Bhutanese people will now be able to apply for the United Kingdom and Australian visas in Bhutan without having to travel to India.
The Visa Application Centre was formally inaugurated in the capital, yesterday.
The new centre is a joint venture between Australia, UK Visas immigration and Global Visa Facilitating Service (VFS).
The Visa Application Centre will process visas on weekdays.
The Centre will help costumers process their documents as they submit their applications online.
“You have to begin by getting online and filling in the visa application form. At the end of filling in the form, you are invited to have to make interview date time for you to come here to Thimphu Plaza to submit your application,” said the British Honorary Consul to Bhutan, Michael Rutland.
He said the appointment must be booked online.
“From Monday now, you can come here to the visa application centre in Thimphu plaza and you can use the VFS credit card. I think there is a small charge. This means you don’t have to run around your friend who owns a credit card.”
The Australian Ambassador to Bhutan, Harinder Sidhu said once the formalities have been completed, people will be able to receive their visas from the centre.
Along with the Visa fee, applicants will have to pay a VFS logistic fee of Nu 7,000 for student visa and Nu 5,000 if a applicant is dependent.
The payment has to be made while submitting online application.