New visa services for business travellers to Britain

The British government Wednesday announced steps to facilitate the issuance of visa.

The steps include one where a visa applicant would be able to retain the passport while visa request is being processed.

This would facilitate the passport holder to apply for visa to another country and same would reduce the time taken in getting two visas, the British High Commission said in a statement.

Termed as "A passport passback pilot in Southern India", the improvements aim at attracting the best talent, business interests and investments to Britain.

"The UK government today (Wednesday) announced further improvements to the visa system to attract the brightest and the best to work, do business and invest in Britain," said the statement.

It said, "Our visa application centres will be able to provide business travellers with more premium services than ever before." The improvements will be introduced over a period of 12 months.

The improvement would also include "introduction of a mobile visa clinic in India, allowing high-value applicants and companies to apply for visas at their own offices rather than visiting a visa application centre."

The GREAT Club, an invitation-only service providing top business executives with bespoke support from UK Visas and Immigration, will start in the New Year as a 12-month pilot aimed at business leaders who use the visa service and have strong links to Britain.

While club members will still be subject to the same visa checks as any other applicant, it aims to provide them with exceptional service from when they first apply for their visas to arrival in Britain.

They will be provided with an accounts manager to ensure their journey through the visa and immigration service is swift and smooth. The accounts manager will also be able to arrange visa services tailored to each individual's needs at no extra cost during the pilot.

These additions follow the successful introduction of the Same Day Visa Service in India, said Marcus Winsley, director, press and communication.