British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner has urged Pakistanis who seek to travel to the UK this summer to apply for a visa as early as possible to avoid visa processing delays.
In his video message on Twitter, the High Commissioner said anyone from Pakistan who wanted to travel to the UK this summer, should apply for a visa as early as possible and allow at least six weeks “from the day you submit your biometrics.”
“I am delighted many students are also planning to go to the UK, but the message is the same. Please apply for your visa as early as possible,” he said apologizing for the delay in visas that has disrupted travel plans.
These delays are affecting UK visas all across the world not just in Pakistan, he emphasized.
The two reasons for the delay are:
- Resumption of international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions
- More visa staff dedicated to supporting those applying from Ukraine facing war
The British envoy further said: “Our people-to-people links are at the core of our UK Pak-Dosti (friendship) with around half a million visits taking place between the UK and Pakistan every year.”
Turner advised the applicants including students to allow the high commission at least six weeks from the day they submitted their biometrics.
Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.