12 May 2008

Premium visa for regular visitors launched by UK government

The UK government has created a new long-term premium visa for regular visitors to the country. The Home Office requires biometric tests, such as a fingerprint scan, for temporary UK visitors from certain countries. However, the new UK visa will have a six-month length to reduce the need for constant testing for regular visitors.

The government says that with the introduction of the visa, it aims to honour regular visitors to the country and save these travellers' time, as the biometric information is only needed once in the visa's six-month period of eligibility. Additionally, it is claimed that the visa will help to protect against identity theft or confusing the applicant for another person.

The UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office, said: "A long-term premium visa demonstrates our long-term commitment to our valued and trusted customers." These regular visitors can also enrol on the automatic iris-recognition system at UK ports, allowing for fast-track administration. The news follows other recent changes to the British immigration system, including the permanent UK visa application process now following a points-based system similar to the Australian immigration model.

Anyone interested in getting a better understanding of their current position under UK visa regulations should request a call from a qualified UK Visa Bureau migration consultant to see if they are eligible for migration to the UK, or call direct on Freephone 0800 043 7011. Alternatively, HSMP visa hopefuls should try taking the HSMP online assessment.