Move to outsource on-arrival visas at BIA led to controversy

Plans to hand over the issue of on-arrival visas through a private company at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have run into a controversy forcing the Immigration Department to take over the duties again.

The move follows a protest at the BIA by a couple of travellers who claimed they had to pay higher charges through the company and that an Indian company was exploiting the situation.

However, the  Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka was quick to deny reports that an  Indian company has taken over visa issuance at the BIA.

The High Commission said that the companies referred to in a recent incident at the airport were not Indian or Indian-based and are instead headquartered elsewhere.

“Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted,” a Press release from the High Commission said.

The Department of Information clarifying the situation said that the decision to hand over on-arrival visas to VFS Global company was taken following a cabinet decision based on a cabinet paper submitted by the Public Security Minister Tiran Alles in September last year.

The Department said that of two application received one of them was selected and they were already operating in 151 countries operating through 3388 centres.

Meanwhile, Ministry sources said that a group of Immigration officials were involved in protesting about government decisions.

With the revision, the online visa fee, previously set at $52, has now been increased to $75. Additionally, a Convenience Fee of $18.05 and a facility fee of $7.27 have been introduced. Consequently, the total visa fee now stands at $100.77.

Those in the tourism sector too have voiced their concern about the increase. The Ministry plans to go ahead issuing online visas through the VFS company from next week.