Ongoing changes to UK Visa Application Centres

UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are found globally and are where individuals can apply for a UK visa or passport, or manage other documentation.

Until 2024, these have been managed by the third-party supplier TLScontact on behalf of the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), however, this is now changing to an alternative provider: VFS Global. This transition started in September 2024 and will continue to be processed until completion in January 2025.

UKVI has shared that this transition aims to enhance processes for users of the service, promising “shorter appointments and a new average passport collection time of twenty minutes”.

Changes to expect

Although this transition is a huge change for the UK Government, individuals are being encouraged not to panic as most services will be unaffected by this. This may mean that service users begin a visa application with the old supplier and complete it with the new supplier, however, this will not impact the visa application decision, application rules, fees or how long it takes to get a decision.

Communication

A crucial detail to note is the potential change to contact information individuals use. The switch to VFS Global will mean any communication will be sent from a different email address, likely ending with @vfsglobal.com. Individuals should be vigilant when checking emails, and ensure to check any Spam or Junk inboxes to ensure important information isn’t missed. We urge service users to mark VFS Global as a safe sender within their email preferences to confirm the identity of the new provider.

Appointments

In those countries where the change from TLScontact to VFS Global has already been completed, individuals must take note.

If an appointment has already been scheduled with TLScontact, you can still attend this.

If you’ve yet to upload supporting documents, you’ll need to pay for the assisted scanning service when attending your appointment.

If you need to change your appointment, you may need to pay the Mandatory User Pay (MUP) fee again. If this happens, ask TLScontact to refund your MUP fee.

VAC changes

The change of provider started in September 2024 and will continue on a global basis until January 2024. Below is a list of key locations and the date of change from TLScontact to VFS Global.

Next steps

UK immigration is changing. At Five Star, we understand how intimidating these changes can seem, which is why we’re here to help. From eVisas to the ISL, our team is dedicated to providing up-to-date advice and support for all aspects of immigration.

If you’re unsure of what to do next or have any questions about UK visa application centre changes, speak to our team today.

Contact us