UK processes visa applications online

PAPUA New Guineans applying for a United Kingdom  visa will have to do so online from next month.
Starting on March 5, the UK border agency will make changes to its visa services in PNG.
A statement from the British high commission says streamlined online application process will be introduced and visa decision making will move to the UK border agency visa hub in Manila, Philipines.
Only applications completed online will be accepted.
The UK border agency’s regional manager for East Asia and Australasia Ed Mackie said: “These changes are part of a wider move by the UK border agency to streamline and improve the application and decision making processes for customers in Papua New Guinea and across Asia Pacific.
“The UK visa hub in Manila currently processes  applications for 10 other countries with the vast majority returned to the applicant within our 15-day customer service standard.
“We expect to be delivering the same level of service to our PNG customers.”
The high commission says applicants will have to make an online appointment to visit the visa application centre at the high commission in Port Moresby.
The applicants will submit their application and provide biometrics (fingerprints and facial image).
They will pay an additional fee of K32 for their application which will be forwarded to Manila for processing,
This fee is to meet the cost of sending the application to Manila in 12 weeks.
Further information and guidance on this and similar matters can be found on the UK border agency website.