Almost all the major countries and cities went on nation wise lockdown globally due to which BLS VAC had to shut down its operations in adherence to directives from Central, local Authorities as well as Diplomatic Missions. As communications are being received from Diplomatic Mission to open Visa Applications Centres, BLS is assessing each of the application as per directives from respective Missions. You may please visit the website and track the status of your application, or if you have opted for additional service - SMS during the submission of your application you will be updated on the real time status of your application movement.
First and foremost, we would suggest you , not to visit the BLS VAC without confirmed appointment. If case of any query, you may please feel free to reach the Helpline no. or write to support email id mentioned on the website, to avoid any unnecessary gathering. We further suggest the applicants to reach not before 15 mins of their appointment time. Also, when visiting any of the BLS VAC, please follow the basic mandatory safety guidelines such as, to maintain social distancing, wearing your facemask, carrying hand sanitizers.Please do not carry unnecessary items and also follow the security guidelines as mentioned on the website. Kindly cooperate during the security check at the VAC premises in case of queue. There may be additional checks due to COVID safety measures and applicants are requested to kindly bear with us for the inconvenience caused.
Visa Application Centre is operated as per the directives of respective Diplomatic Mission and the local law of land. Therefore, even if the local authorities lift the lockdown it is further instructed by the Mission to open up the Visa Application Centres and appointments accordingly.
Considering the above, BLS is constantly updating its website with the latest guidelines from Mission. Therefore, we suggest to keep checking the BLS website for further updates.
Time and again World Health Organisation, local Govt. Medical Authorities have been issuing the guidelines since COVID-19 has impacted the health of an individua. At each of the BLS Visa Application Centre, all the major and minor guidelines are being implemented as per the above guidelines, some of them are:
- Deep-sanitization of the VAC premises on a daily basis
- Social Distancing (6 Feet/ 2 Meters) mark, to stand in the Queue.
- Body Temperature Check for every individual entering the VAC Premise.
- Sanitizers kept at designated place.
- Alternate seating arrangement at the waiting area
- And other additional precautionary measures to maintain safety
Post the confirmation from Mission to accept the visa application, applicants who wish to apply for application may opt for our Additional Service. This facility called the Mobile Biometrics/ service at your Door Step, is for your convenience and comfort. Applicants can submit their application along with Biometrics at their own premise.
You may please visit the Additional Services page of the website to know more about the service and find the most convenient way to book the services well in in advance.
Please check the website clearly as this service is available in selected countries only.
This would also help in reducing unnecessary waiting at the VAC, and also avoid crowds thereby maintaining the social distance, moving out in extreme weather conditions, keep away from traffic congestions However, we also assure you with below additional precautionary measure while providing this service.
- Mobile Bio Officer (MBO) body temperature being checked on daily basis before leaving office.
- When travelling to your home/ office to accept Biometrics, travelling in individual vehicle and no public transport being used.
- Proper sanitization of Mobile Bio Kits after each Bio-Metric acceptance
- Personal protective measures like wearing gloves and face mask
In some countries before the COVID-19, medical report were part of normal document for Visa Application. We are yet to receive further communication from Diplomatic Mission’s for the post COVID-19 global scenario. However, as per the recent news on Travel guidelines and Airport authorities it may become one of the important documents to carry along while travelling outside the country. We suggest you to carefully go through the document checklist required when travelling, to the travelling country and the preferred airlines website.
In order to save time travelling to the centre to collect the processed passport, applicants may opt for the return courier. If the same has not been opted for at the time of submission, please call or email our contact centre for further information.
Details of the additional charges are provided on the website. Alternatively applicants can opt for collecting the same from our Visa application centres where the documents where submitted as per the passport collection timings mentioned on the website
Advisories for various countries differ with regards to who can enter, irrespective of whether they hold a valid visa or not. Some countries have imposed border control measures that only allow citizens, residents, or specific permit holders to enter the country, and disallow other non-essential travellers even if they hold a valid visa.
Citizens who are yet to travel and whose existing visa has expired or is expiring soon can re-apply for a fresh visa when our operations resume. Those who had already travelled before lockdown to a foreign country and whose visas are due to expire soon, are urged to reach out to the concerned embassy/consulate for assistance.