The British High Commission in Uganda has closed its visa office in Kampala in a restructuring, which will see local applicants' visa to be processed in Kenya or Ethiopia.

Officials at the British High Commission said the changes are related to the need to better manage data on travel and residence in Britain.

In a statement quoted by the Daily Monitor on Tuesday, the High Commission said if there is need for face-to-face interviews for Ugandans, they would be conducted in Kampala.

"The plans to move our visa services to Nairobi and Addis Ababa have been finalized," the statement was quoted by the daily as saying.

"From Feb. 9 (Monday) onwards, all visa applications will be sent directly (by courier) from the Visa Application Center in Kampala to Nairobi and Addis," read the statement, noting that there will be no extra charge.

It added that the changes will however not affect the quality of visa services to Britain, one of the most sought after destinations by Ugandans.

Uganda, once a British protectorate, has a large community of its citizens living and working in Britain.

According to the High Commission, visa applications should continue to be made to their visa facilitation services on the 7th Floor of Communications House in Kampala as before.

"As is currently the case, most visa applications will be processed within 15 working days. Applicants eligible for our Fast Track service should receive a decision within five working days," said the statement.

The statement also advices that visa applications should be made "up to three months in advance of when travel is planned."　

Source:Xinhua