Home Office targets business travellers with new premium visa services

Posted: 06/11/2013

On 6 November 2013, the Home Office announced new premium visa services to attract business travellers.

The GREAT Club

The 'GREAT Club' will be an invitation-only service providing around 100 global business leaders with bespoke support from UK Visas and Immigration ('UKVI'). The Club will start in 2014 as a 12-month pilot free of charge.

The targeted, top business executives, who have strong links to the UK, will be provided with an account manager, whose tasks will including arranging tailored visa services.

Premium services

Over the next 12 months, UKVI’s visa application centres will be providing business travellers with more premium services, including:

• expanding priority (three to five day) visa services from 67 countries to over 90 by Spring 2014;
• expanding same-day visa services, currently available in India and soon to be available in China, to several further key locations by the end of 2014; and
• introducing a VIP mobile visa service to India and piloting the passport return service in southern India with a view to expanding countrywide if successful. 

Penningtons Manches LLP is able to assist with a wide-range of visa services, including assisting with and advising on the Points-Based System and visitor categories. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact one of the members of our team.

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