How To Apply for a UK Visa From Dubai

The United Kingdom is known for many things, including London’s Big Ben and famous double-decker buses, the unique rock formations of Stonehenge, and even football. 

Thanks to its touristic attractions and unique culture, more than 37 million foreign visitors traveled to the United Kingdom in 2018, and that number keeps rising every year.

Those who are planning to visit the United Kingdom can take advantage of the Electronic Visa Waiver, which is available to citizens from a number of Gulf countries. 

This travel authorization is quick, simple, and very convenient — and in this article, we’ll go over how to apply for a UK EVW, the benefits, and much more.

What is the UK Electronic Visa Waiver?

The UK Electronic Visa Waiver (which is often shortened to the EVW) was recently introduced to make it easier for travelers from certain countries to enter the United Kingdom. 

The EVW was authorized and formally put into effect in 2014, and the list of eligible countries was expanded in 2016 and 2022. 

The Electronic Visa Waiver is currently available to citizens of six countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

There are many benefits of obtaining an EVW. Of course, the biggest benefit is the ability to enter the United Kingdom. 

The Electronic Visa Waiver is a single-entry authorization, which means it may only be used once. However, it allows a maximum stay of 6 months, giving travelers plenty of time to see and do everything on their itinerary (such as seeing the iconic sights of London.)

Likewise, the EVW may be used for the purposes of tourism, business, studying, or receiving medical treatment. 

Another benefit is the simplicity and ease of application. In fact, the process of applying for the UK EVW is very straightforward and only takes about 15 minutes to go through the entire application. Applicants only need to have a device with internet access (such as a tablet, computer, or smartphone) in order to fill out the online application.

Finally, the UK EVW is valid for 6 months from the date of arrival into the country. 

How to Apply for the UK EVW?

Travelers who are ready to apply for the UK Electronic Visa Waiver can do so by starting an online application.

The form will ask a few basic questions about the applicant, including his or her first and last name, gender, date of birth, and contact information. Travelers will also need to input their passport data, such as the passport serial number, nationality, date of issue, and date of expiration.

Finally, there will be a few country-specific questions, including the traveler’s reason for visiting the United Kingdom, their address in the UK, and the departure and arrival dates.

After the application has been filled out, it is advised to go over the answers and double-check to make sure everything is correct and error-free. If the form has incorrect information, the application will be rejected and travelers will need to redo the entire process again.

Once everything is complete, travelers will need to pay an application fee in order to submit the form.

The average processing time for the UK EVW is about 1 business day (24 hours), although in rare cases it may take longer. For this reason, it is recommended that travelers apply for their EVW well in advance.

After the traveler’s EVW has been approved, it will be sent to the email address that was written on the application form.

One important thing to keep in mind is that travelers who plan to visit the UK with children should also apply for an EVW. Each traveler is required to submit their own separate Electronic Visa Waiver application, which also includes children. 

Traveling to the United Kingdom from the UAE

Once travelers have their UK EVW, it’s time to plan their trip to the United Kingdom.

There are plenty of direct flights from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom. In fact, there are about a dozen flights departing daily from Dubai, typically via Emirates or British Airways. 

Likewise, there are many non-direct flights to the UAE, including the ones to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain. 

After landing in the United Kingdom, travelers must present a printed copy of their EVW, alongside their passport, to a border officer. Once the Electronic Visa Waiver has been checked and verified, travelers will be able to enter the country and enjoy their trip. 

Last but certainly not least, travelers who plan to make multiple trips to the United Kingdom should remember that the EVW expires 6 months after the date of arrival in the UK. It is also a single-entry travel authorization, which means that travelers must apply for a new Electronic Visa Waiver every time they wish to return to the United Kingdom.