UKVI awards service contract to Sopra Steria for October 2018. Sopra Steria to streamline Work and Study Visas.
According to gov.uk, Sopra Steria, an IT and business consultancy, has been awarded a new UKVI contract to streamline applications for Work or Study Visas.
Sopra Steria will create 60 location across the UK for applicants to submit their applications, giving them more places to book appointments (it appears most of these locations will be existing libraries as Sopra Steria will be working in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians).
People booking their appointments at these new locations will be able to submit biometric information (photos, fingerprints and signatures) and supporting documentation in one meeting.
Additionally, applicants will be able to take their original documentation home with them because a copy is made and sent directly to UKVI.
An option will exist to allow people to upload their own files in advance of their appointment but no details are currently available on how this would work in practice.
This new service is anticipated for launch in October later this year.