To streamline the visa application process for UK-bound travelers in Manila, the British Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines, Alistair White, officially opened the doors to the upgraded UK Visa Application Centre last 08 March 2024. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of Julian Salisbury, Assurance and Integrity Manager for Asia Pacific at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and Kaushik Ghosh, Head-Australasia of VFS Global.
Located on the 6th Floor of the Makati Circuit Corporate Tower Two, the new UK Visa Application Centre promises a more comfortable and efficient application submission experience for customers. Boasting modern facilities and amenities, this spacious center is geared to handle a higher volume of applications daily, ensuring a smoother journey for applicants.
“This new and improved visa application center (VAC) located at the city center is easily accessible by public transportation, providing our customers with added convenience to ensure they have a smooth start to their journey to the UK, whether that’s to visit, work or study at one of our world-leading institutions. In 2023, UKVI issued around 77,500 visas to Philippine nationals. This was a 24% increase from the numbers we saw issued in 2022. As always, we’re excited to welcome more travelers this year, as the UK stands as a key travel destination for many in the Philippines,” according to Alistair White, British Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines.
Spanning an impressive 3,300 square feet, the center houses 10 submission counters capable of processing over 300 applications per day. In addition, applicants can opt for the newly designed Premium Lounge, offering personalized assistance throughout the application process.
On top of these amenities, the center provides a range of optional services, including Prime Time Appointments for after-hours submissions, the Keep My Passport service, allowing applicants to retain their passports until a decision is reached, and the Courier Return service for document delivery. SMS Notifications also keep applicants informed at every step of their application journey. The On-Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV) service enables applicants to apply for their visas from the comfort of their homes or offices.
“VFS Global has shared a long-standing relationship of trust with the UK Government since 2003, and this new Visa Application Centre is a reflection of the strong partnership we share. This center in Manila will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for travel to the UK. We are confident that this new Visa Application Centre will enhance customer experience by making the visa application process even more smooth and seamless, thereby helping us better serve travelers to the UK better,” said Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global.
Operated by VFS Global, the UK Visa Application Centre in Manila is one of two such centers in the Philippines, with the other located in Cebu. The Manila center caters to applicants seeking UK visas for various purposes, including study, travel, and business.
Last year, VFS Global secured a global contract for overseas UK visa and citizenship services. As part of this agreement, the organization will establish 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service Centres for the UK across 142 countries, processing an estimated 3.8 million applicants annually.