Only online UK visa applications after February 27 |14 February 2012

It said after completing the online application form, the applicant will be asked to book an appointment online to visit the Visa Section of the High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius at a time that suits them.

“During that visit they should submit a printed copy of the application form, any supporting documentation and their biometric data,” the high commission said in a press release.

“Payments for a visa application must be made online via the secure payment system in South African Rand (ZAR) with either a Mastercard or Visa, credit or debit card. We expect to allow payment in other currencies, including sterling and US dollars, in due course.
 
The British High Commission in Port Louis will forward by courier – the cost is included in the application fee – the application form and supporting documents to the British High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, where all visa applications decisions will now be considered.

“There will be no change to visa requirements or the way in which the visa application is considered. The only difference is the location of where the applications are processed.
Commenting on the changes, British High Commissioner Matthew Forbes said:

“Being able to submit an application for a visa and book an appointment online with the British High Commission in Port Louis makes it much easier for our customers to pay for their visas and organise their travel to Mauritius. This is a welcome initiative in partnership with UKBA, the government agency that protects our UK border.”

“All non-settlement applications we will continue to aim to process within three weeks of biometrics being submitted, and do not foresee any changes in our levels of our service.

For any queries, please email pta.visaenquiries@fco.gov.uk,” the high commission said.