UK electronic visa waiver introduced for Oman, Qatar and UAE

The passport holders from United Arab Emirates, Qatar or Oman can visit the UK (only for tourism, business or study purposes) through the new electronic visa waiver (EVW) system and stay upto 6 months. The new rule is effective from 01-Jan-2014.

The electronic visa waiver form can be filled online and submit to UK immigration for free of charge and the process is faster than applying for a UK visa. The applicants do not need to provide biometric information (photo and fingerprints). There is no need to attend a visa application centre or hand over your passport in advance of travel.

You cannot use this EVW system to travel if you wish to:

1. Study or stay in the UK for more than 6 months
2. Join for work in UK
3. Plan to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK

Basic details

• An electronic visa waiver can be applied up to 3 months before the travel date and must be completed at least 48 hours before departure to the UK
• Change in your travel plans require the completion of a new EVW form. Contact the carrier if your flight schedule changes.
• Each traveller must present a paper copy of their electronic visa waiver at the departure point (air, sea or train) and again at the arrival time in UK. Electronic copies on phones, tablets or personal computers will not be accepted
• The personal details on the EVW form must exactly match by the details shown in the passport being used to travel to the UK, including any other characters like hyphens or apostrophes
• The travel details on the EVW form must exactly match the journey being made. If they do not match, you will not be able to travel
• Each EVW document is only valid for a single entry to the UK
• In addition to your electronic visa waiver document, you must also present your original passport on departure and again on arrival in the UK

For more details visit : www.gov.uk