The Five Country Conference (FCC) members say the centre will strengthen the integrity of their immigration and border services and reduce costs. A spokesman for Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said it would also improve immigration services for Singaporeans.

Many border forces are facing spending cuts

“Services will include extended operating hours with phones open until 5pm weekdays, and internet kiosks with an online application tracking facility so clients can view the status of their applications,” he said.

All applications will continue to be assessed and decided by immigration staff in individual high commissions. “VAC staff will not be involved in decisions or have any knowledge of application outcomes,” said the spokesman.

Shared infrastructure and staffing at the centre will save on costs – important given many border forces are facing spending cuts. Student visa processing delays and inefficiencies have been pinned on staffing cuts in Canada and the UK.

Set up in 2008, the Five Country Conference is a forum for countries to engage in strategic initiatives on immigration and border security. These have included biometric data sharing.

DIAC said that each member had agreed to share a global network of visa application centres.