British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The United Kingdom (UK) has opened a new Visa Application Center (VAC) in the country, a move which it described as an initiative to strengthen business and tourism ties between the Philippines and UK.
In his speech during the opening ceremonies of the new VAC in Cebu Wednesday, British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie said that the opening served as a response to the increasing demand from Filipinos to go to UK, and added that the UK has been a top destination for tourists, students, and business travelers.
“The UK is very much open for business and open for many more Filipinos to come and visit, study and do business with us. The opening of this new visa application centre in Cebu will make that a lot easier,” Lillie said.
Lillie also noted that “increased senior level contacts” between the two countries have strengthened relations, citing President Benigno Aquino III’s first ever visit to Europe in June, and the meeting of the two countries’ foreign secretaries at the recently concluded United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, where they reportedly discussed “a range of issues around security, trade, and investment.”
“Increased senior level contacts are matched by increased visits more generally. The number of Filipinos choosing to visit the UK went up by 8% in 2011, following a 16% rise in 2009,” he added.
The new VAC, the second in the Philippines, would be run by the British government’s commercial partner, VFS Global.
UK Border Agency’s International Operations and Visas Director Jonathan Sedgwick and VFS Global Chief Executive Officer Zubin Karkaria accompanied Lillie during the opening.
The British embassy in Manila, in a separate statement, noted that the new VAC was part of enhanced services. It said that earlier this year, a Priority Visa Service for eligible visitors and seafarers, as well as Prime Time Saturday appointments at the Manila VAC was launched.
“Customers can also opt for the VIP lounge service at available at both the Manila and Cebu application centers,” it said.
The first UK VAC in the Philippines is located in Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Makati City.