A new British Visa Application Center (VAC) has started operating in Nepali capital Kathmandu from Thursday to facilitate the visa application process for people wishing to travel to Britain.

 

The visa section at the British Embassy, Kathmandu used to issue visas each year for the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth countries.

 

"I am very pleased with the new center and with facilities that we will now be able to offer our customers. This will undoubtedly make the visa application process even smoother and quicker than before," said British Ambassador to Nepal Andrew Hall while inaugurating the new visa center here on Wednesday.

 

On an average over 17,000 Nepalis apply for UK visas each year. According to UK Embassy officials, some 72-75 percent of the applicants receive the visa.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2007)