Singapore

Australian and New Zealand citizens making visa applications in Singapore will receive better access to immigration services through a new, first of a kind visa centre being set up next week. Each country’s immigration departments today announced details of the first Five Country Conference (FCC) shared visa application centre (VAC) that will open in a few days time.

Australia and New Zealand will share the facility with the United Kingdom and it is part of a wider co-operation between nations to work together to enhance the integrity, security and efficiency of their immigration and border services to improve client services and reduce costs. A spokesman for Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship said the VAC would provide more convenient access to immigration and citizenship services for clients in this region.

‘These services will include extended operating hours with phones open until 5pm weekdays, and internet kiosks with an online application tracking facility so clients can view the status of their applications,’ the spokesman said. ‘All applications will continue to be assessed and decided by immigration staff at both the Australian and New Zealand high commissions. VAC staff will not be involved in decisions or have any knowledge of application outcomes,’ he explained. [click to continue…]

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