Monthly archive

September 2018

International organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances to the UK

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Following is the list of Organisation’s who’s whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances to the UK

African Development Bank
African Development Fund
Asian Development Bank
Caribbean Development Bank
Common Fund for Commodities
Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International Commonwealth Foundation
Commonwealth Secretariat
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation
Council of Europe
Customs Cooperation Council
European Atomic Energy Community
European Banking Authority (EBA)
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
European Bioinformatics Institute (also known as European Molecular Biology Laboratory) European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting
European Commission
European Community
European Coal and Steel Community
European Commission of Human Rights
European Committee for Prevention of Torture
European Court of Human Rights
European Court of Justice
European Investment Bank
European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA)
European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Euro control) – Director General only European Parliament
European Patent Organisation
European Police College
European School
European Space Agency
European Telecommunications Satellite Organisation European Union
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)*
Hong Kong Export Trade Office
Inter-American Development Bank
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)*
International Cocoa Organisation
International Coffee Organisation
International Court of Justice (UN)
International Criminal Court
International Development Association
International Education Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)* International Finance Corporation
International Fund for Agricultural Development
International Grains Organisation (formerly International Wheat Council) International Labour Organisation (ILO)*
International Lead and Zinc Study Group
International Monetary Fund
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
International Mobile Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT)
International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF)
International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1992
International Rubber Study Group
International Seabed Authority
International Sugar Organisation
International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (INTELSAT) International Telecommunications Union (ITU)*
International Tribunal Law of the Sea
International Tin Council
International Whaling Commission
Joint European Torus (JET)
North Atlantic Fisheries Commission
North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO)
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Organisation Joint Armament Cooperation
Organisation Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
Oslo and Paris Commissions (OSPAR)
Preparatory Commission for Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation United Nations (UN)
Universal Postal Union (UPU)*
Western European Union (WEU)
World Health Organisation (WHO)*
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)*
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)*
World Trade Organisation (WTO)

* UN Specialised agencies – certain senior officials only are Exempt
For further guidance or queries about this list please consult DMIOU Team 4 Protocol Directorate FCO.

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Visa for London

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London is the capital city of the United Kingdom. So, to travel to London you will need to apply for a visa unless you are from countries that are exempt from applying for any visa and are allowed to enter the UK. Visa for London will come under the Visa for the United Kingdom, as it is the capital city. The United Kingdom enforces one of the most stringent immigration laws in the world. So you need to make sure that whichever country you are coming from to visit London (UK) you have all the documents with you and are for you to get the visa.

There are countries whose citizen doesn’t require to apply for a Visa to enter the UK. Citizens from EU and EEA countries are exempt to apply for entry to the UK for travel, studies, business and immigration purposes. They only need to make sure that they have valid passports for the whole duration of the UK visit.

Apply for UK Visa

Exempt European Union (EU) Countries

Following are the European Union countries that don’t require any visa to enter the UK:

Austria France Malta
Belgium Germany Netherlands
Bulgaria Greece Poland
Croatia Hungary Portugal
Republic of Cyprus Ireland Romania
Czech Republic Italy Slovakia
Denmark Latvia Slovenia
Estonia Lithuania Spain
Finland Luxembourg Sweden

Apply for UK Visa

The European Economic Area (EEA) Countries

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes EU countries and:

  1. Iceland,
  2. Liechtenstein and
  3. Norway.

The EEA allows them to be part of the EU’s single market.

Switzerland is neither an EU nor EEA member but is part of the single market – this means Swiss nationals have the same rights to live and work in the UK as other EEA nationals.

There will be no change to the rights and status of EU citizens living in the UK until 2021. You and your family can apply for https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families to continue living in the UK after June 2021. The scheme will open fully by March 2019.

If you are not from an EEA Country you should have a valid passport to enter the UK. It must be valid for the whole time of your stay in the UK. You may also need a visa, depending on which country you are a citizen of and which country you are coming from.

Visa Changes Post Brexit

Post-Brexit the only changes that are brought to the UK travellers are that they must carry a valid passport during their time in the UK. Brexit has ushered changes for EU citizens visiting the UK. Previously, under the freedom of movement, EU citizens enjoyed seamless travel. Now, they face altered entry requirements, including a visa waiver system for short stays. The 90-day visa-free rule within 180 days applies, affecting travel duration and flexibility. Additionally, travellers must ensure compliance with health insurance and border checks. These changes influence travel planning, expenses, and experiences. While measures have been taken to facilitate smooth travel, the post-Brexit landscape calls for a more structured and cautious approach to visiting the UK for EU citizens.

Apply for UK Visa

How to apply for a Tourist Visa to London (UK)

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK:

  • For leisure, for example on holiday or to see your family and friends
  • For business, or to take part in sports or creative events
  • For another reason, for example, to receive private medical treatment

Check if you need this visa (https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa) if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) (https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea) or Switzerland.

Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode) (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement (https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode) instead, which will prove you have the right to abode in the UK.

The Standard Visitor visa has replaced the:

  • Family Visitor visa
  • General Visitor visa
  • Child Visitor visa
  • Business Visitor visas, including visas for academics, doctors and dentists
  • Sports Visitor visa
  • Entertainer Visitor visa
  • Prospective Entrepreneur visa
  • Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa
  • Approved Destination Status (ADS) visa

If you visit the UK on business

If you wish to visit the UK on business, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK for business-related activities, for example:

  • You’re coming to the UK for a conference, meeting or training
  • You want to take part in a specific sports-related event
  • You’re an artist, entertainer or musician coming to the UK to perform
  • Are an academic and are doing research or accompanying students on a study abroad programme
  • You’re a doctor or dentist and are coming to the UK to take a clinical attachment or observer post
  • Do you want to take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or sit the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
  • You want to get funding to start, take over, join or run a business in the UK

Check the Visitor Rules (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules) to find the full list of business-related activities you can do with a Standard Visitor visa.

What you can and cannot do on UK Business Visa

You can:

You cannot:

Read the guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visit-guidance) for more information about what you can and cannot do with a Standard Visitor visa.

How long it will take to get the UK visa?

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. For example, you can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June. You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. Check the guide processing times (https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times) to find out how long getting a visa might take in the country you’re applying from.

How long you can stay in the UK?

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

You might be able to stay for longer if:

  • You’re coming to the UK for private medical treatment – up to 11 months (£ 186 fee)
  • You’re an academic on sabbatical and coming to the UK for research – you, your spouse or your civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months (£ 186 fees)

If you’re staying in the UK as an academic or to receive private medical treatment for longer than 6 months, you must apply for a biometric residence permit (https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits). You might be able to get a visit visa for up to 30 days if you’re a visitor under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visit-guidance).

If you need to visit the UK regularly

If you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period, you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply (https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/if-youre-under-18), your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18.

Following are the Visa Fees

A Standard Visitor visa costs £ 93.

The fee for a long-term Standard Visitor visa depends on its length:

  • 2 years – £ 350
  • 5 years – £ 636
  • 10 years – £ 798

List of International organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances to the UK. CLICK HERE

You can also apply for the UK Visa from our partner iVisa by clicking below:

Apply for UK Visa

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Notting Hill Carnival London 2018

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The 52nd Notting Hill Carnival this year showed an amazing array of colours showcased by revellers and participants. The carnival kicked off in west London with carousers showcasing a vibrant display. Pictures show smiling carnival-goers covered in body paint and bejewelled outfits as Notting Hill was transformed into a feast of music, dance and colour.

Floats are parading through the streets today as a million people flock to the two-day event over the Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Caribbean and West Indian culture in the capital. The carnival featured steel bands, dance troupes and elaborate floats, with many among the crowds tossing paint and coloured powder at each other while dancing on the Notting hill streets.

Beautiful dance performer in sky blue dress Notting Hill Carnival London 2018 waves at the ongoing crowd
Beautiful dance performer in sky blue dress Notting Hill Carnival London 2018 waves at the ongoing crowd

A celebration of the Afro-Caribbean community, the two-day event has its roots in a 1964 London procession to bring people together despite racism and a lack of opportunity that blighted day-to-day life.

Police deployed metal-detecting arches to counter potential knife crime and have been given additional stop-and-search powers at this year’s carnival based on intelligence and after a spate of violent crime in London over the past week.

Notting hill Carnival 2018 London dance performers on the bank holiday MondayNotting hill Carnival 2018 London dance performers on the bank holiday Monday
Notting hill Carnival 2018 London dance performers on the bank holiday Monday

Almost 7,000 officers, some from the Metropolitan Police’s newly formed Violent Crime Task Force, are policing Monday’s event to “combat the threat of violent crime”.

This is up from the 6,100 on-duty officers at the less busy family day on Sunday. Undercover police as well as officers from the force’s firearms and dog units will be in place. The event attracted more than a million revellers to its floats, food stalls and music scene.

Beautiful dancers in varied colour costumes in Notting hill London Carnival 2018
Beautiful dancers in varied colour costumes in Notting hill London Carnival 2018

Heavy rain played a big spoiler, however, the attendance was still immense and police patrolling was well managed. Police made 133 arrests for a variety of weapon and drug-related offences, which has been a scene in past carnival events as well. A total of 20 weapons, including knives, were also seized as metal detecting knife arches were used at the event for the first time.

Millions of people took part in the event over the Bank Holiday weekend, and despite heavy rain on Sunday’s family day they proved they were out to party.

Instead of the t-shirt and shorts sported for the intensely hot weather of just a few weeks ago, there were umbrellas and a roaring trade for colourful plastic raincoats at Europe’s biggest street party. The community celebration carved its way around the streets in a mass of music, dancing, bold costumes and floats of soaked entertainers.

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