Changes to the Visa Application Service (23/02/2009)
From 1 April 2009, all United Kingdom visa applications will be processed by the British Embassy in Stockholm. This will not affect arrangements for visa applicants in Norway. But applications will take longer to process. You should apply at least 15 working days before you intend to travel.
DETAIL
Applicants will continue to lodge their applications on-line and arrange an appointment at the British Embassy in Oslo to deposit their paper copy of their application form, passport, supporting documents, to pay the appropriate fee and to have their fingerscans taken. From 1 April 2009, each applicant should present their application form, passport, original supporting documents with copies, where possible, with English translations. Documents will then be forwarded to Stockholm, where the application will be processed and a decision taken. Once the decision has been taken on whether a visa should be issued, the applicant's passport and documents will be returned to the British Embassy Oslo for collection by, or posting to, the applicant.
The expected processing time between an applicant depositing their form, passport and documents at the British Embassy in Oslo and their passport and documents being ready again for them to collect from the British Embassy in Oslo will be seven working days in most cases. If an applicant needs to be interviewed, arrangements will be made for them to return to the British Embassy in Oslo for this interview. Interviews will be arranged as quickly as possible, but certainly within 10 working days. Applicants will not be required to travel to Stockholm.
Applicants are encouraged to continue making their applications well in advance of any planned journey to the United Kingdom. In particular, with the Easter holiday taking place soon after the new system takes effect, applicants should ensure that their applications are submitted in sufficient time to enable travel at Easter. Once applications have left the British Embassy in Oslo, the Embassy will be unable to track the status of the application until the papers are returned from Stockholm. An application can be accepted up to three months in advance of the proposed date of travel. Applicants of any nationality holding a current valid Norwegian residence permit may make applications to the British Embassy in Oslo. Applications to those not normally resident in Norway may also be accepted, but could be subject to delays over and above the seven working days quoted above.
The above changes to the processing of visa applications made at the British Embassy in Oslo are part of a world-wide programme to meet ever-increasing demand for visas for the United Kingdom. UKBA, the organisation responsible for maintaining the British Government’s Entry Clearance (Visa) operation outside the United Kingdom, is committed to looking at more efficient ways of working to keep visa fees down without compromising decision quality.
Travellers who require a visa to enter the United Kingdom must submit all applications for visas for the United Kingdom via the internet using the visa4UK online application service. Applicants will at the same time need to pre-book an appointment online to present their application. The Embassy in Oslo no longer accepts callers who have not pre-booked an appointment.
Applications for Commonwealth or United Kingdom Dependant Territories visas will be processed in the same way.
