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VISA SERVICES
On Friday 13 June 2008 the British High Commission will move to its new
permanent location at 389 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.
From Friday 13 until Tuesday 17 June we will be unable to process visa
applications and our visa application centre at 367 R A De Mel Mawatha
(Duplication Road), Colombo 3 will be closed.
If you intend to travel to the UK before 20 June, please apply for your visa before
5 June at the visa application centre on R A De Mel Mawatha. If you plan to
travel after 20 June, please apply on or after 17 June.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this temporary restriction of
service. Our usual visa service will be resumed on 17 June.
This temporary restricted service is unrelated to plans for some of our visa
processing to be undertaken in Chennai. This will happen later this year. It
will not alter the way in which you apply for your visa. Visa applications will
still be received at the visa application centre on 367 R A De Mel Mawatha. For
further general information about applying for a UK visa please visit
www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk and
www.vfs-uk-lk.com.
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Information for Visa applicants
Information on how to apply for a UK visa in Sri Lanka can be obtained by
calling 331 from a Dialog phone or by visiting the VFS website at
www.vfs-uk-lk.com
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is to inform that the processing time for Maldivian passport holders will
be between 24-48 hours from the date of application For further clarification
please visit VFS centre at 367 R.A.Demel mawatha Colombo 3.
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We are pleased to announce that from Monday 08th October 2007
we will accept applications to enter the UK under the Working Holidaymaker
scheme. We will only accept applications from those who meet the
criteria below:
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You must be aged 21 to 30
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You must be single or applying with your husband/wife as a couple
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You must be able to show that you have previously travelled to one of the
following places: the UK, Schengen countries, USA, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand in the last 05 years.
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You must be able to show that you have complied with the terms and conditions
of the visas held for those countries listed above.
These criteria must be met for VFS to accept your application. In addition you
will need to meet the requirements of the Working Holidaymaker Scheme to
qualify for the visa.
We plan to open up the scheme to more travellers in due course. Please check
the website to find out when you may be eligible to apply and also for more
information on working holiday maker visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk
How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker?
You must be able to show that you:
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are aged between 21 and 30
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want to come to the UK for an extended holiday, and intend to take employment
as part of your holiday for no more than 12 months during your stay
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do not intend to set yourself up in or run a business, or work as a
professional sportsperson during your stay
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are single, or that you are married to, or the civil partner of someone who
also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and you plan to take the working
holiday together
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can support yourself in the UK without needing any help from public funds
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have not spent time in the UK on a previous working holidaymaker visa, and
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intend to leave the UK at the end of your holiday.
You must get a visa before you travel to the UK as a working holidaymaker.
ISSUES / COMPLAINTS / SUGGESTIONS
VFS aim to provide an efficient service to our customers. If you have a
complaint, we would like to know about it as soon as possible. We shall
acknowledge promptly and ensure a comprehensive and timely redress of your
complaint to the best of our ability.
Every UK Visa Application Centre operated by VFS maintains a Complaints
Register for the benefit of applicants. The Supervisor of the VAC shall provide
access to the Register on demand. Alternatively, you can e-mail us your
complaint to info@vfs.lk, fax to 4516322 or mail in a note to us at 367, R.A.
De Mel Mawatha Colombo 03.
You can also register your complaint in our website www.vfs.lk or with our call
centre by calling 331 (Only Dialog subscribers) during 8am to 5pm on weekdays.
Please note that there is a charge for the telephony service.
In all cases please provide your name, address and telephone number, a clear
description of your complaint and as much detail of names, dates, places and
other background as possible.
We will take your complaint seriously, and will try to provide a full reply
within 10 working days. If we cannot give you a full reply within this time we
will tell you when we expect to do so and keep you up to date with progress.
In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with our response, you can
escalate your complaint to the British High Commission/Embassy. The complaint
must be addressed to 190, Galle road Colombo 03, or email to
Colombo.visaenquiries@fco.gov.uk
UK LAUNCHES NEW INTERNATIONAL VISA SCHEME FOR GRADUATES
A new scheme which will enable international students to work in the UK for a
year after they have completed their studies has been announced by the British
Government. International students who obtain a bachelors degree or higher
level qualification from 1 May 2007 in any subject from a recognised university
or college in the United Kingdom will be able to stay on for a year to take
employment. The scheme will be introduced on 1 May 2007 and will help cement
the UK's status as a top study destination for international students.
Graduates who obtained their degree before 1 May 2007 must continue to meet the
SEGS requirements as to degree type in order to qualify under this scheme.
Changes to the UK Immigration Rules
Changes to the UK Immigration Rules mean that, with effect from 1 April 2008,
anyone using deception to apply for a UK visa will have any future applications
to come to the UK refused automatically for 10 years
UK BORDER AGENCY
On 1 April 2008 UKvisas became part of the UK Border Agency.
While we carry out re-branding of all our material from UKvisas to UK Border Agency,
you may find references to both the UK Border Agency and UKvisas on this site.
Please note that all forms and information marked with the UKvisas logo are
valid and accurate and may be used in connection with your application.
BIGGEST SHAKE UP TO UK IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IN 40 YEARS
The UK government has announced the introduction of a new system for assessing
highly skilled migrants wanting to come to the UK to work. Tier 1 of the new
Australian style points based system (PBS) will come into effect on 30 June.
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