Joint Visa Application Centre for Five Countries Conferences launched in ...

(From left) Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, Bernadette Cavanagh, New Zealand High Commissioner to Singapore and Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to Singapore gracing the launch of JVAC

SINGAPORE – Travellers who are in need of visa to enter countries like Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom can now do so at the newly launched Joint Visa Application Centre located at Equity Plaza. Travel agents will also have to go through the Centre, instead of the individual embassies, to process their clients’ visa applications.

The border control agencies of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have appointed VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments, to offer a cohesive visa application facility in Singapore. The “one stop shop” is aimed at expediting the flow of processing prior to the approval stage, which is still done at the individual embassies. In addition to that, the cooperation aims to jointly tackle visa and identity frauds that have plagued the immigration systems from time to time. Currently, the Centre accepts visa applications for Australia, New Zealand and UK from applicants residing in Singapore, regardless of their nationalities. The United States and Canada will soon be added to the Centre, together forming the Five Countries Conferences (5CC).

As part of their ongoing efforts to improve processes, rationalise resources and achieve better value for money, the 5CC have agreed an initiative to share visa support services, including the enrolment of biometrics. 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.

At the launch on March 25, 2013, British High Commissioner, Antony Phillipson and UK Border Agency Regional Director: Asia Pacific, Simon Peachey, joined their Australian and New Zealand counterparts to officially open the centre.

“The use of shared visa application facilities will save us costs through shared infrastructure and resources and allow us to maintain the very high levels of service we provide to our customers in Singapore and continue to develop new premium products to meet their needs,” said Phillipson.

Upbeat about this new facility, Ajit Alexander, chief operating officer, Australasia, VFS Global said, “It is our privilege to partner the High Commissions of Australia and New Zealand, as well as the UK Border Agency, to provide a convenient and hassle-free visa application process for the residents of Singapore. We are committed to providing highly efficient and convenient services to all visa applicants applying for Australia, New Zealand and UK visas in the city. Applicants in Singapore can now apply at VFS Global’s convenient and comfortable Joint Visa Applications Centre and expect professional services at all times.”

The Joint Visa Application Centre commenced visa application services for Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Travellers aspiring for visas to these countries can now do so at a convenient and common facility of the VFS Global operated 5CC Visa Application Centre (VAC), located at 20, Cecil Street, #11-02 to 05, Equity Plaza, Singapore 049705. VFS Global www.vfsglobal.com

 

The key features of the 5CC VAC will be:

 Conveniently located state-of-the art Visa Application Centre

 Longer operating hours

 Dedicated counters for applicants and travel agents

 Easy and standard documentation

 Quick and safe biometric enrolments (For UK currently)

 Professional and responsive staff dedicated to handle visa queries

 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.

 100% secure handling of documents and personal information

 SMS alert for visa status update on mobile phones

 Door step delivery of passports

The VAC will remain open from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday. The services of the 5CC VAC would attract a nominal service fee, payable at the time of application.

For further information on visa application procedures, travel agents and applicants may visit www.vfsglobal.com.

Joint Visa Application Centre for Five Countries Conferences launched in ...