UK Visas and Immigration (‘UKVI’) have recently confirmed that over the next few months most in-country paper applications will be withdrawn and those applicants who will be applying for leave to remain or settlement in the UK will be required to apply online.

UKVI have also stated that those applicant’s seeking leave to remain in the UK or to settle permanently in the UK will now have a choice between using the existing service i.e. enrolling your biometric information at the Post Office or at a Premium Service Centre or use the new UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (‘UKVCAS’).

What is the new UKVCAS?

The new UKVCAS service will offer increased convenience and allow applicants to submit documentary evidence and personal information in a more secure way. More importantly, applicants will no longer be required to leave their documents with UKVI after the application has been submitted.

Applicants will be able to book appointments at the new UKVCAS centres from 9 November 2018. A total of 57 centres will open across the UK by 30 November 2018

• 6 core service centres offering free appointments
• 50 enhanced service centres offering charged appointments
• 1 premium lounge in Central London

Under the new service, applicants will pay the application fee online, this will also include the biometric enrolment fee and immigration health surcharge fee (if applicable) before they submit the application at a UKVCAS centre.

By submitting an application via UKVCAS, it will also allow applicants in the majority of cases to take digital copies of evidence instead of submitting original documents e.g. passports, whilst the applicant is being processed.

Hopefully, the new system will enhance the possibility of applications being concluded quickly and efficiently.

For more information about the new UKVCAS system or any other immigration queries, please feel free to contact us on 0161 8266922.