VFS Visa Application Centre

Came here for my Australian visa biometrics (this is the correct place, don’t go to VFS global on Anson street!).

UPDATE
After reading the terrible reviews and dreading my visit, I’m actually impressed at my second visit for my biometrics appointment so I’m adding a star. It helps to bring the hard copy referral and appointment letters to avoid paying for their printing service (it’s easy to find cheap printing services around singapore). My appointment time was 1145am but I arrived 20 minutes early, expected a long wait but there was no queue and I got in quickly. I was called to the counter in just 1 minute, showed my letters and passport, and was given the option to pay by cash or nets (don’t think credit card is accepted). I was called to the biometrics room real fast and was out and done by 1142am, before my actual appointment time! It’s just slightly annoying that they don’t notify you when they have sent the necessary to the country, but they told me it would be done in 24 hours. I just have to trust that it will be done.

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The fee is $47 for the biometrics if you have an online appointment, plus an extra $32 if you don’t have an online appointment.

Unfortunately the system is against you because the website hasn’t been working since last night, so there was no way I could create an account to book an appointment myself (I tried multiple times over a few hours using different browsers and devices - still can’t work)! I went to get help with booking an appointment - the security staff can’t help me and could only advise me about the different fees, so I went in and waited about 5 min before I got called to the counter. The staff was helpful but they found that the website wasn’t working for them either, and they had to do a backend manual booking for me. For some reason, this method actually has less flexibility because the staff did not check with me what my available dates are, and booked a date and time that I wasn’t available - when I asked if I could change it, they said they’re unable to change it on their end because they are given only one option (the earliest next available appointment) and need to pick that, and I’m also unable to change the date and time myself since their website wasn’t working (even the staff was completely helpless in this exchange, they had no idea why the website wasn’t working).

So although the staff were prompt in serving me and getting things done when I was there, the user experience and efficiency isn’t great. The website needs to be fixed, flexibility of dates for the staff inside needs to be provided, and solutions for changing dates and times are non-existent. I saved $32 by not spending on the walk-in fee, but also spent an extra two hours or so in commuting time.

Pretty well organized, went there in the morning around 8:45 for an 8:30 biometrics appointment for Australia, entered without issue.

Accepts NETS or cash, no credit cards iirc. Biometrics process was fairly straightforward and smooth. Getting charged 47 SGD is not a vibe but I guess no choice.

Horrible services. On the website it shows open at 8, came in at 7:50am and they are not opening the services and kept everyone waiting till 8:30 without any explanation. Then come in, only two counters for the UK visa open and they are not taking applicants and we are sitting for another 15 - 20 mins till they finish chatting and greeting. Then when they call your number is not in order, people behind you got called and processed. Another 30-40 mins waiting and you cannot work cause laptop is not allowed.

In summary, if you wanna get visa application here. Be prepared to wait for 90 mins or more to get the services. Of course there is options where you may additional couple of hundreds to get “expressed services”.

Overall, horrible horrible services.

All onsite staff and call center agents are professional and friendly. 1st visit for Canada biometrics was a good experience. But the website was quite confusing - the given photo size is wrong and worst of all they didn't mention the biometrics receipt among the required documents for passport submission. Cost me one trip in vain and wasted my time. Staff also didn't mention courier service and SMS tracking were optional and directly asked me to pay - if it wasn't for calling customer service before hand I would have spent extra unnecessary money

Agents were professional and no comments or complaints on the service itself. But mind U if by any chance U forget to bring any printouts, be ready to be penalised and pay SGD10 for the kiosk charges to use printer and SGD 2 as print charges per page.

I feel the company is milking the situation and charging exorbitant charges.

Not the least the courier charges are skyrocketing SGD19 per passport, even if U apply as a group. The intention clearly is not to make the process efficient but just milk the situation from hapless and helpless people who don't want to waste another day of thier work off.

I hope the embassies take note of these loots happening under their noses, tarnishing the experience. I hope the embassy takes cognisance of these feedbacks to improve the user experience and make the process more efficient.

Staff at counter is rude and they look for every opportunity to make extra money, I had visited them for Canada visa.
They insist to avail additional services on pretext that the process will be faster, whereas there is no need for it, timing depends on the embassy.
They have forgot they are just admin staff and not visa consulars.

5 stars if your documents have no problems. Officer is nice and explains everything clearly. Biometrics guy is also very friendly.

2 stars if your documents have problems. Officer tells you to use the desktop $10 to log into your email and to use the scanner $2 to print out one page that’s funky.

Sometimes I feel like they just want to milk money off unsuspecting and desperate people. Shame on them. Be careful that your barcodes print correctly or you’ll incur >$10 to reprint / come back another day with another appointment.

Been here for UK Skill Worker visa.

Reaching the place by MRT: Get down at Telok Ayer, exit via A & need to walk about 5mins. VFS office is in 8th Floor of the Building.

Passport/Biometrics submission: VFS Singapore office have 6 counters for the UK (Counter 12-17).

If you have submitted UKVI application & uploaded documents already, you need to declare the documents were uploaded. Staff at the counter will try to sell as many services to you, as he can 😜

After you Declare on application form/pay for services, you will be asked to wait for Biometrics submission. Biometrics will be done immediately.

Total time I spent for Passport submission: 12mins.

I opted for SMS service & got a message that Visa is processed within 1week of Submission. I went through Standard service only.

Passport Collection: Document collection is 2-4PM after you receive information that the visa is processed.

Brace yourself, there will be long queue for passport Collection & they had only 1counter for delivering the document back. Depending on the number of people came to collect, they should atleast have 3 counters. Not sure if the staff is limited.

I spent ~45mins to collect the document back.

Screen displaying the token number was on top of counter 12, which will not be visible to all people waiting. So need to check the screen at regular intervals.

Overall it's a good experience.

Standard Service for UK Skilled Worker Visa Submission:
Passport submitted: 23rd March
Visa Processed Message/Passport Collection: 30th March.
I don't see any need for opting Premium/Express services as timeline is same for both standard, premium.