From January 16, 2007 the British Embassy in Chisinau will accept on-line applications for all categories of visas, the Ambassador of the British Embassy in Chisinau John Beyer told a press conference on January 15. Under the new online application system, available on the official webpage of the Embassy – www.britishembassy.md, - applying for a UK visa will consist of the following steps. A straightforward online form will allow the applicant to submit all their details. After saving and submitting the application, an email acknowledgement and reference number is issued to the applicant for further reference; when the online application has been submitted the applicant will be given the option to book an interview at a time and date of their convenience; the applicant needs to come to the Embassy for the scheduled interview. After paying the visa fee an interview will take place and a decision will be given to the applicant. Ambassador John Beyer said that the principal advantage for the customers is that there will be no requirement to queue at the Embassy and instead customers will choose their time and date for the interview. For a transitionary period only, applications will continue to be accepted in hand-written form until 16 February 2007. Online applications will however be given priority and from 16 February 2007 only on-line applications will be accepted. The Embassy in Chisinau is the 53rd British Embassy that introduces this service. About 3600 Moldovan citizens submitted visa applications for the United Kingdom in 2006.