UK VISAS

The March 2007 Securing the UK Border strategy proposes a rationalising of the visitor category. Visitors come to the UK for a range of reasons, with the majority being granted admission for six months for whatever purpose. A UK Visitor Task Force, under the auspices of the Home Office, is looking at reducing the current six-month multiple entry visa to three months to match the length of the Schengen visa. Visa-free status was removed from nationals of five countries including South Africa in April 2009.

ABTA’s Position

ABTA serves on the UK Visitor Task Force. We have pointed out that the UK visa (currently £67) compares unfavourably with the Schengen visa (€60) and discourages potential visa applicants from visiting the UK when planning a trip to Europe, with a detrimental effect on inbound tourism and the UK economy. Our main concern is reciprocity with, firstly, the possibility of higher fees for UK citizens visiting other countries; and, secondly, that countries whose visa-free status is removed might seek to require UK nationals to obtain a visa to enter their country. Both will have consequential effects on outbound tourism.

Last updated: 01 May 2009