UK launches fast visa service in Vietnam

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The fast-track processing service, which starts on October 1, aims to return visa decisions within 3 to 5 working days compared to the standard 15 working day service.

At the launch ceremony, Lord Puttnam, visiting British Trade Envoy to Vietnam, said the British Government is working to ensure it has the right services to encourage growth and support those who it wants to attract to the UK.

The new service and other recent enhancements to the UK visa operation in Vietnam, including the opening of a new visa application centre in Ho Chi Minh City this year, provide a more convenient and efficient service for customers and cater for the growing interest from Vietnamese in the UK as a destination for business, investment, work and study. 

About 13,700 UK visa applications were received from Vietnamese customers in the 12 months to June 2013 and in the 2 years to June 2013, demand for UK visas increased 15%.

In addition to the new services, a number of UK visa policy changes will come into effect as of October 1 to give greater flexibility to business and tourist visitors and to UK businesses that employ international migrants and include:

· Allowing tourists and business visitors to undertake some study where it is not the main purpose of their visit

· Expanding the activities a business visitor can undertake in the UK

· Removing the English language requirement for intra-company transferees

· Making it easier for graduate entrepreneurs to switch into the skilled worker category

· Waiving share ownership restrictions for senior staff earning £152,100 or more.

· Allowing some students to stay in the UK after their studies to undertake a corporate internship. 

 “These changes will ensure that the UK continues to attract the very best global talent to work for British businesses,” said Lord Puttnam.

Further information on the new priority visa service and policy changes is on our website:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/vietnam.