Need UK visa pronto? It will cost you

British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Starting Feb. 23, the British Embassy in Manila will process visas for Filipinos on a rush to go the United Kingdom (UK) within just 24 hours, but for a hefty fee of P45,000.

UK Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad launched on Wednesday the Super Priority Visa, the latest service to be provided by the British Embassy in Manila.

At the launch held at the UK Visa Application Center at Ecoplaza in Makati City, Ahmad said British Prime Minister David Cameron decided last year to offer the Super Priority Visa to “selected locations” around the world that included Manila.

“This is designed for people who need to travel urgently to the UK,” the British ambassador told reporters.

Other countries that provide 24-hour visa service are China and India, according to Ahmad.

A primer prepared by the UK Visas and Immigration explained how the service can be availed of by Filipinos.

Applicants must book an appointment between 7 a.m. and 12 noon on weekdays. But before their appointment, they must pay online the P45,000 fee using the payment portal of the VFS Global visa application center website at www.vfsglobal.co.uk/philippines.

But Ahmad made it clear that availing of the service was no guarantee that applicants would easily get a visa, saying they have to meet requirements of the UK immigration rules.