UK visa centres in South India to close temporarily

What: The UK Border Agency advises customers that the visa application centres in Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore will be closed from March 31 to April 5, 2010.

The UK visa application centre in Chennai will be closed from April 1-5, 2010.

The closures are to enable an IT system upgrade as part of a global programme across all British High Commissions and Embassies.

The last date on which the UK Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) will accept new applications in Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore is Tuesday, March 30. In Chennai, the last date for applications is Wednesday, March 31. The visa application centres will re-open on Tuesday, April 6.

During this closure, customers will be able to collect their passports from the visa application centres from 9 am to 10 am only. Customers who intend to travel to the UK in April are advised to submit their visa applications as soon as possible.

Please note that the UK Border Agency office in Chennai and the customer enquiry email address will also be closed from April 2-6, after which the aim is to resume a normal visa service as quickly as possible.

Contact
Any further updates will be placed on the websites: www.vfs-uk-in.com and http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk.

For general enquires customers may also call the VFS Global helpline: (080) 40084008. Calls are charged at local or STD rates depending on your location. This service will be available Monday to Friday between 8 am and 17 pm.