(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The new speedy service means applicants who submit visa applications in the morning will most likely receive their decision and documents later that day.
Dubai - From today the UK will offer a ‘super-priority’ visa service which will turn around visa applications within 24 hours at its application centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Visa fees
A short-term visit visa for six months will cost £83 (Dh455) up from £80. But for Emiratis they can apply for an EVW for free if travelling up to six months.
A longer-term visa that allows a stay of up to two years will cost £300 (Dh1650) up from £278.
At an additional cost of £600 — or approximately Dh3200 — the UAE is now one of only a handful of countries where the UK provides this service.
The new speedy service means applicants who submit visa applications in the morning will most likely receive their decision and documents later that day. Alternatively however if same-day transactions do not transpire the service will guarantee processing of applications within 24 hours.
In addition to the regular visa fee the hefty £600 sum may turn some people off but as a completely optional service it is expected to appeal to those wanting extra speed and flexibility most likely businessmen and women.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on Sunday British expatriate Stephen Read said the new service is good for the UK-UAE ties but he’s glad he can “travel back home without the extra cash burden”.
“I think this is a positive addition to the UK visa application process here but 600 is lot of money. You could buy a return flight to London for that. But for people urgently needing to travel there last minute it will save a lot of hassle and waiting around.”
The new service can be used to apply for long-term or multi-entry visas (valid for up to 10 years) as well as for long-term study and work visas.
Commenting on the announcement the UK’s Ambassador to the UAE Philip Parham said the launch of the new service underlines the UK’s strong commitment to making its “already excellent visa service” even more flexible.
“The super-priority visa service offers another option for tourists business people and students who need to travel to the UK at the last minute.”
Customers who wish to use the new service should book a super-priority visa service appointment when they make their visa application online. Appointments will be available between 8am and 10am Sunday to Thursday at the Visa Application Centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Easy access for Emiratis
Emiratis wishing to visit the UK for up to six months will still be able to take advantage of the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) which offers visa-free travel for those who register online at least 48 hours before their departure to the UK.
Introduced in the UAE by the UK in 2014 over 40000 waivers were completed by Emiratis in the first few months of the year.
Next month the UK will make a number of other changes to its services including streamlining and simplifying the visit visa routes and introducing a health surcharge for visitors who are not nationals of European Economic Area member states and who wish to go to the UK for six months or longer.
Those who have paid the surcharge or are exempt will be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way as a permanent UK resident.
For more information go to http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/UAE