(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Since January 1, over 5,000 UK electronic visa waivers (EVW) have been completed, allowing Omani, Emirati and Qatari passport holders to travel to the UK without a visa, although officials have urged people to be sure the information matches that in their passports.
The scheme enables travellers to avoid having to submit fingerprints or pay a visa fee before heading to the UK. To date 1,369 Omanis, 1,948 Emiratis and 2,184 Qataris have filled out EVW forms.
However, some instances of incomplete forms have prevented travel to the UK, such as inaccurate spelling of names, and unmatched flight and travel details.
According to Matt Heath, regional director for UK visas and immigration, it was imperative for those seeking to travel with an EVW to ensure that details matched with those in their passports. ''We're delighted by the uptake and interest in EVW. To ensure travellers enjoy a straightforward journey, we encourage them to check their EVW document against their passport as soon as they have completed it.
''If the name on the EVW does not exactly match the name in the passport, or the traveller attempts to board a different plane they may not be able to travel to the UK. If an error is identified it is simple to rectify, you just fill out a new EVW.''
Heath added that for those who travel frequently to the UK or regularly change their travel plans, it was advised to apply for a multi-entry visitor visa or longer term visa rather than an EVW. ''This offers more flexibility and can last up to ten years.''
Speaking about the EVW form and its popularity so far, H E Jamie Bowden, the British Ambassador to Oman said, ''I am very pleased that so many Omanis have already used the EVW system and that this has made their journeys to the UK easier and cheaper to arrange.
''It is essential, though, that the online form is completed with 100 per cent accuracy. If it is not, the customer may not be permitted to board their flight.''
More details are available at
https://www.gov.uk/govern ment/news/uk-electronic-visa-waiver-introduced-for-oman-qatar-and
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