ISLAMABAD, July 9: The British high commission will introduce from July 12 new procedures for first-time travellers under 25 years of age and those over 25 who do not have family in the UK.

A press release issued here on Friday said the applicants would register their applications at their nearest FedEx offices. They would retain their passports and application forms after being given receipts confirming registration of their applications.

When the visa section was ready to assess an application, the applicant would be requested to submit the full application and supporting documents within seven days, it said. The applicant would receive a decision or an invitation for interview within a further 15 days, it said.

It said applicants would not need to pay the visa fee until the full application was submitted. The procedures had been introduced to improve the handling of the sharply increased number of applications following the restoration of full visa service in May, it said. All other applicants would submit applications as previously, it said.