Earlier this year Visa Application Centres (“VACs”) around the world took the decision to close shop in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, all out-of-country applications to the Home Office were, in effect, halted.

As of yesterday, 8 July, VFS Global announced the gradual reopening of their VACs across the US and beyond.

USA: VFS Premium Appointment Centres (“PACs”)

From Monday 13 July, the following VFS PACs will reopen:

  • Atlanta;
  • Boston;
  • Chicago;
  • Houston;
  • Los Angeles;
  • Miami;
  • New York;
  • San Francisco; and
  • Washington DC.

It should be noted that the PAC in Seattle remains closed. VFS have stated that:

“Please also be aware, that due to restrictions still in place globally, we are not currently able to offer the following services at our PACs: Silver, Gold, Settlement Premium Service Packages and Walk-in services.

Courier Return of your documents is included in our Bronze Package so you will not have to visit the Visa Application Centre again, after a decision is made.”

USA:  VFS Application Support Centres (“ASCs”)

VFS have also stated that a number of ACSs around the US will reopen from Monday 13 July, they are as follows:

  • Atlanta;
  • Boston;
  • Dallas (North);
  • Houston (Southwest)
  • Miami;
  • New Jersey (Elizabeth);
  • New York (Brooklyn);
  • Oakland;
  • Orlando;
  • Philadelphia;
  • San Jose;
  • Seattle; and
  • Virginia (Alexandria).

Whilst the above ASCs are set to return, VFS have highlighted a number of restrictions which they will keep in place:

“Please also be aware, that due to restrictions still in place globally, we are not currently able to offer the following services for customers attending ASCs: Priority Visa Service (visit) or Priority Visa for Settlement Service, or any package containing these services.

Please remember to purchase Document Scanning Assistance and a UPS courier service, so your documents can be sent to the New York Scanning hub after your appointment, and can be returned to you swiftly once a decision has been made.”

The remaining ASCs across the US are set to open later between 20-27 July.

VACs around the world

Canada VAC appointments have also reopened, and operations are set to restart from 17 July at the four VACs in Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

TLScontact have also announced the reopening of VACS in the following cities:

  • Algiers, Algeria;
  • Baghdad, Iraq;
  • Basra, Iraq;
  • Cape Town, South Africa;
  • Dakar, Senegal;
  • Durban, South Africa;
  • Erbil, Iraq;
  • Freetown, Sierra Leone;
  • Johannesburg, South Africa;
  • Oran, Algeria;
  • Port Elizabeth, South Africa; and
  • Yaoundé, Cameroon.

It should be noted that these are not the only TLScontact VACs open around the world, as a significant amount of centres are already open for new applications.

If you would like our advice on your visa application to move to Scotland or the rest of the UK, please contact us here.