New AU, NZ, UK Visa Application Centre Opens in Singapore

The border control agencies of Australia, New

Zealand and the United Kingdom have appointed VFS Global, an

outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic

missions and governments, to offer a cohesive visa application

facility in Singapore.

As part of their on-going efforts to improve

processes, rationalise resources and achieve better value for

money, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have agreed

an initiative to share visa support services, including the

enrolment of biometrics.

The cooperation is aimed not only at providing a convenient and

seamless visa application process for these countries, but also

jointly tackling visa and identity frauds that has plagued the

immigration systems from time to time. By working together under

the aegis of the 5CC, the border control agencies will

collectively aim to counter some of the common challenges around

global migration by sharing best practice and coordinating their

response to these challenges. With the maximising of joint efforts

to facilitate legal immigration flows, the conference is confident

of providing protection to those in genuine need, and to guard

against those who would otherwise take advantage of or abuse their

immigration systems.

Over the past decade, the border control

agencies of the five countries, namely – Department of Immigration

and Citizenship (DIAC) – Australia, Citizenship and Immigration

Canada (CIC), Immigration New Zealand (INZ), UK Border Agency (UKBA) and US Department of State, have conjointly worked on the

following areas of co-operation:

• Identity Management,

including the use of biometrics and other technology to tackle

identity fraud
• Information sharing
• Intelligence and

overseas liaison
• Returns and repatriation
•

Intergovernmental migration and refugees
• Business development

A spokesperson’s for Australia and New Zealand

said, “Shared visa application facilities would lead to improved

services for clients of each country and would also achieve

greater efficiencies through shared infrastructure and staffing.

These services will include extended operating hours with phones

open until 5pm weekdays, and internet kiosks with an online application tracking facility so clients can view the status of

their applications. Savings achieved this way are ultimately able

to be passed on to our clients. All applications will continue to

be assessed and decided by immigration staff at both the

Australian and New Zealand high commissions. VAC staff will not be

involved in decisions or have any knowledge of application

outcomes.”

 Travellers aspiring for visas to these

countries can now do so at the

VFS Global operated 5CC Visa Application Centre (VAC), located at

20, Cecil Street, #11-02 to 05, Equity Plaza, Singapore 049705.

VFS Global will be responsible for accepting visa

applications for Australia, New Zealand and UK visas from

applicants residing in Singapore. All applications will continue

to be assessed and processed by the DIAC, INZ and UKBA offices respectively.

The key features of the 5CC VAC will be:

 - Dedicated counters for applicants and

travel agents
- Biometric enrolments (For UK currently)
- Dedicated

call centre to answer queries and status of application
-

Online appointment system and tracking of application status
-

Dedicated websites to provide information on visa categories,

fees, application forms, etc.
- SMS alert for visa status

update on mobile phones
- Door step delivery of passports

The VAC will remain open from 08:00 to 16:00 from

Monday-Friday, keeping in mind the convenience of the applicants.

There is a service fee,

payable at the time of application, to use the VAC service.

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Singapore

New AU, NZ, UK Visa Application Centre Opens in Singapore