§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to establish a visa application centre in Goa, India. [170400]
§ Mr. MullinThere are currently no plans to establish a visa application centre in Goa. However, the situation is kept under review.
§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa application centres outsourced operations assisting British High Commissions. [170398]
§ Mr. MullinOur most developed and largest outsourced visa application centre scheme is in India, where there are 11 visa application centres. There are another three visa application centres worldwide that are similar to the outsourced operation in India. Two are situated in Bangladesh and one in Singapore. However, there are other types of outsourced visa operations worldwide, the most common being designated couriers or designated travel agents where applications can be submitted.
§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost is of operating visa application centres. [170399]
§ Mr. MullinAll visa application centres are self-financing and are therefore of no cost to UK visas or the UK taxpayer.
§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited a visa application centre. [170401]
§ Mr. MullinMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not visited a visa application centre, and has no plans to do so presently. Visa application centres accept visa applications only and then forward them to our visa sections. All visa application decisions are still made at a visa section of one of our missions.