BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION VICTORIA ANNOUNCES INTRODUCTION OF NEW VISA APPLICATION FORMS

With effect from 28 October 2007, all visa applicants applying for a visa/entry clearance to the United Kingdom should apply using the new application forms. These forms will be available from the British High Commission and the UKvisas’ website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Mark Sedwill the Director of UKvisas said “We at UKvisas want to encourage tourists, students and key workers to apply for visas to go to the UK. We have redesigned our visa application forms to make them as straight forward and as simple as possible. This will help us to maintain and enhance our position as the destination of choice for our high value legitimate travellers in what is an increasingly competitive global market. “

BACKGROUND

UKvisas have updated the visa application forms to make them easier to understand and fill in. The forms are written in plain English to make them as simple as possible for applicants to complete. The forms must be completed in English but there are step by step instructions, directing you to the next question and explaining how to complete each section. There are also comprehensive guidance notes with each form. These explain how to fill in the questions and what documents you need to submit with your application. This means that we are less likely to ask applicants for more information or call them in for an interview.

The new forms will help UKvisas to identify high-risk applicants, which means we can also more confidently identify and welcome our low-risk, high-value customers – who play a vital role in boosting Britain’s economy.

There is a dedicated application form for each type of traveller. In total there are eight standard application forms and three forms for Diplomats:

VAF1 – Visitor DIP1 – Diplomatic Posting

VAF2 – Employment

DIPDEP1 – Diplomatic Posting Dependant

VAF3 – Student DIP2 – Official visit/Transit

VAF4 – Settlement

VAF5 – EEA Family Permit

VAF6 – Direct Airside Transit

VAF7 – Right of Abode

VAF8 – UK Overseas Territories

Visa Application Centres will continue to accept the old forms until 9 November 2007. After this date applicants must complete a new application form, as old forms will not be accepted.