UK ambassador says Kenyans travelling to UK to get visa’s within three weeks
Kenyans will now wait for three weeks to have their UK visas processed, the United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott has said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ms Marriott said the process of getting travel visas is now back on track following new adjustments on visa processing duration.
In 2022, Ms Marriott in a video apologized to Kenyans for the slow UK visa processing delay and explained that there has been a backlog of the visas since the pandemic time and which contributed to the delays.
Kenyans have in the past waited for close to three months to get a UK Visa.
“The various global issues and crisis that are going off at the moment and an unprecedented demand for visas has also contributed to the delay in visa processing,” she said.
Marriott stressed that there will be a priority for those who require visas urgently.
“Six months ago, I promised we would get our visa service for traveling back on track. I’m pleased we’re now at normal customer service standards – a decision should take just three weeks, with faster priority services available,” she said.
Six months ago, I promised we would get our visa service for 🇰🇪 travelling to 🇬🇧 back on track.
I’m pleased we’re now at normal customer service standards – a decision should take just three weeks, with faster priority services available.
All the info: https://t.co/b4ppUXgky0 https://t.co/DbsBPVSaNs
— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) January 25, 2023
Earlier, the ambassador said the delays experienced were a global challenge.
“I want to offer my sincere apologies to Kenyans for the delays in the UK visas. It is a global challenge; it is not Kenya specific. This is due to a huge backlog as a result of visa applications during Covid-19 that were not processed.”
“The various global issues and crises that are going off at the moment but also unprecedented demand for visas is also a reason for the delay,” she said.
Ms Marriott said in 2019, 300,000 students across the world wanted to go in the UK, a figure that has nearly doubled this year.
As a result, Kenyans seeking to go to the UK to study, for business or as tourists have been advised to apply six weeks in advance.
“The six weeks begin the day you go to the visa application center not when you fill in the forms online,” the High Commissioner explained.
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