British Visa? Elementary!

“We want the procedure of granting a visa to be as fast as possible,” said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Ukraine Robert Brinkley at the briefing dedicated to the consular service of the embassy moving to Hlybochytska Street 4. The old premises were too small, for this year the British Embassy in Ukraine has already granted 23,000 visas, while the figures show that the number of those hoping to receive a British visa rises 5% annually. Moreover, the new place already boasts all they conditions to secure visitors’ comfort. According to the ambassador, the embassy is now able to grant about 90% of visas within 24 hours. Consular employees make additional interviews if needed the same day. 14% of our compatriots desiring to go to Britain are rejected visas. The embassy has now established a number of measures to save the time and nerves of those Ukrainians whose clear intentions arouse no suspicion of the British side. The express scheme of granting visas will first of all work for accredited companies’ representatives and tourists traveling with accredited companies. In addition, one can arrange the interview date in advance. An application form can be downloaded from the embassy’s Internet site, and certain categories of those hoping to receive a British visa will be able to do so by just leaving their papers in a special box by the embassy, with no need to waste time standing in line. This service is available for you if you are over 65 years of age; you have already been to Britain, returning without any problem with the British Migration Control Service; travelling as a member of an organized group (not a tourist or student one); married to or materially dependant on somebody having a permanent visa valid for more than half a year; married to or are a relative of a British citizen that lives in Ukraine; hold a government post or are a diplomat. No matter what kind of passport you have, Ambassador Brinkley advises that you should apply for a visa at least three weeks before the trip’s scheduled date and provide only true information about yourself.