UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) yesterday announced that the option of faster processing for UK visas would now be extended to customers in Bhutan, a press release from the foreign ministry states.

The Priority Visa service is an optional product provided by UKVI, which offers a quicker processing time of five working days – as compared to the global standard of 15 working days for standard applications.

This latest development follows the 2016 announcement of a new Visa Application Centre (operated jointly with Australia) in Thimphu, which for the first time meant Bhutanese customers could apply for UK visa in Bhutan rather than having to travel to Nepal or India, the press release states.

Since that date, UKVI have invested in an improved, customer focused, online application form and upgraded digital technology, which has meant that cases from Bhutan can be assessed digitally without the need to retain customers’ documentation.

This has made the Priority Visa service possible for Bhutan, by removing the need for documents to be transported between Thimphu and Delhi during the application.

Regional Director for UKVI in South and South East Asia, Nick Crouch, said,

“Following on from opening our first VAC in Bhutan in May 2016, it is fantastic to once again be able to announce a positive step in our customer offer to Bhutan. To that end, I was very happy to visit Thimphu to announce the new Priority Visa service. This offer was made possible only as a result of the hard work UKVI has done to improve and upgrade its systems, replacing paper applications and processing with a more digital service.”

He said, “This means a more efficient system, including the removal of the need to transport physical documents – meaning we can confidently offer a quicker service for all Bhutanese applicants who want to choose this option.”

Priced at GBP 212, the Priority Visa service is available to all categories of visa applicant for those who wish to make applying for a visa even more convenient.

To apply for a UK visa go to www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa. Information on applying in advance and details on the Visa Application Centre in Bhutan and premium services are available at  https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/bhutan/. Using the Priority Visa service does not guarantee that the application will be successful. All visa applicants must meet the requirements of the UK Immigration Rules.

Staff Reporter 

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