Applicants for UK Tier 2 Visa, meant for highly skilled workers, will be required to fill their application forms online with effect from December 20, 2010. 

"There will be dedicated submission desks for online applications at the visa application centres," UK Border Agency Regional Director Chris Dix said in a statement today. 

Dix said: "The UK Border Agency and our commercial partner, VFS Global, are committed to providing our customers with an efficient and modern visa service, and we introduce changes to our processes with this in mind.

"Some applicants currently use this facility, and I hope that more will do so as they recognise the benefits it brings."