UK tourist visa may become short but not sweet

NO VISA POWER: The UK has proposed to make a tourist visa valid for only three months instead of six months.

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New Delhi: Parul Sharma has been an airhostess for four years but as she waits for a visa interview at the British High Commission she says the flight to visit her family in London has been her toughest mission yet.

Parul is one of the nearly 1.3 crore people who visit the UK on a tourist visa every year. But now with British immigration authorities cracking the whip on non-European Union tourists entering the country on 'sponsored family visits' concerns are increasing among many travellers.

“They are cutting down on the number of months. I am going on a genuine reason. Their procedures are so rigid that the next time I will think twice before applying,” Parul said.

The UK has now proposed to make a tourist visa valid for only three months instead of six months. Families who sponsor their relatives may now have to submit a bond of £ 1,000 pounds or Rs 80,000 before their relatives are allowed in.

Meanwhile, UK government says the move is aimed at curbing illegal immigration.

UK's proposal to impose restrictions on non-European Union tourists comes close on the heels of an earlier decision to introduce biometric visas, which requires information on fingerprints and facial measurements.

But travel agents say that despite the restrictions, genuine tourists, who aren't looking to extend their stay illegally, will not be affected.

“Since the restrictions are only on tourist visas, it will not really affect those travelling for a vacation,” Manager at Siddharth Travels, Ira Narula said.

Ironically, India still allows tourists to stay up to six months and also gives visa on arrival facilities to residents of over a dozen countries, including the UK.