There have been a lot of changes to UK immigration recently. In just the last few months alone we have seen the BRP and eVisa update as well as increases to the salary threshold for those applying for a UK visa.
But in this blog I’m going to cover changes that are just coming in regarding the actual application centres where your UK visa is processed. So, if you are looking to apply for a UK visa, or have already applied for one, it’s important you stay up to date on these changes.
Essentially the process works like this. The UK Visas and Immigration service (UKVI) outsources visa processing to a supplier (or company). In some parts of the world, the company that will process UK visas is changing, which is why it’s important to stay alert – and I’ll discuss in this blog what you need to look out for.
The changes will take place between September 2024 and January 2025, although this won’t affect everyone. With that in mind, it’s worth keeping an eye on this UK government webpage as they will post updates.
So here is what we know so far:
Changes to UK visa application centres – what it means if you are outside the UK
The company that until recently was in charge of processing visas for many parts of the world (including parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia) was called TLScontact. Starting in September 2024 and continuing until January 2025 these duties will be moving under a new company, VFS Global, which will take over application processing duties in specific areas.
This is not a worldwide change, but if you are living in an affected region, you should look out for an email notification from both TLScontact and VFS Global.
I really want to stress that it’s important to carefully read these emails as they will include important information about your application process. So, I would suggest you check both your junk or spam folders regularly. It’s also important to confirm that the emails you’re receiving are authentic, so double check that they come from email addresses that end:
- @tlscontact.com
- @vfsglobal.com
Changes to UK visa application centres – what it means if you are already in the UK
We have talked about the changes that will affect those living in some regions outside the UK. For those applying from within the UK, the company responsible for processing visa applications will change from Sopra Steria to TLScontact on 15 October 2024. This change will not affect your application decisions, processing times, or appointment availability. No action is required on your part.
Application centre – Belgium
We do have one specific update which is regarding Belgium. In that country, the visa application centre switched from TLScontact to VFS Global on 3 September 2024. Applicants in Belgium must now schedule biometrics appointments through VFS Global, but if you already booked with TLScontact, you can still attend your appointment as scheduled. However, if you have not yet uploaded your supporting documents, you will need to use the assisted scanning service during your appointment. It’s always good practice to double check the location details in your appointment confirmation.
Conclusion
The advice here is to keep a close eye on updates coming from the UK government. The webpage link at the start of this article is a great starting place. I should say, though, that while these adjustments might seem major, they are simply intended to boost the efficiency of the visa application process.
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