UK to establish temporary mobile visa application point for Maldivian students

Maldivian students intending to study in the UK will able to apply for student visas without having to travel to Colombo in Sri Lanka, thanks to a temporary mobile enrollment system to be set up later this month.

Students will be able to lodge UK visa applications on August 28 at Nasandhura Palace Hotel, using what the High Commission described in a statement as a ‘mobile biometric clinic’.

“Those using the service will save themselves the cost and time of travelling to Colombo. The service is optional, and being run by our commercial partner, VFS Global, who have successfully managed similar services in India and elsewhere on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration,” the statement read.

Tom Greig, Regional Director South Asia for UK Visas and Immigration said the UK “is keen to attract the brightest and best talent from around the world. Our aim in
setting up a temporary enrollment location in Malé is to bring the UK visa application point closer to our Maldivian customers, and make the process of applying for a UK visa as quick and convenient as possible.”

Applicants wishing to use the service must book an appointment in advance by calling +94 114 692 604 (08:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs – Maldives Standard Time). There will be a charge of £192 (US$302) for using the service, in addition to the usual visa fee. Appointment numbers are limited.