E-payment: Payment for UK visa application now online

Applicants no longer have to carry large amounts of cash to Gerry's visa service but can pay through the net.

ISLAMABAD: In an effort to streamline the visa payment procedure, Pakistani citizens applying for a UK visa will now process their payments through a mandatory online service system from Monday.

As part of the UK Home Office global initiative, those applying for a UK visa will now pay visa fees through an online system. According to a press statement issued by the British High Commission in Islamabad, applicants will be able to pay online using Visa and MasterCard credit or debit cards. Alternatively, they can also pay through another online payment service called ‘e-wallet’ Skrill service, where applicants can pay the fee directly in UK pounds sterling.



On condition of anonymity, an official from the British High Commission told The Express Tribune that the initiative was developed while addressing several complaints registered with regard to the payment procedure. The official said the number of applicants applying for a longer duration visa would usually carry a bulk of cash to Gerry’s visa service, which was difficult to manage.



“While streamlining it through this online service, we are facilitating the applicants as well as the process,” the official added.

However, once payment is made online, the applicants are still required to visit Gerry’s visa service for thumb impressions, he said.

In response to a question about high fee charges, the official said that the UK visa fee has always been perceived to be higher as compared to other embassies. However, he maintained that the fee has been fluctuating because of the variable pound-rupee exchange rates.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2013