CAPE TOWN -
Despite South African borders still being closed for leisure travel, citizens who had planned on traveling to the UK for work or study commitments are now able to start that process as visa offices reopen.
Restrictions in Europe are easing and John Dunn, director of citizenship and immigration at Sable International said UK Visas division is implementing a phased re-opening of their service points.
“We are able to book appointments for new applications, but there is a lower number of appointments available, due to the restriction on the number of people they are safely allowed to see each day,” said Dunn.
“The Home Office has also made an adjustment to the length of the initial visa that they issue. They have gone from issuing 30-day visas to 90-day visas, in order to accommodate travel restrictions and to give people more time to get to the UK.
“This includes those on the student visas and who have work permits that have been approved before or during this time. However, the borders are unlikely to open in full for other travel before October,” he said.
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