I was asked recently to provide information on the state of UK Immigration in India.  To assist the UK’s Independent Commission on their visit to India regarding the issues faced locally.  So I asked our India Office www.globalvisas.co.in to provide their feedback on the situation.  It is a shame they reported the issues below.

The issues are that people applying for tier 1or other visas are being told by VFS their staff will assist with the application.  This maybe the actions of well meaning individuals however VFS are paid for by the British Goverment and as such can not represent an individual.  This is a complete conflict of interests which must be stopped.  People who trust untrained if well meaning VFS staff to assist in their application are coming across difficulties later.  It is only when they complain that they realise VFS should not assist in the completion of applications. 

I have raised this matter again with UK Visas and pointed out people who require assistance and legal advice must be sign posted to a registered and qualified team of experts to assist them.  Currently VFS are not sign posting anybody to anywhere.  In effect this restricts the persons access to legal representation.

The final point I raised is that Working Holiday maker visas are taking 13 months to complete.  These visas are relatively straight forward compared to the complex tier 1 visa which is currently taking between 15 and 25 days to complete.

It would appear on the surface there is a clear policy to discriminate against India nationals as Working Holiday visas in Canada South Africa and Australia are being completed in a matter of days.

I have raised this now with the British Government so we must now wait and see.