New encryption laws in India slow down issuance of UK visas

The government in India has passed new laws regarding very strict encryption policies.  As a result the British government is experiencing delays issuing visas in India.    Last December in India the British government began issuing biometric visas.  The process typically took three days but now is closer to four days because of the tougher encryption laws that have been put in place by the Indian government.

The deputy high commissioner, Creon Butler, at the British High Commission in Delhi said that "The Indian laws require us to provide the key to the encrypted biometric data to the telecom ministry in India.  But our own laws do not permit us to do that.  Hence, we have to use a system of physically transferring the data to the high commission from the back office operations of our partners VFS Global." Butler also noted that they were experiencing delays processing visas in Iran as well.

The business express programme, or BEP, offers a process where frequent business travelers to the United Kingdom can fast track their visa application.  This program may be in jeopardy as visa turnaround is much slower.

Poorvi Chohani who is a lawyer in Mumbai and owner of LawQuest feels that "If the British High Commission collected the biometric information itself instead of outsourcing it they could process the visa quicker.  If that is not possible, in the present environment and high perception of security breaches and vulnerability to terrorist attacks, passengers should be prepared for delays in visa processes."

www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/india