UK announces 6 months visa-free entry to commonwealth citizens

The British government under the leadership of Theresa May has announced a visa free entry for all citizens from the commonwealth, of which Nigeria and other African countries are members. Citizens of the affected countries no longer need Visa to enter the UK for a 6 months visit.

However, “Those wishing to stay for longer than six months or settling in the UK are required to obtain Visas. But business visitors are eligible to travel without visas.

Read below some of the information from sources:

“The following persons need a visa for the United Kingdom:

“Since 1 July 2009, nationals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland need a visa to enter or transit through the UK.

“Also since 18 May 2009, nationals of Bolivia and Venezuela need a visa to enter or transit through the UK. Venezuelan nationals holding valid biometric passports containing an electronic chip issued since 2007 will be exempted from the visa requirement.

“Nationals of Jamaica need a visa to enter or transit through the UK since 3 March 2009.

“What documents will be required?

“You should have the following documents when coming to the United Kingdom as a visitor:

“– A letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period. The letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s) and should indicate when you are expected back at work; a letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period. The letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s) and should indicate when you are expected back at work;

“– If you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing; if you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing;

“– Evidence of any property you own in your home country; evidence of any property you own in your home country;

“– If you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating which course you are on, its start and finish dates and the dates of the holiday period during which you intend to visit the United Kingdom; if you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating which course you are on, its start and finish dates and the dates of the holiday period during which you intend to visit the United Kingdom;

“– It will also help if you can show that you have family or social ties and responsibilities to return to;

“– Evidence of any firm travel plans you have made;

“– Bank statements going back over a period of several months; and

“– Evidence of savings available to you.

“You should check before you travel to see if you need a visa. If you regularly visit the United Kingdom for business you can apply for a multiple-entry visa as a visitor that is valid for two, five or 10 years. For more information on visas contact your nearest embassy or consulate.

 “How do I apply?

“You can apply in a number of ways, for example, by post, by courier, in person and online. Staff at the visa application centres will tell you about the ways in which you can apply.

“Some visa sections will only accept applications made online. To find out if you can apply for your visa online please contact your nearest consulate.

“If you cannot apply online you will need to fill in a visa application form. You can get a form, free of charge from the visa section of your nearest visa application centre.

“You can apply for a visit visa or EEA family permit at any visa application centre overseas. If you are applying from within the EEA, you will need to show that you are living legally in an EEA member state. Living legally includes having a visit visa for the member state. For all other types of visa, you should apply in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.

“In some countries, if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months, you may need to be tested for active tuberculosis before we will accept your application. You can find out if you need to be tested by using our Do I need a visa? Questionnaire on the homepage of this website, or by contacting your nearest visa application centre.

“What is the cost of a visa?

“General visitors Visa application fee (GBP)

“Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) 78

“Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) 270

“Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) 496

“Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) 716

“Business visitors Visa application fee (GBP)

“Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) 78

“Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) 270

“Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) 496

“Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) 716

“Academic visitor (up to 12 months) 78

“Clinical attachment, dental observation or PLAB test 78

Diplomatic courier 78

General visitors Visa application fee (GBP)

Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) 78

Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) 270

Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) 496

Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) 716

Family visitors Visa application fee (GBP)

Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) 78

Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) 270

Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) 496

Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) 716

Points-based system, Tier 1 Visa application fee (GBP)

Tier 1 (Investor), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) – main applicant 816

Tier 1 (Investor), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Exceptional talent), Tier 1 (General) – dependants 816

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) – nationals of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia (main applicant only) 764

Tier 1 (Post-study work) 483

Points-based system, Tier 2 Visa application fee (GBP)

Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Sportsperson), Tier 2 (Minister of religion), Tier 2 (Intra company transfer – Long-term staff) 480

Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Sportsperson), Tier 2 (Minister of religion), Tier 2 (Intra company transfer – Long-term staff) – nationals of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia (main applicant only) 432

Tier 2 (Intra company transfer), up to 12 months 400

Tier 2 (Intra company transfer), up to 12 months – nationals of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia (main applicant only) 360

Points-based system, Tier 5 Visa application fee (GBP)

Tier 5 (Temporary worker) 194

Tier 5 (Temporary worker) – nationals of Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia (main applicant only) 175

Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) 194

Points-based system, Tier 5 Visa application fee (GBP)

Student visitor (up to 6 months) 78

Student visitor – English language course (stay allowed for up to 11 months) 140

Prospective student 78

Child visitors Visa application fee (GBP)

Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) 78

Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) 270

Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) 496

Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) 716

How long is the visa valid for?

Generally visit visas are valid for 6 months. But they can be issued for longer, for 1,2,5 or 10 years. However, those with longer term visas can still only stay in the UK for six months at any one time, other than Academic Visitors and parents of children at school as outlined above. Longer term visas are generally issued to frequent travelers.