By Dr. Catherine Taroni – Immigration Barrister
ATTENTION ALL UK VISA APPLICANTS! There are important adjustments forward for the UK Visa and Citizenship Software Companies (UKVCAS) beginning 15 October 2024. Right here’s what it’s good to know:
Present Reserving and Appointments
The UKVCAS site claims that you would be able to nonetheless guide and attend biometrics appointments with Sopra Steria, in addition to buy further providers, by the present UKVCAS web site for any appointments scheduled on or earlier than 14 October 2024:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: UKVCAS is altering from 15 October
From 15 October 2024, visa and citizenship utility providers will probably be delivered by a brand new service supplier, TLScontact.
You’ll be able to proceed to guide and attend your appointment, and buy additional providers with us by way of this web site for any appointment date on or earlier than 14 October 2024.
Check in to your GOV.UK utility to guide your biometric enrolment appointment from 15 October 2024 onwards.
Nonetheless, availability of biometrics appointments is non-existent. Shoppers log in and see no customary or paid for appointments at any centres, regardless of trying at midnight and 9am when availability resets.
As a substitute of appointments, there are infinite ‘No available appointments’ on the calendars:
No Biometrics Appointments Between Now and fifteenth October, Except There Are Cancellations
In response to UKVCAS messages obtained on X, there are to be no extra biometrics appointments launched on UKVCAS except different candidates cancel their appointments:
Whereas it’s now doable to register and guide appointments with TLScontact, their contract doesn’t start till fifteenth October, so there are successfully no appointments between now and fifteenth October.
It appears that evidently everybody submitting functions now has to attend till fifteenth October or past for his or her processing to start.
Which means no matter whether or not they have paid for precedence or tremendous precedence processing providers, candidates will nonetheless have at the least a two weeks to attend earlier than their processing begins. As these are in-country functions, because of this candidates can’t journey outdoors of the UK with out withdrawing their utility.
TLS Registration
From fifteenth October 2024, UKVCAS providers will probably be dealt with by a brand new service supplier, TLScontact. This transfer to a brand new supplier goals to “enhance the application experience.”
Following the submission of your immigration utility, you’ll be able to register and login to TLScontact utilizing your UAN:
After this, there’s a map of the UK exhibiting appointment centres, and availability will be seen once you click on on the areas, with customary and ‘assisted’ appointment dates exhibiting.
At the moment, the system seems to be in its early levels and there have been log-in points, however it’s doable to guide appointments utilizing this website, albeit not till after fifteenth October 2024.
Conclusions
Other than being extraordinarily fortunate in relation to UKVCAS cancellations, choices for biometrics enrolment are restricted.
Most individuals will merely have to attend, and to register with TLS and acquire the earliest doable TLS appointment from fifteenth October onwards. In sure circumstances, candidates might be able to take into account making use of for entry clearance, if their route permits and if it is very important have a quicker determination as a result of journey plans / private causes.
To seek out out extra, learn our article Upcoming Changes to UK Visa Application Centres.
Contact Our Immigration Barristers
For knowledgeable recommendation and help in relation to immigration functions, contact our immigration barristers in London on 0203 617 9173 or by way of the enquiry type under.
