The Mobile Biometric Clinic will allow Goa residents to submit their UK visa application and biometric data using a mobile facility in the town for an additional fee.

Prior to the launch of the service, all visa applicants previously would have had to travel to Mumbai to lodge their applications

British High Commissioner, Sir James Bevan, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar and VFS Global’s regional head Vishal Jairath inaugurated the clinic on Monday, March 11.

“The Mobile Biometric Clinic is a welcome initiative by the UK Border Agency and VFS Global, providing convenience to the citizens of Goa with the localised option of applying for a UK visa. The Government of Goa welcomes this initiative and hope that such novel service initiatives are organised more frequently in the state,” said CM Parrikar.

According to Bevan, Britain’s visa operation in India the biggest in the world.

“We have the largest number of Visa Application Centres of any country in India - twelve. Most Indians who apply for a visa get one – nine out of ten.”

According to the high commission, of over 370,000 UK visa applications processed in India last year, 88% were successful.

The Mobile Biometric Clinic service, delivered by the VFS, will use the UKBA’s mobile Biometric Enrolment System (BES) equipment to take biometric data (finger scans and digital photograph).

Previously, to improve visa services, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced a new same day visa service for Indian businessmen frequently travelling to the UK. The PM made the announcement during his three-day state visit to India to boost bilateral ties.

“This new service -- a mobile facility which allows Indians to submit their visa application and biometric data outside our current network of Visa Application Centres -- means they no longer have to travel to Mumbai to submit their applications,” Bevan said.