The British high commission has announced that email inquiries by visa customers applying from outside the UK would attract a fee as from June 1.

The high commission made this known in a brief report on changes to UK visas and immigration customer care operations made available by the media officer, Joseph Abuku, in Abuja on Monday.

According to the report, the changes would help the government reduce costs and ensure those who benefit directly from the UK immigration system make an appropriate contribution.

“Effective today (June 1), email inquiries by visa customers from overseas will attract a fee,” he said.

“How you contact UK Visas and Immigration is changing.

“From 1 June, all customer enquiries will be handled by a new commercial partner Sitel UK. The new contract will see a number of changes for customers.”

The high commission said changes were made in all phone numbers and opening hours.

Other changes made were a reduction in the number of languages offered to eight including English and a fee of £5.48 for customers who contacted the UK visas and Immigration by email.

“You will need to pay using a credit or debit card for contacting us by email,” he said.

“The charge includes the first email inquiry you send and any follow-up emails to and from the contact centre relating to the same enquiry.

“The way you pay to use the telephone service will remain the same using a credit or debit card.

“If you do not have access to a credit or debit card, you may choose to use a trusted 3rd party such as an agent or sponsor.”

The UK mission, however, stated that there were no changes to services for customers contacting from inside the UK.