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British High Commission partially eases visa restrictions

Two weeks after it decided to accept only specified categories of visa applications, the British High Commission in New Delhi on Friday announced partial easing of restrictions in this regard.

In the wake of reduction in staffing levels amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan and fears of a war, the British Mission had announced that it would be able to accept visa applications from those qualifying under the 'drop box' criteria, visitors travelling on an emergency basis and those intending to settle in the UK.

"With effect from June 24, the High Commission has decided to accept applications in a broad category of 'straightforward' traveler," the mission said in a release.

"More complicated applications cannot be accepted at this time. But we hope these new arrangements will significantly improve the service we can offer," it said.

It said though many hundreds of applications have continued to receive British visas 'we were very aware of the difficulties our reduced level of service was causing, especially to the first time travelers'.

The mission said while its staff numbers remain unchanged, it had been able to re-locate resources within department to provide this additional service.

It said British visa operations in Chennai and Kolkata were open for normal business and continue to accept applications from residents of their regions.

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