British Passport
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been advised by the British High Commission of changes regarding the logistical arrangements for issuing visas for the United Kingdom. These changes are part of a move to concentrate decision-making on visa applications in a number of hub posts around the world, to ensure quality and improve efficiency in the face of rising demands.
The Ministry has been advised that from 2nd June 2008, the British Consulate in New York will be responsible for making decisions regarding the issuance of visas. Applicants will continue to apply to the British High Commission in Barbados, which will in turn forward the relevant documents to the British Consulate in New York.
Online applicants will be required to pay for the Visa with an internationally recognized credit card at the time of completing the visa application form. Applicants will still be required to pre-book appointments. However, applicants must also make a personal appearance at the British High Commission in Barbados to submit documents and provide the necessary biometric data.
When the British Consulate in New York would have made a decision, which may be arrived at approximately three weeks, applicants will be alerted via email. Subsequently, the British High Commission in Barbados will notify the applicant that the documents are available for collection. Alternatively, the documents could be forwarded directly to the applicant (living outside of Barbados) by courier, a service which would have been paid for during the online application process.
