The United Kingdom has rolled out a new generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot that will aid select applicants during their visa applications to access the European nation.
“The rollout of VFS Global’s AI-powered chatbot demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all customers. Providing instant access to accurate information about the visa application process will ensure we continue to offer the best service to our customers,” said Ms Jen Vidler, the Deputy Director, Cross Cutting Service Operations, Visa, Status and Information Services, Customer Services Group, UK Visas and Immigration, in her Tuesday, February 25, 2025, statement.
VFS Global, a “leading outsourcing and technology service specialist” rolled out the system to enhance customer support for travelers to the UK.
The AI-powered chatbot utilizes generative AI technology to offer human like conversational support through voice and text commands. It is touted to provide instant, accurate and accessible information to visa customers. It was rolled out amidst an increasing demand for efficient customer support, allowing users to access the information needed to navigate the application process.
“Technology and innovation have always been the cornerstones of our operations at VFS Global, and we are pleased to launch this AI-powered information solution which will significantly enhance the visa application experience for our customers travelling to the UK from across the globe. We are developing a range of AI and digital technology driven products to drive the next transformation in visa and consular services for our Client Governments and customers. We remain deeply committed to the responsible development of AI in accordance with the policies and requirements of our client governments,” said Zubin Karkaria, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global.
The chatbot, which will be accessible to 141 countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa will also provide country-specific information, data masking and PII protection whereby the process detects and masks any Personally Identifiable Information and no sensitive data is stores, secure and ethical AI hosting and practices, 24/7 availability and user feedback mechanisms to refine responses over time.
Typically, it would take a Kenyan 15 working days to have a UK visa application processed for them. However, the time can vary depending on the type of visa, the country of application and the volume of applications.
For processing times, it would take a standard visitor visa 3 weeks to be processed from the date of the biometric appointment, 3 weeks for a start-up visa to be processed and 3 weeks for transit visas to be processed.
However, faster processing times are available for priority service which usually takes five working days for a decision to be made and superior priority service which takes 24-48 hours for a decision to be made.
Kenyan visa applications to the UK are often rejected due to a combination of factors including strict documentation requirements, concerns about demonstrating strong ties to Kenya, insufficient proof of funds, potential language barriers and a perception that applicants may intend to overstay their visas, leading to scrutiny from UK immigration authorities.
With this AI-powered chatbot, Kenyans would have higher chances of their visa applications being approved without having to confusedly run around in circles getting their papers in order or spending money on agents to get it done.
