Travel to UK made easy for Emiratis

Dubai - Check, register, apply, prepare, and attend - These are the easy-to-follow tips published on the social networking sites of the British embassies in the UAE for Emirati passport holders planning to travel to the UK.
On Monday, the embassies launched the digital campaign offering clear guidance for the UAE nationals on using the UK's Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme to ensure a hassle-free trip to Britain. Running on the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts of the diplomatic mission, the campaign has been aptly timed with the upcoming Eid holidays, and will last until mid-August.
Alongside the post one can see an easy, step-by-step guide in Arabic and English outlining the application process. Applicants must apply for an EVW at least 48 hours before the journey.
For those travelling up to six months, EVWs will be processed for free, and for a longer-term visa that allows a stay of up to two years, applicants have to pay Dh1,650 (£300). The campaign is designed to make visitors from the UAE feel welcome in the UK, and to help travellers to avoid simple errors when filling in the EVW form.
More than 50,000 Emiratis made use of the visa waiver scheme soon after it was introduced in the beginning of 2014.
The free-of-charge service allows travellers a stay of up to six months in the UK.
Emirati mother-of-two, Fatima, who availed of the EVW last year, said though the process is already "relatively simple" the new campaign would be useful for first-time EVW applicants.
"Finding information like this on social networking sites is more convenient as nowadays everyone is active on social media. It also gives first time applicants a chance to interact with people who have already used an EVW for travel."
On the UKinUAE Facebook page, the official post read: ". The EVW scheme is free and there is no requirement to give biometrics or attend a visa application centre."
The campaign also highlights other options available to obtain UK visas. For example, Emiratis can apply for multiple-entry UK visas, with validity up to 10 years. Visit visas allow multiple entries to the UK, and the holder can stay in for up to 6 months at a time.
A new and popular passport pass-back service also allows applicants to keep their passport while their visa is being processed.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com