The British High Commission in Colombo yesterday said it would like to remind applicants that the UK Border agency will be unable to accept new visa applications during the period of Thursday 19 November to Monday 23 November, 2009. This is due to the installation of a new IT system at the British High Commission, as part of an IT rollout to offices world-wide.

The last day on which VFS will accept new applications will be Wednesday 18 (today). A full service will resume on Tuesday 24, November.

However, during this time, applicants who made a visa application before 18 November will be able to collect their passports from the visa application centre between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Customers who intend to travel to the UK in November and December are advised to submit their visa applications as soon as possible. Currently the UK Border Agency is processing applications within the published target times.