some regions
In some regions, VFS Global offers additional service points at partner hotels and resorts.
However, this is currently limited to countries like India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (US).
How to navigate the visa service provider transition
To avoid delays during the transition between UK visa application service providers, applicants should take the following steps:
Check your email regularly.
Be on the lookout for important notifications from both TLScontact and VFS Global.
These emails will guide applicants on how to continue their application, particularly if it straddles the transition period.
The new visa application services may require applicants to take action to continue their application.
Check both inbox and spam folders and confirm that emails are from the official “@tlscontact.com” or “@vfsglobal.com” domains.
Book visa appointments early
If possible, schedule visa appointments before the transition begins in your region. This will reduce the chances of encountering delays.
Track your application
After the transition, you must track your visa application through VFS Global’s system, as TLScontact’s tools will no longer be available.
Watch for new fees
Making changes to your UK visa application after the transition might incur additional fees, including the Mandatory User Pay (MUP) fee.
Keep informed of any extra costs that may apply.
Smoother UK visa application process
The changes to UK visa application services aim to improve the experience for applicants worldwide.
This includes more accessible service centers and advanced technology.
While the transition may cause temporary disruptions, the long-term goal offers faster, more secure, and user-friendly visa processing.
Visa applicants are advised to stay informed and follow the instructions from both service providers.
This can help navigate the transition smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays.