The British Government has introduced a new system of issuing visas to visitors to the UK from 2 October 2000. Until now, a visa had been issued at the British mission in the visitor’s home country but the actual decision to give the visitor permission to enter the UK had been taken by an immigration official at the port of entry to the UK.
This procedure has now changed. The visa issued abroad will also include permission to enter the UK, with the immigration official at the port of entry simply verifying that the visa and passport are genuine and valid.
This new visa will allow visitor’s unlimited travel in and out of the UK for the length of the visa and will usually be valid for 6 months from the date of issue. However, in an attempt to avoid delays at peak periods, applicants may ask for the visa to come into effect up to 3 months after the date of issue.
Log in