British visa to be via Manila only

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian students applying for British visas could soon face more anxiety.

The British High Commission is to cease processing visa applications under Tier IV (students) and those applying under other tiers.

From November, the decision to grant or reject British visas for Malaysians will be made by the British visa centre in Manila.

Britain has increased the visa fee for Malaysian students from £220 (RM1,034) to £255 (RM1,198) effective April 6, but High Commission officials said this was not connected to the outsourcing of applications.

A source assured The Star that the timeframe (within 15 days) to grant visas would be maintained.

He explained that visa applications would be collected here and couriered to Manila at no cost to the applicant.

“The only change is that the visa decision-making will be made in Manila instead of in Kuala Lumpur.

“We will bear the extra costs but the challenge is to maintain the quality of service,” he said, adding the move was to reduce costs and streamline the processing of British visas as part of a global strategy.

High Commission sources confirmed that Wisma Putra was notified of this development last week.

The High Commission handles an average of about 6,500 visa applications from Malaysian students each year, with June to September usually the peak period.

An official said it was not feasible to maintain a visa processing unit at the High Commission when it was active for only four months.

The post of Manager, Visa Services for the UK Border Agency here would be abolished and about 10 local employees would be affected, he added.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said he was aware of the High Commission’s notification.

“We were informed that this was being done in other regions and applies to several other countries as well.

“I have instructed my officers to follow up on this matter with the High Commission to ascertain the reasons and the processes involved to safeguard the interest of our students applying for British visas.”

Wisma Putra secretary-general Datuk Radzi Abdul Rahman confirmed that a meeting would be held with British officials soon.

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