As of today, a new 10-year multiple entry visa will be available for regular travellers to the United Kingdom.

At the same time, there will be a slight increase worldwide in the cost of visas for the United Kingdom.

A British Embassy spokesman said: "We are glad to be able to offer a 10-year multiple entry visa for entry to the United Kingdom. This should make it even easier for the thousands of residents of the UAE who visit the United Kingdom each year.

"However, the British Government policy is that the visa service should be self-financing. We have to recover the full cost of the operation in the UK and at 168 locations globally."

He added: "Because of the rising cost of the service worldwide and the financial impact of changes to the Immigration Rules, our worldwide visa operation is currently operating at a loss, we must therefore reluctantly announce a slight increase in the cost of visas."

In Pound Sterling terms, this is the first increase in the price of a standard visa since 1995.

Furthermore, applicants are now getting more for their money. Since October 2000, the standard visit visa has allowed multiple visits, with an enhanced and speedier immigration process on arrival.

Further information is available from UK Visas web site at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.


STANDARD MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

Valid for six months Dh210 (previously Dh185)
Valid for one year Dh345 (previously Dh305)
Valid for two years Dh400 (previously Dh360)
Valid for five years Dh510 (previously Dh440)
Valid for 10 years Dh860

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