Abu Dhabi: More than 5,000 UK Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW) have been completed since January 1, allowing Emirati, Qatari and Omani passport holders to travel to the UK without a visa.
The scheme has become popular as travellers are no longer required to submit their fingerprints or pay a visa fee before travelling to the UK, a press release issued by the UK Embassy in Abu Dhabi said on Sunday.
Already 1,948 Emiratis, 1,369 Omanis and 2,184 Qataris have completed an EVW. However, some customers are not yet familiar with how to complete an EVW form correctly.
When completing an EVW, the traveller is required to enter their name exactly as it appears in their passport. This must include all names and the spelling must exactly match the spelling in the passport.
The EVW must also state which plane the person will be travelling on, at what time and what day. The EVW is only valid for travel on that flight. It is not possible to use the EVW for a flight a day later and if someone needs to change their travel details, then they must complete a new EVW, and this must be done at least 48 hours before travelling.
“We’re delighted by the uptake and interest in EVW. To ensure travellers enjoy a straightforward journey, we encourage them to check their EVW document against their passport as soon as they have completed it,” Matt Heath, Regional Director for UK Visas and Immigration, said:
“If the name on the EVW does not exactly match the name written in the passport, or the traveller attempts to board a different plane they may not be able to travel to the UK. If an error is identified it is really simple to rectify, you just complete a new EVW,” he said.
Those who travel frequently, at short notice or regularly change their travel plans are advised to apply for a multi-entry visitor visa or longer term visa rather than an EVW. This offers more flexibility and can last up to ten years.
The online EVW application system has been upgraded this week to better highlight to travellers that their name must exactly match the name appearing in their passport and the EVW is only valid for the journey stated.
Dominic Jermey, UK Ambassador to the UAE, said: “We’re delighted that so many Emiratis have already travelled to the UK with an Electronic Visa Waiver. As we approach the spring and summer, I look forward to seeing even more taking advantage of the new scheme. For the visa waiver to work well as an alternative to the visit visa, it’s really important that the form is filled in correctly, ensuring a trouble-free journey for Emiratis to the UK,” he said.
For further information on EVW, search online for uk visa waiver.
