FLIGHT CENTRE and Applying for a VISA

Flight Centre charged me R2900 to do my VISA application through them which was supposed to save me time. Flight Centre said that it would take approximately two weeks for them to finalise my VISA application which meant that I had more than enough time. So I bought tickets through Flight Centre and paid them the R2900 that was required for the 6 month travel VISA for the UK on the same day (which was the 8th of August 2018). I got the necessary documents back to Flight Centre fully completed and signed on the 16th of August 2018 which I e-mailed to them.

My flight is due to leave on Monday the 24th of September 2018 (that’s in four days) and I am still awaiting confirmation as to when I will receive feedback as to whether or not my VISA application has been approved. Flight Centre apparently outsource their VISA applications to a company by the name of A INSTANT VISA. They only looked at my application on the 31st, nearly two weeks after having received it. As of today I still have no answer as to when I can expect it if it’s approved. Monday is a public holiday which means that I won’t be able to go to the UK unless I get my VISA latest tomorrow afternoon which is the 21st. Flight Centre said that I’d have to pay R1500 to change my ticket, but when asked if I could cancel my tickets and get a refund they said I’d have to pay a cancellation fee R3500. How can I be expected to change my tickets if the manager from A INSTANT VISA says that she is unable to even track my VISA application??? This is grossly unfair as an expectation was set by Flight Centre that the VISA application would take approximately two weeks and it’s now six weeks later and I may have to incur penalties for either changing or cancelling my tickets. Flight Centre said that they are not responsible as A INSTANT VISA is a third-party and therefore I need to take it up with them. A INSTAND VISA said that I needed to take it up with Flight Centre. I paid for the VISA application at Flight Centre having swiped my cheque card there for both my flights and VISA application fee simultaneously. Flight Centre should be held responsible as they outsourced this added service to A INSTANT VISA requiring me to pay through them. I won’t be dealing with Flight Centre again and certainly wouldn’t recommend A INSTANT VISA in Durban North, who should probably change their name, to anyone.