<p>Warning visa applicants to be wary of “unscrupulous agents”, UK Border Agency said on Friday that those caught with forged documents during visa process will face a ten-year ban on traveling to the UK, besides rejection of their application. <br /><br /></p>.<p>“We have very effective processes for detecting fraud and work with our International partners and Indian authorities to do so. When we uncover fraud, including false bank statements, education and language certificates, we will refuse the visa,” followed by the travel ban, the UK Border Agency said in a statement released to the press through the Office of the British Deputy High Commissioner for the South in Chennai.<br /><br />While the UK welcomed “genuine visitors, students and workers to the UK and are committed to ensuring the quality and availability of visa services for genuine applicants, we will, however, not tolerate abuse of the UK visa system and we have a zero tolerance for fraud. <br /><br />While the frauds will face a possible further action by Indian authorities, the agents caught in such cases will be reported to the local police for criminal action, Greig further added.<br /><br />Advising applicants to avoid the agent route while applying for visa, the statement pointed out that all information for the applicants is available for free at the UK Border Agency and VFS Global websites: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.vfs-uk-in.<br /><br />Urging prospective applicants not to believe agents “who say that they have a contact in the UK Border Agency or its commercial partner, VFS Global,” the statement said that they cannot influence the speed and outcome of the decision on the visa application.<br /><br />Since October 10 this year, “agents are no longer permitted to collect your documents at the end of the visa process. You can track the progress of your application to know when your documents are ready for collection. You may also pay a small fee to receive an automated SMS on the progress of your application. Further information is available at www.vfs-uk-in.com,” the statement added. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Warning visa applicants to be wary of “unscrupulous agents”, UK Border Agency said on Friday that those caught with forged documents during visa process will face a ten-year ban on traveling to the UK, besides rejection of their application. <br /><br /></p>.<p>“We have very effective processes for detecting fraud and work with our International partners and Indian authorities to do so. When we uncover fraud, including false bank statements, education and language certificates, we will refuse the visa,” followed by the travel ban, the UK Border Agency said in a statement released to the press through the Office of the British Deputy High Commissioner for the South in Chennai.<br /><br />While the UK welcomed “genuine visitors, students and workers to the UK and are committed to ensuring the quality and availability of visa services for genuine applicants, we will, however, not tolerate abuse of the UK visa system and we have a zero tolerance for fraud. <br /><br />While the frauds will face a possible further action by Indian authorities, the agents caught in such cases will be reported to the local police for criminal action, Greig further added.<br /><br />Advising applicants to avoid the agent route while applying for visa, the statement pointed out that all information for the applicants is available for free at the UK Border Agency and VFS Global websites: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.vfs-uk-in.<br /><br />Urging prospective applicants not to believe agents “who say that they have a contact in the UK Border Agency or its commercial partner, VFS Global,” the statement said that they cannot influence the speed and outcome of the decision on the visa application.<br /><br />Since October 10 this year, “agents are no longer permitted to collect your documents at the end of the visa process. You can track the progress of your application to know when your documents are ready for collection. You may also pay a small fee to receive an automated SMS on the progress of your application. Further information is available at www.vfs-uk-in.com,” the statement added. <br /><br /></p>
