By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Qataris, as well as UAE and Oman nationals, can travel to the UK without a visa starting January 1 next year.
Visitors from these countries will only be required to register online through the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) at least 48 hours in advance or earlier before their flight.
The system automatically sends an e-mail containing the document (in PDF file) which can be accessed anywhere in the world. Like an e-ticket, the printed copy of the EVW should be presented to immigration authorities upon entering or exiting the UK.
“We are pleased to introduce it and I am expecting to see more Qataris visiting the UK in the coming years,” Matt Heath, regional director of UK Visas and Immigration, told reporters yesterday at the British Embassy in West Bay.
He stressed that the EVW is free of charge. Applicants do not need to visit a visa application centre for biometrics and to submit consular documents such as passport and photos.
Valid only for a single entry, those who wish to exit the country and want to re-enter should register again online.
Heath said biographical information such as name, passport number, address, birth date, and nationality should match the details in the holder’s passport. Registration can be completed even three months or more before their departure from their countries.
Citing an increasing number of visitors coming from the three GCC states, Heath stressed that the move is part of encouraging Qataris, Omanis and Emiratis to do business in the UK.
The British embassy in Doha has recorded a 39% increase in the number of visit visas it issued in Qatar from September 2012 to September 2013 compared to the previous 12 months. On top of the list is the UAE with 43% while Oman 32%.
In 2012, at least 30,148 UAE nationals visited the UK while 20,490 came from Qatar. Visitors from Oman totaled 12,596. The embassy disclosed that it recorded an increase of 8,142 in the number of visa applications, from 31,481 in 2012 to 39,623 this year.
However, Heath has advised frequent travellers to the UK to apply for a multi-entry visa instead of the EVW since visas normally last for at least 10 years. This also applies well to Qataris who want to stay longer either for work, education or a longer visit.
“If you are a business person, you’re going to the UK then you go to Paris, then you go back to UK then you go to Berlin, then you go to the US…you’d be better off to apply for a visa,” he said.
But compared with the existing procedures in applying for a visa, Heath reiterated that EVW is free of charge, easy, quick and simple but “it’s really the customer’s choice”.
He noted that processing of visa application takes about five to 15 working days, a £80 (about QR489) processing fee and needs the approval of the embassy.
“The applicant is also required to complete an online application form containing numerous questions and asks for an appointment from the VFS Global (outsourcing company),” he added.
Visitors from the GCC have injected some £1.2bn, out of the total £18.6bn, to UK’s economy last year.
The increasing number of visitors all over the world, especially from these GCC states, can be attributed to London’s tourist attractions such as entertainment, shopping malls and food.
Matt Heath, regional director of UK Visas and Immigration, speaks to the media. PICTURE: Thajudeen
