The United Kingdom Government announced on Monday that it is modifying the visa application procedures for foreigners, including Kenyans, who have already submitted visa requests to visit the UK.
According to the UK High Commissioner in Nairobi, these changes will also impact those planning to apply for visas from Kenya and other regions worldwide.
The UK has decided to switch its visa printing partner from TLScontact to VFS Global.
“From September 2024 to January 2025, the transition from TLScontact to VFS Global will occur in various locations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia,” the UK High Commission stated.
The embassy emphasized that this means applicants in Kenya will need to initiate their visa applications with one commercial partner and complete them with another.
They reassured applicants not to be alarmed by any changes in the process due to heightened security measures.
Kenyans affected by this transition will receive communications from both TLScontact and VFS Global. The embassy urged applicants to carefully follow the instructions provided in both emails to continue their application process.
“If your application is impacted, you will receive emails from both TLScontact and VFS Global.
It is important to read all communications, as they may include necessary actions for your application,” the embassy advised.
Applicants were also reminded to check all their email folders, including junk folders, to ensure they do not miss any critical updates.
To verify the authenticity of the emails, they should confirm that the sender’s address ends in either @tlscontact.com or @vfsglobal.com.
Kenyans with pre-scheduled visa interview appointments were instructed to attend as planned.
Those wishing to reschedule their appointments were warned that they would need to pay the mandatory user pay (MUP) fee again and should request a refund from TLScontact for any fees already paid.
“Please attend your appointment as usual. Verify the address in your email confirmation.
If you decide to change your appointment, be aware that you may need to pay the MUP fee again, and you can request a refund from TLScontact,” the embassy clarified.
The embassy also assured applicants that the changes would not affect the processing times for visa applications, even as the new partner begins operations in Kenya starting October 22.
Three Suspects Captured After Stealing Sh 3.2 Million From Nairobi Estate
