According to a press statement issued by UK Embassy in Kathmandu, persons wishing to obtain visa to travel to UK as tourists or under points-based system will need to make visa application and appointment at the visa application center online starting October 15. "From this date, the UK Border Agency will not accept applications in these categories if they have been completed manually," the statement said.[break]
Online applications and appointments will be mandated for all types of visa applications, for example for tourism, business or to see family, and applications under Tiers 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the points based system. The applicants will not be required to make settlement visa applications online until a later date.
"By completing and submitting a visa application online, the applicant saves time when attending the visa application centre," the statement further said.
UK Border Agency Regional Director Thomas Greig said the UK Border Agency and its commercial partner, VFS Global, introduced changes to the processes with an objective of providing customers with an efficient visa service. "We are introducing this requirement for visitor visas and points based system applications from 15 October. We will introduce the requirement for settlement applications at a later stage," the statement quoted Greig as saying.