The UK Visa Regime
Visa requirements apply to nationals of 108 countries. Key inbound tourism markets where visas are required include three of the BRICS, Russia, India and China as well as the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
The UK issues a number of different types of short-term visa:
• Visitor visas – for general travellers
• Family visa – for those visiting family members resident in the UK
• Child visa – for general visitors younger than 18
• ADS visa – for Chinese visitors travelling to the UK as part of a group for less than 30 days
• Business visitor – for those travelling to the UK on business
• Student visitor – those coming to the UK for a short term course of study
Visa restrictions directly impact visitor numbers. The requirement for Taiwanese visitors to obtain a visa was removed in April 2009, and visits from Taiwan grew by 40% in 2009. Visitor numbers in 2010 remained 12% higher than in 2008, despite the impact of recession. By contrast visas were introduced for South African visitors from April 2009. Visits from South Africa subsequently fell by 11% in the whole of 2009. They fell by a further 15% in 2010.
Improvements Underway
The Tourism Policy sets out to increase online visa applications; work to develop a shorter application form; provide guidance in local languages and share Visa Application Centres with trusted allies (e.g. the USA and Australia).The aim of these changes is to improve the visa application process, to make it more convenient, and less time-consuming. There are no plans to hold, or reduce visa application costs. Indeed visa prices have recently increased.
UKBA is introducing an Olympic and Paralympic visa, which will be available to those who are part of the ‘Olympic family’ i.e. athletes, national Olympic committees, accredited media etc.
There is a further area of opportunity around the UK’s periodic review of those countries where the UK does not require a visa for entry (i.e. visa waiver countries). The UAE is currently undergoing a visa waiver test. Other countries will be tested in 2013.