Visa Application Centres Set to Reopen

Please note: this article was produced during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and as such some of the information may no longer be relevant or up-to-date. Please reach out to us for advice on the current process for applying for UK Visas. 

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) has progressed the gradual reopening of the UK immigration system to the next stage.

The online booking system is now open to all registered customers whose application was received between 1 June and 30 June 2020. As has been the case throughout the reopening process, UKVCAS is working from the earliest to the most recent registrations, as this is believed to be the fairest and best approach to take.

Customers who applied between 1 June and 30 June ought to have received an email from UKVCAS prior to 23 July that sets out how to book an appointment.

The online booking system is now open to those who registered with UKVCAS between 1 June and 30 June 2020.

Changes to the application process

As a way of speeding up the delays facing those who require an appointment, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has changed the way that immigration applications are processed. Biometric information (fingerprints) that has been submitted as part of a previous application can now be reused, meaning that attending a UKVCAS Service Point is not essential in order for an application to be submitted.

UKVI is currently working to identify those customers who are eligible to use this new approach.

If you are eligible, you will not be invited to attend an appointment. You will receive an email with the subject line ‘COVID-19: Update as a result of new UKVI Policy’.

Those who definitely do need to attend a UKVCAS Service Point will receive an email that explains how to proceed with booking an appointment.

In the coming weeks, UKVCAS will release further details regarding the phased reopening process.

Who can book an appointment?

At present, the online booking system is only open to registered UKVCAS customers who were unable to attend an appointment due to COVID-19. New customers who intend to book an appointment will be unable to see or book available appointments on the UKVCAS website. UKVCAS point out that although this can be frustrating, working through registered customers in date order is the fairest way to proceed.

Lunar House, home of the Croydon (Core) visa application centre.

Reopening of UKVCAS Service Points

A number of UKVCAS Service Points are due to reopen in August. These are as follows:

• Aberdeen (w/c 3 August)
• Bournemouth (w/c 3 August)
• Coventry (w/c 10 August)
• Gloucester (w/c 10 August)
• Hemel Hempstead- Library (w/c 3 August)
• Llandudno (w/c 3 August)
• London- Stratford (w/c 3 August)
• Peterborough (w/c 31 August)
• Reading (w/c 3 August)
• Wolverhampton (w/c 3 August)

Brand new Service Points

UKVCAS also plans to open two brand new Service Points in the month of August. These are:

• Bath (w/c 3 August)
• Luton (w/c 3 August)

Do you Need Immigration Advice?

The Immigration Advice Service is here to provide expert immigration legal advice and assistance. You can get in touch with our teams in London, Manchester or Birmingham, or at one of our other branches.