UK Visas To Be Processed In Nairobi

[BoastingKingdom]

Why Nairobi and not Dar? 🙁
In my opinion the reason given is not good enough.

Cause Nairobi has got one of the latest New system in streamlining UK Visa Processing unlike in Dar it's comce comsa.

 

[Peasant]

Changes to the UK visa service (12/11/2008)

The British High Commission is giving advance notice of changes to its visa service.

As before, applicants should start the application process at least 6 weeks before they plan to travel.

But the British High Commission will no longer have any ability to arrange visas at short notice.

From 1 December, visa applications will be handled as follows.

Step One: Apply On-line & Make an Appointment

All applicants are strongly encouraged to make an initial application on-line at visa4UK :: Welcome.

As part of this on-line process, the applicant chooses a date and time for his/her appointment at the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam. Appointments will normally be available within 3 weeks of the on-line application. Applicants will find it easier to choose a time convenient to them because the visa section will be open for longer than previously: from 0745 to 1400 Monday to Thursday, and from 0745 to 1130 on Friday.

Applicants, who cannot make the initial application on-line, may instead come to the High Commission without an appointment. But they will be treated with lower priority than those who have already made an appointment on-line. So they may have to come back at a later date.

Step Two: Appointment at the British High Commission

All applicants must come to the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam at the set appointment time.

At the appointment, the applicant

submits his/her passports, a hard copy of the application, and supporting documents (see UK Border Agency Visa Services Home Page to find which documents are required);
provides fingerprints;
pays the non-refundable fee.

The High Commission tells the applicant when to return to pick up the passport.

Step Three: Assessment of the Application

All passports, applications and related documents will be sent to the British High Commission Nairobi, where they will be assessed and where visas will be issued for successful applicants.

The passports and documents will then be returned to the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam.

This process will normally be completed within 3 weeks. If there is any delay, the High Commission will contact the applicant and give a new date for passport pick-up.

Step Four: Pick up Passport

The applicant returns to pick up the passport at the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam on the agreed date.

The changes make it more important than ever that applicants should apply for a UK visa well in advance of travel.

We already recommend to all applicants that they should start the process on-line at least 6 weeks before they plan to travel. We continue to recommend this. Applicants who do not allow 6 weeks are likely to find that their application cannot be processed in time.

Appointments to apply for a UK visa can actually be made up to 3 months before travel. We recommend in particular that people applying for student and settlement visas should apply 3 months in advance if possible.

Please note that, after 1 December 2008, the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam will not be able to arrange visas at short notice.

The British High Commission would like to reassure travellers that the British Government remains committed to improving its service to Tanzanian citizens and others wishing to travel to the UK.


Notes for Editors


1.These changes are part of a restructuring of the UK's global visa operation, known as "Hub & Spoke visa processing". This will reduce the number of visa-issuing posts world-wide by more than half, to around fifty. In southern Africa, for example, visa applications from Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Zimbabwe are already processed in Pretoria. Nairobi already processes applications from the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Kenya. In Europe, the Americas and Asia, visa operations have been moved from over fifty British Diplomatic Missions to regional processing centres.

2.UK visa fees are determined by the world-wide cost of processing a visa. Consolidating visa operations will help keep the processing costs down, which in turn will help keep visa fees down.

3.There will be no change to the range of visa services available in Tanzania. We will continue to offer a high quality visa service.

4.The on-line application facility is now the quickest and most popular way for our customers to arrange visa appointments. Over 80% of Tanzanian applicants now use the on-line process.

5.Those applying for visas to live in the UK for 12 months or more will still need to have TB tests at the International Organisation of Migration in Dar es Salaam, before their appointment at the British High Commission. If DNA tests are also needed, they will continue to be carried out in Tanzania.

6.If an applicant needs to be interviewed, arrangements will be made for this to happen at the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam or by telephone. Interviews will be arranged as quickly as possible, but no more than ten working days after the first appointment at the British High Commission. Applicants will not be required to travel to Nairobi for interviews.

7.In any case, we now interview visa applicants only rarely. Applications are judged by the details provided on the application form, the supporting documents and any previous UK immigration history. It is therefore essential that applicants submit sufficient details to support their application, including e.g. evidence of funds available to cover costs of travel and living in the UK.

8.If an applicant presents a fake document, or makes a false statement, he/she will be refused a visa, and could be subject to a ten-year ban.

9.People who travel frequently to the UK may be eligible for a 5 or 10 year multi-entry visa. This saves having to reapply regularly for a new visa. A long-term visa also works out cheaper than making frequent 6 months visa applications. Long-term visas mark the holder as a valued and trusted customer of the UK.

10.Current visa fees are:

Six months Multiple Entry Visit Visa - Tsh 156,000

Long term Validity Visit Visa: 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years multiple visit visas; Working Holiday Makers; Work Permits; Employment; HSMP; Certificate of Entitlement - Sh 492,000
Medical Visa - TSh 156,000
Student Visa - TSh 238,000
Direct Airside Transit Visa (Not allowed to leave airport) and Visit in Transit Visa - TSh 108,000
Settlement and Marriage visas - TSh 1,236,000

11.Between 8,000 and 9,000 Tanzanians apply for UK visas every year.

12.Further guidance notes can be found on our website at UK in Tanzania.
________________________________________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

John Bradshaw
Press Officer
British High Commission
Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 2110101
Mob: +255 (0)754 764276
Fax: +255 22 2110102
Email: john.bradshaw@fco.gov.uk
Website: UK in Tanzania



source: Newsroom

 

[Kichuguu]

Mpaka mwaka jana, mtu aliyekuwa tajiri kuliko wote duniani ni Bwana Bill Gates wa Microsoft. Jamaa huyu amekuwa anatumia sehemu kubwa ya utajri wake kusaidia nchi maskini katika miradi mbali hasa zaidi kupambana na magonjwa yanayoweza kuzuilika kama vile Malaria. Nchi nyingi za Afrika zikiwemo Tanzania, Nigeria, Afrika ya Kusini, Kenya na nyinginezo zimefaidika sana na misaada ya bwana Gates.

Utaratibu wa balozi mbalimbali za marekani katika kutoa visa kwa hasa kwa watu wa Afrika wanaotaka kwenda kutembelea Marekani umekuwa unawataka watoe statement za benki kuonyesha kuwa wana hela za kutosha kutumia na kurudi makwao ili wasije shindwa kujikimu wakiwa Marekani na kuwa mzigo kwa serikali ya marekani.

Mwaka jana, bwana Bill Gates alitaka kwenda kutembelea Nigeria katika kukagua miradi mbalimbali ya kijamii aliyogharimia. Pamoja na kumfahamau kuwa huyu bwana ndiye tajiri mkubwa kuliko wote duniani, Ubalozi wa Nigeria hapo Washington DC ulimtaka Bwana Gates atoe ushahidi kuwa ana pesa za kutosha kutumia atakapokuwa Nigeria ili asije akashindwa kujikimu na kuwa mzigo kwa serikali ya Nigeria. Ilibidi bwana Gates akatafute statement inyoonyesha kuwa ana raslimali zenye thamani ya dola Bilion 52 ndipo ubalozi ukampa viza ya kuingilia Nigeria.

Hiyo ndiyo reciprocity yenyewe, na Bwana Gates alifuata utaratibu ailioukuta ubalozini wala hakuacha kuendelea kutoa misaada kwa Nigeria. Tukiweka reciprocity ya kuwataka raia wa uingereza kuombea viza ya Tanzania katika nchi nyingine wataufuata na vile vile serikali yao itajua kuwa tuko serious. In fact, nadhani hatua hiyo itawauma sana kwa sisi kama nchi ya commonwealth kupunguza shughuli za kibalozi katika nchi yao (kinara wa Commonwealth) na kuhamia nchi nyingine ambayo siyo ya Commonwealth.

 

[Kuhani]

Ubalozi wa Nigeria hapo Washington DC ulimtaka Bwana Gates atoe ushahidi kuwa ana pesa za kutosha kutumia atakapokuwa Nigeria ili asije akashindwa kujikimu na kuwa mzigo kwa serikali ya Nigeria. Ilibidi bwana Gates akatafute statement inyoonyesha kuwa ana raslimali zenye thamani ya dola Bilion 52 ndipo ubalozi ukampa viza ya kuingilia Nigeria.

Hiyo ndiyo reciprocity yenyewe,

Kichuguu,

Wanigeria sio wenzetu wale nakwambia. Hawanyeyekei mzungu hata siku moja. Babu kubwa!!

 

[Kichuguu]

10.Current visa fees are:

Six months Multiple Entry Visit Visa - Tsh 156,000

Long term Validity Visit Visa: 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years multiple visit visas; Working Holiday Makers; Work Permits; Employment; HSMP; Certificate of Entitlement - Sh 492,000
Medical Visa - TSh 156,000
Student Visa - TSh 238,000
Direct Airside Transit Visa (Not allowed to leave airport) and Visit in Transit Visa - TSh 108,000

Settlement and Marriage visas - TSh 1,236,000

Bei hizi jamani ni za kukata na shoka; hasa hii ya transit.

Mwaka 1993 nikiwa natokea Hongkong na Cathy Pacific, nilishushiwa Gatwick Airport kwa vile ndege hii haikuwa na terminal pale Heathrow. Baada ya kutua na kukusanya mizigo yangu nikapata viza ya papo kwa papo ya kuniruhusu kuishi Uingereza kwa miezi sita bila kulipia chochote. Hata hivyo sikuwa na plani za kuishi London, hivyo nikapanda basi hadi Heathrow na kuchukua B49 kuelekea Bongo. Kwa bei za sasa hivi nilitakiwa nimwage pesa pale Gatwick ili niweze kwenda kukamata ndenge yangu huko Hearthrow?

 

[Icadon]

Na zamani, (mpaka early 90s) tulikuwa tunapewa Visa pale pale Heathrow.

Sasa imekuwaje tena? Ni kitu sisi waTanzania tunafanya/tunajifanyia sio?

Haya maswala yalianza baada ya baadhi ya Watanzania kujilipua(kuomba hifadhi za kisiasa-ukimbizi) nchini Uingereza kwa kisingizio cha kutokuwa na amani nchi baada ya uchaguzi wa mwaka 1995.

 

[Yo Yo]

Haya maswala yalianza baada ya baadhi ya Watanzania kujilipua(kuomba hifadhi za kisiasa-ukimbizi) nchini Uingereza kwa kisingizio cha kutokuwa na amani nchi baada ya uchaguzi wa mwaka 1995.

Nakubaliana nawe,lile sakata la wazanzibar ndio linatupa matatizo yote haya.
Painkiller zionganishe hizi thread na ile ya GT tupate mtiririko mzuri

 

[Kisura]

Haya maswala yalianza baada ya baadhi ya Watanzania kujilipua(kuomba hifadhi za kisiasa-ukimbizi) nchini Uingereza kwa kisingizio cha kutokuwa na amani nchi baada ya uchaguzi wa mwaka 1995.

Actually, ilikuwa ilikuwa mapema kidogo, hii ilikuwa zaidi ni waZanzibari wengi kuingia UK kwa kisingizia hicho! Effective Summer ya 1992, wazee wakaona isiwe tabu, ikawa sasa inabidi tuchukue viza nchini kwetu!

 

[William J. Malecela]

Wanigeria sio wenzetu wale nakwambia. Hawanyeyekei mzungu hata siku moja. Babu kubwa!!

Hawana lolote hawa, sio hawa wanaoshirikiana na Andrew Young kuwaibia Wa-Nigeria na ile Sullivan ambayo hata sisi tunaupanda mkenge, wote tuko sawa tena hawa wako nyuma sana maana mpaka leo bado wanauziana vipande vya mwili wa binadamu sokoni Abuja, eti ni baabu kubwa hawa?

Wanazimia sana na wazungu hawa Wa-Nigeria, ambao ndio waliowaulia Abacha na Abiola, ili wachukue mafuta vizuri huko Nigeria, hawana lolote hawa ni Wadosi tu kama sisi!

 

[Kisura]

Hawana lolote hawa, sio hawa wanaoshirikiana na Andrew Young kuwaibia Wa-Nigeria na ile Sullivan ambayo hata sisi tunaupanda mkenge, wote tuko sawa tena hawa wako nyuma sana maana mpaka leo bado wanauziana vipande vya mwili wa binadamu sokoni Abuja, eti ni baabu kubwa hawa?

Wanazimia sana na wazungu hawa Wa-Nigeria, ambao ndio waliowaulia Abacha na Abiola, ili wachukue mafuta vizuri huko Nigeria, hawana lolote hawa ni Wadosi tu kama sisi!

Pamoja na hayo Mzee wa Dataz…still, how do you explain fact that they had him present all the docs, as they would with any other average Joe?
Give 'em props when due!

 

[Icadon]

Pamoja na hayo Mzee wa Dataz…still, how do you explain fact that they had him present all the docs, as they would with any other average Joe?
Give 'em props when due!

Swali ni je walifanya hivyo kwa kuwa ni sheria au walikuwa wanajikweza na kutaka sifa kama kawaida yao?

 

[William J. Malecela]

Ubalozi wa Nigeria hapo Washington DC ulimtaka Bwana Gates atoe ushahidi kuwa ana pesa za kutosha kutumia atakapokuwa Nigeria ili asije akashindwa kujikimu na kuwa mzigo kwa serikali ya Nigeria. Ilibidi bwana Gates akatafute statement inyoonyesha kuwa ana raslimali zenye thamani ya dola Bilion 52 ndipo ubalozi ukampa viza ya kuingilia Nigeria.

Pamoja na hayo Mzee wa Dataz…still, how do you explain fact that they had him present all the docs, as they would with any other average Joe?
Give 'em props when due!
Today 02:22 AM

Hapana mkuu siwezi kuwapa, kwa sababu hata sisi balozi zetu za bongo huwa tunafanya hivyo, hata aende nani ni lazima aonyeshe hayo, majuzi tu Willy Smith aliambiwa aonyeshe na ubalozi wetu mmoja, ni kawaida hiyo ni sheria mkuu sio anything!

Hata kwenye balozi zetu wazungu huonyesha hayo ya Gates, labda kama kuna mengine lakini sio haya!

By the way, mbona umepotoea sana mkuu vipi?

 

[Kisura]

Swali ni je walifanya hivyo kwa kuwa ni sheria au walikuwa wanajikweza na kutaka sifa kama kawaida yao?

Do the latter really matter? Even so, wapi wamevunja sheria?

 

[Kisura]

By the way, mbona umepotoea sana mkuu vipi?

Nipo Mzee wa Dataz, nipo sasa! Ni kazi tu na safari kidogo za hapa na pale huko Afrika.

 

[BAK]

Haya maswala yalianza baada ya baadhi ya Watanzania kujilipua(kuomba hifadhi za kisiasa-ukimbizi) nchini Uingereza kwa kisingizio cha kutokuwa na amani nchi baada ya uchaguzi wa mwaka 1995.

Waungwana hata Wakenya waliojilipua UK wapo wengi tu tena nadhani idadi yao ni kubwa kuliko ya Watanzania.

 

[PauliMasao]

Huu ni ukoloni mamboleo! Sisi tuna ubavu kujibu mapigo?

 

[Mundu]

What if in the process... sending PP to nairobi for stamping.. the doc is lost/misplaced. who will be responsible? and by the way the procedure of applying visa online means less staffing in the Dar office. Damn my friends there!!

 

[John Bradshaw]

I came across this forum and thought I would clarify since I am the person who announced this as mentioned in the Daily News article.

To be clear, in terms of what a visa applicants needs to do, the procedures for people to apply for UK visas in Tanzania will be as before. That is:

1) If possible make an initial application on-line at visa4UK :: Welcome. As part of this you will be able to choose a date and time for your appointment at the British High Commission. As is the case now, you will normally get an appointment within 3 weeks. Opening hours will be longer than before so that we can take more applications per day.

2) Come to the British High Commission at the set appointment time to submit your application and supporting documents. You will be given a date for when to come back to pick up your passport.

The difference from previously is that from 1 December your visa application will be assessed by our staff in Nairobi instead of in Dar. This could take up to 3 weeks.

We already advise visa applicants to apply at least 6 weeks before they are due to travel, and this has not changed. The only thing is that this is now more important than ever.

You can in fact apply up to 3 months before your travel. And if you are a frequent traveller it might make sense for you to apply for a Long Term visa (1, 2, 5 or 10 years) - that could save you both time and money.

Why is the UK doing this? Because we are restructuring our global visa operation (we call it "hub and spoke"), so that we reduce the number of posts worldwide issuing visas by more than half to around 50. Importantly for visa customers, this will help us keep the cost of visas down. For example we already process visas for Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Zimbabwe in Pretoria.

Why use Nairobi as the "hub" and not Dar? Because Nairobi already processes more than double the number of visas for Kenya than we do for Tanzania, so we already have a bigger set up in place there. That means our office in Nairobi does not need much additional support to handle visas of neighbouring countries too.

But I can give an assurance that there will be no discrimination against Tanzania. Visas for Tanzanians will be processed as quickly as those from Kenya, DRC or elsewhere.

I would be happy to answer any other questions if there are further posts. Glad to join this Forum!

John Bradshaw
British High Commission
Dar es Salaam

 

[John Bradshaw]

Something went wrong with the website address I mentioned in the previous post. It should be visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

 

[deny_all]

The difference from previously is that from 1 December your visa application will be assessed by our staff in Nairobi instead of in Dar. This could take up to 3 weeks

Assessment being done in Nairobi will mean the passport and all supporting documents of visa applicant will need to be shipped to/fro Nairobi, the following came into my mind,

1. The responsibility of the passport & documents in case of being lost, is the British High Commission going to cover the costs for that in case a passport or documents are lost? Or it will be due at your own risk?

2. I still see the likelyhood of visa application cost going high as there is an additional element of cost increase($60 to $100) due to the use of courier companies to ship the passport and supporting documents to/from Nairobi. Is British High Commission assuring us that will not be the case? As of now majority of people are seeing the existing costs to be high.