By Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter
Mandy Ivemy (right), head of the visa section of the British High Commission, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, assists some of the many persons who turned up there yesterday to apply for visas to enter the United Kingdom. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
THE BRITISH High Commission, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, was the scene of frenetic activity yesterday morning as hundreds of Jamaicans turned up to secure visa forms and seek clarification on the new visa application procedures.
A blend of uptown, downtown, men, women, the disabled and the able-bodied rushed to the High Commission after new visa restrictions came into effect at 7 p.m. Wednesday night.
Most persons asked for application forms while others sought information from British officials who had their hands full explaining the new procedures for entering the United Kingdom.
Tempers flared about 11 o'clock when persons were told that application forms were running low and would be reserved for persons who were travelling within the next few days.
The problem was quickly addressed, however, and a new stock of application forms was brought out for the anxious crowd.
A woman who asked not to be named, complained bitterly that there was not enough information about the new regime, leading to persons wasting much of their time.
"It's disrespectful," she fumed. The woman, who left Montego Bay for Kingston at 7.30 a.m. yesterday, said her plans to go to France were in jeopardy because of the possibility that she might not get a UK visa.
Other persons raised concerns about the lack of notice given before the new regime came into effect. This, they said, had caused them great inconvenience.
However, Mags Fenner-White, spokesperson at the British High Commission, told The Gleaner that officials were doing everything in their power to reduce the stress of applicants and provide them with as much information as possible.
"We don't want to waste people's time," Ms. Fenner-White said. According to her, the big rush to the High Commission was to be expected but noted that officers had been giving persons the necessary information to cut down on the hassle.
She added that visa officers were giving priority to persons who would be travelling soon while encouraging persons who had travel plans for later in the year to apply closer to the time of their scheduled departure.
Ms. Fenner-White said the phones at the High Commission had been ringing non-stop since yesterday as persons try to get greater clarity on the new visa measures.
The new visa arrangement announced by British Home Secretary, David Blunkett on Wednesday has been described as necessary to ease the pressure on the UK's immigration system. According to him, some Jamaicans have abused the country's immigration rules, thereby causing great inconvenience to genuine travellers.
Under the new system, Jamaicans can apply for a six-month, two-year, five-year or 10-year visa at fees ranging from $2,900 to $12,000. UK officials say they are hoping that the turnaround time, between dropping off forms and picking them up will be three working days.
