DOHA: Online application for the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) for citizens of Qatar, the UAE and Oman intending to visit the UK can be submitted up to three months before travel.
The EVW being introduced from January 1 allows citizens of these countries to travel to the UK for tourism, business or study purposes without a visa, for up to six months.
An EVW form can be completed online from anywhere in the world. It is free of charge and quicker than applying for a visa. There is no need to provide biometric information (photo and fingerprints), attend a visa application centre or hand in the passport in advance of travel.
Those intending to study or stay in the UK for more than six months, work, get married or register a civil partnership in the UK are not allowed to travel with an EVW.
An EVW can be completed up to three months before the travel date and must be completed at least 48 hours before departure to the UK. Each traveller must present a paper copy of their EVW at the departure port (air, sea or train) and again on arrival in the UK. Electronic copies on phones, tablets or personal computers will not be accepted. Each EVW document is only valid for a single entry to the UK.
An EVW form can be filled at Visa4UK, the country’s online applications system. The web site provides with an option of applying for a visa or an EVW if the applicant is eligible.
The applicant must provide details on port of departure, including time, date and plane/train/ship number; arrival in the UK, including time and date; and departure from the UK including time, date and plane/train/ship number.
The personal details on the EVW form must exactly match those shown in the passport .
If the applicant is visiting the UK as part of a multi-leg trip, he should include details of the last leg of the journey to the UK. If the person leaves the UK and want to re-enter, he will need a separate EVW for that journey.
Once an EVW form is successfully submitted, the applicant must complete the signature and declaration sections. He will receive confirmation that the form has been submitted by email which contains a link to the EVW document. It can be saved and printed immediately or at a later date. The EVW document will replace the requirement to complete a landing card on arrival.
The Peninsula
