Supporting tourism to the UK: John Penrose welcomes action to put visitor visa guidance in local languages
New set of guidance notes for visitor visa applications to the UK translated for the first time into the local languages of our key markets.
A new set of guidance notes for visitor visa applications to the UK, translated for the first time into the local languages of our key markets, was welcomed today by Tourism Minister John Penrose.
The UK Border Agency has published guidance for visitor visas in Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Hindi, Russian, Thai and Turkish in a move to support the UK’s inbound tourist industry.
John Penrose said:
“Tourism is big business for the UK. And next year’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, will encourage people to come here as never before. The Government has pledged to clear away as many of the obstacles that make life difficult for overseas tourist visitors as it can, and this is an important - and much needed - step in the right direction.
“These translated guidance notes for visitor visas will make the visa application process more straightforward for tourists and business visitors from the key markets of India, China, Russia, Turkey, Thailand and the Gulf States.”
Notes to Editors
-
Further information is available on the UK Border Agency website.
-
Visitors from the majority of the UK’s top current tourist markets do not require a visa to visit the UK, for example the USA, Japan, Brazil or the EU countries.
-
The Government published its tourism policy paper in March 2011 with a section on entry visas, including a pledge to make ‘guidance available in local languages wherever possible’.
Press Enquiries: 020 7211 2210
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6000