[testfrequency]

I feel like this is so much of an overreaction to a non-issue.

The flow is pretty straightforward if you ask me. It’s a few clicks and one page digests of your options.

It’s a decision tree to let most people in the world who have either an Android or iOS device easily submit their form quickly, or just proceed with the guidance to just apply online (your preference obviously).

[squidbeak]

There should always be web fallbacks for those opposed to smartphones or unable to use them. Insisting the elderly use them for any type of bureaucratic flow results too often in stress and confusion.

[ageitgey]

> There should always be web fallbacks for those opposed to smartphones or unable to use them.

And there is a web fallback. And it's right there on the page. Honestly, I think they did a pretty good job.

[drstewart]

>The flow is pretty straightforward if you ask me. I

I think that about a lot of the cancellation flows posted on here that people consider "dark patterns". Skip an upsell or two, decline a pause offer, bam, cancellation page.

[gspr]

This is an insane take. Apple and Google both reserve the right to deny accounts to people without any legal appeal at worst. At best, a legal dispute would have to be resolved in US courts. How other countries (including my own) accept that as a condition to use public services is beyond belief, and pointing this out is not an overreaction.

Why are we willingly placing private companies – private companies subject to foreign jurisdictions, even! – in the role of gatekeepers of public services? We have surely completely lost our minds!

[testfrequency]

You can literally just use the online form. Have you actually tried using your search engine to query applying, and seeing just how easy it is to optionally apply online?

Over half of the world’s population is using an Android or iOS device. Most people visiting a country in the UK or have the means to afford a trip, most likely have a functioning mobile phone.

I find it somewhat amusing you think I’m “insane” for suggesting most of the modern world has a relatively accessible Android or iOS device to apply for a visa.

[wraptile]

It's insane that multi trillion government would rely on a foreign private entity for something so simple yet critical. The only sane answer here is corruption.

[koakuma-chan]

But why do they need to make a native app for that? It makes no sense.

[testfrequency]

Convenience. Do you travel with a laptop and open it to scan your boarding pass pdf also?