UK makes online payment for visa application mandatory
Tuesday, 10 December 2013 00:00
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From Monday, 16 December 2013, all visa applicants for the UK will have to pay their visa fees online in US dollars via Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or e-wallet (Skrill).
As is the current practice, applications will also continue to be completed online with printed copies submitted to the Visa Application Centre in Colombo, along with biometric data. Appointments to hand in the documents will also continue to be made online.
Exceptions will be made for applicants who have completed their online application form prior to 16 December, 2013. They will still be able to use other payment methods currently available until 14 January, 2014. However, from 14 January, 2014, only online payments will be accepted for this category, too.
No exceptions will be made for those applying on or after 16 December, 2013.
UK Visas and Immigration Regional Director Thomas Greig said: “The move to online applications and payments is a regional practice that will deliver a streamlined application process and is consistent with a wider global trend to online transactions and payments. This is part of our on-going commitment to offer the best service to our Sri Lankan customers and reduces the risk associated with cash payment. It is also part of the Home Office’s program of modernisation.”
Applicants can pay online using Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or via e-wallet (Skrill).
If the applicant needs to create an e-wallet account, they need to do this a few days before they apply to ensure that the funds will be available for use. Payment online will need to be made in US dollars.
When the applicants have paid their fee online via Visa4UK, they will receive a payment confirmation email from WorldPay. They should print off this confirmation email and take it with them to the visa application centre when they submit the rest of their visa application.
Applicants intending to travel on work, study or settlement visas can ask their UK sponsor to make the online payment.
Those applying for visit visas can ask their travel agent to pay for their visa application as part of a package when booking flights and/or accommodation. Third party payments can also be made by family members or friends in Sri Lanka or the United Kingdom. In such instances, applicants will be required to provide confirmation of the explicit authority from the cardholder.
Applicants who have applied and made online payment for their visa will still have to attend the visa application centre to submit their documents and provide their biometric data, including fingerprints and digital photograph.
More information is available on: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/sri-lanka/?langname=UK%20English
