Dubai: A new electronic visa waiver (EVW) system making visa-free entry into the United Kingdom possible for Emiratis since January 1 is experiencing growing pains, confirmed UK Embassy officials in the UAE.
“The Embassy is aware of some limited instances where travellers have been prevented from travel because they have not completed their EVW form correctly,” a UK Embassy spokesperson told Gulf News yesterday in a emailed statement.
An estimated 50,000 Emiratis visit the UK every year.
Despite the easier online application process — as compared to formerly providing fingerprints, visiting the embassy and securing an actual paper visa — Emiratis have been prevented from travelling due to clerical errors on waiver application forms.
In lieu of visas, Emiratis are instructed to print their completed online EVW form and present it with their passports when boarding in the UAE.
One Emirati was turned away from boarding a London-bound aircraft this week when the personal name details typed on the printed online waiver form did not precisely match the name on the passport.
The name was off by one letter because the applicant missed the typo.
Another Emirati complained to Gulf News that there should be some form of confirmation from the UK government after the waiver form is submitted to confirm that the waiver application is correct and accepted in the system.
“Emiratis are well aware of this problem, that it is happening,” he said. “Why does the UK government not tell us that the application has been accepted so there will be no problem? This causes many problems after purchasing a ticket, booking a holiday.”
Nick Jariwalla, UK Visas and Immigration Regional Manager for the Middle East and Pakistan, said the key for Emiratis using the waiver system to gain up to a six-month stay in the UK is to ensure absolute accuracy.
“The Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme allows UAE, Omani and Qatari passport holders to visit the UK without obtaining a visa before they travel. However, in order to be able to travel to the UK it is vital that visitors fill out the EVW accurately and that their details are correct. If travellers fail to do this at least 48 hours in advance, or do not fill the EVW in line with instructions, they will not be able to travel,” Jariwalla said. “Eligible passport holders who complete the form correctly will be considered for entry at the border in the same way as all other nationalities who do not normally require a visa to visit the UK.”
He also pointed out that the waiver system isn’t a surefire way to enter the UK.
“An EVW does not guarantee entry to the UK. The EVW scheme means that an eligible passport-holder will be considered for entry clearance at the border in the same way as other non-visa nationals. All those travelling under the EVW scheme will be subject to the same checks as other non-visa nationals at the UK border,” he said.
He advised Emiratis to still apply for a visit visa via standard embassy protocols if the traveller has experienced any border or entry problems to the UK in the past.
