British Embassy Manila becomes regional hub for Visa processing
29 January 2009
The UK Border Agency has announced that the British Embassy in Manila will be the new regional hub for visa processing starting January 2009.
The Manila post will handle UK visa applications for Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. Other regional offices may also submit its visa applications for processing later this year.
British Ambassador Peter Beckingham welcomes the new developments in the British Embassy's Manila post.
"This expansion spells a big vote of confidence in Manila as a major hub for business process outsourcing," Beckingham said.
"The development reinforces the sizeable outsourcing to the Philippines by UK companies and organisations, ranging from financial services to publishing and the media."
The embassy has announced that it is re-structuring its visa section and hiring additional staff to accommodate the expected increase in the volume of work.
Last year the embassy moved to brand new secure premises in McKinley Hill, Taguig City, and construction work is now being carried out to enlarge the office space.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo expressed his delight that the British Embassy is joining many other major organisations and companies in entrusting and transferring their operations to the Philippines.
