U.K. visas no longer processed in Belize

Beginning March first, Belizeans needing visas to go to the U.K., may need to stop off in New York first. The British High Commission has announced that they will no longer be processing visa applications here in Belize, and these will be handled by the British Consulate-General in New York. The release says applications can be made online, by post, or in person. To apply online, the applicant must submit a form, pay the fee, and send their passport and supporting documents to New York Consulate by courier or mail. Fees by post must be paid with a U.S. money order. According to the British High Commission, the changes are quote “Driven by the need to deliver visas incorporating increasingly up to date security technology in the most cost-effective way.” Cost effective for the British High Commission, maybe, but certainly not for Belizeans who must now pay for internet time, U.S. postal orders, courier costs, and risk having their passport lost in the mail instead of merely going to Belmopan. The U.S. Embassy recently closed down for three months so that they could change their processing procedures to include higher security measures.