Premium Service’ Centres for UK Visa Applicants Launched In Washington D.C. And Los Angeles

As part of its global improvement programme, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the UK Home Office, which has the responsibility for issuing visas overseas, has launched two new ‘Premium Application Centres’ in Washington DC and Los Angeles, following the success of the inaugural Premium Application Centre launched in New York City in 2015.

On 30 March 2016, UKVI’s commercial partner, VFS Global, opened the doors to the new Premium Application Centre, located at 1875 I Street NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC. Then, on 6 April 2016, VFS Global followed suit in California, opening their first Premium Application Centre on the West Coast, located at 1901 Avenue of the Stars, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA.

These Premium Application Centres, first launched in New York last December, are designed to deliver a personalised, high-end and convenient application submission process for applicants in the United States. The services on offer are:

• Flexible appointment choices during regular or prime time appointment slots
• Walk-in Without an Appointment Service: Walk in without a prior appointment
• Processed Passport and Document Pickup during flexible hours
• Biometric enrolment: Fingerprint, signature, photo and biographic data capture
• Digital Assist: Personalised form-filling services at the centre
• Get it Right Service: Personalised document checking by the centre staff and the opportunity to submit any missing documents to the UK Decision Making Centre within the prescribed time-frame
• Certification Service: Copies of your original documents are certified by the centre staff, allowing you to submit certified copies instead of your originals
• Courier Service: Express delivery to the UK Decision Making Centre and return courier mail service of your passport and documents to the address of your choice
• SMS Service: Automated real-time messages on the status of your passport and documents at each stage of your application
• Priority Visa Service: Quicker processing of your visa application within 3 to 5 days
• Super Priority Visa Service: Next day processing and return of your visa

Commenting on the new centres, Mr Chris Dix, COO – Europe and Americas, VFS Global, said, “The Premium Application Centres redefine convenience for UK-bound travellers and cater to the growing demand for greater personalisation and customer-centricity in services. We are confident these two new offerings will provide high levels of satisfaction and enhance the overall experience for applicants.”

For further information on the Premium Service VAC and the services on offer, please visit: http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa

New UKVI Visa Application Centres

Address in Washington DC: 1875 I Street, NW, 5th Floor, Washington, District of Columbia

Address in Los Angeles: 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California

Website: www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa

Email: UKDC_Premium@vfshelpline.com / UKLA_Premium@vfshelpline.com

Business hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm daily

Submission Timings: 7:00am – 2:00pm | Monday – Friday (except holidays)

Submission Timings for Next Business Day Processing: 7:00am – 12:30pm daily (except holidays)

Document Collection: 9:30am – 2:00pm | Monday-Friday (except holidays)

*VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for UK Visas and Immigration. All applications submitted will continue to be assessed and processed by UK Visas and Immigration. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authorities.