Dar es Salaam. Due to customer
demand from businessmen and students who wish to travel on short notice
to the United Kingdom, the British High Commission yesterday launched a
new fast-track visa application system.
The fast-track system would be optional for
Tanzanians who wish to study in the UK for business, studying and a
visit and would cost an additional fee of £100 (about Sh250,000).
Tanzanians lead other East Africans in accessing visas to the UK. Last
year 4,067 Tanzanians were granted visas to the UK out of 5,214
applications.
The British High Commissioner, Ms Dianna Melrose,
said visas applied through the fast-track system would be processed
within five days or less unless there were problems with the application
in which case the high commission would notify the applicants.
“This priority service will help us achieve the
objectives of our new UK/Tz prosperity partnership to increase trade and
investment. It will support Tanzania’s development and generate
prosperity and employment for both countries,” said the High
Commissioner.
She noted the visa service was flexible and
responsive to needs. She said every individual applying for a visa was
different and the high commission wanted to ensure it provided a range
of services to meet varying needs.
“However the normal immigration rules still apply,
this does not assure that the applicant will be granted the visa,” she
said, adding that the move meant to strengthen the relationship between
the two countries.
On whether there were any plans to start issuing
visas in Tanzania, Ms Melrose said the initiative to process them in
Kenya was meant to cut down on costs
