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This month's Goanet operations sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Faleiro If you would like to sponsor Goanet's operations contact: Herman Carneiro - [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977150106&a=KArticle&aid=1171455432137 UKvisas signs commercial partnership contracts with Computer Sciences Corporation and VFS Global Ltd (28/02/07) On 27th February, UKvisas signed contracts with Computer Sciences Corporation and VFS Global Ltd to provide a global information service to our applicants and to establish Visa Application Centres (VACs) in fifty two countries. The ten regional contracts are worth £297million over five years. The contract signing took place at a reception held in the Locarno Room at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Mark Sedwill, Director of UKvisas said at the reception " I am very pleased that UKvisas will be working in partnership with CSC and VFS Global and I look forward to a productive alliance. The Commercial Partnership Programme is crucial to UKvisas achieving its key objectives over the next five years." UKvisas has for a number of years outsourced a range of application support services to commercial partners on a country-by-country basis. As our business needs have changed, both in terms of processes and the volume of applications, so our outsourcing arrangements needed to change to accommodate both present and predicted future needs. The VACs established by our commercial partners will become the first point of contact for the large majority of visa applicants (diplomatic visitors will continue to deal directly with the post). In many instances they will be the only personal point of contact throughout the visa application process. The Commercial Partnership Programme contracts have been awarded on a regional basis. Americas: Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) ( information services only in the USA) Europe - CSC The Far East - Visa Facilitation Services Global Ltd (VFS Global) Former Soviet Union - VFS Global Gulf & Pakistan - VFS Global North Africa & Middle East - CSC South Asia - VFS Global South East Asia (excluding Australia and NZ) - VFS Global Southern, Central & East Africa - VFS Global West Africa - VFS Global The new contracts will increase coverage of UKvisas commercial partner network to 87% of visa demand and will also be crucial in enabling UKvisas to manage key future business change programmes. The letting of the contracts to CSC and VFS Global will: Provide the necessary management and infrastructure required to operate a high quality and assured service to our customers; Ensure a uniform level of customer service in VAC's throughout the world; Increase the number of sites to make an application; Make it easier for applicants to apply for UK visas through conveniently located VACs with extended opening hours, particularly at times of peak demand; Enable the collection of required biometric data to support enhanced identity management and the integrity of the visa system; Extend the range of payment methods available to applicants; Enable UKVisas to manage future business change more effectively. The services to be outsourced are: Information Services The commercial partners will provide information to all visa applicants about the practical aspects of how and where to apply for visas. The services will be accessible via: A web based information service, which will be free for all to access. The web service will support the predominant languages of our applicants; An over the counter information service at application centres; A free e-mail service for enquiries and forms; A forms and leaflets postal service; A telephone enquiry service that the customer will pay to use. The telephone service will also operate in the predominant applicant languages; Where there is demand and availability an SMS service for mobile phones. These services will be delivered world-wide. Application Services The commercial partners will establish a network of VACs in agreed locations. Applicants will be required to apply at VACs in countries where the services are offered. VACs will provide the applicant with appropriate levels of security and comfort befitting our visa operations. The following services will be offered to the customer at VACs as part of the visa fee: A non-prejudicial checking service that will ensure that the application is complete and that all documents the applicant wishes to send are present. A visa fee collection and handling service A biometric collection service that will collect fingerscans and a photograph from all applicants. A courier delivery/collection service to/from the post for applications and collection facility for applicants that have not opted to pay for a personal courier return. Cip