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| Sinking ship? UK Visa services being axed from UK Embassies abroad..... |
Visa services at British Embassies abroad are being axed! UK Visa and Immigration Service can certainly pick the ideal time to announced a major change to its Visa Service, the whole operation is being outsourced to Sitel UK. Hopefully they can make a better go of it than Capita did for the PIP Interviews.
In addition languages offered are to be cut to just 8. German, Italian, Flemish and Dutch, are excluded which should help the UK exit strategy over Brexit, and email correspondence is now being charged for.
Visa services at British Embassies abroad axed. Someone has clearly not thought this out, just imagine if the Sitel UK computer has suffers a malfunction, just like the BA meltdown?
This is the notice being sent from UKVI today:
How customers and agents contact UKVI is changing. From 1 June 2017 all customer enquiries from the UK and overseas will be handled by a new commercial partner Sitel UK. The main changes for customers applying from outside the UK are:
Charges and paying Customers applying from outside the UK who choose to contact us by e-mail will now be charged £5.48 per e-mail. This includes the initial e-mail enquiry plus any follow-up e-mails to and from the contact centre relating to the same enquiry. Phone calls for customers applying from outside the UK will be paid for as they are now, via credit or debit card. E-mails will be paid for by entering card details prior to submitting an enquiry. Customers who do not have access to a credit or debit card may choose to use a trusted third party such as an agent or sponsor. Opening hours for customers applying from outside the UK Our English service phone line is open 24 hours Monday-Friday, with other languages available at times that reflect standard business hours where possible, see table below.
The new contract will see a number of changes for customers, to help the government reduce costs and ensure those who benefit directly from the UK immigration system make an appropriate contribution. Customers should continue to access immigration guidance and information through www.gov.uk. British Embassies overseas are unable to help with visa related enquiries. If you have any further questions, check our Q&A. Regards UK Visas & Immigration |
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Journalist & Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Analyst/expert, www.freelancedirectory.org?name=Julian.Bray.aviation.comment Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 www.aviationcomment.com
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