The Visa Facilitation Services online application services in India, Nigeria and Russia are funded by a handling fee charged to applicants. No public funds have been involved in the provision of this service.
No, as no financial loss was incurred. The independent investigator concluded that she could find no evidence that any personal data were misused as a result of the breach of security at the Visa Facilitation Services online visa application facility. We are committed to working with Visa Facilitation Services to ensure that a high standard of customer service is maintained under the contract, which replaces the previous arrangements.
UKvisas signed a commercial partnership agreement with VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd. (Visa Facilitation Services) on 27 February 2007. This contract provides that VF Worldwide Holdings will supply UKvisas with visa application and related services in the far east, Former Soviet Union, Gulf and Pakistan, South Asia, South East Asia (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Southern, Central and Eastern Africa and West Africa. This contract is being rolled out across the world gradually throughout 2007. As it comes into effect in each country, it will supersede any previous existing contracts between UKvisas and Visa Facilitation Services in that country.
Visa Facilitation Services currently provides a service for UKvisas in China, India, Qatar and Russia under contracts which have not yet been superseded by the 27 February 2007 contract.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has accepted all of the recommendations made by the independent investigator in her report into the data breach at the Visa Facilitation Services online visa application facility. None recommended disciplinary action against UKvisas staff.