News
Changes to the design of British Passports
Blue passports will be phased in over a number of months. If you renew your passport during this initial period, you may be issued with either a blue or a burgundy British passport. You will not be able to choose whether you get a burgundy or a blue passport. All styles of passport will be equally valid for travel. All British passports issued from mid-2020 will be blue. Official source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passport-design-changes/changes-to-the-design-of-british-passports Read More
UK Healthcare Surcharge fee set to increase in October 2020
If you’re coming to the UK for longer than six months you will need to pay the mandatory immigration health surcharge (IHS). It's full name is the International Health Surcharge (IHS) and by paying the surcharge, it will give a person the same access to the UK's National Health System (NHS) as a resident of the UK. A person will however still need to pay for certain types of services, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and assisted conception. The UK government has announced t... Read More
You can now renew your British Passport during lockdown here in SA
Visa Box is able to assist you with your British Passport renewal even during the current lockdown here in South Africa. We are able to complete your online forms, review all of your supporting docs electronically and then send off applications to the UK with an international courier once the application is complete. The HM Passport Office in the UK are able to process your application and then return your new passport to your address here in South Africa. Message from the HM Passport Offic... Read More
Message from the UK authorities: Replacing your 30 day Entry Vignette
If your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family e.g. Settlement visa, Ancestry visa, UK Tier 2 Work visa etc. has expired, or is about to expire, you can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year. To make a request, contact the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre. You’ll need to include your name, nationality, date of birth and your GWF reference number with ‘REPLACEMENT 30 DAY VISA’ in the subject line. I... Read More