UK Overhauls Visa System To Cut Down Red Tape For Business Leisure Travelers

13 Feb 2015

In a bid to bait better foreign investment, the home secretary of UK, Theresa May, has promulgated wide-ranging amendments to the visa system.

The home secretary of UK declared that she is going to revamp Britain’s visa system to make the country more desirable for businesses.

The wide-ranging amendments would trim down the number visa types accessible to overseas business visitors and sightseeing visitors by consolidating visa routes from 15 to four from this April.

New amendments will cut down the rep tape as well as bring down the visa processing times. The business visitors are also be enabled to take a vacation in the UK besides meetings for the initial time. Formerly two visas were needed.

Overhauling the UK visa system, would ease the process of visiting than ever before.

Theresa May said the country is open for business and its economy is mounting and a record numbers of visitors are heading to the UK to view its amazing historic sites as well as vivacious and exciting culture.

She added that in the world wide market, the country should ensure to remains ahead of its competitors as the government works to continue alluring the leisure and business visitors who helps in boosting the country’s economy further.

Tweaking the immigration system would helps to make sure that Britain is demonstrating to the remaining part of the world that it would  remains open for businesses and overseas visitors are continually welcomed in the UK either for the business or leisure, she added.

Following the consultation with over 100 organizations, which includes tourism bodies and business groups, the Home Office has confirmed the new amendments.

The entry requirements and policy remain unchanged; however, the laws and direction are streamlined.

Minimizing the visa routes from 15 to four would assist the individuals in lodging application for a correct visa and also increases the types of activities they can do while residing in the UK. Visitor (standard), visitor visa-for individuals who hold marriage or civil partnership, visitor undertaking allowed paid engagements and visitors transiting the UK are the four types of visas available as per the new changes.

Moreover, the UK government is reforming student visitor route in to a latest short-term study route, which is abstractly clearer for individuals who would like to study short term courses in the UK and simultaneously, visitors will be enabled to take up incidental study for a period up to up to 30 days’.

According to the new statistics, by the end of September 2014, around 2.1 million UK visitor visa applications were received. Of which below two million visas were issued, representing a rise of 1% compare to earlier that year.

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