23 Oct Changes to the UKVI Visa Centres
Visa application centres are operated by commercial partners on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration. According to the guidance “Changes to the Commercial Partner Visa Application Services,” published and updated on 16 October 2024, in some locations, the commercial partner is going to change. However, these changes will not affect the decision on applications or processing times.
Outside the UK
Between September 2024 and January 2025, the commercial partner will transition from TLScontact to VFS Global in the following regions:
- Africa
- Europe
- The Middle East
- Central Asia
Other regions remain unaffected.
The visa application centre in Belgium is already operated by VFS Global.
From 22 October 2024, VFS Global will operate visa application centres in the following locations:
- Algeria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- Tunisia
From 5 November 2024, VFS Global will operate centres in:
- Cyprus (North)
- France
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- The Occupied Palestinian Territories
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
If your application is affected, you will receive an email from either: @tlscontact.com or @vfsglobal.com.
If you have already booked an appointment with TLScontact, you can attend your biometric appointment as normal.
In the UK
From 15 October 2024, the commercial partner for applications submitted in the UK will change from Sopra Steria to TLScontact. The Home Office has notified that appointment availability may be limited temporarily due to the transition of systems and services.
Contact Our Immigration Team
For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075
