UK introduces online payment for visa fees

Earlier applicants were only allowed to apply for a visa online; move will streamline application process

For the first time ever, UK visa applicants in India will have the option of paying their visa fees online via credit or debit cards from May 1 in an effort to streamline the application process.

While applicants were able to apply the visa online, the option making the payment now has also been made online. However, other modes of payment for visa fees such as through a demand draft or cash at the visa application centres will still remain.

“Customers in India can now benefit from the option to pay online, the latest improvement in the UK visa service. This is part of our on-going commitment to offer the best service to our Indian customers.  It is also part of the Home Office’s programme of modernisation. This includes moving to an online application process where almost all customers around the world would apply and pay for their visas online,” said Thomas Greig, Home Office Regional Director at the British High Commission.

 

Greig also said that this was done in consistent with a wider global trend to online transactions and payments. This is supposed to be a safer system for both customers and staff.

There also plans to introduce other method of payments for the ease of applicants such as eWallets. Furthermore, soon the customers will also have the option to pay the visa fees in other currencies apart for INR.